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Latin America and Caribbean
Since gaining independence in 1821, Peru has been ruled by a succession of authoritarian, democratic and military governments. Following a period of terror perpetrated by Maoist-inspired guerrilla movements and the emergence of something like a police state, free elections were held in 2001, which returned Alejandro Toledo as president. His government chalked up major successes in the field of economic development. The decentralisation of the Peruvian state launched under Toledo also deserves recognition. This was the most radical reform of recent decades in the structure of the Peruvian state.
Both economic development and the human rights situation in Peru have improved significantly in recent years, and progress has also been made with democratisation and increasing citizen participation. There is also a growing awareness of environmental and social justice issues. Since July 2006 Alan Garcia has been president of Peru. This is an office he has held before, from 1985 to 1990, when the country went into an economic slump.
Today, the situation is quite different. After years of very sound economic and financial policies, the country recovered well from the world economic crisis of 2008/09 and is again in an upswing. Sustained growth over a period of years and extensive foreign direct investment have also helped to bring about a decline in poverty. However, substantial social and regional inequalities remain and time and again these lead to conflict, sometimes involving violence.
The Federal Republic of Germany and Peru enjoy amicable political relations. Peru traditionally constitutes a priority area of German development cooperation with Latin America. Important areas of development cooperation are the strengthening of democracy and the rule of law, capacity building in public administration and civil society, water supply and sanitation, and rural development and environmental protection.
Germany is an important trading partner for Peru. In the first half of 2010 Peru exported goods worth 499 million euros to Germany – mostly copper, fish and meat meal, and coffee.
Peru is one of the most densely forested countries in the world and has an exceptionally high level of biodiversity. The country can be divided into three geographical zones: the costa – the coastal region; the sierra – the Andean highlands; and the selva – the Amazonian rain forest. The narrow coastal strip, 2,520 kilometres in length, where the capital Lima is located, is the country's economic powerhouse. The sierra, the Andean highlands, runs like a wall from north to south. Here the people are largely indigenous. They live, at altitudes of up to 4,000 meters, from agriculture, animal husbandry and mining. The lush Amazon basin covers some 60 per cent of the country's land, yet it is the most sparsely populated region of Peru. The indigenous communities here are increasingly under pressure from immigrants from the highlands searching for alternative livelihoods.
Peru has the fourth largest area of tropical forests in the world and one of the richest biodiversities in the world. However, rapid economic growth and the global rise in the price of raw materials are contributing to the destruction of this natural wealth. In particular, deforestation, coca cultivation and illegal mining practices are threatening parts of the Amazon basin and thus the country’s rich biological diversity. In recent years, conflicts about environmental issues and resource distribution have also increased.
German Embassy

German Embassy in Peru
Avenida Arequipa 4210
Lima 18 (Miraflores)
Peru
Phone: +51 / 1 / 212 50 16
Fax: +51 / 1 / 422 64 75






