FACTS

Location: Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador

Area (only Total) total: 1,285,220 sq km

Climate: varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes

Terrain: western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)

Population: 29,180,899 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Spanish

Government type: constitutional republic

Capital (Name): Lima

Capital (Time Difference): UTC-5

Independence: 28 July 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 28 July (1821)

HOLIDAYS

January 1 New Year's Day

March 21 - 24 Good Friday -Easter Monday

May 1 Labour Day

June 29 St Peter's & St Paul's Day

July 28 Independence Day

July 29 Independence Day Celebrations

August 30 St Rosa of Lima

October 8 Battle of Angamos

November 1 All Saints Day

December 8 Immaculate Conception

December 25 Christmas Day

Weekend - Saturday, Sunday