Forgotten World (83): Peru
I once spent a week in Peru [click here]. The country – the 20th largest in the world – gained its independence in 1821 and today it is a nation of some 29 million.
In its recent past, Peru has alternated between democracy and military dictatorship. Also, it is deeply divided politically and economically. The country is rich in copper, silver, lead, zinc, oil and gold. Despite this, Peru’s progress has been held back by corruption and the failure of successive governments to deal with social and economic inequality.
A small elite of Spanish descent controls most of the wealth and political power, while indigenous Peruvians are largely excluded from both and make up many of the millions who live in poverty. According to official sources, half of the total population is regarded as poor, including around one in five considered extremely poor