Perù Bandiera della Perù

Cartina geografica della Perù

 General informations

Country Name

Republic of Peru

Continent

South America

Surface area

1,285,216 km2

Capital

Lima

Population

31 million

Language

Spanish

Currency

Nuevo Sol (PEN)

Time zone

-6hrs compared to Italy

Area code for Italy

0039

Area code from Italy

0051

 Prevention

Yellow fever

Yellow fever vaccination is not required. Vaccination is recommended for people travelling in regions below an altitude of 2,300 meters throughout the Amazon Region, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Loreto, Madre de Dios, San Martin, Ucayali, Puno, Cuzco, Junín, Pasco and Huánuco.

Hepatitis A and B

Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by contaminated food and water, or close physical contact with an infected person, whereas Hepatitis B is transmitted by exposure to infected body fluids and blood.

Rabies

Infection typically occurs through contact with the saliva of an infected animal, usually caused by bites, scratches or licks near open wounds or mucous membranes (e.g. mouth, nose, eyes). The most common vectors are dogs and bats, but cases of infection in other domestic animals have also been reported.

Tetanus

Caused by toxins released by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, the risk of tetanus infection is present throughout the country.

Typhus

Bacterial in origin, typhoid fever is transmitted through contaminated food and drink, especially in regions with inadequate sanitary conditions.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is an airborne disease of bacterial origin. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers at risk of developing severe symptoms or coming into contact with infected individuals. It is also recommended for all travellers under the age of 16, who plan to stay in the country for more than 3 months.

Malaria

Malaria is transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitos and is widespread throughout the country. As a vaccine is still not available, you must take careful precautions to avoid mosquito bites and in some cases it may be necessary to take antimalarial medication, after thorough evaluation by a qualified doctor.

Dengue, Zika

These diseases are spread by the bites of infected mosquitos and there are no vaccines. Consequently, it is important to adopt careful behavioural and preventive measures.

Insect bites and stings

Diseases such as Chikungunya, Leishmaniasis, American trypanosomiasis (Chagas Disease) and West Nile virus are present in South America. As these diseases are transmitted by insect bites and there are no vaccines, it is important to adopt careful behavioural and preventive measures.

The following vaccinations are strongly recommended as these diseases can be contracted anywhere in the world. Experts advise that you protect yourself and other travellers by making sure you are up-to-date with all of the recommended vaccinations. This will allow you to travel safely, while minimising the risk of exposure to infection.

 Territory and climate

Located on the western side of the South American continent, Peru borders Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil and Bolivia to the east, Chile to the south, and overlooks the Pacific Ocean to the west for more than 2,000 km. The territory is divided into three natural regions: the coast, the Sierra highlands and the Amazon.

The coastal region is arid, with alternating stretches of rocky and sand shores, and extends inland along the entire coast for approximately 150 km. Behind it rises the Andes mountain range, split into a series of ranges that are separated by various upland areas and depressions. The country's highest peak is the Huascarán on the Cordillera Blanca, which rises to an impressive 6,700 meters above sea level. Meanwhile, on the Eastern Ranges lies the basin of Lake Titicaca. Whereas, in the scarcely populated Amazon region, the source of the Amazon river branches out breathing life into the rain forests.

The country is influenced by various different types of climate. The coastal belt is arid, with very little precipitation. Whereas, the eastern slope of the Andes is very humid, and a large proportion of the rainfall concentrates in the Amazon region, where temperatures remain constantly above 23°C throughout the year. As the altitude increases, the temperature decreases, with average values below zero above 4,000 metres.

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