Geography & environment — Peru
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for Peru: South America
Immigration rules and fees change frequently — confirm current requirements on official government or embassy websites.
Location & size
- Geographic Location
South America
- Geographic Coordinates
10 00 S, 76 00 W
- Total Area
496,222 Square Miles 1,285,216 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
494,206 Square Miles 1,279,996 Square Kilometers
- Water Area
2,015 Square Miles 5,220 Square Kilometers
- Land Boundaries
4,636 Miles 7,461 Kilometers
- Border Countries
Bolivia 1,075 km, Brazil 2,995 km, Chile 171 km, Colombia 1,800 km, Ecuador 1,420 km
- Coastline
1,500 Miles 2,414 Kilometers
Physical geography
- Terrain
Western coastal plain (Costa), high and rugged Andes in the center (Sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (Selva)
- Highest Point
6,768 Meters
- Highest Point Location
Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m
- Lowest Point Location
Pacific Ocean 0 m
- Natural Resources
Copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas
- Irrigated Land
4,618 Square Miles 11,960 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
- Climate
Peru lies below the Equator, therefore, its seasons along the Pacific Coast, which includes Lima, are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer lasts from about mid-December through April in that region and is generally pleasant, with warm, sunny days and cool, comfortable nights. February is usually the warmest month, with an average temperature of 79 (F) and humidity of 83%. Temperatures rarely range above the mid-80s. Only two distinct seasons occur in the highlands/sierra: the rainy season from December to April and a dry period the rest of the year. Temperatures fluctuate considerably depending on the weather and altitude. Winter along the coast lasts from May or June to November and the weather is chilly and damp. Sunny days in Lima's winter are rare, particularly in July, August, and September. Rain is virtually unknown; however, a fine mist often falls and fog is common. The coolest, dampest months are July and August, with average temperatures about 60(F), rarely falling below the low 50s.
- Terrain
Western coastal plain (Costa), high and rugged Andes in the center (Sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (Selva)
- Location
Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador
- Total Area
496,222 Square Miles 1,285,216 Square Kilometers
- Border Countries
Bolivia 1,075 km, Brazil 2,995 km, Chile 171 km, Colombia 1,800 km, Ecuador 1,420 km
Environment
- Environment - Current Issues
Deforestation (some the result of illegal logging)
overgrazing of the slopes of the Costa and Sierra leading to soil erosion
desertification
air pollution in Lima
pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes
- Environment - International Agreements
Party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements