Peru: Geography and Environment

Peru divides into three distinct natural regions running roughly north to south. A narrow, arid coastal strip along the Pacific holds the country's largest cities, including the capital, Lima, despite receiving very little rainfall. Inland, the Andes mountains rise sharply, home to some of the highest peaks in South America, including Huascaran, and give way in the east to Amazon rainforest that covers more than half of Peru's territory.

Climate varies dramatically with region and elevation rather than season, ranging from the cool, dry coastal desert to freezing high altitude conditions in the Andes and warm, humid conditions in the Amazon lowlands. Rivers originating in Andean glaciers and snowmelt supply water to both highland communities and the arid coast.

Environmental priorities include managing Amazon deforestation linked to agriculture, logging, and mining, as well as monitoring the retreat of Andean glaciers that supply water to millions of people downstream. Peru is also home to significant mineral resources, and balancing mining development with environmental and water quality concerns remains an ongoing priority.