PERU: AREA, HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, POPULATION, ETC.
More than a century ago, the distinguished scientist, Alexander von
Humboldt, declared that the country of Peru would one day become the
centre of the World’s colonization. It has been called the richest in
natural resources of any country upon the globe, containing within its
borders every variety of climate and of natural or possible production,
together with wonderful fertility of soil and marvelous wealth in
minerals. Other countries make a similar claim. To decide the question
is impossible. Without intimate acquaintance with all, even to express
an opinion would seem an impertinence.
AREA, POPULATION, BOUNDARY
=Area.= Pending the decision of certain boundary disputes, the area of
this Republic can hardly be stated with even approximate accuracy, for
figures given vary over 200,000 square miles. The territory claimed
by the Government, including Tacna and Arica, with a vast domain over
which Ecuador and Colombia have asserted a right, covers 700,000
square miles. Had all claims been decided against her, Peru would have
fifth place in area among the South American Republics; but as the
arbitrators of her boundaries with Brazil and Bolivia gave judgment
largely in her favor, she is likely to remain fourth with at least
540,000 square miles. With this figure Peru is ten times the size of
New York State, and approximates the area of the entire Atlantic slope
of the United States.
=Population.= As no census of Peru has been taken for many years the
population is merely estimated and a variety of figures is given. The
estimate of 5,800,000 appears probable; this number would place Peru in
the third or fourth rank according to the figures assigned to Colombia.
=Boundary.= The boundary of the country may be slightly affected by
the decision of arbitrators; as usually given, Peru has Ecuador and a
little of Colombia on the north, Brazil and Bolivia east, Chile south,
and the Pacific Ocean on the west.
HISTORY
The name of Peru is always a reminder of the Incas, and all but the
utterly ignorant have heard the amazing tale of the conquest of Peru by
Pizarro. A few dates may here be recalled. As early as 1527, Francisco
Pizarro, incited by rumors of prodigious wealth of gold in a country
south of Panamá, made a voyage of exploration in which he landed at
Tumbes and proceeded as far as Trujillo. Satisfied with his discoveries
he returned to Spain, to procure a royal warrant for an invasion.
In 1531, with Diego de Almagro, Hernando de Luque, a priest, and
subordinates, he set out on his career of conquest. With 180 men, 67 of
whom were cavalry, in 1532 he crossed the desert and the first mountain
range, then descending to Cajamarca. How he treacherously seized and
later slew the Inca Prince, Atahuallpa, in spite of the enormous gold
ransom which had been furnished, afterwards captured Cuzco, the Inca
capital, and in 1535 founded Lima on the banks of the Rimac is a Twice
Told Tale.
Quarrels developed soon after the conquest. Subsequently to his return
from Chile the nobler Almagro was executed by order of his associate,
Pizarro, who himself was assassinated in 1541 by former adherents
of Almagro. For centuries Lima was the seat of Spanish government in
South America and the residence of the Viceroy. Great wealth of gold
and silver had been extorted from the Incas in addition to the ransom
paid for Atahuallpa, and further riches were later obtained from mines
by forced labor of the Indians. Severe exactions and cruelties excited
one or two insurrections, but in spite of vicissitudes of various kinds
the city of Lima was the continental centre of wealth and culture for
generations.
When in 1810 the spirit of independence began to manifest itself in
the colonies, it had less opportunity for development in Peru. Not
until San Martín came with an army from Chile in 1820 did revolutionary
activity become general. Received with great enthusiasm, he was
proclaimed Protector of Peru. Her independence was declared July
28, 1821, which is the day they celebrate. General Bolívar, coming
from the north with an army, was met by San Martín. A disagreement
evidently occurred, which caused San Martín to retire to Argentina;
subsequently he withdrew to Europe. A hero of the highest patriotism,
courage, skill, unselfish devotion, and sterling character, the name
of San Martín should be honored among us as is that of Washington in
South America. The year following Bolívar’s arrival in Lima in 1823, a
battle between royalists and patriots occurred on the plateau of Junín,
altitude 13,000 feet, when the patriots gained a complete victory. In
December of the same year, 1824, General Sucre gained the hard-fought
battle of Apurimac, which ended Spanish dominion in South America.
More or less troublous times with brief intervals of harmony followed
the securing of independence, until the War of the Pacific broke out in
1879. In accordance with a secret treaty, Peru went to the assistance
of Bolivia after the Chilians had seized Antofagasta on account of a
quarrel over a nitrate tax. Following some successes, the Peruvian
fleet was destroyed; the coast was exposed to the enemy. In 1881 Lima
was captured, and held until the signing of the treaty of Ancón in
1883. In accordance with this treaty the Province of Tarapacá was ceded
to Chile. Tacna and Arica were yielded for ten years, at the end of
which time the residents were to vote whether they desired to remain
with Chile or return to their former allegiance. The fact that no vote
has yet been taken, while Chile retains possession, has for years
caused much ill feeling and friction between the two countries, which
several times have been on the verge of war.
Within the last ten years there have been several internal disturbances
in Peru and one revolution; these, however, are short lived and do
not affect the people generally or interfere with business for more
than a day or two; nor do the revolutions derange concessions or the
investments of foreign capital.
GOVERNMENT
The government is a centralized republic, based on the constitution of
1860, revised in 1920. The President is now elected for five years;
he is ineligible for immediate reëlection. The other two branches of
government are of the usual form. Congress has two Chambers, a Senate
of 35 members and Deputies 110, both elected by direct vote. Alternates
are chosen to assume office in case of vacancy. There are also three
local legislatures. The President appoints the Prefects of Departments
and the Sub-prefects of Provinces; the Prefects name the _Gobernadores_
of the Districts. The President controls the police of the country; the
supervision of education is centralized. The Judiciary has a Supreme
Court at Lima, nine Superior Courts in the chief cities, and Lower
Courts in smaller places.
Peruvian male citizens over 21 may vote, if a master employer, a real
estate owner, a tax payer, or able to read and write.
Peru has 22 separate divisions aside from Tacna, of which three
are littoral Provinces and the rest Departments; the latter are
divided into 118 Provinces, and these into 800 or more Districts.
The Departments and unattached Provinces, with approximate area and
population, their capitals, population, and altitude are as follows:
---------------------+---------+----------+---------------+----------+---------
DEPARTMENTS | AREA, |POPULATION| CAPITALS |POPULATION|ALTITUDE
|in square| | | | in
|miles | | | | feet
---------------------+---------+----------+---------------+----------+---------
_Coastal Divisions_ | | | | |
Tumbes (Province) | 2,000 | 8,000 | Tumbes | 3,000 |
Piura | 17,000 | 155,000 | Piura | 15,000 | 167
Lambayeque | 4,600 | 93,000 | Chiclayo | 5,000 | 82
Libertad | 10,000 | 188,000 | Trujillo | 15,000 | 203
Ancash | 16,500 | 317,000 | Huarás | 12,000 | 9,928
Lima | 13,000 | 250,000 | Lima | 175,000 | 450
Callao (Province) | 15 | 35,000 | Callao | 35,000 | 6
Ica | 8,700 | 68,200 | Ica | 10,000 | 1,312
Arequipa | 22,000 | 172,000 | Arequipa | 50,000 | 7,550
Moquegua (Province) | 1,255 | 32,000 | Moquegua | 5,000 | 4,034
| | | | |
_Sierra Departments_ | | | | |
Cajamarca | 125,000 | 333,000 | Cajamarca | 12,000 | 9,230
Huánuco | 14,000 | 110,000 | Huánuco | 6,000 | 6,270
Junín | 23,000 | 305,000 | Cerro de Pasco| 15,000 | 14,300
Huancavelica | 9,000 | 167,000 | Huancavelica | 8,000 | 12,400
Ayacucho | 18,000 | 227,000 | Ayacucho | 20,000 | 9,200
Apurimac | 8,100 | 133,000 | Abancay | 6,500 | 7,854
Cuzco | 90,000 | 300,000 | Cuzco | 30,000 | 11,445
Puno | 28,000 | 270,000 | Puno | 13,000 | 12,600
| | | | |
_Montaña Departments_| | | | |
Amazonas | 14,000 | 53,000 | Chachapoyas | 4,500 | 7,635
San Martín | 30,000 | 33,000 | Moyabamba | 5,000 | 2,900
Loreto | 172,000 | 120,000 | Iquitos | 18,000 | 356
Madre de Dios | 25,500 | 16,000 | Maldonado | 500 | 836
---------------------+---------+----------+---------------+----------+---------
[Illustration: ECUADOR, PERU, BOLIVIA, SOUTHWEST BRAZIL]
POPULATION
As previously stated, the population is largely an estimate, but
probably approaches 6,000,000. From the above approximate figures it
is evident that it is very unevenly distributed, as it is in fact in
all of the Republics. There are three principal classes aside from
the wild or uncivilized Indians of the _montaña_: the whites, the
real governing class, chiefly of Spanish origin, some with a slight
admixture of Indian blood; the mestizos, more nearly half and half,
white and Indian, largely the artisan and tradesman class; the Indians,
most numerous in the sierra, much as in Inca days, but probably poorer
in mental and physical condition and in creature comforts than in the
earlier period. The population of the _montaña_ in the lower forest
section beyond the mountains is wild Indian except for a very small
percentage of white and Indian gold diggers or rubber gatherers.
Even now, in spite of exploration for several centuries, there are
probably thousands who have never seen a white man. The entire number
of _montaña_ Indians is estimated (it can only be a guess) at perhaps
300,000. Of the rest the proportion is very uncertain, but one writer
gives it as Indians 50 per cent, mestizos 35, whites 11 per cent, the
rest negroes, _zambos_, and Asiatics.
EDUCATION
The opportunities for higher education are relatively superior to those
for primary, though this by law is free and compulsory. But as no
schools have been provided in many Districts, not half of the children
have been able to attend, and the percentage of illiteracy is large.
At the moment, however, 1921, plans have been inaugurated to remedy
this state of affairs, and teachers have sailed from the United States
to aid in the further development of educational facilities. There are
four universities in Peru, that of San Marcos in Lima, the oldest on
this hemisphere; others of lesser scope and merit in Arequipa, Cuzco,
and Trujillo. Lima has also a School of Mines; one of Engineering,
Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, and Architectural; one of Arts
and Trades; a Normal School, a Naval School at Callao, and a Military
Academy at Chorillos, a suburb of Lima. There are secondary schools
called _colegios_ in the principal cities, and private schools of high
grade.
PRESS, RELIGION, ETC.
=Press.= Aside from official publications, the Press includes
newspapers and periodicals of considerable variety. Lima has several
good newspapers which have a wide circulation, owing to the fact that
they are carried free of charge inside the Republic, as are literary
and scientific journals also. Some of the smaller towns have their own
newspapers.
=Religion.= The religion of the country is Roman Catholic, but other
forms of worship are permitted. Provision is made for the civil
marriage of foreigners.
=Postal and Telegraph Service.= Foreign letters and parcels for most of
the montaña region enter by way of the Amazon River and Iquitos.
Telegraph service is much employed locally, as the cost is only
40 centavos, 20 cents, for ten words to any part of the country.
The address and signature are counted, as in all of the Republics.
Additional words are at the same rate. There are about 8000 miles of
wire. The United States has cable connection with Peru by three lines.
Lima has wireless connection with Iquitos, a distance of 650 miles in a
straight line, over a mountain wall more than three miles high. Other
wireless stations are at Callao, Pisco, Chala, Ilo, Leticia, El Canto,
Orellana.
There are many telephone systems with nearly 200,000 miles of wire.
=Money= is of gold, silver, and copper. The gold Peruvian _libra_ is
the equivalent of the English sovereign, and in general they circulate
interchangeably. The _libra_ is divided into ten _soles_; a _sol_,
about 50 cents (48.6), into 100 _centavos_.
The =Metric System=, legal for weights and measures, must be employed
in the Custom Houses and in other Government offices. Old Spanish
standards are also used in Lima and quite generally in the country: the
_vara_, 33¹⁄₃ inches, the _libra_, a trifle over a pound, _arroba_, _25
libras_, _quintal_, _100 libras_, _fanegada_, a little over 7 acres,
etc.