Articles Viva Latino

Peru is a land of unsurpassed breadth and beauty, rich archaeologicalstores and scenic treasure- towering Andean peaks.

Peru is located in west central South America. It borders with Ecuador andColombia to the north, Chile to the south, Bolivia and Brazil to the east,with the Pacific Ocean constituting its natural western boundary.

Peru is a democratic republic with a presidential system of government.Power is vested in an executive branch headed by the President, asingle-chamber legislative branch embodied by the Congress, and the judiciary. Direct presidential and legislative elections are held everyfive years, local elections every three.

Peru has become a top destination and a world centre for tourist attractiondue to the friendliness of its people, its richly varied cuisine; and itsbeautiful scenery.
Its capital, Lima, with its century's old colonial churches and mansionsplus the unforgettable beauty of the country on the way over the Andeanhighlands makes it one of the most majestic regions in the world!

The magnificent Inca ruins in Cuzco and Machu Picchu are breath-taking,giving one a sense of the mysterious past. Cuzco, the scene of the rise andfall of the ancient Inca empire, has for nearly three centuries been the centre of interest for students of old civilizations and archaeologists whosearch for treasure and adventure.

Cuzco leads the way to the "Lost City ofthe Incas"- Machu Picchu making the former known as the "Navel of the World". Other archaeological spots include the Nazca Lines (and Paracas National Reserve), Titicaca (sacred lake of the Inkas), Manu National Parkand Arequipa.

Globally, Perú is the top fishmeal exporter, second in silver, third in asparagus, zinc and tin; fifth in copper and sixth in gold. In terms offorest extension, Peru ranks seventh largest in the world with one of thegreatest diversity of tree species.

Peru's economy is one of the most liberal and offers investmentopportunities in textiles, agro-industry, forestry, mining, fishing andinfrastructure. The Foreign Investment Promotion Act ensures non-discriminatory treatment, freedom to invest in any business, freetransfer of all capital, dividends, and royalties, stable labour regime,and provides long-term tax stability.

Peru and Singapore has just concluded its second round of negotiations fora Free Trade Agreement in June 2006. It is expected to be finished in late September 2006.