Partisans in the early 19th century adopted a red-white-red flag resembling that of Spain, but they soon made its stripes vertical. In 1825 the current design was established. The shield includes figures symbolic of national wealth-the vicuna (a relative of the alpaca), a cinchona tree, and a cornucopia with gold and silver coins.

Peru Official name: República del Perú (Spanish) (Republic of Peru). Form of government: unitary multiparty republic with one legislative house (Congress [120]). Head of state and government: President. Population (1998): 24,801,000. Population projection: (2000) 25,662,000; (2010) 30,506,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1995-2000): 18.5 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (1996): U.S.$58,671,000,000 (U.S.$2,420 per capita). Land use (1994): forest 66.3%; pasture 21.2%; agricultural 3.2%; other 9.3%.

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