The Republic of Peru is a sovereign nation located in the western part of South America. It is bordered by Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, Chile to the south, and Ecuador to the northwest. Peru is renowned for its extreme biodiversity, featuring diverse ecosystems that range from the arid coastal desert and the towering peaks of the Andes Mountains to the vast, humid rainforests of the Amazon basin. With a population exceeding 32 million people, the country's capital and largest urban center is Lima. Covering an area of 1,285,216 km², Peru is the third-largest country in South America and a major cultural and historical crossroads.