After almost two decades of gradual reforms by the central government, Lima is today home to first-world services, globally competitive businesses, shopping malls and an emerging middle class. But here (Iquitos) in the hub of the Peruvian Amazon, living standards are all too similar to what they were 30 years ago.
Very true, it is hard to believe these cities are part of the same country. Lima and its port, Callao, have "turned the corner" into modernity; Iquitos and Ica haven't discovered a corner exists, and Cusco knows there is a corner but hasn't gotten there yet. Go read O'Grady's article, if you are interested in Latin America.
