View source for Department of Ancash

{{Short description|Departments of Peru}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2009}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name               = Ancash
| native_name        = <small>Departamento de Áncash ([[Spanish language|Spanish]])<br>Anqash suyu ([[Ancash Quechua|Quechua]])</small>
| native_name_lang   = 
| settlement_type    = [[Regions of Peru|Department]]
| image_skyline      = Nevado_Huascarán3.jpg
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = [[Huascarán]] in the [[Huascaran National Park]]
| image_flag         = Bandera_Ancash.svg
| flag_alt           = 
| image_seal         = 
| seal_alt           = 
| image_shield       = Coat of Armsof Ancash Department, Peru.svg
| shield_alt         = 
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| image_map          = Peru - Ancash Department (locator map).svg
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = 
| pushpin_map        = 
| pushpin_map_alt    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|-9.53|-77.53|type:adm1st_region:PE|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint      = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[Peru]]
| subdivision_type1  = Subdivisions
| subdivision_name1  = 20 provinces and 166 districts
| subdivision_type2  = 
| subdivision_name2  = 
| subdivision_type3  = Largest city
| subdivision_name3  = [[Chimbote]]
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| founder            = 
| seat_type          = Capital
| seat               = [[Huaraz]]
| government_footnotes = 
| leader_party       = 
| leader_title       = Governor
| leader_name        = [[Koki Noriega]] <br /><small>(2023–2026)</small>
| unit_pref          = Metric<!-- or US or UK -->
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 35914.41
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_water_percent = 
| area_note          = 
| elevation_footnotes = (Capital)
| elevation_m        = 3052
| elevation_max_m    = 6768
| elevation_min_m    = 0
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = {{profit}} 1194200
| population_as_of   = 2022
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = 
| population_note    = 
| timezone1          = 
| utc_offset1        = 
| timezone1_DST      = 
| utc_offset1_DST    = 
| postal_code_type   = [[UBIGEO]]
| postal_code        = 02
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in Peru|Dialing code]]
| area_code          = 043
| iso_code           = PE-ANC
| website            = {{Official URL}}
| footnotes          = 
| blank2_name_sec1   = Poverty rate
| blank2_info_sec1   = {{decreasepositive}} 21.5%
| blank3_name_sec1   = Percentage of Peru's [[Gross domestic product|GDP]]
| blank3_info_sec1   = 2.76%
| official_name      = 
}}
'''Ancash''' ({{langx|qu|Anqash}}; {{langx|es|Áncash}} {{IPA|es|ˈaŋkaʃ|pron}}) is a [[Regions of Peru|department of Peru]]. Located in the country's west, it is bordered by the departments of [[Department of La Libertad|La Libertad]] on the north, [[Department of Huánuco|Huánuco]] and [[Department of Pasco|Pasco]] on the east, [[Department of Lima|Lima]] on the south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. It is administered by a [[Regional Government of Áncash|regional government]]. Its capital is the city of [[Huaraz]], and its largest city and port is [[Chimbote]].

== Etymology ==
Its name originates from the [[Quechua language|Quechua]] word {{lang|qu|anqash}} ('light, of little weight'), from {{lang|qu|anqas}} ('blue') or from {{lang|qu|anka}} ('eagle').<ref>* [http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robert_beer/Vocabulario%20comparativo%20Quechua%20ecuator%20Quechua%20ancash%20-%2020%20Oct%2006.PDF Vocabulario comparativo quechua ecuatoriano – quechua ancashino – castellano – English] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095403/http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robert_beer/Vocabulario%20comparativo%20Quechua%20ecuator%20Quechua%20ancash%20-%2020%20Oct%2006.PDF |date=2016-03-04 }} (pdf)</ref><ref>{{Ref Laime}}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Taulliraju.JPG|thumb|200px|right|[[Tawllirahu]] in Ancash at 5,885 meters]]
Ancash is a land of contrasts: it features two great longitudinal valleys, which combine the mountain characteristics of the [[Callejón de Huaylas]] (Alley of Huaylas) with the sylvan ones of the [[Alto Marañón]]. Kilometres of sandy beaches and the blue waters of the Pacific. The territory of the coast, high plateaux and [[Andes|Andean]] ''[[Puna grassland|punas]]'' of the department are flat, while the rest of the territory, in the Andes, is very rough. In the west, there are slopes with strong declivity form narrow canyons with abrupt and deserted sides.

The rough territory of the department is crossed by two mountain ranges: on the western side, the [[Cordillera Negra]] ([[Spanish language|Spanish]] for "black mountain range"), which has peaks without [[glacier]]s, and on the eastern side, the [[Cordillera Blanca]] ("white mountain range"), which has many peaks covered with snow and ice, such as the [[Huascarán]] and the [[Alpamayo]]. Between these two mountain ranges, the [[Santa River]] flows through the so-called ''Callejón de Huaylas''. This valley narrows to form the [[Cañón del Pato]] ("duck canyon"). Also along the Pacific slopes, the Santa River has shaped a wide valley in the ''punas'' which narrows into the Cordillera Negra, where the Cañón del Pato canyon was formed.

The snow-covered peak of Huascarán, the highest peak of Peru and second of the Americas, reaches a height of {{convert|6768|m|ft mi|abbr=on}} and contrasts with the {{convert|6263|m|ft|abbr=on}} deep [[Trough (geology)|trough]] of Chimbote found in the ocean west of Ancash. Remnants of glaciers created many lakes such as [[Llanganuco Lakes]] and [[Lake Parón]].

Following the [[Pan-American Highway]] north from [[Lima]], the territory of the department begins just beyond the [[Paramonga|Fortress of Paramonga]], between wide fields of [[sugarcane]], and across the [[Fortaleza River (Peru)|Fortaleza River]], {{convert|206|km|mi}} from Lima.

Along the coast of Ancash, from the Fortaleza River to the Santa River, the Pacific exerts great influence. The [[Humboldt Current|Peruvian current]] and the [[El Niño–Southern Oscillation|El Niño current]] exert considerable and sometimes tragic effect on local lives and regional economies.

Normally, the Peruvian current, also known as the [[Humboldt Current]], brings cold water and large numbers of fish. With the development of the shoals of [[Peruvian anchoveta|anchoveta]], the Ancash ports and [[Creek (tidal)|creeks]] became commercial fishing centers. During the 1950s, the bay of Chimbote was the top fishing port of the world.<ref>[http://www.dreancash.gob.pe/ugel_santa.php "Reseña histórica"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070811030516/http://www.dreancash.gob.pe/ugel_santa.php |date=August 11, 2007 }} Peru Ministry of Education, retrieved August 7, 2007</ref>

However, when warmer waters from the north, such as the current of El Niño, bring catastrophic rains to the coast and sea, the shoals of anchoveta disappear, leaving the fishing fleets plants paralysed, and flooding rivers cause serious damage to the lands and cities. The cycles of these two sea currents that affect Peru are hard to predict.<ref>[http://www.imn.ac.cr/publicaciones/estudios/Nino_rev_bibliog.pdf "El Niño: Una Revisión Bibliográfica"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702220733/http://www.imn.ac.cr/publicaciones/estudios/Nino_rev_bibliog.pdf |date=July 2, 2007 }} Villalobos, Roberto  Flores and Alberto, José Retana, retrieved on August 7, 200.</ref>

Further north along the Pan-American highway, numerous islands and islets dot the sea near the coast. Most are home only to [[guano]] [[seabird]]s. From south to north, the most important islands include [[Tortuga Island, Peru|Tortuga Island]] (Turtle Island), [[La Viuda Island]] (The Widow Island), [[Isla Blanca, Santa|Isla Blanca]] (White Island) and [[Santa Island]] (Holy Island).

The coastal region of Peru includes many [[peninsula]]s, [[Creek (tidal)|creeks]], warm bays and sand beaches, full of colour. Because of the lack of roads and difficult terrain, many of these are inaccessible by land.  The most important beaches include [[Grande Beach]], [[La Gramita Beach]] and [[:es:Playa Las Salinas|Las Salinas Beach]].

Much of this coast is a monotonous stretch of huge sand deserts, a common denominator in all Peruvian coastal regions because of the influence of the [[Humboldt Current]].<!-- it is much more complex than simply inhibiting rains -->

Along the rivers, there are green valleys, cultivated mainly with [[sugarcane]], [[rice]] and [[Gossypium barbadense|cotton]]. From south to north, the main rivers of the Ancash coast are the following: [[Huarmey River|Huarmey]], [[:es:Culebras|Culebras]], [[Casma River|Casma]], [[Sechín River|Sechín]], [[:es:Nepeña|Nepeña]], [[Lacramarca River|Lacramarca]] and Santa.

Of these rivers, the only one with water year-round is the Santa River. Its sources are the glaciers and lakes of the Cordillera Blanca. The other rivers, as with most rivers of the Peruvian coast, are intermittent, depending on the highland rains or the advance of El Niño.

== History ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2023}}
[[File:Chavín de Huántar.JPG|thumb|200px|[[Chavín de Huantar]]]]
[[Image:Iglesia de Ocros.jpg|thumb|right|200px|1970 Ancash earthquake]]
Between 400 and 600&nbsp;BC, the first Peruvian civilization, known as [[Chavín culture|Chavín]], originated and flourished in this zone. The importance of this culture lies not only in its antiquity but in the history and culture it shares with other cultures along the [[Andes|Andean]] and [[Amazon rainforest|Amazonian]] territories. As archaeologist [[Julio C. Tello]] put it, "''Chavín was the mother of all the cultures that later bloomed in the old Peru.''"{{Citation needed|date=August 2007}} The name ''Chavín'' comes from the Quechua word ''Chawpin'', which translates as ''center'' or ''headquarters''. Tello believed that people came from the [[Amazonas (Peruvian department)|Amazonas]], scaled the Andes, and developed the Chavín culture.

During the [[Inca]] age, the population of the Santa valley was assimilated into the Inca empire by [[Pachacuti]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}}

The first Spaniards came to Huaylas attracted by the fame of the [[Vein (geology)|silver veins]] of the department. In time, the Spanish destroyed the Inca cities. <!-- *[otheus]: redundant, not very useful: After bloody battles against huaylas and conchucos, the Native Americans were put under the control of the Spaniards.--><!-- *[otheus] nonsense* --- Most of the Inca mines, exploited by the Spaniards, were very well appreciated like the San Luis de Huari mines.--><!-- *[otheus] what is this related to?* --- When [[Francisco Pizarro]] was in [[Cajamarca]], he heard some stories about the richness of the Santa valley and decided to move there in order to found a city. --> It was during this time that [[Jerónimo de Alvarado]] founded the city of Huaraz. Though in the [[Spanish colonization of the Americas|Colonial Age]] this city held little importance and its artistic and cultural life did not have much relevance, it became the headquarters for [[Simón Bolívar]] during his campaign to liberate Peru.{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}}

The department of Ancash was created following the defeat of the Peru-Bolivia Confederation by the combined forces of the Peruvian restoration army and the Chilean army at the battle of Yungay in 1839.

The [[1970 Ancash earthquake]] devastated the department, killing more than 50,000 people and damaging 186,000 houses in one of the deadliest natural disasters in Peru.

Today, most of the Ancash population is concentrated in the [[Callejón de Huaylas]].<!-- keep wikilinks here; section might move -->

Beginning in 2011, the department has been the site of an ongoing anti-mining protest over allegations of water contamination and public versus private rights to the natural resources of the zone. Clashes between protesters, mining company security, and the federal police have resulted in numerous deaths and injuries.
{{Further|Canadian mining in Latin America and the Caribbean}}

== Political division ==
The department is divided into 20 provinces (''provincias'', singular: ''provincia''), which comprise 166 districts (''distritos'', singular: ''distrito''). Its capital is Huaraz. The provinces and their capitals are:

{| class="wikitable"
! Province
! Capital
! District
|-
| [[Aija Province|Aija]] 
| [[Aija, Peru|Aija]]
| 5
|-
| [[Antonio Raymondi Province|Antonio Raymondi]]  
| [[Llamellín]]
| 6
|-
| [[Asunción Province|Asunción]]  
| [[Chacas]]
| 2
|-
| [[Bolognesi Province|Bolognesi]]  
| [[Chiquián]]
| 15
|-
| [[Carhuaz Province|Carhuaz]]  
| [[Carhuaz]]
| 11
|-
| [[Carlos Fermín Fitzcarrald Province|Carlos F. Fitzcarrald]]  
| [[San Luis, Ancash|San Luis]]
| 3
|-
| [[Casma Province|Casma]]  
| [[Casma]]
| 4
|-
| [[Corongo Province|Corongo]]  
| [[Corongo]]
| 7
|-
|  [[Huaraz Province|Huaraz]]  
|  [[Huaraz]]
| 12
|-
| [[Huari Province|Huari]]  
| [[Huari, Peru|Huari]]
| 16
|-
| [[Huarmey Province|Huarmey]] 
| [[Huarmey]]
| 5
|-
| [[Huaylas Province|Huaylas]] 
| [[Caraz District|Caraz]]
| 10
|-
| [[Mariscal Luzuriaga Province|Mariscal Luzuriaga]]
| [[Piscobamba District|Piscobamba]]
| 8
|-
| [[Ocros Province|Ocros]]
| [[Ocros District, Ocros|Ocros]]
| 10
|-
| [[Pallasca Province|Pallasca]]
| [[Cabana, Peru|Cabana]]
| 11
|-
| [[Pomabamba Province|Pomabamba]]
| [[Pomabamba]]
| 4
|-
| [[Recuay Province|Recuay]]
| [[Recuay, Peru|Recuay]]
| 10
|-
| [[Santa Province|Santa]]
| [[Chimbote District|Chimbote]]
| 9
|-
| [[Sihuas Province|Sihuas]]
| [[Sihuas District|Sihuas]]
| 10
|-
| [[Yungay Province|Yungay]]
| [[Yungay District|Yungay]]
| 8
|}

== Economy ==
The economy of Ancash, the third largest in Peru, is largely made up of gold, copper and zinc mining. Its coast is rich in fishing resources and it is the most productive fishing region of Peru (Peru is the world's largest exporter of [[fish meal]]). Crops cultivated in Ancash include potatoes, wheat and barley.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

== Demographics ==

=== Languages ===
According to the [[2007 Peru Census]], the language learnt first by most of the residents was [[Spanish language|Spanish]] (68.34%) followed by [[Quechua language|Quechua]] (31.36%). The Quechua variety spoken in Ancash is [[Ancash Quechua]]. The following table shows the results concerning the language learnt first in the Department of Ancash by province:<ref>[http://iinei.inei.gob.pe/iinei/RedatamCpv2007.asp?id=ResultadosCensales?ori=C inei.gob.pe]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127005551/http://iinei.inei.gob.pe/iinei/RedatamCpv2007.asp?id=ResultadosCensales%3Fori%3DC |date=January 27, 2013 }} INEI, Peru, Censos Nacionales 2007</ref>

{|class="wikitable" style="width:35%;"
|-bgcolor=#EFEFEF
! Province
! [[Quechua languages|Quechua]]
! [[Aymara language|Aymara]]
! [[Asháninka language|Asháninka]]
! Another native language
! [[Spanish language|Spanish]]
! Foreign language
! Deaf or mute
! Total
|-
|Aija
|align="right" |2,807
|align="right" |3
|align="right" |-
|align="right" |4
|align="right" |4,623	
|align="right" |-
|align="right" |8
|align="right" |7,445
|-
|Antonio Raymondi
|align="right" |12,073
|align="right" |17
|align="right" |-
|align="right" |19
|align="right" |3,694	
|align="right" |5
|align="right" |34
|align="right" |15,842
|-
|Asunción
|align="right" |6,854 	
|align="right" |3
|align="right" |-
|align="right" |24
|align="right" |1,564	
|align="right" |27
|align="right" |36
|align="right" |8,508
|-
|Bolognesi
|align="right" |4,473
|align="right" |19
|align="right" |6
|align="right" |87
|align="right" |24,374 		
|align="right" |10
|align="right" |29
|align="right" |28,998 	
|-
|Carhuaz
|align="right" |30,365
|align="right" |40
|align="right" |2
|align="right" |17
|align="right" |10,971	
|align="right" |11
|align="right" |38
|align="right" |41,444 	
|-
|C.F Fitzcarrald
|align="right" |17,956
|align="right" |16
|align="right" |1
|align="right" |2
|align="right" |1,709	
|align="right" |-
|align="right" |77
|align="right" |19,761
|-
|Casma
|align="right" |5,517 	
|align="right" |29
|align="right" |2
|align="right" |13
|align="right" |34,299	
|align="right" |6
|align="right" |42
|align="right" |39,908
|-
|Corongo
|align="right" |745
|align="right" |-
|align="right" |-
|align="right" |2
|align="right" |7,128	
|align="right" |-
|align="right" |14
|align="right" |7,889
|-
|Huaraz
|align="right" |50,570
|align="right" |116
|align="right" |12
|align="right" |37
|align="right" |88,410 		
|align="right" |133
|align="right" |99
|align="right" |139,377
|-
|Huari
|align="right" |45,830
|align="right" |59
|align="right" |6
|align="right" |32
|align="right" |12,619	
|align="right" |9
|align="right" |166
|align="right" |58,721 	
|-
|Huarmey
|align="right" |1,695
|align="right" |10
|align="right" |2
|align="right" |7
|align="right" |24,521	
|align="right" |2
|align="right" |14
|align="right" |26,251 	
|-
|Huaylas
|align="right" |28,772
|align="right" |18
|align="right" |5
|align="right" |4
|align="right" |21,422	
|align="right" |7
|align="right" |69
|align="right" |50,297
|-
|M. Luzuriaga
|align="right" |19,687
|align="right" |19
|align="right" |1
|align="right" |1
|align="right" |1,841	
|align="right" |1
|align="right" |95
|align="right" |21,645 	
|-
|Ocros
|align="right" |734
|align="right" |4
|align="right" |2
|align="right" |-
|align="right" |7,932	
|align="right" |2
|align="right" |12
|align="right" |8,686 	
|-
|Pallasca
|align="right" |84
|align="right" |1
|align="right" |5
|align="right" |49
|align="right" |26,958	
|align="right" |4
|align="right" |46
|align="right" |27,147
|-
|Pomabamba
|align="right" |22,061
|align="right" |16
|align="right" |1
|align="right" |1
|align="right" |3,875	
|align="right" |2
|align="right" |51
|align="right" |26,007
|-
|Recuay
|align="right" |6,587
|align="right" |13
|align="right" |1
|align="right" |1
|align="right" |11,450	
|align="right" |4
|align="right" |28
|align="right" |18,084
|-
|Santa
|align="right" |9,005
|align="right" |105
|align="right" |36
|align="right" |274
|align="right" |365,507	
|align="right" |138
|align="right" |365
|align="right" |375,430 	
|-
|Sihuas
|align="right" |10,520
|align="right" |13
|align="right" |1
|align="right" |4
|align="right" |17,965	
|align="right" |1
|align="right" |60
|align="right" |28,564
|-
|Yungay
|align="right" |37,806
|align="right" |30
|align="right" |2
|align="right" |4
|align="right" |13,678	
|align="right" |10
|align="right" |126
|align="right" |51,656	
|-
|'''Total'''
|align="right" |314,141
|align="right" |531
|align="right" |85
|align="right" |582
|align="right" |684,540 	
|align="right" |372
|align="right" |1,409 	
|align="right" |1,001,660 	
|-
|'''%'''
|align="right" |31.36 	
|align="right" |0.05
|align="right" |0.01
|align="right" |0.06
|align="right" |68.34
|align="right" |0.04
|align="right" |0.14
|align="right" |100.00
|-
|}

=== Ethnicity ===
{{Pie chart|color1=purple|label1=[[Mestizo]]|value1=54.9|label2=[[Quechua people|Quechua]]|value2=35.3|color2=darkblue|value3=5.9|label3=[[White People]]|color3=green|value4=3.2|color4=orange|label4=[[Afro-Peruvian]]|label5=Other|value5=0.7|color5=skyblue|caption=Ethnicity in Ancash (2017)}}
Most of the population identifies [[Mestizo]] or [[Quechua people|Quechua]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Áncash (Region, Peru) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location|url=http://www.citypopulation.de/en/peru/admin/02__%C3%A1ncash/|access-date=2021-05-26|website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Ethnicity in Ancash (2017)<ref name=":0" />
!Ethnicity
!Percentage
!Number
|-
|[[Mestizo]]
|54.9%
|478,312
|-
|[[Quechua people|Quechua]]
|35.3%
|307,965
|-
|[[White people|White]]
|5.9%
|51,268
|-
|[[Black Peruvians|Afro-Peruvian]]
|3.2%
|27,953
|-
|Other
|0.7%
|5,671
|-
|[[Aymara people|Aymara]]
|Negligible
|852
|}

=== Religion ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Religion in Ancash (2017)<ref name=":0" />
!Religion
!Percentage
!Number
|-
|[[Catholicism]]
|76.9%
|686,511
|-
|[[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]]
|15.5%
|138,659
|-
|[[Irreligion|Irreligious]]
|4.6%
|41,411
|-
|Other
|3%
|26,641
|}

=== Literacy ===
As of 2017, 85.3% (923,542) of the population is literate and 14.7% (158,839) of the population is illiterate.<ref name=":0" />

== Toponyms ==
Many of the [[toponym]]s of the Department of Ancash originate from [[Quechuan languages|Quechua]]. In and around the [[Cordillera Blanca]], in provinces like [[Huaylas Province|Huaylas]] and [[Yungay Province|Yungay]], these names are overwhelmingly predominant. Their Spanish-based orthography, however, is in conflict with the normalized alphabet of the language. According to Article 20 of ''Decreto Supremo No 004-2016-MC'' (Supreme Decree) which approves the Regulations to Law 29735, published in the state-owned newspaper [[El Peruano]] on 22 July 2016, adequate spellings of the toponyms in the normalised alphabets of the indigenous languages must progressively be proposed with the aim of standardizing the namings used by the National Geographic Institute ''(Instituto Geográfico Nacional, IGN)''. The National Geographic Institute realizes the necessary changes in the official maps of Peru.<ref name=decree>{{cite web |url=http://busquedas.elperuano.com.pe/normaslegales/decreto-supremo-que-aprueba-el-reglamento-de-la-ley-n-29735-decreto-supremo-n-004-2016-mc-1407753-5/|title=Decreto Supremo que aprueba el Reglamento de la Ley N° 29735, Ley que regula el uso, preservación, desarrollo, recuperación, fomento y difusión de las lenguas originarias del Perú, Decreto Supremo N° 004-2016-MC|access-date=July 14, 2017}}</ref>

Contrarily to intentions to replace indigenous toponyms by other names like [[Santa Cruz (mountain)|Santa Cruz]] or [[Contrahierbas]], the Ministry of Culture proposes to the municipalities of the provinces to recover ancient indigenous toponyms and that these names should be spread by the local and communal authorities on posters and other signage.<ref name=decree/>

== Tourism ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2023}}
[[File:Laguna Conococha.jpg|200px|thumb|[[Lake Conococha]]]]
[[File:Lago Palcacocha 2002.jpg|200px|thumb|[[Lake Palcacocha]]]]
The geographical centre of Ancash, the Callejón de Huaylas, is an area of intense interest to tourists. This is due to its large variety of natural attractions, its sport and recreational facilities, and the nearby archaeological remains of the ancient cultures that once flourished there. The Cordillera Blanca offers an interesting attraction for tourists visiting Peru. Visitors also come to see the natural beauty of the area's glaciers and valleys and to enjoy the many lakes and thermal fountains.

Ancash is sometimes referred to as the "Switzerland of Peru". There is the four mile high Huascarán, home to the [[Huascarán National Park]]. There is also the Alpamayo peak, considered one of the most beautiful in the world.{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}}

Among archaeological sites of interest, Ancash has many vestiges of old cultures, including the [[Guitarrero Cave]] (10,000&nbsp;BC), the [[pre-Columbian]] ruins of [[Chavín de Huantar]], Hunsakay, Willkawayin, Sechín, and [[Pañamarka]] are also well-known.

=== Tours ===
There are a few tours in the Department of Ancash that will let us know the main touristic and historical places of the zone. Among the principal ones are:

* Huaraz – Recuay – Catac – Pachaqutu ravine and [[Pastoruri Glacier|Pastururi]].
* Yungay – Llankanuku – Vaquería – [[Huaripampa District|Waripampa]] – [[Santa Cruz District, Ancash|Santa Cruz]] and Caraz
* Caraz, Cañon del Pato
* Huaraz – Pitiq – Qillqay and [[Juanca, Peru|Juanca]]
* Caraz, Puya Raimondi at Mirador de Huinchus
* Huaraz – [[Olleros District|Olleros]] – Yanashallash – [[Chavín de Huantar]] – [[Qiruqucha]] and [[Catac District|Catac]]
* Caraz, Parun Lake
* [[Catac District|Catac]] and Carpa
* Huaraz – Willkawayin and Llaqa ravine
* [[Chacas]] – [[Perlilla]]
* Chacas – [[Huari District|Huari]]

=== Pativilca-Caraz-Huallanca route ===
The historical village [[Pativilca]] ([[Lima Region]]), where [[Simón Bolívar]] planned his expedition for the liberation of Peru, lies 202&nbsp;kilometres&nbsp;(126&nbsp;mi) north of Lima on the Pan-American Highway. At this point begins the highway that leads to the Callejón de Huaylas. This road is completely paved, although it often had to be repaired because of the extreme damage caused by the ''[[huayco]]s'' (flash floods) and the rains. The same problem affects most Peruvian roads, especially the ones in the mountains ([[Quechua (geography)|Quechua natural region]] and rainforest [[Rupa-Rupa|Rupa-Rupa natural region]]).

This highway is 287&nbsp;kilometres&nbsp;(178&nbsp;mi) long, with an extremely comfortable course, especially in the steep climbing stretches through the Cordillera Negra (Black Range) up to the summit of [[Conococha Lake|Conococha]], 4,100&nbsp;metres&nbsp;(13,451&nbsp;ft) above sea level. From there, the road descends toward the Callejón de Huaylas.

The trip Lima-Huaraz-Caraz of 468&nbsp;kilometres&nbsp;(254&nbsp;mi) takes seven hours by car. Modern buses spend eight hours over the same stretch.

East of Pativilca, for about 20&nbsp;kilometres&nbsp;(12&nbsp;mi) the highway passes between wide fields planted with [[sugarcane]] in extensive fields, parallel to the [[Fortaleza River]] [[Stream bed|bed]].

At the town [[Huaricanga]] the road enters the department of Ancash. At this point, the highway begins a slow ascent of the first [[Spur (topography)|spurs]] of the Cordillera Negra. This stretch continues for about 50&nbsp;kilometres&nbsp;(31&nbsp;mi). The climb gets suddenly steeper beyond the towns [[Chasquitambo]] and [[Chaucayán]], with many bends and [[Serpentine shape|serpentines]].

{{Further|Callejón de Huaylas}}

=== Cordillera Blanca ===
[[File:Huascaran norte.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Huascarán, the highest summit in Peru]]   
{{main|Cordillera Blanca}}
This mountain range is composed by gigantic summits covered with snow, which are among the most beautiful of the world. The White mountain range is considered the highest tropical mountain range in the world. It borders the Callejón de Huaylas to the east. It has a length of {{cvt|180|km}}.

It has 35 peaks that are higher than 6,000&nbsp;m and many other smaller ones, a real symphony of summits with different grades of difficulty in climbing.

This mountain range was called White, not only for its eternal snow but also for the chemical constitution of its [[quartz]] and [[feldspar]] rocks. It has the highest summit in Peru and the fifth one in America after [[Aconcagua]], [[Ojos del Salado]], [[Bonete]] and [[Mercedario]]: Huascarán, whose south peak reaches 6768 msnm. Huascarán's north peak reaches 6655&nbsp;m.

[[Alpamayo]] whose height has been estimated in 5,947&nbsp;m, has been considered as "the most beautiful snow mountain of the world". This statement was achieved by the distinguished Peruvian mountaineer César Morales Arnao who sent the photo of Alpamayo to the world contest of scenic beauty made in 1966 in [[Munich]], Germany.

[[Huandoy]] N reaches 6,395&nbsp;m, [[Huantsán]] reaches 6410&nbsp;m, [[Chopicalqui]] reaches 6354&nbsp;m, [[Copa (mountain)|Copa]] N reaches 6173&nbsp;m, [[Artesonraju]] reaches 6025&nbsp;m, [[Santa Cruz (mountain)|Santa Cruz]] S reaches 6,259&nbsp;m and [[Hualcán]] reaches 6,126&nbsp;m.

The beauty of the Cordillera Blanca is largely determined by the Cordillera Negra because this mountain range softens the winds that come from the Pacific Ocean. The Cordillera Negra, acting as a shield, avoids the thaw of the big [[glacier]]s from the Cordillera Blanca.

The Cordillera Negra has rocky peaks with very little winter snowfall, reaching a maximum height of 5500&nbsp;m. Its name comes from the comparison with the white snowy peaks of the Cordillera Blanca.

=== Huascarán National Park ===
[[File:PuyaRaimondi2.JPG|thumb|right|200px|The [[Puya raimondii]], a gigantic inflorescence, unique to Peru and Bolivia]]
{{main|Huascarán National Park}}
The [[Huascarán National Park]] is one of the most outstanding conservation parks in Peru, due to its landscapes that are full of peaks, lakes, [[canyon]]s, torrents and waterfalls. Inside its borders, it can be observed the whole [[Cordillera Blanca]] and seven peaks of more than 6000&nbsp;m height. They constitute one of the main international focuses for climbers and mountaineers. It was stated as a [[National Park]] on July 1, 1975, with a surface of 340,000&nbsp;ha and a length of {{cvt|158|km}}. This National Park includes parts of the following provinces: Recuay, Huaraz, Carhuaz, Yungay, Huaylas, Pomabamba, Mariscal Luzuriaga, Huari, Corongo, Sihuas and Bolognesi. This park has also been listed as a [[biosphere reservation]] and as a [[World Heritage Site]] by [[UNESCO]].

The park territory is very uneven. It has snowy summits, which altitudes vary between 5000 and 6768 [[Sea level|MSL]]. It also has [[gully|gullies]], that are deeply encased because of the [[Fluvioglacial landform|fluvioglacial erosion]], and a great number of [[lagoon]]s. Inside the borders of the park, there are 663 [[glacier]]s that are distributed throughout 180&nbsp;km, from the [[Nevado de Tuco|Tuku]] in the south up to the [[Champara]] in the north.

Regarding its climate, there are two very well defined seasons: The dry season from April to September becoming worse between the months of June and August and the wet season from October to May whose highest rainfall is between January and March.

Its flora is countless and beautiful, including important groups of [[Puya raimondii|Puya Raimondi]]. In its fauna, there are {{Transliteration|es|[[taruca]]s}}, [[spectacled bear]]s, [[vicuña]]s, [[Cougar|pumas]], [[Culpeo|foxes]], [[vizcacha]]s, [[Long-tailed weasel|weasels]], [[Andean mountain cat]]s, [[Common opossum|opossums]], [[hog-nosed skunk]]s, etc.

There is also a great number of birds, predominantly [[duck]]s, [[American coot]]s and [[Amazilia hummingbird|hummingbirds]].

=== Cordillera Negra ===
[[File:Puente de Pucayacu entre Llama y Yauya.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Inca Bridge Pukayaku]]
{{main|Cordillera Negra}}
The route Casma-Huaraz is not a very highly travelled road. The highway begins with a paved path that arrives up to [[Yautan District|Yaután]]. Then it quickly begins to ascend through an unpaved path by the sides of the Cordillera Negra, following the course of the Casma River. This route becomes more steep once it arrives to [[Pariacoto District|Pariacoto]]. Along the road, there are not important towns at all, except for [[Pira, Peru|Pira]] that offers some traveler's services.

This route, extremely steep and narrow, goes between big abysses and gullies. It can be seen small rural districts with [[chacra]]s ([[smallholding]]s) that have been sown with [[potato]]es, [[wheat]], [[barley]] and other food products. It can also be seen [[livestock]] and a lot of human activity.

The gullies of the Cordillera Negra -that goes, simultaneously, with the Cordillera Blanca throughout 150&nbsp;km- are gloomy and dark. Most of them are dry or their [[Environmental flow|flow]] is scarce. From north to south, there are some hills like [[Rumicruz]] (5,020&nbsp;m), [[Rocarre]] (5,187&nbsp;m), [[:es:Cerro Rico|Cerro Rico]] (5,015&nbsp;m), and Chunta (4,810&nbsp;m).

The beauty of the Cordillera Blanca is largely determined by the Cordillera Negra because this mountain range soften the winds that come from the Pacific Ocean. The Cordillera Negra acts like a shield and avoids the thaw of the big glaciers that are located in the Cordillera Blanca.

The Cordillera Negra has rocky peaks with very little winter snow, reaching a maximum height of 5,500&nbsp;m. Its name comes from the comparison with the white snowy peaks of the Cordillera Blanca.

=== Extreme sports ===
Extreme sports in the Callejón de Huaylas and the Huascarán National Park:

*'''[[Mountaineering]]''': the glaciers of the Cordillera Blanca constitute one of the most important world scenarios for ice climbing. Mountaineering can be practiced the whole year but the weather is best between the months of May and September.
*'''[[Backpacking (wilderness)|Trekking]]''': the prehispanic paths offer excellent opportunities for trekking during the whole year. On the way, it can be observed varied flora, fauna, impressive snowy mountains, gullies and deep canyons, archaeological sites and several typical villages. There are several routes that last from one day to three weeks.
*'''[[Camping]]''': it is a pleasant and a relaxing experience to spend the night under the moonlight, having as a unique companion: the stars and some [[constellation]]s like [[Capricornus]], [[Crux]], [[Centaurus]] and others. This sport can be practiced at any time of the year.
*'''[[Canoeing]]''': the Santa River has the technical characteristics and different difficulty grades for practicing river sports as canoeing, [[kayak]] and others. For example, there are some [[rapids]] between [[Anta, Ancash|Anta]] and [[Caraz]] that are good for those who are just beginning to practice this sport. The lakes Llankanuku and [[Qiruqucha]] also offer some special characteristic for a boat ride.
*'''[[Cycling]]''': the cyclists that ride on the highways and roads enjoy the practice of this sport by traveling inside and outside the Huascarán National Park. This sport can be practiced at any time of the year. The north area, near [[Caraz]], offers the best rides, single tracks and down hill tracks.
*'''[[Rock climbing]]''': the [[granite]] belt that goes round the glaciers of the Cordillera Blanca constitutes the suitable place for practicing this sport. There are walls from 100&nbsp;m to 1000&nbsp;m of height that have many kinds of technical difficulties to get through. There is an odd scenario for this sport called [[Rocódromo de Monterrey]].
*'''[[Alpine skiing]]''': it consists on slipping from the glaciers. The most favorable ones for practicing this sport are: Pastururi, Copa, Wallqan, Huascarán, [[Wallunarahu]] and Perlilla, the latter being recently discovered and promoted by the local government of the Asunción Province, with {{cvt|6|km}} of moderate and steep slopes where competitions were held soon snowboarding and alpine skiing. These snowcapped mountains are ideal for practicing the slide on snow (also known as [[siquiesqui]]) and for making snowmen.
*'''[[Paragliding]]''' – '''[[Hang gliding]]''': along the Callejón de Huaylas there are several places that are favourable for the practice of these flight sports. They can be practiced at any time of the year.
*'''[[Horse riding]]''': it is a sport of big emotions. It is practiced on [[bridle path]]s with [[Peruvian Paso|Peruvian horses]] that were raised in the Callejón de Huaylas.
*'''[[Fishing]]''': the [[Fishing rod|rod fishing]] of [[Rainbow trout|trout]] can be practiced in rivers and lagoons of the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra at any time of the year.

=== Santa River and the Cañón del Pato ===
{{main|Santa River|Cañón del Pato}}
From [[Chimbote]] to [[Huallanca District, Huaylas|Huallanca]], there are approximately {{cvt|140|km}}. This unpaved and very little travelled highway is a provisional line over the [[Embankment dam|embankment]] of the old railroad. This railway and several tunnels were destroyed by the catastrophe of 1970.

The highway, outside Chimbote, goes through the wide flat and fertile [[Embankment dam|embankments]] of the Santa valley and it continuous its course up to Huallanca.

From [[:es:Chuquicamata (ciudad)|Chuquicara]], the highway becomes narrower. The [[Chuquicara River]] is a major right-hand tributary of the Santa River. Its waters are black because they contain abundant coal sediments proceeding from the heights of Pallasca.

From Huallanca, it is possible to travel through the Cañón del Pato. This canyon is one of the many canyons that are along the {{cvt|370|km}} of the Santa River. The Santa River has its source in the lake Conococha. This river is the most important river in the coast, because its annual water mass is 6100 million m<sup>3</sup>. As centuries went by, it has formed a narrow pass of 2000&nbsp;m of altitude in the Cordillera Negra.

In this place, the waters turn into [[whirlpool]]s and [[rapids]] before going out from a narrow [[Canyon|gorge]] of 500&nbsp;m that is called Cañón del Pato (Duck Canyon). This waterfall constitutes the source of hydroelectric energy in the power station of the Cañón del Pato, in Huallanca.

From Huallanca, it is possible to enter the Callejón de Huaylas by the highway that goes to Caraz. It is also a way to enter the [[Callejón de Conchucos]] (Conchucos valley).

=== Callejón de Conchucos ===
{{main|Callejón de Conchucos}}
The Callejón de Conchucos is a beautiful succession of valleys located to the east of the Cordillera Blanca. It is connected by a highway from [[Catac District|Catac]] to [[Huallanca District, Huaylas|Huallanca]].

There are eight provinces of the Ancash Region that cover the Callejón de Conchucos. They are Huari, Asunción, Antonio Raymondi, Mariscal Luzuriaga, Pomabamba, Sihuas, Corongo and Pallasca. This Callejón is located to the east of the Cordillera Blanca, that is to say, to the other side of the Callejón de Huaylas, before the [[Marañón River]].

The [[topography]] of the soil presents high summits, deep valleys and inhospitable [[Puna grassland|punas]], making it a rough zone, such as most of the highland in Peru.

The northern provinces of Pallasca Province and Corongo Province have their own direct access towards Chimbote and the Callejón de Huaylas. The other provinces have a longitudinal highway of double entry, one from Huari Province and the other one from [[Huallanca District, Bolognesi|Huallanca District]] and Sihuas Province, joining Pomabamba Province, Mariscal Luzuriaga Province and Antonio Raymondi Province.

== Transportation ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2023}}
Five main highways cross the department: 
* The North Pan-American highway, that crosses the coast of Ancash longitudinally.
* Three east–west highways that connect the coast with the region of the highlands, most importantly the Callejón de Huaylas:
** Pativilca – Huaraz – Caraz – Huallanca
** Nepeña – Pamparumas – Caraz
** Huarmey – Aija – Recuay
** Casma – Huaraz
** Chimbote – Huallanca – Caraz
* One highway that crosses the [[Callejón de Conchucos]] (Conchucos Alley) longitudinally, to the east of the Cordillera Blanca.

In addition, the region has a network of local roads.

<!--- This just doesn't fit. 
Following the North Pan-American highway from Lima, the territory of the department of Ancash begins just after passing through the [[Fortress of Paramonga]], between expanded [[plain]]s of [[sugarcane]], and crossing the [[Fortaleza River]] (at {{cvt|206|km}} of Lima).
-->

== Additional facts ==

{| class="wikitable"
|- 
| '''Weather'''
| Warm and semitropical
|-
| '''Temperature'''
| Annual average {{convert|16.2|°C}}
|-
| '''Road network''' 
| {{convert|4429|km}}
|-
| '''Illiteracy rate'''
| 4.7%
|-
| '''Child mortality rate'''
| 43 per thousand
|-
| '''Distances'''
| 
* Caraz to Lima, {{convert|468|km}}
* Caraz to Trujillo, {{convert|295|km}}
* Huaraz to Cajamarca, {{convert|636|km}}
|}

== Notable people == 
Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo [[Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo]], physicist, engineer and mathematician

==See also==
*[[Tourism in Peru]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.regionancash.com Ancash Region, Travel]

{{Regional capitals of Peru}}
{{Regions of Peru}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Regions of Peru|Ancash]]
[[Category:Department of Ancash| ]]
[[Category:Departments of Peru|Ancash]]