Ancash

Ancash is a region in north-central Peru, extending from the Pacific coast into the central Andes. The regional capital is Huaraz. Ancash encompasses coastal littoral, highland valleys, and high Andean peaks, including the Cordillera Blanca. The Huascarán National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site, protects glaciers, alpine lakes and diverse ecosystems. The Callejón de Huaylas valley lies between the Cordillera Blanca to the north and the Cordillera Negra to the south, forming a staple landscape for agriculture and tourism.

History: The area was inhabited by pre-Columbian cultures, notably the Chavín and Recuay, before joining the Inca Empire. After the Spanish conquest, Ancash became part of the Republic; today it is one of Peru’s 25 regions.

Demographics and administration: The region has a population of roughly 1.2 million and a diverse mix of Indigenous and mestizo communities, with Quechua widely spoken in highland areas alongside Spanish. The government is the regional administration, seated in Huaraz, and the region is subdivided into several provinces and districts.

Economy: The economy combines mining, forestry, and fishing on the coast, along with agriculture in the highlands (potatoes, maize, quinoa). Tourism is a growing sector, drawn by mountain climbing, trekking, and visits to archaeological sites such as Chavín de Huantar.

Notable sites: Huascarán, Chavín de Huantar (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Lake Parón, Pastoruri Glacier.