The department of Ancash is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Peru due not only to its beauty, but to the wide variety of activities it has to offered.

Huaraz Basic Facts
Area or Surface: 35,041,39 km²

Main Resources: rice, cotton, corn and potatoes

Population: 1,002,000 inhabitants. Huaraz is the capital and has 121,028 inhabitants.

Number of Provinces and Districts: 20 provinces and 165 districts.

Date of Department Foundation: February 12, 1821.

Typical Foods: picante de cuy, jaca-casqui, pecan-caldo, humitas de chochoca.

Fauna: grey deer, taruca, "oso de anteojos", puma, fox, viscachas, muca, vicuñas, ducks, gallaretas and hummingbirds.

Flora: puya de raimondi.

Weather: The temperature ranges from 7° C in the higher altitudes to 17° C at the coast (45° to 63° F). The best time to visit this area is from November to March.

History
Between the years 400 and 600 B.C. the Chavin civilization flourished in this zone. The importance of the Chavins not only lies in their antiquity, but also in the fact that they developed a culture, which had great influence on other regions including the Andean and Amazonian territories. The name "Chavin" derives from the Quechua word "Chaupin" which means: center or headquarters.

The first Spaniards came to Huaylas attracted by the wealth of minerals in the area. Spaniards began to destroy Incan cities when Indians attempted to search for silver and gold. When Francisco Pizarro was in Cajamarca he heard some stories about the riches that could be found in the Santa Valley and decided to move there. After bloody battles against Huaylas and Conchucos, the Spaniards conquered the Indians. By that time, Jeronimo de Alvarado founded the city of Huaraz. During the Independence, Simon Bolivar established his headquarters in Huaraz, which is the capital of the department.

In 1970 a strong earthquake shook the Santa Valley known as the Callejón de Huaylas. More than 50,000 people died and 186,000 houses were damaged. Yungay was the city that suffered the most damage and virtually disappeared.

Tourism
Ancash is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Peru due not only to its beauty, but to the wide variety of sports that are offered.

Visitors admire the beautiful snowfalls and glaciers of the White Cordillera, lagoons, thermal baths, and lush valleys. The Alpamayo Mountain is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Ancash is often referred to as "Switzerland of South America". The highest peak in Peru is Huascaran. The Huascaran National Park is also located here and is worth visiting.