Ancash

Quick Facts: Who was Ancash?

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Ancash

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A department in western Peru, known for its dramatic Andean geography and rich history.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Ancash (Quechua: Anqash; Spanish: Áncash pronounced [ˈaŋkaʃ]) is a department of Peru. Located in the country's west, it is bordered by the departments of La Libertad on the north, Huánuco and Pasco on the east, Lima on the south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. It is administered by a regional government. Its capital is the city of Huaraz, and its largest city and port is Chimbote. Its name originates from the Quechua word anqash ('light, of little weight'), from anqas ('blue') or from anka ('eagle').

Career & Major Achievements

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 Andean 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 for "black mountain range"), which has peaks without glaciers, 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.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

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 6,768 m (22,205 ft; 4.205 mi) and contrasts with the 6,263 m (20,548 ft) deep trough of Chimbote found in the ocean west of Ancash. Remnants of glaciers created many lakes such as Llanganuco Lakes and Lake Parón.

Notable Quotes by Ancash

“Chavín was the mother of all the cultures that later bloomed in the old Peru.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ancash

True or False: “The primary source of water for Ancash's rivers is solely from rainfall within the department.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While rain contributes, the Santa River, a major waterway, sources its water from the glaciers and lakes of the Cordillera Blanca.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Ancash