The region's name originates from the Quechuan "anqash", which means "blue". Ancash is famous for the Cordillera Blanca, a snow-capped mountain range that includes the highest peak in Peru, Huascarán (6768m). The Pre-columbian ruins of Chavín de Huántar, Willkawain, Sechín, and Pañamarca are also known.

Laguna Llanganuco (Llanganuco Lake)

In 1970, there was a strong earthquake in the region. The complete city of Yungay was destroyed by an avalanche, killing an estimate of 20,000 people.

Quechua (also known as Runa simi), the ancient Inca language, is still spoken in Ancash, with more than twenty dialects along the department.

The department is divided into 20 provinces.

Province (Capital)

1. Aija (Aija)
2. Antonio Raimondi (Llamellín)
3. Asunción (Chacas)
4. Bolognesi (Chiquián)
5. Carhuás (Carhuás)
6. Carlos Fermín Fitzcarrald (San Luis)
7. Casma (Casma)
8. Corongo (Corongo)
9. Huarás (Huarás)
10. Huari (Huari)
11. Huarmey (Huarmey)
12. Huaylas (Carás)
13. Mariscal Luzuriaga (Piscobamba)
14. Ocros (Ocros)
15. Pallasca (Cabana)
16. Pomabamba (Pomabamba)
17. Recuay (Recuay)
18. Santa (Chimbote)
19. Sihuas (Sihuas)
20. Yungay (Yungay)

Peru | Political division
Regions of Peru Amazonas | Ancash | Apurímac | Arequipa | Ayacucho | Cajamarca | Callao | Cusco | Huancavelica | Huánuco | Ica | Junín | La Libertad | Lambayeque | Lima Metropolitana | Lima Provincias | Loreto | Madre de Dios | Moquegua | Pasco | Piura | Puno | San Martín | Tacna | Tumbes | Ucayali