Ancash is a region located in northern Peru. It is bordered on the north by the La Libertad Region, on the east by the Huánuco and Pasco regions, on the south by the Lima Region, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean.

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.

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 spoken in Ancash, with six dialects along the department.

Political division

The region is divided into 20 provinces (provincias, singular: provincia), which are composed of 165 districts (distritos, singular: distrito). The provinces, with their capitals in parenthesis, are:

1. Aija (Aija )
2. Antonio Raimondi (Llamellín )
3. Asunción (Chacas )
4. Bolognesi (Chiquián )
5. Carhuaz (Carhuaz )
6. Carlos Fermín Fitzcarrald (San Luis )
7. Casma (Casma )
8. Corongo (Corongo )
9. Huaraz (Huaraz)
10. Huari (Huari )
11. Huarmey (Huarmey )
12. Huaylas (Caraz )
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 )