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Huaraz

Huaraz
San Sebastian de Huaraz
City
Nevado Huascarán desde el distrito de Independencia en Huaraz.
Urbanización La Soledad Avenida Agustin Gamarra
Urbanización Huarupampa Calle Eulogio del Río
Centro cultural de Huaraz
Huaraz
Motto: The noble and generous City, Switzerland of Peru, Capital of International Friendship, Natural Paradise of the World
Huaraz is located in Peru
Huaraz
Huaraz
Location in Peru
Coordinates: 9°32′S 77°32′W / 9.533°S 77.533°W / -9.533; -77.533
Country  Peru
Region Ancash
Province Huaraz
Founded 20 January 1574
Government
 • Type Democracy
 • Mayor Vladimir Meza Villareal.
Area
 • Total 370.03 km2 (142.87 sq mi)
Elevation 3,052 m (10,013 ft)
Population
 • Estimate (2015) 127,041
Time zone PET (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) PET (UTC-5)
Area code(s) 43
Website www.munihuaraz.gob.pe

Huaraz (Spanish pronunciation: [waˈɾaθ] or [waˈɾas]) founded as San Sebastian de Huaraz, is a city in Peru. It is the capital of the Ancash Region (State of Ancash) and the seat of government of Huaraz Province. The urban agglomeration's population is distributed over the districts of Huaraz and Independencia. The city is located in the central part of the Callejon de Huaylas Valley and on the right side of the river Santa, in addition the city has an elevation of approximately 3050 metres. The agglomeration has an extension of 8 km2 and a population of 120,000 inhabitants, making it the second largest city in the central Peruvian Andes after the city of Huancayo, and the 22nd largest city in Peru. Huaraz is the headquarters of the province's Roman Catholic Bishop and the site of his official cathedral.

Huaraz is the main financial and commerce center of the Callejón de Huaylas and the main tourist center of Ancash region, moreover, is one of the important cities in the Peruvian Andes. Huaraz is the main place of winter sports and adventure. Many visitors from around the world arrived to the city for practicing sports as climbing, hiking, mountain biking, snowboarding and also to visit the glaciers and mountains of the Cordillera Blanca, mainly the Huascarán snow peak, that is considered the highest mountain in tropics, all of them located in Huascarán National Park that is a nature world heritage site by UNESCO.

The origins of the city came before the Inca Empire with the development of some human settlements surrounding the valley of the Santa River and Qillqay. Its Spanish occupation occurred in 1574 as a Hispanic-indigenous reduction. During the Independence of Peru, the whole city supported the Liberty Army with food and guns, gaining the city the motto of "Noble and Generous City" named in that way by Simón Bolívar. In 1970, 95% of the city was destroyed by an earthquake that damaged a great part of Ancash Region. 25,000 people died. The city was supported with great international help by many countries. For this reason the city was named as a capital of International Friendship.


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