HUARAZ

huaraz, a city of northern peru and capital ol the department of ancachs, on the left bank of the huaraz, or santa river, about 190 m. n.n.w. of lima and 58 m. from the coast. pop. (1876) 4851, (1906 estimate) 6000. huaraz is situated in a narrow fertile valley of the western cordillera, at a considerable elevation above sea-level, and has a mild climate. a railway projected to connect huaraz with the port of chimbote, on the bay of chimbote, a few miles s. of the mouth of the santa river, was completed from chimbote to suchiman (33 m.) in 1872, when work was suspended for want of money. in the valley of the huaraz cattle are raised, and wheat, sugar and fruit, gold, silver, copper and coal are produced. alfalfa is grown by stock-raisers, and the cattle raised here are among the best in the peruvian market. in the vicinity of huaraz are megalithic ruins similar to those of tiahunaco and cuzco, showing that the aboriginal empire preceding the incas extended into northern peru.