Carhuaz

Carhuaz on the map of Peru

Carhuaz is the capital of the province of Carhuaz in the Peruvian region of Ancash. It lies in the valley of the Rio Santa in the Andes mountains in the northwest of the country.

Location

Carhuaz is located in the central part of the Callejón de Huaylas in the densely populated and fertile valley of the Santa River, at the foot of the Nevado Huascaran, with 6768 m the highest mountain in Peru. The name " Carhuaz " comes from " cea huash " (yellow) and refers to the yellow color of the heather on the slopes of the surrounding mountains.

The city lies at an altitude of 2650 m above sea level between the Cordillera Blanca in the east and the Cordillera Negra in the west. The nearest towns are Huaraz 32 km upstream and 22 km downstream of Yungay.

From Carhuaz a road link in an easterly direction to the Ulta - stream leads up over the pass Punta Olimpica ( 4890 m) between Contrahierbas ( 6036 m) and Ulta ( 5875 m) through after Chacas ( 3360 m) on the other side of the Cordillera Blanca.

Population

Its population is of 3,800 inhabitants ( census 1993) on 5044 inhabitants ( 2005 calculation ) increased.

Importance

Carhuaz is agricultural and tourist center, and the city is known for its ice cream. Ten kilometers south of Carhuaz along the Santa River lies the tarmac of Anta airport. Twelve kilometers south of Carhuaz is the spa Chaco, known for its mineral baths " The Fountain of Youth". A few kilometers from Carhuaz west, on the slopes of the Cordillera Negra is the Guitarrero Cave, have been found in the traces of human habitation dating back to around 10,000 BC.

• Location in Peru
• Ancash