ANCACHS, a department of central Peru, between the Pacific and the valley of the Maranon, with the department of La Liber dad on the north, and that of Lima on the south (area 14,705 sq.m., estimated population 480,000, doubtless somewhat below the actual figure). Lying partly on the arid coast, partly in the high cordilleras, it has a variety of climates and products. Two lofty chains parallel with the coast, Cordillera Negra on the west, Cordillera Blanca on the east, include some of the highest peaks in Peru (Huascaran). They hem in a wide, fertile valley, that of the Sante or Huaraz, the largest coast stream. It is unique among the rivers of Peru as it rises east of the continental divide, flows from south to north in a longitudinal valley, cuts the west ern cordillera in a narrow gorge and empties into the Pacific. , The climate of this valley is in general mild, with moderate rain fall. From south to north the principal crops are barley, potatoes, wheat and maize. Cattle and sheep are also raised. A series of towns, Recuay, Huaraz, Yungai, Caraz, Huailas, follow the stream. On the eastern slopes of the Cordillera Blanca tributaries of the Maranon flow east, while from western slopes of the Cordillera Negra, short streams cross the desert to the Pacific. In their valleys sugar-cane, cotton, rice and tropical fruits are grown. The chief ports, Chimbote, Samanco and Casma, each with a few hundred inhabitants, are situated on protected though shallow harbours. A road from Casma over the Cordillera Negra (pass 14,000f t.) is the chief means of access to the capital, Huaraz (q.v.). The highly mineralized mountains are at present but little exploited; the largest establishment is in Ticapampa, at the south. The principal deposits are silver and lead, placer gold (Chuqui cara), copper (Huari), tungsten (Pallasca), coal (Antos and Caraz). Living conditions are still primitive owing to lack of transportation facilities. There are 426m. of finished roads in the department, and construction is actively going forward. One narrow-gauge State railway runs from Chimbote up the Santa valley to Huallaca, 85m. distant. Many interesting pre-Colum bian remains can be seen both on the coast and in the mountains.