ICA, a coast department of southern Peru, bounded on the north by the department of Lima, east by Huancavelica and Ayacucho, south by Arequipa, west by the Pacific. It includes the western slopes of the cordillera and desert coast zone, a barren waste except for fertile, irrigated valleys of the Chincha, Pisco, Ica and Grande rivers. Pop. (estimate 1927), 120,000; area, 9,799 sq.m.
In the Chincha valley, of which Chincha Alta (pop. 6,000) is the chief town, 3 5,00o ac. are under cultivation—the cotton yield second only to Piura-25,o0o in the Pisco valley, and 12,000 in valleys tributary to the Rio Grande. The Pisco valley is the home of Senor Fermin Tangiiis, originator of the cotton which bears his name, a variety which is gradually replacing the cultiva tion of others in Peru. The Nazca valley, tributary to the Grande, has a pre-Hispanic irrigating system and is famous for its archaeological remains. A system of roads including the coast trunk-line, 2 5 m. inland, is finished, though sometimes sand covered, throughout its length, 214 m. Several branches run up the valleys to agricultural centres, a total of 404 miles of finished roads (1927). A railway 46 m. long connects Ica, the capital, with its port, Pisco. The only other port is Tambo de Mora, 16 m. north of Pisco, connected with Chincha Alta by rail (74 m.). Chief products of the department are cotton, grapes, wines, spirits, honey, tropical fruits and vegetables. Lake Huacachina, near Ica, is a famous health resort.
IcA, a city, capital of the department of the same name, is 46 m. by rail south-east of its port, Pisco. Pop. (estimate 1927), 13,000, altitude 1,30o feet. It lies in an irrigated valley filled with vineyards and cotton fields (total producing area about 50,00o ac.). Much of the brandy known as "Pisco" is produced in the Ica valley. The original town (founded 1563), has been twice destroyed by earthquake and looted by a Chilean army in 1882. In spite of repeated disaster, it has typical Spanish charm and considerable commercial and industrial activity. Imports are controlled by wholesale houses, and several Lima banks have agencies here. The largest industry is a cotton factory including gin, oil-mill and other departments. (M. T. BI.)