ANCACHS  , a

coast province of central Peru, lying between the departments of Lima and Libertad, and W. of the Maranon river . Area, 16,562 sq. m.; pop . (1896) 428,703 . The department was created in 1835, and received its present name in 1839, and its last accession of territory in 1861 . Lying partly on the arid coast, partly in the high Cordilleras and partly in the valley of the Maranon, it has every variety of climate and productions . Rice, cotton, sugar-cane, yucas (Manihot aipi) and tropical fruits are produced in the irrigated valleys of the coast, and wheat, Indian corn, barley, potatoes, coffee, coca, &c., in the upland regions . Cattle and sheep are also raised for the coast markets . Mining is likewise an important industry . The capital, Huaraz (est. pop . 8000 in 1896), on the Rio Santa or Huarraz, is a large mining centre in the sierras, 9931 ft. above sea-level, from which a railway runs to the small seaports of Santa and Chimbote, 172 M. distant . Other noteworthy towns are Caraz (6000) and Carhuaz (500o) in the sierra region, and Huarmey Woo) on the coast .