Ancach, a N. W. department of Peru, be-tween the Andes and the Pacific, bounded X. E. by the Maranon; area, about 18,000 sq. m.; pop. 317,000. It is one of the most fertile portions of Peru, producing heavy crops of cereals and a large quantity of sugar, and in some parts cotton. The elevated table lands are made very fertile by irrigation. Excellent marble is quarried and valuable minerals abound. The capital is Huaras, in an extensive, beautiful, and populous valley of the same name. Wood here is scarce, and its place is supplied with champa, a black vegetable matter resembling lignite. The other chief cities are Huaylas, Santa, Hua-ri, Cajatambo, Pomabamba, and Pallasca, each the capital of a province or district of the same name. It was through the passes of this department that the Colombian army, in the war of independence, made its astonishing march into Peru to attack the Spanish forces at Junin.