Cordillera Blanca
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

The Cordillera Blanca (Spanish for "white range") is a
mountain range A mountain range or hill range is a series of mountains or hills arranged in a line and connected by high ground. A mountain system or mountain belt is a group of mountain ranges with similarity in form, structure, and alignment that have arise ...
in
Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...
that is part of the larger
Andes The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long, wide (widest between 18°S – 20°S ...
range and extends for between 8°08' and 9°58'S and 77°00' and 77°52'W, in a northwesterly direction. It includes several peaks over high and 722 individual glaciers. The highest mountain in Peru,
Huascarán Huascarán () (Quechua: Waskaran), Nevado Huascarán or Mataraju is a mountain in the Peruvian province of Yungay ( Ancash Department), situated in the Cordillera Blanca range of the western Andes. The southern summit of Huascarán (Huascará ...
, at high, is located there. The Cordillera Blanca lies in the
Ancash region Ancash ( qu, Anqash; es, Áncash ) is a department and region in northern Peru. It is bordered by the departments of La Libertad on the north, Huánuco and Pasco on the east, Lima on the south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. Its capital i ...
and runs parallel to the
Santa River The Santa River ( es, Río Santa) is a river in the South American Andes mountain range in the Ancash Region of northwest central Peru. River Course Lake Conococha, at an altitude of 4,050 m above sea level and at , is considered the headwat ...
valley (also called
Callejón de Huaylas The Santa Valley (Quechua language, Quechua ''Sancta'') is an inter-andean valley in the Ancash Region in the north-central highlands of Peru. Due to its location between two mountain ranges, it is known as Callejón de Huaylas, the Alley of Huayla ...
in its upper and midsections) on the west.
Huascarán National Park Huascarán National Park ( es, Parque Nacional Huascarán) is a Peruvian national park that comprises most of the mountain range known as Cordillera Blanca (the world's highest tropical mountain range) which is part of the central Andes, in the r ...
, established in 1975, encompasses almost the entire range of the Cordillera Blanca. Snowmelt from the Cordillera Blanca provides part of northern Peru with its year-round water supply, while 5% of Peru's power comes from a hydro-electrical plant located in the Santa River valley. The area of permanent ice cover shrank by about a third between the 1970s and 2006.


Geography

The Cordillera Blanca is the most extensive tropical ice-covered mountain range in the world and has the largest concentration of ice in Peru. It is part of the Cordillera Occidental (the westernmost part of the Peruvian Andes), and trends in a northwesterly direction for 200 km between 8°08' and 9°58'S of latitude and 77°00' and 77°52' W of longitude. It has five of the most spectacular peaks above 6,000 m in the Peruvian Andes; the highest peak,
Huascarán Huascarán () (Quechua: Waskaran), Nevado Huascarán or Mataraju is a mountain in the Peruvian province of Yungay ( Ancash Department), situated in the Cordillera Blanca range of the western Andes. The southern summit of Huascarán (Huascará ...
, rises to an elevation of 6,768 m above sea level. The Cordillera Blanca also acts as a continental divide: the
Santa River The Santa River ( es, Río Santa) is a river in the South American Andes mountain range in the Ancash Region of northwest central Peru. River Course Lake Conococha, at an altitude of 4,050 m above sea level and at , is considered the headwat ...
on the west drains into the Pacific Ocean, whereas the
Marañón River , name_etymology = , image = Maranon.jpg , image_size = 270 , image_caption = Valley of the Marañón between Chachapoyas ( Leimebamba) and Celendín , map = Maranonrivermap.png , map_size ...
on the east drains into the Atlantic Ocean.


Glaciers

Until the 1990s a total of 722 individual glaciers were recognized in this mountain range, covering an area of 723.4 km2. Most were on the western side of the range, where 530 glaciers covered an area of 507.5 km2, while on the eastern side 192 glaciers covered an area of 215.9 km2. Most of the glaciers, 91% of the total, were classified as mountain glaciers (they are generally short and have extremely steep slopes); the rest were classified as valley glaciers, except for one ice cap. Like all Andean glaciers, the Cordillera Blanca has witnessed a major retreat of its glaciers during the 20th century due to
global climate change In common usage, climate change describes global warming—the ongoing increase in global average temperature—and its effects on Earth's climate system. Climate change in a broader sense also includes previous long-term changes to E ...
. Studies have shown a retreat of over 15% since the 1970s. Based on analysis of satellite imagery, in 2003 there were 485 glaciers left, covering an area of 569.6 km2.


Lakes

Among the most important lakes in the range are the Llanganuco Lakes, which are located on the northern side of
Huascarán Huascarán () (Quechua: Waskaran), Nevado Huascarán or Mataraju is a mountain in the Peruvian province of Yungay ( Ancash Department), situated in the Cordillera Blanca range of the western Andes. The southern summit of Huascarán (Huascará ...
, and are accessible from the town of Yungay; the deep-turquoise
Lake Parón Lake Parón is the largest lake in the Cordillera Blanca, on the Peruvian Andes, 32 km E from the city Caraz, at 4185 m asl. It is nested and surrounded by several snow peaks such as Aguja I 5,840 m, Aguja II 5m888 m, Aguja III 5,775 m, Cara ...
(the biggest lake in the Cordillera Blanca), located just north of
Huandoy Huandoy (probably from Quechua ''wantuy,'' to transfer, to transpose, to carry, to carry a heavy load) or Tullparaju (possibly from Quechua ''tullpa'' rustic cooking-fire, stove, ''rahu'' snow, ice, mountain with snow,) is a mountain located ins ...
, accessible from the town of
Caraz Caraz is a town in the Caraz District in the southeastern part of Huaylas Province of the Ancash Region in Peru. Political Creation Recent investigations suggest that its political creation happened on 12 February 1821 when General San Martín, ...
; Lakes
Ichiccocha Lake Ichiccocha (possibly from Ancash Quechua ''ichik'' small, little, few,Jatuncocha, which are near
Artesonraju Artesonraju is a pyramidal mountain peak located near the city of Caraz in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range in the Peruvian Andes. It is located at the Peruvian province of Huaylas and its slopes are within two cities: Santa Cruz and Caraz ...
and
Alpamayo Alpamayo (possibly from Quechua ''allpa'' earth, ''mayu'' river, "earth river") or Shuyturaju (possibly from Ancash Quechua ''huytu, shuytu'' oblong, slim and long, Quechua ''rahu'' snow, ice, mountain covered in snow) is one of the most conspicuo ...
and are accessible only by
trekking Backpacking is the outdoor recreation of carrying gear on one's back, while hiking for more than a day. It is often an extended journey, and may involve camping outdoors. In North America tenting is common, where simple shelters and mountain h ...
or on horseback from
Caraz Caraz is a town in the Caraz District in the southeastern part of Huaylas Province of the Ancash Region in Peru. Political Creation Recent investigations suggest that its political creation happened on 12 February 1821 when General San Martín, ...
. Some other notable lakes are
Lake 69 Lake 69 (Spanish: ''Laguna 69'') is a small lake near of the city of Huaraz, in the region of Áncash, Peru. It is one of the more than 400 lakes that form part of the Huascarán National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. ...
, Lake Allicocha, Lake Auquiscocha,
Lake Palcacocha Palcacocha (possibly from Quechua ''pallqa, p'allqa, p'alqa'' forked, branched, fork, ''qucha'' lake) is a glacier lake in the Andes mountain range of South America in northwestern Peru located in the Ancash Region, Huaraz Province. Location Pal ...
, Lake Querococha, and Lake Conococha.


Peaks

There are several 6,000 m peaks in the Cordillera Blanca with a 400 m topographic
prominence In topography, prominence (also referred to as autonomous height, relative height, and shoulder drop in US English, and drop or relative height in British English) measures the height of a mountain or hill's summit relative to the lowest contou ...
, and several other peaks over 5,500 m.
Huascarán Huascarán () (Quechua: Waskaran), Nevado Huascarán or Mataraju is a mountain in the Peruvian province of Yungay ( Ancash Department), situated in the Cordillera Blanca range of the western Andes. The southern summit of Huascarán (Huascará ...
Sur, the highest, has two commonly quoted heights: 6,746 m from the Peruvian National Geographic Institute (IGN) map and 6,768 m from the Austrian Alpine Club (OeAV) survey map. Some of the highest peaks in the Cordillera Blanca are listed below.Taken from Mountaineering in the Andes by Jill Neate, RGS-IBG Expedition Advisory Centre, 2nd edition, May 1994 *
Huascarán Huascarán () (Quechua: Waskaran), Nevado Huascarán or Mataraju is a mountain in the Peruvian province of Yungay ( Ancash Department), situated in the Cordillera Blanca range of the western Andes. The southern summit of Huascarán (Huascará ...
, *
Huantsán Huantsán, Huantsan (modern Quechua orthography: Wantsan) or Tunsho is a mountain in the Andes of Peru. It is located in Ancash Region and is part of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range, a sub-range of the Andes. It has four peaks, with a maxim ...
, *
Huandoy Huandoy (probably from Quechua ''wantuy,'' to transfer, to transpose, to carry, to carry a heavy load) or Tullparaju (possibly from Quechua ''tullpa'' rustic cooking-fire, stove, ''rahu'' snow, ice, mountain with snow,) is a mountain located ins ...
, *
Chopicalqui Chopicalqui or Chopicallqui (possibly from Huaylas Quechua ''Chawpi'' "center" ''kallki'' "ravine")Leonel Alexander Menacho López, Yachakuqkunapa Shimi Qullqa, Anqash Qhichwa Shimichaw (Ministerio de Educación), Wordbook Ancash Quechua-Spanish ...
, *
Chinchey Chinchey, also known as Rurichinchay, is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru. It is located in the region of Ancash, most precisely between the districts of Aco (in Carhuaz Province), Independencia (in Huaraz Province), ...
, *
Palcaraju Palcaraju (from Quechua ''pallqa, p'allqa, p'alqa'' forked, branched, fork, ''rahu'' snow, ice, mountain with snow,) is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range in the region of Ancash within the Peruvian Andes The Andes, Andes M ...
, * Santa Cruz, *
Copa Copa or COPA may refer to: COPA COPA may refer to: * Computer Operator Programming Assistant. trade of ITI * Child Online Protection Act, a former U.S. law to protect minors from certain material on the internet * Canadian Owners and Pilots Ass ...
, *
Ranrapalca Ranrapalca (possibly from Quechua ''ranra'' stony, ''pallqa'' bifurcation, division into two parts) is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca range in the Andes of Peru. It has an elevation of 6,162 m (20,217 ft). It is located in the regi ...
, *
Pucaranra Pucaranra (possibly from Quechua ''puka'' red, ''ranra'' stony; stony ground,) is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru, about high (although other sources cite an elevation of . It is located in Ancash, southwest of mount C ...
, *
Hualcán Hualcán (also called Rajopaquinan) (possibly from Quechua ''wallqa, walqa'', ''-n'' a suffix) is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru, about high. It is located in Ancash, between Chacas (in Asunción Province) and Carhua ...
, *
Chacraraju Chacraraju or Chakraraju (possibly from Quechua ''chakra'' little farm; field, land sown with seed, ''rahu'' snow, ice, mountain with snow)Teofilo Laime Ajacopa, Diccionario Bilingüe Iskay simipi yuyayk'ancha, La Paz, 2007 (Quechua-Spanish dicti ...
, *
Pucajirca Pucajirca or Pucahirca (possibly from Quechua ''puka'' red, Ancash Quechua ''hirka'' mountain, "red mountain") is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru, about 6,046 m (19,836 ft) high. It is located in the Ancash ...
, *
Quitaraju Quitaraju or Kitaraju (possibly from Ancash Quechua ''kita'' dam, Quechua ''rahu'' snow, ice) is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru, about high. It is situated in the Ancash Region, Huaylas Province, Santa Cruz District. ...
, *
Tocllaraju Tocllaraju (possibly from Quechua ''tuqlla'' trap, ''rahu'' snow, ice, mountain with snow, "snow-covered trap mountain") is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru, about 6,034 m (19,797 ft) high. It is situated in the ...
, *
Artesonraju Artesonraju is a pyramidal mountain peak located near the city of Caraz in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range in the Peruvian Andes. It is located at the Peruvian province of Huaylas and its slopes are within two cities: Santa Cruz and Caraz ...
, *
Caraz Caraz is a town in the Caraz District in the southeastern part of Huaylas Province of the Ancash Region in Peru. Political Creation Recent investigations suggest that its political creation happened on 12 February 1821 when General San Martín, ...
, * Contrahierbas, *
Alpamayo Alpamayo (possibly from Quechua ''allpa'' earth, ''mayu'' river, "earth river") or Shuyturaju (possibly from Ancash Quechua ''huytu, shuytu'' oblong, slim and long, Quechua ''rahu'' snow, ice, mountain covered in snow) is one of the most conspicuo ...
, *
Ocshapalca Ocshapalca (possibly from Quechua ''uqsha'' high altitude grass,Pirámide, * Ulta, * San Juan, *
Taulliraju Taulliraju (possibly from Quechua ''tawlli'' a kind of legume, ''rahu'' snow, ice, mountain with snow,babylon.com
, * Santa Cruz Norte, * Rinrijirca, * Santa Cruz Chico, *
Tullparaju Tullparaju (possibly from Quechua ''tullpa'' rustic cooking-fire, stove, ''rahu'' snow, ice, mountain with snow) is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru, about high. It is situated in the Ancash Region, Huaraz Province, In ...
, *
Pisco Pisco is a colorless or yellowish-to-amber colored brandy produced in winemaking regions of Peru and Chile. Made by distilling fermented grape juice into a high-proof spirit, it was developed by 16th-century Spanish settlers as an alternative ...
, * Paccharaju, * Champará, *
Uruashraju Uruashraju (possibly from the regional Quechua spelling, ''urwa'' infertile, sterile; corn plant without corncob used as fodder, ''rahu'' snow, ice, mountain with snow) or Verdecocha (possibly from Spanish ''verde'' green, Quechua ''qucha'' la ...
, *
Cayesh Cayesh is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru, about high. It is located between Huaraz and Huari provinces in Ancash. Cayesh lies at the head of the Cayesh valley, northwest of Artisa and southeast of Andavite Andavi ...
, * Cashan, *
Shacsha Shacsha, Shaqsha, (possibly from Ancash Quechua for jingle bell / a typical dancer of the Ancash Region), Huantsán Chico or Huanchan is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru, about high, (other sources cite a height of ). I ...
, * Rúrec, *
Mururaju Mururaju, Murrorajo or Pongos Sur is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru, about high. It is situated in the Ancash Region, Huari Province, Chavín de Huantar District and in the Recuay Province, Catac District.escale.mined ...
, *
Vallunaraju Vallunaraju or ''Wallunaraju'' (possibly from Ancash Quechua to cut, ''wallu'' earless, someone whose ears are amputated ''-na'' a nominalising suffix, Quechua ''rahu'' snow, ice, mountain with snow,Caullaraju Caullaraju or Jeulla Rajo (possibly from Quechua ''qiwlla'' gull, ''rahu'' snow, ice, mountain with snow, "snow-covered gull mountain") is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.sv ...
, *
Queshque Queshque (possibly from Quechua for a type of bromeliadJatuncunca, * Parón, *
Perlilla Perlilla is a mountain of 5587 m in the Cordillera Blanca range, a part of the Peruvian Andes. It lies within the provinces of Asunción, Carhuaz and Huari. Its eastern summit (5,587) is located in the Huari Province. The peak was climbed for t ...
, * Copap, *
Jacabamba Jacabamba (possibly from Quechua ''qaqa'' rock, ''pampa'' a large plain, "rock plain") is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru. It is situated in the Ancash Region, Asunción Province, Chacas District, in the Carhuaz Provi ...
, *
Andavite Andavite (possibly from Quechua ''anta'' copper, ''p'iti'' dividing by pulling powerfully to the extremes; gap, interruption) or Chopiraju is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru. It is located northeast of the village of Pi ...
, * Millishraju, * Tantash, * Carhuascancha, *
Churup Churup or Tsurup (possibly from Ancash Quechua) is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru, about high. It is situated in the Ancash Region, Huaraz Province, Independencia District, north-east of Huaraz Huaraz () (from ...
, * Challhua, * Tuco, * Pucagaga Punta, *
Yanapaccha Yanapaccha (possibly from Quechua ''yana'' black, ''phaqcha'' waterfall, "black waterfall") is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru, about high. It is situated in the Ancash Region, Yungay Province The Yungay Province is on ...
, * Kima Rumi, *
Huamashraju Huamashraju, Wamashraju (possibly from Quechua ''rahu'' snow, ice, mountain with snow), Yanahuacra (possibly from Quechua ''yana'' black, waqra horn, "black horn") or Rajo Colta is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru, about ...
, * Urus, * Huapi, * Milluacocha, * Rocotopunta, * Raju Cutac, * Pucaraju, * Tarushcancha, * Tuctopunta, *
Pomabamba Pomabamba (Quechua Pumapampa, ''puma'' cougar, ''pampa'' large plain, "cougar plain") is a town in the Pomabamba District of the Pomabamba Province in the Ancash Region of Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat ...
, * Maparaju, * San Julián, *
Vicos Vicos or Paccharuri (possibly from Ancash Quechua ''paqtsa'' waterfall, ''ruri'' inside; valley or little river) is a high mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru. It is situated in the Ancash Region, Carhuaz Province The Carhuaz ...
, * Carhuallún, *
Chequiaraju Chequiaraju, Chequiarajo'','' or Checquiacraju (possibly from Quechua, ''chiqlla'' green, ''rahu'' snow, ice, mountain with snow) is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , i ...
, * Pilanco, *
Rima Rima Rima Rima (Quechua ''rima'' speaking, ''rima rima'' a flower ''(Ranunculus weberbaueri syn. Krapfia weberbaueri)''),Blanca León, Ranunculaceae endémicas del Perú, Rev. peru. biol. Número especial 13(2): 580s - 581s (Diciembre 2006), El libro ...
, * Tuctubamba, * Santón, *
Yanamarey Yanamarey (possibly from Quechua ''yana'' black, ''maran'', ''maray'' batan or grindstone, ''maray'' to tear down, to knock down, "black batan or grindstone") or Yanaraju is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru, about high ...
, * Tarush Huachanan, * Pacra, *
Sentilo Sentilo (possibly Quechua for peccary) is a mountain in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru. It is located in Ancash Region, Huaylas Province, Santa Cruz District. Sentilo lies at the Punta Unión pass, the highest point of the Santa C ...
, * Ichic Jeulla, * Yanarrajo, * Pucaraju, * Arteza, * Tuctu, * Kunkush, * Cahuish, * Gaico, * Collpa Janca,


Hot springs

Among the most important hot springs in the area are Monterrey and Chancos, which have been transformed into thermal bath facilities. They are 7 and 27 km respectively from the regional capital,
Huaraz Huaraz () (from Quechuan languages, Quechua: ''Waraq'' or ''Waras'', "''dawn''"), founded as San Sebastián de Huaraz, is a city in Peru. It is the capital of the Ancash Region (State of Ancash) and the seat of government of Huaraz Province. The ...
.


Climate

The dry season extends from May through September, June and July having the least rain and more stable weather. The data on the chart correspond to the village of Musho (elevation: 3084 m), located at the foot of Huascarán.


Ecology

Flora and fauna in the range have adapted to the climate and elevational range of mountainous areas. Almost all of the Cordillera Blanca is protected by
Huascarán National Park Huascarán National Park ( es, Parque Nacional Huascarán) is a Peruvian national park that comprises most of the mountain range known as Cordillera Blanca (the world's highest tropical mountain range) which is part of the central Andes, in the r ...
.


Flora

The main types of plant communities present in the area are the vegetation of inter-Andean valleys (xerophytic plants in the lower elevations and shrubs and grassland at the higher elevations) and high-altitude vegetation (Puna grasslands and patches of high Andean forest). Plants in the range have adapted to the intense solar radiation, low temperatures, and water availability. Most plant species have pubescent leaves, an adaptation that protects the plants from water loss due to the intense solar radiation and low nighttime temperatures of the mountain climate. Examples of typical vegetation of this area include ''
Polylepis racemosa ''Polylepis racemosa'' is a species of small tree in the family Rosaceae. It is endemic to Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. It is threatened by habitat destruction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the conservation st ...
, Escallonia resinosa,
Alnus acuminata ''Alnus acuminata'' is a species of deciduous tree in the Betulaceae family. It is found in montane forests from central Mexico to Argentina.Zuloaga, F. O., O. N. Morrone, M. J. Belgrano, C. Marticorena & E. Marchesi. (eds.) 2008. Catálogo de la ...
, Senna birostris, Vallea stipularis,
Lupinus ''Lupinus'', commonly known as lupin, lupine, or regionally bluebonnet etc., is a genus of plants in the legume family Fabaceae. The genus includes over 199 species, with centers of diversity in North and South America. Smaller centers occur ...
'' spp''.,
Vaccinium floribundum ''Vaccinium floribundum'', commonly known as mortiño or Andean blueberry, is a slender shrub that grows in the northern Andes in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela at elevations from . It can reach high or it can be dwarf and prostr ...
,
Puya raimondii ''Puya raimondii'', also known as queen of the Andes (English), titanka (Quechua) or puya de Raimondi (Spanish), is the largest species of bromeliad, its inflorescences reaching up to in height. It is native to the high Andes of Bolivia and Per ...
, Calamagrostis vicunarum, Festuca dolichophylla,
Jarava ichu ''Jarava ichu'', commonly known as Peruvian feathergrass, ''ichhu'', ''paja brava'', ''paja ichu'', or simply ''ichu'' (Quechua for straw), is a grass species in the family Poaceae native to the Americas. It is found growing in a vast area: Mex ...
,'' ''Azorella'' spp., and ''Ranunculus macropetalus''.


Fauna

More than 120 bird species have been reported in Huascarán National Park. The most notable include the
Andean condor The Andean condor (''Vultur gryphus'') is a giant South American Cathartid vulture and is the only member of the genus ''Vultur''. Found in the Andes mountains and adjacent Pacific coasts of western South America, the Andean condor is the larg ...
, the
torrent duck The torrent duck (''Merganetta armata'') is a member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae. It is the only member of the genus ''Merganetta''. It is placed in the shelduck subfamily Tadorninae after the "perching duck" assemblage to which ...
, the
puna tinamou The puna tinamou (''Tinamotis pentlandii'') also known as Pentland's tinamou, is a member of the most ancient groups of bird families, the tinamous. This species is native to southern South America.Clements, J. (2007) The binomial name of the spec ...
, the brown pintail, the
Andean crested duck The Andean crested duck (''Lophonetta specularioides alticola'') is one of two subspecies of the crested duck. It is much rarer than its sibling subspecies, the Patagonian crested duck. Description The Andean crested duck is a medium-sized du ...
, the
white-tufted grebe The white-tufted grebe (''Rollandia rolland''), also known as Rolland's grebe, is a species of grebe in the family Podicipedidae. Found in the southern half of South America, its natural habitat is freshwater lakes, ponds and sluggish streams. ...
, the
giant coot The giant coot (''Fulica gigantea'') is a species of bird in subfamily Rallinae of family Rallidae, the rails, gallinules, and coots. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.HBW and BirdLife International (2021) Handbook of the Birds ...
, and the
Andean gull The Andean gull (''Chroicocephalus serranus'') is a species of gull in the family Laridae. As is the case with many gulls, it has traditionally been placed in the genus ''Larus''. It is found in the Andes in mountainous regions of Argentina, Bol ...
. Among the mammals reported in the same area are the
colocolo The Pampas cat (''Leopardus colocola'') is a small wild cat native to South America. It is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List as habitat conversion and destruction may cause the population to decline in the future. It is named after ...
, the
Andean mountain cat The Andean mountain cat (''Leopardus jacobita'') is a small wild cat native to the high Andes that has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List because fewer than 1,500 individuals are thought to exist in the wild. It is traditionally con ...
, the spectacled bear, the taruca deer, the
vicuña The vicuña (''Lama vicugna'') or vicuna (both , very rarely spelled ''vicugna'', its former genus name) is one of the two wild South American camelids, which live in the high alpine areas of the Andes, the other being the guanaco, which live ...
, the
white-tailed deer The white-tailed deer (''Odocoileus virginianus''), also known as the whitetail or Virginia deer, is a medium-sized deer native to North America, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru and Bolivia. It has also been introduced t ...
, the puma, the
northern viscacha The northern viscacha (''Lagidium peruanum'') is a species of viscacha, a rodent in the family Chinchillidae. It is known from Peru and Chile, at elevations from 300 to 5000 m, and may also be present in Bolivia. Description The northern visca ...
, the
long-tailed weasel The long-tailed weasel (''Neogale frenata''), also known as the bridled weasel, masked ermine, or big stoat, is a species of mustelid distributed from southern Canada throughout all the United States and Mexico, southward through all of Central A ...
, the
hog-nosed skunk The hog-nosed skunks belong to the genus ''Conepatus'' and are members of the family Mephitidae Mephitidae is a family of mammals comprising the skunks and stink badgers. They are noted for the great development of their anal scent glands, ...
, and the Andean fox.


See also

* Cordillera Blanca Fault Zone * List of mountains in Peru * List of first ascents in the Cordillera Blanca *
Cordillera Negra The Cordillera Negra (Spanish for "black range"), Yana Walla in qechua is part of the ''Cordillera Occidental'', one of three mountain ranges in the Andes of west central Peru. It is almost entirely located within the Ancash Region. The range ext ...
*
Huascarán National Park Huascarán National Park ( es, Parque Nacional Huascarán) is a Peruvian national park that comprises most of the mountain range known as Cordillera Blanca (the world's highest tropical mountain range) which is part of the central Andes, in the r ...
*
Cordillera Central (disambiguation) Central Cordillera refers to the New Guinea Highlands. Cordillera Central, meaning ''central range'' in Spanish, may refer to the following mountain ranges: * Cordillera Central, Andes (disambiguation), several mountain ranges in South America ** ...
*
Ancash Region Ancash ( qu, Anqash; es, Áncash ) is a department and region in northern Peru. It is bordered by the departments of La Libertad on the north, Huánuco and Pasco on the east, Lima on the south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west. Its capital i ...


References


External links


Summitpost page on Cordillera Blanca

Google Maps view of Cordillera Blanca

Peak Lists for the Andes, including Peruvian Peaks
{{Authority control Mountain ranges of the Andes Mountain ranges of Peru Mountain ranges of Ancash Region Huascarán National Park