Covering almost one-third of Peru's territory, Loreto is by far the nation's largest department, slightly smaller than Japan; it is also one of the most sparsely populated regions due to its remote location in the Amazon Rainforest.

In these flood areas there are elevated sectors called restingas, which always remain above water, even in times of the greatest swellings.

The weather is warm and humid with an average temperature of 17 °C (63 °F) to 20 °C (68 °F) during the months of June and July, and up to a high of 36 °C (97 °F) from December through March.

Many of these ethnic groups settled in the Purús, Turúa and Yaraví river basins, receiving names different from those of their lineage.

On February 12, 1542, and after a search of several months, Spanish conqueror Francisco de Orellana discovered the Amazon River, an adventure that began in the Sierra.

During these years, they contributed by opening travel routes and cutting down distances between indigenous groups and colonial villages.

In 1853, the Littoral Province of Loreto was established, comprising today's departments of Ucayali, San Martín, and parts of Ecuador and Colombia.

Motelo or turtle meat soup and juanes (rice tamales with chicken or fish) are typical Loretan dishes.