Its capital, Chimbote, that long time ago became the first fishing port of the world, is the most important city of the coastal zone of Ancash.

These valleys have extensive sown plains with cotton, rice, sugar and nutritional products.

This rich valley is formed by the outlet of the Santa River.

The Santa River is born in the lake Quñuqqucha in the Cordillera Blanca (White mountain range).

It also cut the Cordillera Negra (Black mountain range) in the imposing Cañón del Pato (Mountain trail of the Duck) and it ends at the plains of Santa, after a distance traveled of 336 kilometers (209 mi).