Caraz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Caraz San Ildefonso de Caraz
Town
Main Plaza
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  La muy fiel ciudad de Caraz (The very faithful city of Caraz)
Caraz Location in Peru
Country	Peru
Region	Ancash
Province	Huaylas
District	Caraz
Founded	29 December 1856
Area
• Total	246.52 km2 (95.18 sq mi)
Elevation	2,256 m (7,402 ft)
Population  (2015)
• Total	14,250
• Density	57.805/km2 (149.71/sq mi)
Time zone	-5
Website	www.municaraz.gob.pe

Caraz is a charming town located in the Ancash Region of Peru. It sits in the southeastern part of the Huaylas Province. Caraz is known for keeping its traditional Andean village style, even after a big earthquake in 1970.

What's in a Name? The Origin of Caraz

The exact meaning of the name Caraz is a bit of a mystery! People have a few ideas about where it came from.

• Some think it comes from the Quechua words QARA-PUNKu. This means "leather door," because doors in Caraz used to be covered with leather.
• Another idea is that it comes from the Quechua word KALLASH. This word means "sterile" or "without plants."
• A third possibility is that it comes from QARAS. This refers to the magüey plants that grow in the area.

Where is Caraz? Geography and Location

Caraz is nestled high up in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range. It's about 2,250 meters (or 7,380 feet) above sea level. This high altitude gives it a mild and pleasant climate. Unlike many other cities in the valley, Caraz still has its old-fashioned buildings and way of life. This is because it was not destroyed by the big 1970 Ancash earthquake.

How to Get to Caraz? Travel and Roads

Getting to Caraz is an adventure! It's about 460 kilometers (286 miles) northeast of Lima, Peru's capital city.

• By Road from Lima: You can take the Panamerican Highway (Route 1N) for about 202 km. Then, you turn east onto Route 3N, which goes through Huaraz.
• By Road from Chimbote: Another way is through the Canyon del Pato. This route is 184 km long. Some parts are paved, and some are dirt roads, but the last 22 km into Caraz are paved again.
• By Air: There are daily flights from Lima's Jorge Chavez International Airport. These flights land at Anta airport (ATA), which is about 45 km south of Caraz.

Fun Things to Do: Tourist Attractions

Caraz is a fantastic spot for young explorers and nature lovers. It's a popular starting point for Huascaran National Park adventures. It's also a quieter and safer choice compared to the busier city of Huaraz.

• Lake Parón: This is the biggest lake in the Cordillera Blanca. It's about 32 km east of Caraz and sits at 4,200 meters high. Imagine being surrounded by 15 snowy mountain peaks!
• Canyon del Pato: This amazing rock formation is 22 km north of the city. It was formed where the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra mountains come very close together.
• Puya Raimondii: Get ready to see the world's largest flower! The Puya Raimondii grows at 4,200 meters high on the Cordillera Negra. It's about 45 km west of Caraz.
• Tumshukayko: Explore ancient history at Tumshukayko. This pre-Inca site is about 3,000 years old. It features beautiful stone work and might have been a place for worship. It's just 1 km north of the main plaza.
• Santa Cruz Valley: Located 28 km northeast of Caraz, this valley is famous for the 4-day Santa Cruz - Llankanuku trek. On this trek, you can see incredible mountains like Alpamayo (known as the "World's Most Beautiful Mountain") and Artesonraju (which looks like the mountain in the Paramount Pictures logo!).
• Huascaran National Park: This huge park covers 340,000 hectares. You can enter it from the Paron, Santa Cruz, and Los Cedros valleys. It's a great place for hiking and seeing amazing wildlife.

Sister Cities

Caraz has a special connection with another city far away!

• Mesa, Arizona, in the United States, has been a sister city since 1989.

Images for kids

• 

  Paron Lake

See also

In Spanish: Caraz para niños