Province in Ancash, Peru
The Sihuas Province (Quechua Siwas) is one of twenty provinces of the Ancash Region in Peru.This province was created by Law nº 13485, dated at January 9 of 1961, when was president of Perou: Manuel Prado.[1] It is bordered by provinces of Huaylas and Corongo on the west, Pallasca Province on the north, La Libertad Region on the east, and Pomabamba Province on the south.[2]
Geography
One of the highest peaks of the district is Puka Qaqa at approximately 4,400 m (14,400 ft). Other mountains are listed below:[3]
- Aya K'uchu
- Chawpi Qaqa
- Hatun Anqas
- Hatun Hirka
- Kiswar
- Kuntur Wasi
- Kushuru Pampa
- Kushuru Pata
- Mach'ay Wayi
- Minas Hirka
- Minas Pampa
- Misa Pata
- Ñawin Qucha
- Pilanku
- Pukara
- Punta Hirka
- Putaqa
- Q'ala Marka
- Qulluta
- Raqay Qucha
- Rima Pampa
- Silla Hirka
- Sumaq Pampa
- Suyru Pampa
- Tuku Mach'ay
- Uqa Chakra
- Waraqayuq
- Wathiyana Hirka
- Wathiyayuq
- Wayanay
- Waychu Mach'ay
- Wiru Kancha
- Yawar Qucha
Political division
Sihuas is divided into ten districts, which are:
Ethnic groups
The province is inhabited by indigenous citizens of Quechua descent. Spanish is the language which the majority of the population (62.89%) learnt to speak in childhood, 36.83% of the residents started speaking using the Quechua language (2007 Peru Census).[4]
Earthquake of November 10, 1946
On November 10, 1946, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the province. The epicenter is estimated to have occurred at 8°20' S. 77°50' W. at a depth of 30 – 40 km. The surface fault was observed to run about 18 km northwest from Quiches toward Conchucos. The quake was "the first well-observed instance of major faulting."[5] The fault was purely slip-dip (vertical), with an offset of as much as 3.5 meters (11 feet). The quake and resulting landslides resulted in a death toll estimated at 1400 - 1700,[6] a substantial number given the sparse population in the area. The village of Acobamba was buried by one landslide, killing 217.
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