Amazonas Department, Administrative department in northern Peru.
Amazonas is an administrative department in northern Peru that stretches from the Andean mountain ranges to forested valleys. The landscape shifts between steep slopes, deep gorges, and green plains crossed by numerous rivers.
The Chachapoya built stone fortresses and burial sites here between the 9th and 15th centuries before the area came under Inca rule. Later the region became part of the Spanish colonial empire and evolved into an administrative department after Peruvian independence.
The name Amazonas reflects the dense forests and rivers that shape much of the region and influence life there. Travelers notice how villages scatter along river valleys and markets offer local produce such as coffee and fruit.
Most visitors reach the region through Rodriguez de Mendoza Airport in Chachapoyas or use bus connections from the coast. The mountainous terrain means longer travel times, so plan extra hours for overland journeys.
Gocta Waterfall was documented by researchers only in 2002 and ranks among the tallest in the world at 771 meters (2529 feet). Locals had known about the falls for a long time but rarely mentioned them to outsiders.
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