Huascaran Biosphere Reserve

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, inscribed 1977, in Peru. The Huascarán Biosphere Reserve is located in the department of Ancash, north of Lima, in the central-west region of Peru. Its altitude ranges from 1,020–6,768 m at Mount Huascarán and encompasses 11 habitat types, from tropical desert scrub to Andean tundra. The Cordillera Blanca, an Andean mountain range within the biosphere reserve, is considered the world’s most extensive tropical cordillera and hosts numerous glaciers and 296 lakes. The population is mostly ethnic Andean mestizo and is mainly engaged in agriculture and livestock-rearing. The region also contains mining concessions and has a commitment to tourism.