Department of Ayacucho

Ayacucho
Ayakuchu (Quechua)
Location of Ayacucho within Peru
CountryPeru
EstablishedApril 26, 1822
CapitalAyacucho
Provinces
Government
 • TypeRegional Government
 • GovernorWilfredo Oscorima Núñez
Area
 • Total
43,814.8 km2 (16,917.0 sq mi)
Elevation
(Capital)
2,746 m (9,009 ft)
Highest elevation
5,505 m (18,061 ft)
Lowest elevation
1,800 m (5,900 ft)
Population
 (2017)
 • Total
616,176
 • Density14.0632/km2 (36.4235/sq mi)
Demonymayacuchano/a
UBIGEO
05
Dialing code066
ISO 3166 codePE-AYA
Principal resourcesPotatoes, wheat, olluco, barley, sheep and handicrafts.
Poverty rate72.5%
Percentage of Peru's GDP0.65%
Websitewww.regionayacucho.gob.pe

Ayacucho (Spanish pronunciation: [aʝaˈkutʃo] ; Quechua: Ayakuchu), known as Huamanga (Quechua: Wamanqa) from its creation in 1822 until 1825, is a department of Peru. It is located in the south-central Andes of the country. The region was one of the hardest hit in the 1980s during the guerrilla war waged by Shining Path. It is administered by a regional government. Its capital is the city of Ayacucho.