Huaraz (Spanish pronunciation: [waˈɾaθ] or [waˈɾas]) is a city in Peru. It is the capital of the Departmento de Ancash (State of Ancash) and the seat of government of the Provincia de Huaraz (Province of Huaraz). The urban agglomerations population is distributed over the districts of Huaraz and Independencia. It was estimated in 2007 to exceed 120,000. Huaraz is headquarters of the province's Roman Catholic Bishop and the site of his official cathedral.