Department of Loreto
| Loreto | |
|---|---|
| Colgante Bridge in Maynas | |
| Location of the Department of Loreto in Peru | |
| Coordinates: 4°00′S 74°19′W / 4.0°S 74.32°W | |
| Country | Peru | 
| Subdivisions | 8 provinces and 53 districts | 
| Established | 1853 | 
| Capital | Iquitos | 
| Government | |
| • Governor | Jorge René Chávez Silvano (2023–2026) | 
| Area | |
|  • Total | 368,851.95 km2 (142,414.53 sq mi) | 
| Highest elevation | 220 m (720 ft) | 
| Lowest elevation | 70 m (230 ft) | 
| Population  (2023) | |
|  • Total | 1,027,559 | 
| • Density | 2.8/km2 (7.2/sq mi) | 
| Demonym(s) | Loretan (Spanish: Loretano, Loretana) | 
| UBIGEO | 16 | 
| Dialing code | 065 | 
| ISO 3166 code | PE-LOR | 
| Principal resources | Rice, cassava, wood, fruit trees, rubber and cebu cattle | 
| Poverty rate | 24.9% | 
| Percentage of Peru's GDP | 2.51% | 
| Website | www.regionloreto.gob.pe | 
Loreto (Spanish pronunciation: [loˈɾeto]) is Peru's northernmost department and region. Covering almost one-third of Peru's territory, Loreto is by far the nation's largest department, slightly smaller than Japan; it is also one of the most sparsely populated regions due to its remote location in the Amazon Rainforest. Its capital is Iquitos.