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.