eastern section of the Cordillera Occidental of the Andes, in west central Peru, South America. The snowcapped range extends about 110 mi (180 km) and has a southeast to northwest trend. The highest peak (22,334 ft 【6,768 m】) is Nevado (mount) Huascarán (Huascarán, Mount). The range is separated from the Cordillera Negra to the west by the Santa River and the Callejón de Huaylas.