the urban area of huaraz is located at the santa river basin. the environment characteristic of the city belongs to an andean valley. huaraz is located in the callejón de huaylas valley, surrounded by the cordillera blanca and cordillera negra as its system mountains. the main river is the santa which crosses the city from south to north, and also the qillqay river that crosses the urban area from east to west, flowing to the santa river.