Geography of Piura

The territory of this department varies depending on the area. The coast has a smooth topography, while the highlands are rough. This area is also covered with desert plains. The Sechura desert is the lowest area in the country measuring 37 meters under sea level.

To the east, the region is rougher. Valleys had been eroded over time due to the rains. The highest peak in the area is more than 3,000 meters. The Paso de Porculla is only 2,138 meters deep and is the lowest of the Peruvian Andes.

The rivers crossing Piura’s territory belong to the Pacific watershed and to the Amazon. The Chira is the most notable. It flows into the Pacific. The Huancabamba is the largest river. The Piura River’s waters only flow into the sea during the rainy season.

The coast and western Andean watersheds have a desert climate. The climate is subtropical in the eastern watersheds. The rain is scarce, but when the “El Nino” phenomenon arises, flooding becomes a real danger.

Piura is the land of carob trees. Popular businesses in the area include fishing and the exporting of petroleum.