Loreto () is Peru's northernmost department and region. Covering almost one-third of Peru's territory, Loreto is by far the nation's largest department; it is also one of the most sparsely populated regions due to its remote location in the Amazon Rainforest. Its capital is Iquitos. Geography Northwest: Ecuador: Sucumbíos Province, Orellana Province, Pastaza Province and Morona-Santiago Province North: Colombia: Putumayo Department Northeast: Colombia: Amazonas Department East: Brazil: Amazonas State and Acre State South: Ucayali and Huánuco regions West: San Martín and Amazonas regions Loreto's large territory comprises parts of the High and Low Jungle, and is largely covered with thick vegetation. This territory has wide river flood plains, which are covered with rainwater and usually are swamped in summer. In these flood areas there are elevated sectors called restingas, which always remain above water, even in times of the greatest swellings. There are numerous lagoons known as cochas and tipishcas, surrounded by marshy areas with abundant grass vegetation. Numerous rivers cross Loreto's territory, all of which are part of the Amazonian Hydrographical System. Most of them are navigable. The main river crossing the region is the Amazon, one of the world's most important rivers. Its numerous curves are always changing and sometimes make for a difficult journey. The width between banks of the Amazon sometimes measures a staggering . The Yavari River runs from Peru to Brazil, the Putumayo River serves as part of the border with Colombia, and the Ucayali and Marañón rivers penetrate Loreto after going through the Pongo de Manseriche. Climate The weather is warm and humid with an average temperature of to during the months of June and July, and up to a high of from December through March. The average humidity level is 84%, with strong rain all year round. Administrative divisions The region is divided into eight provinces (provincias, singular: provincia), which are composed of 53 districts (distritos, singular: distrito). The provinces, with their capitals in parenthesis, are: Alto Amazonas (Yurimaguas) Datem del Marañón (San Lorenzo) Loreto (Nauta) Mariscal Ramón Castilla (Caballococha) Maynas (Iquitos) Requena (Requena) Ucayali (Contamana) Putumayo (San Antonio del Estrecho) History The first settlers in the region expanded through the various eastern slopes of the Andes. Many of these ethnic groups settled in the Purús, Turúa and Yaraví river basins, receiving names different from those of their lineage. It is hard to determine the number of indigenous peoples in the region