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The Andes Mountains are a series of extremely high plateaus surmounted by even higher peaks that form an unbroken rampart over a distance of some 5,500 miles (8,900 kilometres)—from the southern tip of South America to the continent''s northernmost coast on the Caribbean.
Some historians believe that the "Andes" in Andes Mountains comes from the Quechuan word anti ("east"). Others suggest it is derived from the Quechuan anta ("copper"). It perhaps is more reasonable to ascribe it to the anta of the older Aymara language, which connotes copper color generally.
About 250 million years ago, the crustal plates constituting Earth''s landmass were joined together into the supercontinent Pangaea. The breakup of Pangaea dispersed these plates outward, and the collision of two of these plates—the continental South American Plate and the oceanic Nazca Plate—gave rise to the mountain-building activity that produced the Andes Mountains.
The highest point in the Andes Mountains is Mount Aconcagua, located in the Southern Andes Mountains. Although its peak is in Argentina, its western flanks build up from the coastal lowlands of Chile, just north of Santiago. Mount Aconcagua is the highest point in the Western Hemisphere at 22,831 feet (6,959 metres).
The highest altitude in the Andes Mountains at which people have resided permanently is 17,100 feet (5,212 metres; they were shepherds in southern Peru) and as temporary workers 18,500 to 19,000 feet (5,639 to 5,791 metres; at the Carrasco Mine in the Atacama Desert in Chile). The shortage of oxygen at high altitude, especially above 12,000 feet (3,658 metres), imposes deep adaptative changes even within the cells of the body.
The climate and vegetation of the region vary considerably according to altitude, but as a general rule the land can be divided into the tierra caliente (hot land) of river valleys and basins below 1,000 m; the more temperate conditions of the tierra templada (temperate land, approximately 1,000 m to 2,000 m) and tierra fría (cold land, 2,000 m to 3,200 m), which include the most productive land and most of the population; and the alpine conditions of the zona forestada (forested zone, 3,200 m to 3,900 m), páramos (3,900 m to 4,600 m) and tierra helada (frozen land, 4,600 m and above).
West Andes from south to north: Munchique, Farallones de Cali, Tatamá, Las Orquideas, Paramillo
Also referred to as "Cordillera de los Andes" in Spanish, the Andes Mountains is the world''s longest mountain range that stretches for more than 6,999km along the western margin of the South American continent. The Andes Mountains have an average height of 4,000m and a maximum width of 200 to 700km, and are considered as the highest mountain range that is situated outside the continent of Asia. This long mountain range extends from the north to south direction straddling the seven South American nations of Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. The Andes Mountains also form a part of the American Cordillera, which is a continuous series of mountain ranges that stretches across a major part of North, Central and South Americas.
Throughout their length, the Andes Mountains are divided into many ranges by intervening depressions. Numerous high plateaus are located in the Andes Mountain Range and some of these plateaus host important South American cities such as Arequipa, Bucaramanga, Bogota, Cali, Merida, Sucre, La Paz, Quito, etc. The Andes Mountains are further divided into three parts: the Northern Andes, the Central Andes, and the Southern Andes. Located in the Central Andes is the 3,750m high Altiplano Plateau, which is considered as the world''s second-highest plateau after the 4,500m high Tibetan Plateau.
The climate in the Andes Mountains varies greatly depending upon a host of conditions including its geographical location, proximity to the sea, and altitudinal variations. The Andes Mountain Range also forms a massive climatic barrier between the Pacific Ocean and the South American continent and therefore has a major impact on the climate of the entire region. The northern part of the Andes has a warm and wet climate, while the southern part experiences a comparatively cooler but wet climate. The western side of the Central Andes is very dry and includes the Atacama Desert, while the eastern plains of Argentina, which is located in the mountain''s rain-shadow area also have extremely drier weather.
The Andes Mountains are the most extended continental mountain range on Earth. They form an unbroken highland along the western coast of the South American continent, stretching from Caribbean Venezuela in the north to the Atacama Desert and south to the cold, windy, and wet Cape Horn.
The Andes Mountains, or Cordillera de Los Andes, stand as the most extended continental mountain range globally, tracing a majestic path along the western coast of the South American continent for over 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles). This geographical marvel not only separates a narrow western coastal region from the rest of the continent but also serves as the highest mountain range outside Asia. The following comprehensive exploration delves into the geological origins, diverse geography, and rich ecological expanse of the Andes Mountains and the Andean region.
The Andes are a product of Mesozoic-era orogenesis, forming an imposing belt of mountains along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Plate tectonics, specifically the subduction of oceanic crust beneath the South American Plate, plays a pivotal role in shaping this extraordinary landscape. The convergence of the Nazca and South American plates at the Peru-Chile oceanic trench is a defining feature, leading to the ongoing orogenic events responsible for the Andes'' rise.
The compression of the western rim of the South American Plate due to the subduction of the Nazca Plate and the Antarctic Plate is the primary cause behind the elevation of the Andes range. This tectonic interplay results in a dynamic region marked by frequent minor to major earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
The Andes claim some of the world''s highest volcanoes, adding to the region''s geological significance. Ojos del Salado, situated on the Chile-Argentina border, reaches an impressive 6,893 meters (22,615 feet). Cotopaxi, the second-highest summit in Ecuador at 5,897 meters (19,347 feet), is one of the highest active volcanoes globally, contributing to the dynamic geological processes that continue to shape the Andes.
Extending through seven countries—Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina—the Andes Mountains play a crucial role in shaping the topography of South America. The islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao in the Caribbean Sea are considered submerged peaks representing the extreme northern edge of the Andes range. Geologists even contemplate the possibility of the Antarctandes, the Antarctic Peninsula cordillera, being the southernmost continuation of the Andes system in Antarctica.
The Andes Mountains are integral to the American Cordillera, forming the western "backbone" of North America, Central America, South America, and Antarctica. A vast series of plateaus crowned by towering peaks characterize this extraordinary mountain range. Mount Aconcagua, standing at 6,959 meters (22,831 feet), claims the title of the highest mountain outside Asia, proudly marking the Argentina-Chile border.
The equatorial bulge is most evident in Mount Chimborazo in the Ecuadorian Andes, as its summit is the point on Earth''s surface farthest from its center. This geographical feature adds a unique dimension to the Andean landscape, contributing to its global significance.
The Venezuelan Andes, comprising the Cordillera de Mérida and Serranía del Perijá, present a diverse landscape. The Cordillera de Mérida, often considered the proper Venezuelan Andes, is a testament to the region''s geological complexity. In contrast, the Serranía del Perijá, a smaller section along the Venezuela-Colombia border, adds further nuances to the northern Andean topography.
The Colombian Andes boast three parallel mountain chains—Occidental, Central, and Oriental Cordilleras—generally trending north and south. This division contributes to the region''s diverse ecosystems and geological formations.
The Ecuadorian Andes, a 600-kilometer (375-mile) narrow plateau bordered by parallel chains, introduces numerous volcanoes and transversal mountain spurs, known as nudos, adding intricacy to the region''s topography.
The Peruvian Andes, part of the greater Andes mountain system, feature three mountain ranges, creating a landscape characterized by fertile river valleys, high plains, and deep canyons.
The Bolivian Andes include the Cordillera Occidental, with volcanic activity, that forms the natural border with Chile, while the Cordillera Oriental, much older, extends southeastward to the Argentine border. This division contributes to Bolivia''s diverse geographical and geological features.
The Chilean and Argentine Andes, forming the border between these countries, represent the highest section of the mountain range. This section, marked by towering peaks and dramatic landscapes, is a testament to the Andes'' geological and geographical significance.
The Andean region, stretching from Caribbean Venezuela to Cape Horn, encompasses a spectrum of environments. This vast area passes through the hyperarid Atacama Desert, where tropical and temperate rainforests encircle the Northern Andes, creating abrupt environmental contrasts.
The Central Andes present a striking dichotomy. They feature arid conditions along the west coast and a steep ascent to volcanoes and glacierized massifs above 5,000 meters (16,400 feet). This abrupt transition is followed by an equally dramatic descent eastward to the lush tropical rainforests of the Amazon.
In the Southern Andes, the permanent snow line increases in elevation with decreasing latitude, introducing a line of active volcanoes, vast ice fields, and numerous lakes forming fertile valleys known as vegas. Dense and impenetrable forests grow on both sides of these cordilleras, contributing to the region''s rich biodiversity.
The Andean region is a biodiversity hotspot, housing about 30,000 species of vascular plants, roughly half of which are endemic. This diversity surpasses any other hotspot globally, emphasizing the ecological significance of the Andes.
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