ANDES (Andes, from anta, in the Inca language copper, copper mountains), Andean Cordillera (Cordillera de los Andes), the longest (estimated from 8 to 12 thousand km) and one of the highest (6959 m, Mount Aconcagua) mountain systems globe; frames South America to the north and west. In the north they are limited by the Caribbean Sea basin, in the west they face Pacific Ocean, in the south they are washed by the Drake Passage. The Andes are the main climatic barrier of the continent, isolating eastern part from the influence of the Pacific Ocean, western from the influence Atlantic Ocean.
Relief. The Andes consist primarily of the submeridional ranges of the Western Cordillera of the Andes, the Central Cordillera of the Andes, the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes, and the Coastal Cordillera of the Andes, separated by internal plateaus and depressions (see map).
In aggregate natural features and orographies are distinguished by Northern, Peruvian, Central and Southern Andes. The Northern Andes include the Caribbean Andes, Colombian-Venezuelan and Ecuadorian Andes. The Caribbean Andes are latitudinal and reach an altitude of 2765 m (Mount Naiguata). The Colombian-Venezuelan Andes have a northeastern strike and are formed by the Western, Central and Eastern (altitude up to 5493 m) Cordillera. The ridges fan out north of 1° northern latitude and are separated by the valleys of the Cauca and Magdalena rivers. The northern branches of the Eastern Cordillera cover the intermountain depression of Maracaibo. The isolated Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta massif (altitude 5775 m, Mount Cristobal Colon) rises steeply above the Caribbean coast. Along the Pacific coast there is a lowland up to 150 km wide, with low (up to 1810 m) ridges separated from the Western Cordillera by the Atrato River valley. Ecuadorian Andes (1°N - 5° south latitude), less than 200 km wide (the minimum width of the Andes), elongated submeridionally and formed by the Western (height up to 6310 m, Mount Chimborazo) and Eastern Cordillera, separated by a depression - the Quito graben. Along the coast there are lowlands and low mountains. The Peruvian Andes (5°-14° south latitude), up to 400 km wide, have a northwest strike. The coastal plain is almost absent. The Western (height up to 6768 m, Mount Huascaran), Central and Eastern Cordillera are separated by the valleys of the Marañon and Huallaga rivers. In the Central Andes (Central Andean Highlands, 14°28°S) the strike changes from northwestern to submeridional. The Western Cordillera (altitude up to 6900 m, Mount Ojos del Salado) is separated from the Central and Cordillera Real by the vast Altiplano basin. The Eastern and Central Cordillera are separated by a narrow depression with the upper reaches of the Beni River. The Coastal Cordillera stretches along the coast, framed in the east by the Longitudinal Valley. The Southern Andes (Chilean-Argentine Andes and Patagonian Andes), 350-450 km wide, are located south of 28° south latitude and have a mainly submeridional strike. They are formed by the Coastal Cordillera, the Longitudinal Valley, the Main Cordillera (altitude up to 6959 m, Mount Aconcagua) and the Precordillera. To the south, the heights decrease to 1000 m (in Tierra del Fuego). The Patagonian Andes are heavily dissected by modern and ancient (Quaternary) glaciers into numerous massifs and ridges. The Coastal Cordillera turns into a chain of islands of the Chilean archipelago with deep valleys and fjords, and the Longitudinal Valley into a system of straits. The Andes are part of the Pacific volcanic ring, and the appearance of the relief is largely determined by volcanic forms - plateaus, lava flows, volcanic cones. There are up to 50 large active ones, 30 extinct volcanoes and hundreds of small volcanic structures. In the Northern Andes - the volcanoes Cotopaxi (5897 m), Huila (5750 m), Ruiz (5400 m), Sangay (5230 m), etc.; in the Central Andes - Llullaillaco (6723 m), Misti (5822 m), etc.; in the Southern Andes - Tupungato (6800 m), Llaima (3060 m), Osorno (2660 m), Corcovado (2300 m), Berni (1750 m), etc.
Geological structure and minerals. Andes as the newest mining structure formed at the Alpine stage (in the Cenozoic) in connection with the evolution of the active margin of South America. In their position, the Andes inherit the Andean fold system, which developed throughout the Phanerozoic, the largest of the systems in the eastern part of the Pacific mobile belt. The modern Andes are a typical continental-margin volcano-plutonic belt. For more early stages development (late Triassic - Cretaceous), island arc systems of the Western Pacific type existed here. According to the geological structure, the Andes have transverse and longitudinal zoning. From north to south, three segments are distinguished: Northern (Colombian-Ecuadorian), Central (with Peruvian-Bolivian and Northern Chilean-Argentine subsegments) and Southern (Southern Chilean-Argentinean). The easternmost element of the Andes is a strip of Subandian foredeeps, gradually narrowing to the south and consisting of individual units separated by transverse uplifts. The troughs are filled with slightly deformed Eocene-Quaternary molasse. The Orogen of the Andes, thrust to the east, consists of several large uplifts with a folded structure (expressed in relief by the Cordillera mountain ranges) and separating them narrower intermountain troughs or plateaus (Altiplano), filled with thick Neogene-Quaternary molasse. The eastern (outer) and partly central zones of the orogen are composed of fragments of the Early Precambrian metamorphic basement of the platform, its Paleozoic cover, and Late Precambrian (Brazilians) and Hercynian metamorphic fold complexes. The structure of the western (internal) zones involves Mesozoic (partly Paleozoic) sedimentary, volcanogenic-sedimentary, volcanogenic complexes that formed in volcanic island arcs, back-arc basins on the ancient active margin of South America, as well as ophiolites of various origins. These formations were attached (accreted) to the margin of South America in the Late Cretaceous. At the same time, the intrusion of giant multiphase granite batholiths (Coastal Cordillera of Peru, Main Cordillera of Chile, Patagonian) occurred. In the Cenozoic, chains of large terrestrial stratovolcanoes formed along the active continental margin. Three volcanic groups are currently active: northern (Southern Colombia and Ecuador), central ( Southern Peru- Northern Chile) and southern (Southern Chile). The Andes retain high tectonic mobility and are characterized by intense seismicity associated with the subduction (subduction) of the Nazca Plate under the South American Plate.
The interior of the Andes is extremely rich in minerals. Deposits of the Copper Belt of South America are associated with granite batholiths. Cenozoic volcanic and subvolcanic formations are associated with ore deposits of silver, copper, lead, zinc, tungsten, gold, platinum and other rare and non-ferrous metals (deposits in Peru and Bolivia). With a strip of foredeeps filled with Cenozoic molasse, especially in the north (Venezuela, Ecuador, Northern Peru) and extreme south Andes (Southern Chile, Argentina), associated deposits of oil and natural combustible gas. Large deposits saltpeter, iron ores in Chile, emeralds in Colombia.
Climate. The Andes cross 6 climatic zones (equatorial, northern and southern subequatorial, southern tropical and subtropical, temperate), characterized by sharp contrasts in the moisture content of the western (windward) and eastern (leeward) slopes. In the Caribbean Andes, 500-1000 mm of precipitation falls per year (mainly in summer), in the equatorial Andes (Ecuador and Colombia) on the western slopes - up to 10,000 mm, on the eastern - up to 5,000 mm. The western slopes of the Peruvian and Central Andes and the interior of the Central Andes are characterized by a tropical desert climate, the eastern slopes receive up to 3000 mm of precipitation per year. South of 20° south latitude, precipitation increases on the western slopes and decreases on the eastern slopes. The western slopes south of 35° south latitude receive 5,000-10,000 mm of precipitation per year, and the eastern slopes receive 100-200 mm. Only in the very south, with a decrease in altitude, does some leveling out in the moisture content of the slopes occur. The snow line is located in Colombia at an altitude of 4700-4900 m, in Ecuador - 4250 m, in the Central Andes 5600-6100 (in Pune 6500 m - the highest on Earth). It decreases to 3100 m at 35° south latitude, 1000-1200 m in the Patagonian Andes, 500-600 m in Tierra del Fuego. South of 46°30'S latitude, glaciers descend to ocean level. Major centers glaciations are located in the Cordillera de Santa Marta and in the Cordillera de Merida (total ice volume about 0.5 km 3), in Ecuadorian Andes ah (1.1 km 3), Peruvian Andes (24.7 km 3), in the Western Cordillera of the Central Andes (12.1 km 3), in the Central Cordillera (62.7 km 3), in the Chilean-Argentine Andes (38 .9 km 3), Patagonian Andes (12.6 thousand km 3, including the Uppsala glacier). The Patagonian ice sheet is formed by two vast fields with a total length of 700 km, a width of 30-70 km, total area 13 thousand km 2.
Rivers and lakes. The interoceanic divide runs through the Andes, where the components and tributaries of the Amazon, as well as tributaries of the Orinoco, Paraguay, Paraná and Patagonian rivers originate. In the Northern and Peruvian Andes, in narrow depressions located between the ridges, flow large rivers: Cauca, Magdalena, Marañon (source of the Amazon), Huallaga, Mantaro, etc. Most of their tributaries and rivers of the Central and Southern Andes are relatively short. The rivers of the Western and Coastal Cordillera between 20° and 28° south latitude have almost no permanent watercourses, river network sparse. The Central Andes are home to vast areas of internal drainage. The rivers flow into lakes Titicaca, Poopo and salt marshes (Coipasa, Uyuni, etc.). There are many large lakes in the Southern, especially Patagonian, Andes glacial origin(Buenos Aires, San Martin, Viedma, Lago Argentino, etc.) and hundreds of small ones (of course moraine and cirque).
Soils, flora and fauna. Position in several climatic zones, contrasts in the moisture content of the western and eastern slopes, and the significant heights of the Andes determine a wide variety of soil and vegetation cover and pronounced altitudinal zonation. In the Caribbean Andes there are deciduous (during winter drought) forests and shrubs on mountain red soils. On the eastern slopes of the Colombian-Venezuelan, Ecuadorian, Peruvian and Central Andes - mountainous wet tropical forests(mountain hylea) on lateritic soils, including natural area Yungas. On the western slopes of the Peruvian and Central Andes are the Tamarugal and Atacama deserts, in the interior highlands - Puna. In the subtropical Andes of Chile - evergreen dry forests and shrubs on brown soils, south of 38° south latitude - moist evergreen and mixed forests on brown forest soils, and in the south - podzolized soils. The high plateaus are characterized by special alpine types of vegetation: in the north - equatorial meadows (paramos), in the Peruvian Andes and in the northeast of Puna - dry cereal steppes (halka). The Andes are home to potatoes, cinchona, coca and other valuable plants.
The fauna of the Andes is similar to the fauna of the adjacent plains; Among the endemic species are the relict spectacled bear, llamas (vicuna and guanaco), Magellan's dog (culpeo), Azar's fox, pudu and huemul deer, chinchilla, Chilean opossum. Birds are numerous (especially in the Coastal Cordillera): condor, mountain partridge, geese, ducks, parrots, flamingos, hummingbirds, etc. It is possible that the horse, sheep and goat brought to South America contributed to the desertification of the Andean landscapes.
In the Andes 88 national parks with a total area of 19.2 million hectares, including: Sierra Nevada (Venezuela), Paramillo, Cordillera de los Picachos, Sierra de la Macarena (Colombia), Sangay (Ecuador), Huascaran, Manu (Peru ), Isiboro Secure (Bolivia), Alberto Agostini, Bernardo O'Highns, Laguna - San Rafael (Chile), Nahuel Huapi (Argentina), as well as numerous reserves and other protected areas.
Lit.: Lukashova E. N. South America. Physical geography. M., 1958; Cordillera of America. M., 1967.
M. P. Zhidkov; A. A. Zarshchikov (geological structure and minerals).
) and are distinguished (especially in the central part) by sharp contrasts in the moisture content of the eastern (leeward) and western (windward) slopes.
Due to the considerable extent of the Andes, their individual landscape parts differ significantly from each other. By the nature of the relief and others natural differences As a rule, there are three main regions - Northern, Central and Southern Andes.
The Andes stretch across the territories of seven South American countries - Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina
Encyclopedic YouTube
1 / 5
✪ Wildlife Andes - Andes, South America ( Documentary)
✪ Exciting places. Spectacular Andes - (1 episode of 10) -
✪ ANDES, REAL LIFE in the 21st century ( Happy people)
✪ Andes mountains and the town of Banes Ecuador part 4
✪ Andes Mountains (Very beautiful)
Subtitles
History of the name
According to the Italian historian Giovanni Anello Oliva (g.), originally by European conquerors “ Andes or Cordilleras"("Andes, o cordilleras") was called eastern ridge, while the western one was called " Sierra"("sierra"). Currently, most scholars believe that the name comes from the Quechuan word anti(high ridge, ridge), although there are other opinions [ which?] .
Geological structure and relief
The Andes are reborn mountains, erected by new uplifts on the site of the so-called Andean (Cordilleran) folded geosynclinal belt; The Andes are one of the largest systems of alpine folding on the planet (on the Paleozoic and partly Baikal folded basement). The beginning of the formation of the Andes dates back to Jurassic time. For Andean mountain system Characterized by troughs formed in the Triassic, subsequently filled with layers of sedimentary and volcanic rocks of considerable thickness. Large massifs The Main Cordillera and the coast of Chile, the Coastal Cordillera of Peru are granitoid intrusions of Cretaceous age. Intermountain and regional troughs (Altiplano, Maracaibo, etc.) were formed in Paleogene and Neogene times. Tectonic movements, accompanied by seismic and volcanic activity, continue in our time. This is due to the fact that along the Pacific coast of South America there is a subduction zone: the Nazca and Antarctic plates go under the South American plate, which contributes to the development of mountain building processes. Extreme southern part South America, Tierra del Fuego, is separated by a transform fault from the small Scotia plate. Beyond the Drake Passage, the Andes continue the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula.
The Andes are rich in ores of mainly non-ferrous metals (vanadium, tungsten, bismuth, tin, lead, molybdenum, zinc, arsenic, antimony, etc.); the deposits are confined mainly to the Paleozoic structures of the eastern Andes and the vents of ancient volcanoes; There are large copper deposits on the territory of Chile. There is oil and gas in the foredeep and foothill troughs (in the foothills of the Andes within Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina), and bauxite in the weathering crusts. The Andes also contain deposits of iron (in Bolivia), sodium nitrate (in Chile), gold, platinum and emeralds (in Colombia).
The Andes consist predominantly of meridional parallel ridges: the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes, the Central Cordillera of the Andes, the Western Cordillera of the Andes, Coastal Cordillera The Andes, between which lie internal plateaus and plateaus (Puna, Altiplano - in Bolivia and Peru) or depressions. The width of the mountain system is generally 200-300 km.
Orography
Northern Andes
The main system of the Andes mountains (Andean Cordillera) consists of parallel ridges stretching in the meridional direction, separated by internal plateaus or depressions. Only the Caribbean Andes, located within Venezuela and belonging to the Northern Andes, stretch sublatitudinally along the coast of the Caribbean Sea. The northern Andes also include the Ecuadorian Andes (in Ecuador) and the Northwestern Andes (in western Venezuela and Colombia). The highest ridges of the Northern Andes have small modern glaciers, on volcanic cones there is eternal snow. The islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao in the Caribbean Sea represent the peaks of the extension of the Northern Andes that descend into the sea.
In the Northwestern Andes, fan-shaped diverging north of 12° N. sh., there are three main Cordilleras - Eastern, Central and Western. All of them are high, steeply sloped and have a folded blocky structure. They are characterized by faults, uplifts and subsidences of modern times. The main Cordilleras are separated by large depressions - the valleys of the Magdalena and Cauca-Patia rivers.
The Eastern Cordillera has its highest altitude in its northeastern part (Mount Ritakuva, 5493 m); in the center of the Eastern Cordillera - an ancient lake plateau (predominant heights - 2.5 - 2.7 thousand m); generally characteristic of the Eastern Cordillera large surfaces alignment. In the highlands there are glaciers. In the north, the Eastern Cordillera is continued by the Cordillera de Merida ranges ( highest point- Mount Bolivar, 5007 m) and Sierra de Perija (reaches a height of 3,540 m); Between these ranges, in a vast low-lying depression, lies Lake Maracaibo. In the far north there is the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta horst massif with altitudes up to 5800 m (Mount Cristobal Colon)
The Magdalena River Valley separates the Eastern Cordillera from the Central Cordillera, which is relatively narrow and high; in the Central Cordillera (especially in its southern part) there are many volcanoes (Hila, 5750 m; Ruiz, 5400 m; etc.), some of them active (Kumbal, 4890 m). To the north, the Central Cordillera decreases somewhat and forms the Antioquia massif, strongly dissected by river valleys. The Western Cordillera, separated from the Central Valley by the Cauca River, has lower altitudes (up to 4200 m); in the south of the Western Cordillera - volcanism. Further to the west is the low (up to 1810 m) Serrania de Baudo ridge, which turns into the mountains of Panama in the north. To the north and west of the Northwestern Andes are the Caribbean and Pacific alluvial lowlands.
As part of the Equatorial (Ecuadorian) Andes, reaching up to 4° S, there are two Cordillera (Western and Eastern), separated by depressions 2500-2700 m high. Along the faults that limit these depressions (depressions) there is one of the highest volcanic volcanoes in the world chains (the highest volcanoes are Chimborazo, 6267 m, Cotopaxi, 5897 m). These volcanoes, as well as those of Colombia, form the first volcanic region of the Andes.
Central Andes
In the Central Andes (up to 28° S) the Peruvian Andes (extending south to 14°30 S) and the Central Andes proper are distinguished. In the Peruvian Andes, as a result of recent uplifts and intensive incision of rivers (the largest of which - Marañon, Ucayali and Huallaga - belong to the upper Amazon system), parallel ridges (Eastern, Central and Western Cordillera) and a system of deep longitudinal and transverse canyons were formed, dismembering the ancient alignment surface . The peaks of the Cordillera of the Peruvian Andes exceed 6000 m (the highest point is Mount Huascaran, 6768 m); in the Cordillera Blanca - modern glaciation. Alpine landforms are also developed on the blocky ranges of the Cordillera Vilcanota, Cordillera de Vilcabamba, and Cordillera de Carabaya.
To the south is the widest part of the Andes - the Central Andean Highlands (width up to 750 km), where arid geomorphological processes predominate; a significant part of the highland is occupied by the Puna plateau with heights of 3.7 - 4.1 thousand m. Puna is characterized by drainage basins (“bolsons”) occupied by lakes (Titicaca, Poopo, etc.) and salt marshes (Atacama, Coipasa, Uyuni, etc. .). East of Puna is the Cordillera Real (Ankouma Peak, 6550 m) with thick modern glaciation; between the Altiplano plateau and the Cordillera Real, at an altitude of 3700 m, is the city of La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, the highest in the world. To the east of the Cordillera Real are the sub-Andean folded ridges of the Eastern Cordillera, reaching up to 23° S. latitude. The southern continuation of the Cordillera Real is the Cordillera Central, as well as several blocky massifs (the highest point is Mount El Libertador, 6720 m). From the west, Puna is framed by the Western Cordillera with intrusive peaks and numerous volcanic peaks (Sajama, 6780 m; Llullaillaco, 6739 m; San Pedro, 6145 m; Misti, 5821 m; etc.), included in the second volcanic region of the Andes. South of 19° S. The western slopes of the Western Cordillera face the tectonic depression of the Longitudinal Valley, occupied in the south by the Atacama Desert. Behind the Longitudinal Valley is the low (up to 1500 m) intrusive Coastal Cordillera, which is characterized by arid sculptural landforms.
In Puna and in the western part of the Central Andes there is a very high snow line (in places above 6,500 m), so snow is recorded only on the highest volcanic cones, and glaciers are found only in the Ojos del Salado massif (up to 6,880 m in height).
Southern Andes
In the Southern Andes, extending south of 28° S, two parts are distinguished - northern (Chilean-Argentine, or Subtropical Andes) and southern (Patagonian Andes). In the Chilean-Argentine Andes, narrowing to the south and reaching 39°41 S, a three-member structure is clearly expressed - Coastal Cordillera, Longitudinal Valley and Main Cordillera; within the latter, in the Cordillera Frontal, there is the highest peak of the Andes, Mount Aconcagua (6960 m), as well as the large peaks of Tupungato (6800 m), Mercedario (6770 m). The snow line here is very high (at 32°40 S - 6000 m). To the east of the Cordillera Frontal are the ancient Precordilleras.
South of 33° S. (and up to 52° S) is the third volcanic region of the Andes, where there are many active (mainly in the Main Cordillera and to the west of it) and extinct volcanoes (Tupungato, Maipa, Llymo, etc.)
When moving south, the snow line gradually decreases and at 51° S. latitude. reaches 1460 m. High ridges acquire features of the Alpine type, the area increases modern glaciation, numerous glacial lakes appear. South of 40° S. The Patagonian Andes begin with lower ridges than in the Chilean-Argentine Andes (the highest point is Mount San Valentin - 4058 m) and active volcanism in the north. About 52° S the strongly dissected Coastal Cordillera plunges into the ocean, and its peaks form a chain of rocky islands and archipelagos; The longitudinal valley turns into a system of straits reaching the western part of the Strait of Magellan. In the area of the Strait of Magellan, the Andes (here called the Andes of Tierra del Fuego) deviate sharply to the east. In the Patagonian Andes the height snow line barely exceeds 1500 m (in the extreme south it is 300-700 m, and from 46°30 S latitude glaciers drop to ocean level), glacial landforms predominate (at 48° S latitude there is a powerful Patagonian ice sheet) with an area over 20 thousand km², from where many kilometers of glacial tongues descend to the west and east); some of the valley glaciers on the eastern slopes end in large lakes. Along the coasts, heavily indented by fjords, young volcanic cones rise (Corcovado and others). The Andes of Tierra del Fuego are relatively low (up to 2469 m).
Climate
Northern Andes
The northern part of the Andes belongs to the subequatorial belt of the Northern Hemisphere; here, as in subequatorial belt Southern hemisphere, there is an alternation of wet and dry seasons; precipitation occurs from May to November, but in the most northern regions the wet season is shorter. The eastern slopes are moistened much more than the western ones; Precipitation (up to 1000 mm per year) falls mainly in summer. In the Caribbean Andes, located on the border of the tropical and subequatorial zones, tropical air dominates throughout the year; there is little rainfall (often less than 500 mm per year); The rivers are short with characteristic summer floods.
In the equatorial zone seasonal variations practically absent; Thus, in the capital of Ecuador, Quito, the change in average monthly temperatures over the year is only 0.4 °C. Precipitation is abundant (up to 10,000 mm per year, although usually 2500-7000 mm per year) and is distributed more evenly along the slopes than in the subequatorial belt. The altitudinal zone is clearly expressed. In the lower part of the mountains there is a hot and humid climate, precipitation falls almost daily; in the depressions there are numerous swamps. With height, the amount of precipitation decreases, but at the same time the thickness increases snow cover. Up to altitudes of 2500-3000 m, temperatures rarely drop below 15 °C; seasonal temperature fluctuations are insignificant. There are already large daily temperature fluctuations here (up to 20 °C), the weather can change dramatically during the day. At altitudes of 3500-3800 m, daily temperatures fluctuate around 10 °C. Higher up there is a harsh climate with frequent snowstorms and snowfalls; Daytime temperatures are positive, but there are severe frosts at night. The climate is dry, as there is little precipitation due to high evaporation. Above 4500 m there is eternal snow.
Central Andes
Between 5° and 28° S. There is a pronounced asymmetry in the distribution of precipitation along the slopes: the western slopes are moistened much less than the eastern ones. To the west of the Main Cordillera there is a desert tropical climate (the formation of which is greatly facilitated by the cold Peruvian Current), and there are very few rivers. If in the northern part of the Central Andes 200-250 mm of precipitation falls per year, then to the south their amount decreases and in some places does not exceed 50 mm per year. This part of the Andes is home to the Atacama, the driest desert on earth. Deserts rise in places up to 3000 m above sea level. The few oases are located mainly in the valleys of small rivers fed by the waters of mountain glaciers. The average January temperature in coastal areas ranges from 24 °C in the north to 19 °C in the south, and the average July temperature ranges from 19 °C in the north to 13 °C in the south. Above 3000 m, in dry puna, there is also little precipitation (rarely more than 250 mm per year); There are arrivals of cold winds when the temperature can drop to −20 °C. The average July temperature does not exceed 15 °C.
At low altitudes, at extremely small quantity rains, significant (up to 80%) air humidity, therefore fog and dew are frequent. The Altiplano and Puna plateaus have a very harsh climate, with average annual temperatures not exceeding 10 °C. Large lake Titicaca has a moderating effect on the climate of the surrounding areas - in the lakeside areas, temperature fluctuations are not as significant as in other parts of the plateau. To the east of the Cordillera Main there is a large (3000 - 6000 mm per year) amount of precipitation (brought mainly to summer time easterly winds), a dense river network. Through the valleys air masses from the Atlantic Ocean they cross the Eastern Cordillera, moistening its western slope. Above 6000 m in the north and 5000 m in the south - negative average annual temperatures; Due to the dry climate, there are few glaciers.
Southern Andes
In the Chilean-Argentine Andes, the climate is subtropical, and the humidification of the western slopes - due to winter cyclones - is greater than in the subequatorial zone; When moving south, annual precipitation amounts on the western slopes increase rapidly. Summer is dry, winter is wet. As you move away from the ocean, the climate becomes more continental and seasonal temperature fluctuations increase. In the city of Santiago, located in the Longitudinal Valley, the average temperature of the most warm month is 20 °C, the coldest is 7-8 °C; There is little precipitation in Santiago, 350 mm per year (to the south, in Valdivia, there is more precipitation - 750 mm per year). On the western slopes of the Main Cordillera there is more precipitation than in the Longitudinal Valley (but less than on the Pacific coast).
When moving south, the subtropical climate of the western slopes smoothly transforms into the oceanic climate of temperate latitudes: annual precipitation amounts increase, and differences in moisture between seasons decrease. Strong westerly winds bring a large amount of precipitation to the coast (up to 6000 mm per year, although usually 2000-3000 mm). It rains heavily for more than 200 days a year, thick fog often falls on the coast, and the sea is constantly stormy; the climate is unfavorable for living. The eastern slopes (between 28° and 38° S) are drier than the western ones (and only in temperate zone, south of 37°S, due to the influence western winds their hydration increases, although they remain less hydrated compared to Western ones). Average temperature the warmest month on the western slopes is only 10-15 °C (the coldest - 3-7 °C)
In the extreme southern part of the Andes, Tierra del Fuego, there is a very humid climate, which is formed by strong, humid westerly and southwesterly winds; Precipitation (up to 3000 mm) falls mainly in the form of drizzle (which occurs most days of the year). Only in the easternmost part of the archipelago is there much less precipitation. Temperatures are low throughout the year (with very little temperature variation between seasons).
Vegetation and soils
The soil and vegetation cover of the Andes is very diverse. This is due high altitudes mountains, a significant difference in the moisture content of the western and eastern slopes. Altitudinal zone in the Andes it is clearly expressed. There are three altitudinal zones - Tierra Caliente, Tierra Fria and Tierra Elada.
On the slopes of the Patagonian Andes south of 38° S. - subarctic multi-tiered forests of tall trees and shrubs, mostly evergreen, on
Of course, there is only one correct answer to the question of where the Andes are located. South America is the country where such unique mountains are represented, which are the only ones in the world. Since ancient times, the peculiarity of their structure has been an object of study for all scientists and researchers. They are unique and have not yet been fully solved. An ordinary person perceives this mountain system as a natural phenomenon, as a symbol of the power of nature.
They stretch along the outskirts of all of South America and have a length of thousands of kilometers. It has been established that the length of the entire relief transformation is more than 9000 km. For our country, such figures seem incredible, and therefore the Andes are a real dream of our compatriots. It should be noted that not only the length becomes amazing, the width of some sections reaches from 500 km to 700 km, which is a unique natural transformation.
Pieces of history that need to be told
The Andes are sometimes called a “natural barrier” that protects the climate space of the Americas. Being a single mountain complex, each site has its own characteristics, features, and differences. Conventionally, we can divide three clearly defined areas, which, according to their respective location, have the same names:
- Northern Andes;
- Central;
- Southern.
When a person hears the question - where are the Andes mountains, the correct answer is very inaccurate. They are located in seven different states, and therefore you should always indicate the exact coordinates or the area of interest.
This is necessary and useful to know...
The name of the mountains has hundred year history. Even experienced researchers cannot say and answer accurately, but there are many legends and facts. To travel to this continent, it is very useful to know the most interesting points. So, there is an opinion that the name “Andes” takes its name from the first settlements, but according to the theory of the Italian scientist, the history of the creation of a different type is more likely. The name comes from appearance these transformations, initially “Andes, o cordilleras” was called the eastern ridge, and after that the name spread to the entire territory of these magnificent mountains.
Apart from the name, these transformations are unique in everything. They are unique and are called "reborn". Of particular interest here is the flora and fauna, which is diverse and unique. The main value of this natural wealth is minerals.
It is very interesting that, according to its location, each state is rich in its own natural resources and fossils, which leads to unique market relations. The main activity within the mountains is the mining industry.
If you are wondering where the Andes are on the map, then you can see them, even without certain knowledge of geography. They are identified by a special white-green color, and the exact coordinates are always fixed.
The peculiarity of the mountains is that each separate section of the mountain connection of one line was formed into so-called different geological periods, so you can observe here completely dissimilar natural zones, landscapes, and, of course, mountainous terrain.
There really are many places in the Andes that are worth seeing - snow-capped peaks and glaciers, rocky low and high gorges, plateaus.
The mountain range is the largest watershed between the Atlantic and Pacific rivers.
What do we know about earthquakes?
Here and now there are earthquakes of various types and strengths, which are the main difficulty for tourists. Also located within the mountains is the famous, greatest active volcano, which residents call the “God of Volcanoes”; its height varies within 6722 meters.
Why are the Andes considered an important asset for the world?
In an era where people choose to live an active lifestyle, the Andes become a goal to be achieved. This is a real paradise for those tourists who love mountains and rock climbing, who are ready to risk their lives for the sake of adrenaline and get real pleasure.
There are always a lot of active recreation lovers here, for whom the mountains are best place for pastime. That is why every extreme sports enthusiast knows exactly which continent the Andes are located on and which point of these transformations is especially interesting. People come here from different corners peace and enjoy an unforgettable experience. One such trip is equivalent to a real event; it is an invaluable experience and a sea of impressions.
But main point nevertheless, the fact is that the single mountain system is diverse. Each state has its own heritage, which was given by nature. Various climatic conditions, different design mountains - they are so contrasting and unique. It is not surprising that it is impossible to describe them in one word; these mountains are a complex of diversity and different facets. Even at school, children learn where the Andes are, and over time they begin to dream of seeing them in reality. In fact, it is worth visiting South America, because it is a completely different world, here you will never see something ordinary and understandable.
A few words about the route
If you have decided to take an entertaining trip to beautiful and charming South America, remember that you won’t be able to see everything, it won’t be possible to visit all the places. Since even on the map these mountains are quite extensive, and the diversity architectural monuments, natural areas and landscapes, unique routes and cultural heritage makes them completely immense.
The Andes mountain system, in fact, cannot be described using words and sentences, because they are not only “very, very long” or “oldest”, any terms and concepts will not describe all the beauty and uniqueness.
The Andes Mountains serve as the most important climatic barrier in South America, isolating the territories to the west of the Main Cordillera from the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, and to the east from the influence of the Pacific Ocean. The mountains lie in 6 climatic zones (equatorial, northern and southern subequatorial, southern tropical, subtropical and temperate) and are distinguished by sharp contrasts in the moisture content of the eastern and western slopes.
Due to the considerable extent of the Andes, their individual landscape parts differ significantly from each other. Based on the nature of the relief and other natural differences, as a rule, three main regions are distinguished - Northern, Central and Southern Andes. The Andes stretch across the territories of seven South American countries - Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.
Highest point: Aconcagua (6962 m)
Length: 9000 km
Width: 500 km
Rocks: igneous and metamorphic
The Andes are revived mountains, erected by new uplifts on the site of the so-called Andean (Cordilleran) folded geosynclinal belt; The Andes are one of the largest systems of alpine folding on the planet (on the Paleozoic and partly Baikal folded basement). The beginning of the formation of the Andes dates back to Jurassic time. The Andean mountain system is characterized by troughs formed in the Triassic, subsequently filled with layers of sedimentary and volcanic rocks of considerable thickness. Large massifs of the Main Cordillera and the coast of Chile, the Coastal Cordillera of Peru are granitoid intrusions of Cretaceous age. Intermountain and marginal troughs (Altiplano, Maracaibo, etc.) were formed in Paleogene and Neogene times. Tectonic movements, accompanied by seismic and volcanic activity, continue to this day. This is due to the fact that a subduction zone runs along the Pacific coast of South America: the Nazca and Antarctic plates go under the South American plate, which contributes to the development of mountain building processes. The southernmost part of South America, Tierra del Fuego, is separated by a transform fault from the small Scotia plate. Beyond the Drake Passage, the Andes continue the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula.
The Andes are rich in ores of mainly non-ferrous metals (vanadium, tungsten, bismuth, tin, lead, molybdenum, zinc, arsenic, antimony, etc.); the deposits are confined mainly to the Paleozoic structures of the eastern Andes and the vents of ancient volcanoes; There are large copper deposits on the territory of Chile. There is oil and gas in the foredeep and foothill troughs (in the foothills of the Andes within Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina), and bauxite in the weathering crusts. The Andes also contain deposits of iron (in Bolivia), sodium nitrate (in Chile), gold, platinum and emeralds (in Colombia).
The Andes consist primarily of meridional parallel ridges: the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes, the Central Cordillera of the Andes, the Western Cordillera of the Andes, the Coastal Cordillera of the Andes, between which lie internal plateaus and plateaus (Puna, Altipano - in Bolivia and Peru) or depressions. The width of the mountain system is generally 200-300 km.
The Andes mountain system is recognized by researchers as one of the longest and highest on the planet and is located in western region continent of South America.
Geographical characteristics of the Andes
The Andes are located on the continent of South America. They run along the western coast of the mainland, close to the Pacific Ocean. They also stretch along the entire coast from the far north to the very south of the mainland. These are quite high mountains, they reach over six thousand meters, and their highest peak, Aconcagua, has no equal in the entire Southern and Western Hemispheres. The Andes pass through several South American countries:
- Colombia.
- Venezuela.
- Bolivia.
- Ecuador.
- Argentina.
- Peru.
- Chile.
This mountain system is extremely rich in minerals, especially deposits of metals, salts, precious stones, oil and gas, and in these countries, many important industries operate in the Andes Mountains.
Origin of the Andes and their influence on the climate of the continent
The Andes range belongs to the mountains of tectonic origin. These mountains were formed because millions of years ago the lithospheric plateau on which South America lies collided with an oceanic lithospheric plateau called Nazca. The section of territory that remained between the two plates was squeezed upward and mountains were formed. This is a fairly young system, and its formation has not yet stopped, so there are many active volcanoes and earthquakes occur frequently.
The emergence of the Andes greatly influenced the climate and nature of South America. These mountains block the path of the monsoons that blow from the Atlantic Ocean, and block their path to more remote parts of the mainland. The moisture that these winds bring cannot cross the Andes and falls on its eastern slopes near the equator, making this area the second wettest place on Earth. And it is in this place that the Amazon, as well as many of its tributaries, are formed. Thanks to the Andes, South America became the wettest of the continents, and the largest tropical rainforests on the planet along the Amazon formed here. The western side of the Andes is quite arid and even deserted in places.
