What are the Andes Mountains. Cordillera: "Great Mountain Ranges

Copper Mountains - that's what the Incas call these longest mountains in the world. We are talking about the Andean Cordillera, known to us as the Andes. This mountain range is not comparable in length to any of the existing ones on our planet. The Andes are about 9,000 km long. They originate from caribbean and reach Tierra del Fuego.

Width and height of the Andes

Aconcagua (pictured below) is the highest peak of the Andean Cordillera. The height of the Andes at this point is 6962 meters. Aconcagua is located in Argentina. What are the prevailing ones have a number of large peaks. Among them, Mount Ritakuva (5493 meters), El Libertador (6720 meters), Huascaran (6768 meters), Mercedario (6770 m) and others should be noted. There are areas where mountains reach a width of 500 km. As for their maximum width, it is about 750 km. The main part of them is occupied by the Puna plateau, which has a very high snow line, which reaches 6500 m. The average height of the Andes is approximately 4000 m.

Age of the Andes and their formation

According to experts, these mountains are quite young. A few million years ago, the process of mountain building ended here. Even in the Precambrian period, the origin of fossils began. Land plots then began to appear in place of the boundless ocean. The area where the modern Andean Cordillera is located was for a long time either sea or land, and the height of the Andes changed significantly. The mountain range completed its formation after uplift rocks. Huge folds of stone were pushed to an impressive height as a result of this process. By the way, this process is not finished. It continues in our time. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes sometimes occur in the Andes.

Rivers originating in the Andes

The longest mountains on our planet are at the same time considered the largest inter-oceanic watershed. The famous Amazon originates precisely in the Andean Cordillera, as well as its tributaries. It should also be noted that tributaries begin in the Andes major rivers States of Paraguay, Orinoco and Parana. For the mainland, mountains are a climatic barrier, that is, they protect the land from the west from the impact Atlantic Ocean, and from the east - from the influence of the Pacific Ocean.

Relief

The Andes are so long that it is not surprising that they are six climatic zones. Unlike the southern slopes, the amount of precipitation is high on the western slopes. It reaches 10 thousand mm per year. Consequently, not only the height of the Andes, but also their landscape varies significantly.

The Andean Cordilleras are divided by relief into 3 regions: the Central, Northern and Southern Andes. The main Cordilleras are separated by the depressions of such rivers as the Magdalena and the Cauca. There are many volcanoes here. One of them, Huila, reaches 5750 m. The other, Ruiz, rises to 5400 m. Cumbal, which is now active, reaches a height of 4890 m. The Ecuadorian Andes, belonging to the Northern, include a volcanic chain marked by the highest volcanoes. Chimborazo alone is worth something - it rises to 6267 m. The height of Cotopaxi is not much less - 5896 m. The highest point of the Ecuadorian Andes is Huascaran - 6769 m is the absolute height of the mountain. The Andes South are divided into Chile-Argentine and Patagonian. The highest points in this part are Tupungato (about 6800 m) and Medcedario (6770 m). The snow line reaches six thousand meters here.

Volcano Llullaillaco

This is a very interesting active volcano located on the border of Argentina and Chile. It belongs to the Peruvian Andes (Western Cordillera range). This volcano is located in the Atacama Desert, which is one of the driest places on our planet. The absolute height of the Andes at the point is 6739 m. It is the highest of all the existing ones. In the region of this volcano, the Andes mountains are very peculiar. Its relative height reaches 2.5 km. On the western slope of the volcano, the snow line exceeds 6.5 thousand meters, which is its highest position on the planet.

Atacama Desert

In this unusual place, there are areas where it has never rained. The Atacama Desert is the driest place on earth. The fact is that the rains cannot overcome, therefore they fall on the other side of the mountains. The sands in this desert stretch to the very tropics for thousands of kilometers. The cold fog rising from the sea is the only source of moisture for native plants.

San Rafael Glacier

Another interesting place that I would like to talk about is the San Rafael Glacier. It should be noted that in the south of the Alpine Cordillera, where it is located, it is very cold. At one time, this surprised the pioneers very much, since the south of France and Venice lie at the same latitude in the northern hemisphere, and here they discovered the San Rafael glacier. It moves along the slopes of the mountains, the peaks of which become sharper and steeper over time. Only in 1962 was its source discovered. An ice sheet of gigantic size cools the entire region.

Vegetation

The Andes are a unique place on our planet, and not only because of the impressive values ​​\u200b\u200bthat the width and height of the mountains have. The Andes are extremely picturesque. In different places they have their own zest. In the Andes of Venezuela, for example, shrubs and deciduous forests grow on red soils. Equatorial and tropical rainforests cover the lower slopes from the Northwest Andes to the Central. Bananas, ficuses, cocoa trees, palm trees, creepers and bamboos are found here. However, there are also rocky lifeless spaces, and many moss swamps. In places where the average height of the Andes exceeds 4500 m, there is an area eternal ice and snow. The Andean Cordillera is known as the birthplace of coca, tomatoes, tobacco and potatoes.

Animal world

The fauna of these mountains is no less interesting. Llamas, alpacas, pudu deer, vicuñas, spectacled bears, blue foxes, sloths, hummingbirds, chinchillas live here. Residents of our country can find all these animals only in zoos.

One of the features of the Andes is a large variety of amphibian species (about 900). About 600 species of mammals live in the mountains, as well as about two thousand species of birds. The variety of freshwater fish is also great. There are about 400 species of them in local rivers.

Tourism and locals

Andean Cordillera, except for remote and difficult areas, is not an untouched corner of nature. Local residents cultivate almost every piece of land here. However, the road to the Andes for most tourists means a "departure" from modernity. For centuries, these places have maintained an unchanged way of life, which allows tourists to feel like they are in the past.

Travelers can follow ancient Indian trails, where, however, sometimes you need to stop to let a herd of guanacos, sheep or goats go ahead. No matter how many times you have already visited these local places are always mesmerizing. Meetings with the locals also turn out to be unforgettable. Their way of life is far from familiar to us. The huts in these places are built of raw bricks. Local residents often do without electricity. In order to get water, they go to the nearest stream.

Hiking in the mountains is not mountaineering in the usual sense of the word. Rather, it is walking along steep trails. However, they should be performed only by absolutely healthy and well-trained people with special equipment.

In the west of South America, along the Pacific coast, a long mountain system, the Andes, stretches for 9 thousand km. Almost throughout their length they consist of a system of parallel ridges and intermountain basins. The mountains have gone through a long geological path of development, and in accordance with the difference in development and structure in the Andes, the following zones can be distinguished:

The Eastern Andes are ridges that arose in the Cenozoic era due to blocky uplifts of Paleozoic folded structures that formed earlier. The steep slopes of the Andes Mountains arose due to faults in the earth's crust. The Andes are confined to the boundary of the lithospheric plates, so earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur here - Lullaillaco, San Pedro, Cotopaxi. This indicates that the Andes are young mountains and their growth continues. A catastrophic earthquake occurred in the Andes in 1960 (Chile). The tremors of enormous force continued for seven days. During this time, 35 cities were destroyed, hundreds settlements wiped off the face of the earth. At least 10 thousand people died. More than 2 million people were left homeless, the tsunami washed away and destroyed port facilities and fishing villages.

The Western Andes are high and medium-height folded-block mountains that arose in the middle or at the end of the Alpine orogeny.

The highest peak of the Andes is Mount Aconcagua (6960 m).

The bowels of the Andes are very rich in minerals, especially non-ferrous and rare metals. Intermountain and foothill troughs are rich in oil.

The large extent of the mountains from north to south led to the diversity of the climate of the northern and southern territories, western and eastern slopes. Temperatures near the surface of the Andes vary in January from +16°С (in the north) to +8° (in the south). At the equator, the January temperature is usually 4-24°C. In July, in the north near the surface of the mountains +24°С, in the south 0°С. The largest number precipitation falls in equatorial latitudes. There on the Pacific coast falls up to 7660 mm, and the tops of the mountains are covered with glaciers. Coast of the Pacific Ocean between 5° and 30° S sh. lies in the area of ​​coastal deserts. This climate is most pronounced in the tropical zone on the central plateaus of the Andes, where the air is exceptionally dry. A lot of precipitation falls in the southwest of the Andes, since these territories lie on the paths of the westerly winds from the Pacific Ocean. Within the temperate zone, precipitation on the slopes of the Andes falls mainly in winter time, in summer it rains less, cloudy weather prevails.

Most of the rivers that originate in the Andes flow into the Atlantic Ocean. Only relatively small watercourses, originating in the western part of the Andes, flow into the Pacific Ocean. In the Andes, there is the largest lake - Titicaca, located on the Andean plateau at an altitude of 3812 m. Its maximum depth is 304 m, the water is fresh. On the inner plateaus of the Andes, there are many lakes of tectonic origin, shallow, endorheic, saline.

The mountainous relief of the Andes causes the development of altitudinal zonation here. Vegetable world formed gradually, as the mountain system. The great length of the Andes is the reason that different areas differ in the composition of the belts, as well as their number.

And many smaller lakes. Vegetation is characterized by altitudinal zonality.

1. Geological structure and relief

The Andes consist mainly of submeridional parallel ridges - the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes (or Cordillera Oriental), the Central Cordillera of the Andes (or Cordillera Central), the Western Cordillera of the Andes (or Cordillera Occidental), the Coastal Cordillera of the Andes (or coastal range), between which lie internal plateaus and plateaus (total - Puna, its part in Bolivia and Peru is called the Altiplano) and depressions. Through the considerable length of the Andes, their individual landscape parts differ significantly from each other. By the nature of the relief and other natural differences, three main regions are usually distinguished - Northern, Central and Southern Andes.

Andes - revived mountains created by the latest uplifts on the site of the so-called Andean (Cordillera) folded geosynclinal belt; The Andes are one of the largest Alpine folding systems on the planet (on the Paleozoic and partially Baikal folded basement). The mountain system is characterized by troughs, which were formed during the Triassic period, subsequently filled with layers of sedimentary and volcanic rocks of considerable thickness. Large massifs of the Cordillera Main and the coast of Chile, as well as the Coast Range of Peru, are Cretaceous granitic intrusions. Intermountain and marginal troughs (Altiplano, Maracaibo, etc.) formed in Paleogene and Neogene times. Tectonic movements, accompanied by seismic and volcanic activity, continue in our time.

1.1. Northern Andes

The main system of the Andes consists of parallel ridges stretching in the meridional direction, separated by internal plateaus or depressions. Only the Caribbean Andes, located within Venezuela, which belong to the Northern Andes, stretch sublatitudinally along the Caribbean coast. This is a young and relatively low section of the Andes (up to 2765 m). 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, and eternal snows on volcanic cones. The islands of Aruba, Bonheur and Curaçao in the Caribbean are the peaks of the continuation of the Caribbean Andes, sinking into the sea.

In the Northwestern Andes, which fan out to the north from 1 w. sh., there are three main Cordillera (mountain ranges) - Eastern, Central and Western. All of them are high, sloping and have a structure of deep folds. They are characterized by faults, uplifts and subsidences of modern times. The main Cordilleras are separated by large depressions - the valleys of the rivers Magdalena and Kauki - Pati.

The Eastern Cordillera has the highest height in its northeastern part (Mount Ritacuba Blanco, 5493 m) in the center of the Eastern Cordillera - an ancient lake plateau (prevailing heights - 2.5 - 2.7 thousand m) for the Eastern Cordillera, large surfaces are generally characteristic alignment. There are numerous glaciers in the highlands. In the north of the Eastern Cordillera, the Cordillera de Merida ridges (the highest point is Mount Pico Bolívar, 5007 m) and the Sierra de Perija (reaches a height of 3540 m) continue, between these ridges in a vast low-lying depression lies Lake Maracaibo. On the far north- Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta massif with altitudes up to 5800 m (Mount Cristobal Colon).

The valley of the Magdalena River 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 (Huila, 5750 m; Ruiz, 5321 m, etc.), some of which are active (Kumbal, 4890 m). To the north, the Cordillera Central declines somewhat and forms the Antioquia massif, heavily dissected by river valleys. The Western Cordillera, separated from the Central by the Cauca River Valley, has lower elevations (up to 4200 m) in the south of the Western Cordillera - still active volcanism. Further to the west is the low (up to 1810 m) ridge Serrania de Baudo, passing in the north into the mountains of Panama. To the north and west of the Northwest Andes - Caribbean and Pacific alluvial lowlands.

To the south is a wide part of the Andes - the Central Andiysk Highlands (width up to 750 km), where arid geomorphological processes predominate. A significant part of the highlands is occupied by the Puna plateau, often identified with the entire highlands, with heights of 3.5 - 4.8 thousand meters. Puna is characterized by drainless basins ("Bolson"), occupied by lakes (Titicaca, Poopo and others) and salt marshes (Atacama , Koipas, Uyuni, etc.). Between the Altiplano plateau (northern part of Pugni) and the Cordillera Real, at an altitude of 3700 m, is the city of La Paz, one of the capitals of Bolivia, the highest mountain capital in the world.

To the east of the Cordillera Real - subandyan folded ridges of the Eastern Cordillera, reaching up to 23 S.l. The southern extension of the Cordillera Real is the Central Cordillera, as well as several rock masses (the highest point is Mount El Libertador or Cachi, 6380 m). From the west, Pune is framed by the Western Cordillera with intrusive peaks and numerous volcanic peaks (Lullyaillaco, 6739 m; San Pedro, 6145 m; City, 5821 m; etc.), which are part of the second volcanic region of the Andes. South of 19 S the western slopes of the Western Cordillera go to the tectonic depression of the longitudinal valley, the south of which is occupied by the Atacama desert. Along the longitudinal valley - low (up to 1500 m) intrusive Coastal Cordillera, which is characterized by arid sculptural forms of relief.

In Pune and in the western part of the Central Andes there is a very high snow line (in some places above 6500 m), therefore snow is noted only on high volcanic cones, and there are glaciers only in the Ojos del Salado massif (up to 6880 m high).

1.3. Southern Andes

Andes near the Argentine-Chile border

In the Southern Andes, which stretch south of 28 S, there are two parts - the northern (Chile-Argentine or Subtropical Andes) and the southern (Patagonian Andes). In the Chilean-Argentine Andes, tapering to the south and reaching 39 41 "S, a pronounced three-member structure - Coastal Range, Longitudinal Valley and Main Cordillera. Within the latter, also known as the Cordillera Front, is the highest peak of the Andes, Mount Aconcagua (6962 m), as well as the significant peaks of Tupungato (6570 m) and Mercedario (6720 m).The snow line here is very high (under 32 40 S - 6000 m).East of the Main Cordillera - the ancient Precordillera.South of 33 south latitude (and up to 52 south latitude) is the third volcanic region of the Andes, where there are many active volcanoes(mainly in the Main Cordillera and to the west of it) and extinct (Tupungato, Maipo, etc.).

When moving south, the snow line gradually decreases and about 41 S.l. reaches a mark of 1460 m. High ridges acquire the features of an alpine type, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bmodern glaciation increases, and numerous glacial lakes appear. South of 40 S the Patagonian Andes begin with lower than in the Chilean-Argentine Andes, ridges (the highest point is Mount San Valentin - 4058 m) and active volcanism in the north. In the area of ​​Reloncawi Bay, about 42 S.l. the heavily dissected Coastal Range plunges into the ocean, and its peaks form a chain of rocky islands and archipelagos (the largest is the island of Chiloe). The longitudinal valley turns into a system of channels, reaching the western part of the Strait of Magellan.

In the region 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 of the snow line barely exceeds 1500 m (in the extreme south it is 500-700 m, and from 46 30 S glaciers descend to ocean level), glacial landforms predominate. South of 47 S there was a powerful Patagonian ice sheet, which has now split into two, with a total area of ​​\u200b\u200bmore than 20 thousand km, 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 coast, heavily indented by fjords, young volcanic cones rise (Corcovado and others). The Andes of Tierra del Fuego are relatively low (up to 2469 m).

2. Climate

2.1. Northern Andes

The northern part of the Andes belongs to the subequatorial zone of the Northern Hemisphere, here, as in the subequatorial zone of the Southern Hemisphere, the duty of wet and dry seasons is manifested. Precipitation falls from May to November, but in the northernmost regions the wet season is shorter. The eastern slopes are much more humid than the western slopes; precipitation (up to 1000 mm per year) falls mainly in summer. In the Caribbean Andes, located on the verge of the tropical and subequatorial belts, tropical air dominates all year round, there is little precipitation (often more than 500 mm per year); the rivers are short with characteristic summer floods.

In the equatorial belt, seasonal fluctuations are practically absent; for example, in the capital of Ecuador, Quito, the change in average monthly temperatures per year is only 0.4 C. Precipitation is plentiful (up to 10,000 mm per year, although the usual 2500-7000 mm per year) and are more evenly distributed over the slopes than in the subequatorial zone. Clearly expressed altitudinal zonality. In the lower part of the mountains - a hot and humid climate, precipitation falls almost daily; in the depressions there are numerous swamps. With altitude, the amount of precipitation decreases, but at the same time, the thickness of the snow cover increases. Up to heights of 2500-3000 mm, temperatures rarely drop below 15 C, seasonal temperature fluctuations are insignificant. There are already large daily temperature fluctuations (up to 20 C), the weather can change dramatically during the day. At altitudes of 3500-3800 m, daily temperatures already fluctuate around 10 C. Even higher - a harsh climate with frequent snowstorms and snowfalls; daytime temperatures are above zero, and at night there are severe frosts. The climate is dry, because with a lot of evaporation, little precipitation falls. Above 4500 m - eternal snow.

2.2. Central Andes

Between 5 and 28 y. sh. there is a pronounced asymmetry in the distribution of precipitation along the slopes: the western slopes are much less moistened than the eastern ones.

To the west of the Main Cordillera - a desert tropical climate (the formation of which is greatly facilitated by the cold Peruvian current), 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. In this part of the Andes is Atacama - the driest desert the globe. Deserts rise in places up to 3000 m above sea level. A few oases are located mainly in the valleys of small rivers fed by the waters of mountain glaciers. The average temperature in the coastal areas ranges from 24 C in the north to 19 C in the south, and the average temperature ranges from 19 C in the north to 13 C in the south. Above 3000 m, in a dry puna, there is also little precipitation (rarely more than 250 mm per year). Characteristic arrivals of cold winds, when the temperature can drop to -20 C. The average temperature does not exceed 15 C.

At low altitudes, with an extremely small amount of rain, significant (up to 80%) air humidity, so fogs and dews are frequent. The Puna Plateau (including the Altiplano) has a very harsh climate, the average annual temperatures do not exceed 10 C. The 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 Main Cordillera there is a large (3000 - 6000 mm per year) amount of precipitation (brought mainly in summer by easterly winds), a dense river network. In the valleys, air masses from the Atlantic Ocean cross the Eastern Cordillera, moistening its western slope as well. 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.

2.3. 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. As you move south, the annual precipitation on the western slopes increases rapidly. Summer is dry, winter is wet. As you move away from the ocean, the continentality of the climate increases, and seasonal temperature fluctuations increase. In the city of Santiago, located in the Longitudinal Valley, the average temperature of the warmest month is 20 C, the coldest - 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, precipitation is more than in the Longitudinal Valley (but less than on the Pacific coast).

As you move south, the subtropical climate of the western slopes smoothly turns into an oceanic climate. temperate latitudes: the annual amount of precipitation is growing, the differences in humidity by seasons are decreasing. Strong westerly winds bring a large amount of precipitation to the coast (up to 6000 mm per year, although usually 2000-3000 mm). More than 200 days a year it rains heavily, thick fogs often fall on the coast, while the sea is constantly stormy; the climate is unfavorable for living. The eastern slopes (between 28 and 38 S) are arid than the western ones (and only in the temperate zone, south of 37 S, due to the influence of westerly winds, their moisture increases, although they remain less humid compared to the western ones). average temperature the warmest month on the western slopes is only 10-15 C (cold - 3-7 C).

In the extreme southern part of the Andes, on Tierra del Fuego, there is a very humid climate, which is formed by strong humid western and southwestern 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 much less precipitation. Temperatures are low throughout the year (with very little seasonal fluctuation).

3. Wildlife

3.1. Vegetation and soils

The soil and vegetation cover of the Andes is very diverse. This is due to the high altitudes of the mountains and a significant difference in the moisture content of the western and eastern slopes. Altitudinal zonality pronounced in the Andes. There are three altitudinal zones - Thierry caliente- (hot Earth), Thierry fria(cold earth) and Thierry elyada(ice land).

In the Caribbean Andes, on the territory of Venezuela, deciduous (during the winter drought) forests and shrubs grow on mountain red soils. The lower parts of the windward slopes from the Northwest Andes and Central Andes are covered with montane moist equatorial and tropical forests on lateritic soils (mountain rainforest), as well as mixed forests of evergreen and deciduous species. The appearance of equatorial forests differs little from appearance these forests in the flat part of the mainland. These forests are characterized by palms, ficuses, bananas, cocoa and other species. Higher (up to altitudes of 2500-3000 m) the nature of the vegetation changes, here are typical bamboos, tree ferns, coca bush (which is the source of cocaine), cinchona tree. Between 3000 m and 3800 m - alpine rainforest with stunted trees and shrubs; epiphytes and creepers, characteristic bamboos, tree ferns, evergreen oaks, myrtle, heather are common. Above - predominantly xerophytic vegetation, Paramo, along with numerous asters, at these heights there are also moss swamps in flat areas and lifeless rocky spaces on steep slopes. Above 4500 m - a belt of eternal snow and ice.

To the south, in the subtropical Chilean Andes - evergreen shrubs on brown soils. In the Longitudinal Valley - soils resembling chernozem in composition. The vegetation of the alpine plateaus: in the north - equatorial alpine meadows or paramos, in the Peruvian Andes and in the east of Pune - dry alpine-tropical steppes of halka, in the west of Pune and in the entire Pacific west between 5-28 south latitude - desert types of vegetation (in the Atacama Desert - succulent vegetation, including cacti). Many surfaces are saline, hindering the development of vegetation, and such areas are dominated by sagebrush and ephedra.

Above 3000 m (up to about 4500 m) - semi-desert vegetation, called dry puna. Here grow dwarf shrubs, thin-legged (feather grass, reed grass), lichens, cacti. To the east of the Main Cordillera, where there is more rainfall, there is steppe vegetation (puna and puna moisture) with numerous fine-legged (fescue, feather grass, reed grass) and cushion-shaped shrubs. On the humid slopes of the Eastern Cordillera, tropical forests (palm trees, cinchona) rise to 1500 m, stunted evergreen forests dominated by bamboo, ferns, lianas reach up to 3000 m, at high altitudes - alpine meadows.

In the middle part of Chile, the forests were largely reduced when the forests rose along the Main Cordillera to altitudes of 2500-3000 m (mountain meadows with alpine grasses and shrubs, as well as rare peat bogs, began higher), but now the mountain slopes are practically bare. Now forests are found only in the form of individual groves (pine, Chilean araucaria, eucalyptus, beech and plane tree, in the undergrowth - gorse and geranium).

On the slopes of the Patagonian Andes south of 38 S.l. - subarctic multi-layered forests of tall trees and shrubs, preferably evergreen, on brown forest (podzolized to the south) soils; there are many mosses, lichens and lianas in the forests. South of 42 S - Mixed forests (in the region of 42 south latitude there is an array of araucaria forests). Beeches, magnolias, tree ferns, tall conifers, and bamboos grow here. On the eastern slopes of the Patagonian Andes - mostly beech forests. In the extreme south of the Patagonian Andes - tundra vegetation.

In the extreme southern part of the Andes, in Tierra del Fuego, forests (from deciduous and evergreen trees - for example, southern beech and canelo) occupy only a narrow coastal strip in the West; above the forest line, the snow belt begins almost immediately. In the east and in places in the west, subantarctic mountain meadows and peat bogs are common.

3.3. Ecology

One of the main environmental problems of the Andes is the deforestation, which is no longer renewable; The humid tropical forests of Colombia have been especially hard hit, and plantations of cinchona and kava trees and rubber trees are intensively being built.

With a developed agriculture, Andean countries face the problems of soil degradation, soil pollution with chemicals, erosion and desertification of land due to overgrazing (especially in Argentina).

Environmental problems coastal zones- pollution sea ​​water near ports and large cities (caused not least by the release of sewage and industrial waste into the ocean), uncontrolled overfishing.

As in the rest of the world, the Andes are facing an acute problem of greenhouse gas emissions (mainly from electricity generation, but also from the iron and steel industry). Significant contribution to pollution environment oil refineries, oil wells and mines also contribute (their activities lead to soil erosion, pollution groundwater, the activity of mines in Patagonia adversely affected the biota of the area).

Due to a number of environmental problems, many species of animals and plants in the Andes are endangered.

4. Population

4.1. Story

The Andean area was settled relatively recently, with the oldest known remains of human activity ranging from 12,000 to 15,000 years old, although it is likely that people came to the region earlier. Presov, probably white inhabited precisely in the highlands, the remnants of societies of this time, engaged in hunting and gathering, were found in the mountains of the modern Peruvian regions of Ayacucho and Ancash. The most remnants of the early period (Lauricocha culture) are preserved in the caves of Laricocha, Pacaicas and Guitarrero. The first cultivated plants of South America are about 12,000 years old, and included plants from both the highlands and the Amazonian lowlands. The distribution of these plants indicates a constant culture on the exchange of Mie populations of the coast, the Amazon and the highlands. Roughly 6,000 years ago, irrigation agriculture appeared in the valleys.

The oldest significant settlement in the Andes is probably Chavín de Huantar in central Peru dating back 2800 years and characterized by the monumental architecture of the Chavin culture.

After the decline of the Chavin culture, several local cultures emerged in the Andes. The most important of these were Mochica and Nazca. The Moche culture is little centered in the city of Moche on the beer coast of Peru, and is known for its highly realistic ceramic figurines of human heads used as jars and for its fine monumental architecture. So, the Temple of the Sun in Mocha looked like a stepped pyramid 41 m high and was made of adobe (adobe). Simultaneously with Mochica, the Nazca culture arose in southern Peru, famous for its pottery and elaborate textiles. One of the very remnants of the culture was the so-called Nazca Lines. These images are gigantic in size (only fully visible from an airplane) and taken on large coastal plateaus. These lines were both geometric patterns and the image of man and animals, and were created by removing the brown soil of the surface, leaving a light undersoil. The purpose of creating these lines remains unknown.

The second center of the Andean civilization after Chavin de Huantar, influencing a large territory, was the city of Tiwanaku near Lake Titicaca at an altitude of 4300 m above sea level, became an important center of population concentration and, having arisen about 2400 years ago, there were more than 1400. Soon after the creation of Tiwanaku, its rival state Huari arose, which, however, had a shorter heyday. It declined around 800, leaving Tiwanaku as the only great power until the 11th century.

Already after the flourishing of the high-mountain civilizations of Tiwanaku and Huari, the Sikan culture developed on the coast, in the region of the former Mochica culture. Its center was the city of Batan Grande, a pilgrimage center with several monumental pyramids. The decline of this culture occurred as a result of a major flood in the 12th century. Simultaneously with this culture, somewhat to the south and also under the influence of the Mochica culture, the Chimu culture arose, with a center in the city of Chan Chan, founded around 900. This city was the largest among the pre-Columbian cities of the Andes, covering an area of ​​​​about 22 km 2. The heyday of culture was based on the use of an advanced irrigation system, which made it possible to obtain significant crops in the arid coastal lands of Peru. Until the 14th century, the state of Chimu stretched over a large stretch of coast from Ecuador to Chile.

the largest public education The Andes became Tawantisuyu ("four lands") or the Inca Empire, which took shape about a century before the arrival of Europeans. This state had its center in Cuzco, on the territory of modern Peru. According to the historian Garcilaso de la Vega, the founder of the Empire, Manco Capac, and the first Incas came from the region of Lake Titicaca, probably Tiwanaku. The Inca state covered the entire central part of the Andes, and stretched from southern Colombia (where the Incas were stopped by the Chibcha forces) to the Maule River in Patagonia (where the Inca advance was held back by the Mapuche forces).

The Spanish Empire collapsed at the beginning of the 19th century as a result of the Napoleonic Wars. The ideas of the French Revolution and the independence of the United States led to an independent movement among the wealthy Creole nobility of the colonies, whose representatives seized power almost throughout their territory. Weak Spain could not resist these forces, and the wars of independence, which continued throughout the colonies from 1808 to 1824, ended with the victory of the local nobility, which established republican governments in the new countries, largely copied from the US device. With minor changes, the same system of government remains today.

4.2. Population distribution

Air expansion at high altitudes above 4,000 m requires a certain physiological adaptation of the body. However, now people are able to live permanently at altitudes up to 5,200 m (shepherds of Peru) and temporarily up to 6,000 m (Carasco mine, Chile).

The southern part of the Andes from Patagonia to the southern border of the Bolivian Altiplano is sparsely populated. Only small groups of shepherds and farmers live here, living mainly on the low slopes and foothills. In the north, from Bolivia to Colombia, most of the population is concentrated, all the main cities of the mountain system and most of the most important cities of the Andean countries are located here. In particular, in Peru and Bolivia, a significant part of the population lives at altitudes above 3300 m.

Approximately half of the population of Bolivia are Amerindians who speak the languages

The Andes Mountains are a unique mountain system that stretches almost throughout South America. The Andes Mountains are the longest mountain system, its length is 9 thousand km. as well as one of the highest, but still not the highest, but for now, because the mountains still continue to grow. We look at the famous Andes mountains. ( 11 photos)

The Andes mountains completely, from the north and from the west, circled South America, located along the coast near the Atlantic Ocean. The Andes mountains are relatively young, the history of their origin dates back to the Jurassic period. The Andes Mountains are one of the largest mountain systems formed in the last major epoch. geological history Earth.

As a result of the collision of three lithospheric plates, Nazca, Antarctic and South American, the first two sank under the larger South American, even in the history of the formation of mountains we see a distinctive feature, usually the collision of no more than two plates serves as the origin. Surprisingly, seismic activity in the Andean area continues to be traced to this day, that is, the mountains are actively growing. And moreover, their growth proceeds more intensively than all other mountain systems, which, one way or another, are increasing in size.

Thus, in a year the Andes grow by more than 10 cm, who knows, maybe soon they will become the highest mountains in the world, but for now it occupies a dominant position. BUT height of the Andes mountains is 6962 meters, the peak of the Andes mountains is the peak called Aconcagua. The average width of the mountains is 400 km, the widest point reaches 750 km. The Andes mountains are conventionally divided into three zones: Northern, Central and Southern Andes.

To all the other advantages of such inspiring mountains, one more thing can be attributed, the Andes mountains are a conditional division line, they share water collections. Also, the Andes are the source of many large rivers and lakes, it is here that the famous river takes its sources, which then spills over hundreds of kilometers. The Andes Mountains have their own small lakes located right between the slopes, which either dry up or fill up again, depending on the time of year and precipitation. Andes Mountains coordinates 32°39′10″ S sh. 70°00′40″ W (G) (O) (I) 32°39′10″ S sh. 70°00′40″ W d.

Due to different climatic conditions in which the Andes are located, the mountains have an unequal and dissimilar structure. So in the Northern part of the Andes there are a large number of volcanoes, some of them are still considered active, and the Central part is characterized by the origins of many rivers, the Southern part of the Andes is characterized by low peaks and large glacial massifs, spread over almost most of this mountain system, ice begins here already from a height of 1400 meters.

Due to its impressive size, the Andes are 5 climatic zones simultaneously: equatorial, subequatorial, tropical, subtropical and temperate. The Andes also penetrate 7 states of South America, the Andes are located on the territory of: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. Moreover, each of the countries is proud of the location of a particular section of the mountains on its territory.

Moreover, the Andes mountains are also a rich reserve of various natural resources, on the territory of the Andes there are large deposits of non-ferrous metals: tin, lead, copper, zinc, etc. There is also active mining of iron, sodium nitrate, but gold deposits are of particular importance , silver, platinum and in some places precious stones (emeralds). The Andes also store oil and gas reserves. In general, the Andes is a real natural hoard for.

Today, in times of active tourism, when everyone can visit any corner of the planet if they wish, climbing the Andes is gaining popularity. In some countries where the Andes are located, there are specialized centers that will prepare and guide you to admire the majestic slopes of the mountains. Of course, you won’t climb to a height of 6 km, but I think you don’t need such an unearthly height. To enjoy all the delights of a picturesque view, 1.5 km will be enough. It cannot be said that the Andes were notable for the special difficulties of climbing, some sections can be climbed without special climbing equipment.

Who would have thought that ingredients can be grown in the mountains Agriculture. Today, at low altitudes of the mountains, up to 3, 8 km. crops such as coffee, tobacco, cotton, corn, wheat, potatoes, etc. are actively grown and produced. Practice shows that on the wet and nutritious lands of the Andes, plants feel no worse than on the dry soil of the plains.

Throughout human history, people have associated mountains with something supernatural and powerful. Mountains have been used as inspiration by many writers. The Andes Mountains are a unique creation of nature, which is already known to the whole world, and to which thousands of tourists flock. We advise you to look at this miracle of nature. Stay with us and enjoy your travels.

) and are distinguished (especially in the central part) by sharp contrasts in the moistening of the eastern (leeward) and western (windward) slopes.

Due to the considerable length of the Andes, their individual landscape parts differ significantly from each other. By the nature of the relief and other natural differences, as a rule, three main regions are distinguished - the Northern, Central and Southern Andes.

The Andes stretched through the territories of seven states of South America - Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina

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Name history

According to the Italian historian Giovanni Anello Oliva (r.), originally the conquering Europeans “ Andes or Cordillera” (“Andes, o cordilleras”) was the name of the eastern ridge, while the western was called “ sierra» ("sierra") . Currently, most scientists believe that the name comes from the Quechuan word anti(high ridge, ridge), although there are other opinions [ which?] .

Geological structure and relief

Andes - revived mountains, erected by the latest uplifts on the site of the so-called Andean (Cordillera) fold geosinklinal belt; The Andes are one of the largest Alpine folding systems on the planet (on the Paleozoic and partly Baikal folded basement). The beginning of the formation of the Andes refers to the 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 Cretaceous granitoid intrusions. Intermountain and marginal troughs (Altiplano, Maracaibo, etc.) formed in the Paleogene and Neogene times. Tectonic movements, accompanied by seismic and volcanic activity, continue in our time. This is due to the fact that a subduction zone passes along the Pacific coast of South America: the Nazca and Antarctic plates go under the South American one, which contributes to the development of mountain building processes. The extreme southern part of South America, Tierra del Fuego, is separated by a transform fault from a small plate, Scotia. Beyond the Drake Strait, the Andes continue with the mountains of the Antarctic Peninsula.

The Andes are rich in ores, 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; in Chile - large copper deposits. In the advanced and foothill troughs there is oil and gas (in the foothills of the Andes within Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina), in the weathering crusts - bauxites. In the Andes there are also deposits of iron (in Bolivia), sodium nitrate (in Chile), gold, platinum and emeralds (in Colombia).

The Andes consist mainly of meridional parallel ranges: 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 the internal plateaus and plateaus (Puna, Altiplano - in Bolivia and Peru) or depressions. The width of the mountain system is mainly 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, stretched 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, and eternal snows on volcanic cones. The islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao in the Caribbean Sea represent the peaks of the continuation of the Northern Andes descending into the sea.

In the Northwestern Andes, fan-shaped diverging north of 12 ° N. sh., there are three main Cordillera - Eastern, Central and Western. All of them are high, steeply sloping and have a folded-block structure. They are characterized by faults, uplifts and subsidences of modern times. The main Cordilleras are separated by large depressions - the valleys of the rivers Magdalena and Cauca - Patia.

The Eastern Cordillera has its highest elevation in its northeastern part (Mount Ritakuwa, 5493 m); in the center of the Eastern Cordillera - an ancient lake plateau (the prevailing heights are 2.5 - 2.7 thousand m); the Eastern Cordillera is generally characterized by large leveling surfaces. In the highlands there are glaciers. In the north, the Eastern Cordillera is continued by the Cordillera de Merida (the highest point is Mount Bolivar, 5007 m) and the 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 - the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta horst massif with altitudes up to 5800 m (Mount Cristobal Colon)

The valley of the Magdalena River separates the Eastern Cordillera from the Central, relatively narrow and high; in the Central Cordillera (especially in its southern part) there are many volcanoes (Huila, 5750 m; Ruiz, 5400 m; etc.), some of them are active (Kumbal, 4890 m). To the north, the Central Cordillera drops somewhat and forms the Antioquia massif, strongly dissected by river valleys. The Western Cordillera, separated from the Central Valley of 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) Serraniu de Baudo ridge, which passes in the north into the mountains of Panama. North and west of the Northwest 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) - one of the highest volcanic 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 are distinguished (spreading south to 14 ° 30′ S) and the Central Andes proper. 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 system of the upper Amazon), parallel ridges (Eastern, Central and Western Cordillera) and a system of deep longitudinal and transverse canyons were formed, which dissected the ancient leveling surface . The peaks of the Cordillera of the Peruvian Andes exceed 6000 m (the highest point is Mount Huascaran, 6768 m); in Cordillera Blanca - modern glaciation. Alpine landforms are also developed on the blocky ridges of the Cordillera Vilcanota, Cordillera de Vilcabamba, Cordillera de Carabaya.

To the south is the widest part of the Andes - the Central Andean Highlands (up to 750 km wide), where arid geomorphological processes predominate; a significant part of the highlands is occupied by the Pune plateau with heights of 3.7 - 4.1 thousand m. Pune is characterized by drainless basins ("bolsons"), occupied by lakes (Titicaca, Poopo, etc.) and salt marshes (Atacama, Koipasa, Uyuni, etc. .). To the east of Pune - Cordillera Real (Ankouma peak, 6550 m) with powerful 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 mountain in the world. East of the Cordillera Real - Subandian folded ranges of the Eastern Cordillera, reaching up to 23 ° S.l. The southern continuation of the Cordillera Real is the Central Cordillera, as well as several blocky massifs (the highest point is Mount El Libertador, 6720 m). From the west, Pune is framed by the Western Cordillera with intrusive peaks and numerous volcanic peaks (Sahama, 6780 m; Lullaillaco, 6739 m; San Pedro, 6145 m; Misti, 5821 m; etc.), which are part of the second volcanic region of the Andes. South of 19° S the western slopes of the Western Cordillera go to the tectonic depression of the Longitudinal Valley, occupied in the south by the Atacama Desert. Behind the Longitudinal Valley there is a low (up to 1500 m) intrusive Coastal Cordillera, which is characterized by arid sculptural relief forms.

In Pune and in the western part of the Central Andes, there is a very high snow line (in some places above 6,500 m), therefore, snow is noted only on the highest volcanic cones, and glaciers are found only in the Ojos del Salado massif (up to 6,880 m high).

Southern Andes

In the Southern Andes, extending south of 28 ° S, there are two parts - the northern (Chile-Argentine, or Subtropical Andes) and the southern (Patagonian Andes). In the Chilean-Argentinean Andes, tapering to the south and reaching 39 ° 41′ S, a three-membered structure is pronounced - 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). East of the Cordillera Frontal are the ancient Precordillera.

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, Limo, etc.)

When moving south, the snow line gradually decreases and under 51 ° S.l. reaches a mark of 1460 m. High ridges acquire the features of an alpine type, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bmodern glaciation increases, and 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 heavily 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 of the snow line barely exceeds 1500 m (in the extreme south it is 300-700 m, and from 46 ° 30′ S. glaciers descend to ocean level), glacial landforms predominate (below 48 ° S - powerful Patagonian ice sheet) with an area of ​​​​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 coast, 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 zone of the Northern Hemisphere; here, as in the subequatorial belt of the Southern Hemisphere, there is an alternation of wet and dry seasons; precipitation falls from May to November, but the wet season is shorter in the northernmost regions. The eastern slopes are much more humid 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 precipitation (often less than 500 mm per year); the rivers are short with characteristic summer floods.

In the equatorial belt, seasonal fluctuations are practically absent; for example, in the capital of Ecuador, Quito, the change in average monthly temperatures per year is only 0.4 °C. Precipitation is plentiful (up to 10000 mm per year, although usually 2500-7000 mm per year) and more evenly distributed over the slopes than in the subequatorial zone. The altitudinal zonation is clearly expressed. In the lower part of the mountains - a hot and humid climate, precipitation falls almost daily; in the depressions there are numerous swamps. With altitude, the amount of precipitation decreases, but at the same time, the thickness of the snow cover increases. Up to altitudes of 2500-3000 m, temperatures rarely drop below 15 ° C, seasonal temperature fluctuations are insignificant. Here, daily temperature fluctuations are already large (up to 20 ° C), the weather can change dramatically during the day. At altitudes of 3500-3800 m, daily temperatures already fluctuate around 10 °C. Above - 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 - 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 much less moistened 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), there are very few rivers. If in the northern part of the Central Andes 200-250 mm of precipitation falls annually, then to the south their amount decreases and in some places does not exceed 50 mm per year. In this part of the Andes is Atacama - the driest desert in the world. Deserts rise in places up to 3000 m above sea level. A 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, the average July temperature ranges from 19 °C in the north to 13 °C in the south. Above 3000 m, in a dry puna, there is also little precipitation (rarely more than 250 mm per year); arrivals of cold winds are noted, when the temperature can drop to -20 ° C. The average July temperature does not exceed 15 °C.

At low altitudes, with an extremely small amount of rain, significant (up to 80%) air humidity, so fogs and dews are frequent. The Altiplano and Puna plateaus have a very harsh climate, with average annual temperatures not exceeding 10 °C. The 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 Main Cordillera - a large (3000 - 6000 mm per year) amount of precipitation (brought mainly in summer time east winds), dense river network. Through the valleys, air masses from the Atlantic Ocean cross the Eastern Cordillera, moistening its western slope as well. 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, the annual precipitation on the western slopes increases rapidly. Summer is dry, winter is wet. As you move away from the ocean, the continentality of the climate increases, and seasonal temperature fluctuations increase. In the city of Santiago, located in the Longitudinal Valley, the average temperature of the warmest month is 20 ° C, the coldest - 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, precipitation is more than in the Longitudinal Valley (but less than on the Pacific coast).

When moving south, the subtropical climate of the western slopes smoothly passes into the oceanic climate of temperate latitudes: the annual precipitation increases, and the differences in seasonal moisture decrease. Strong westerly winds bring a large amount of precipitation to the coast (up to 6000 mm per year, although usually 2000-3000 mm). More than 200 days a year it rains heavily, thick fogs often fall on the coast, while the sea is constantly stormy; the climate is unfavorable for living. The eastern slopes (between 28° and 38°S) are drier than the western (and only in the temperate zone, south of 37°S, due to the influence of westerly winds, their moisture increases, although they remain less humid compared to Western). The average temperature of 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, on Tierra del Fuego, there is a very humid climate, which is formed by strong humid western and southwestern winds; precipitation (up to 3000 mm) falls mainly in the form of drizzling rain (which occurs most of the days of the year). Only in the easternmost part of the archipelago is much less precipitation. Temperatures are low throughout the year (with very little seasonal fluctuation).

Vegetation and soils

The soil and vegetation cover of the Andes is very diverse. This is due to the high altitudes of the mountains, a significant difference in the moisture content of the western and eastern slopes. Altitudinal zonality in the Andes is clearly expressed. There are three altitudinal belts - 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