The Andes mountain range is a chain of high mountains that stretches along the western edge of South America, it is also known for its volcanoes, ruins of civilizations from long ago, and its diversity in flora and fauna. Learn more about this topic in this post.
What is the Andes Mountain Range?
The Andes consist of a vast series of extremely high plateaus topped by even higher peaks that form an unbroken wall for a distance of some 5.500 miles (8.900 kilometers), from the southern tip of South America to the northernmost coast of the continent in Caribbean.
They set aside a narrow western coastal zone from the rest of the continent, thus disturbing the life situations within the categories and in the adjacent spaces. The Andes have the highest peaks in the Western Hemisphere, the highest of which is Mount Aconcagua at 22,831 feet and 6,959 meters on the border of Argentina and Chile.
The Andes are not a single line of tremendous peaks, but rather a process of parallel mountain ranges, collateral plateaus and intermediate depressions. Different eastern and western ranges, equitably named Cordillera Oriental and Cordillera Occidental, characteristic of most of the system.
The directional trend of both ranges is generally from north to south, but in several places the Cordillera Oriental bulges to the east to form isolated peninsula-like ranges or regions as high up as an intermontane plateau as the Altiplano, which occupies adjacent parts of Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru.
How old are these mountains?
The Andes Mountains are over 50 million years old, created when the South American and Pacific tectonic plates collided, it is a collection of numerous mountain ranges that come together in what are called orographic knots.
The formation of the modern Andes began with the Triassic and Jurassic events when Pangea began to break apart and several cracks developed, it was during the Cretaceous period that the Andes began to take their current shape, due to uplift, faulting and folding of sedimentary rocks and metamorphic from the ancient cratons to the east.
Where are the Andes mountains?
The Andes mountains line the western edge of South America, from Venezuela to the Andes mountains Chile to the southern tip of South America (about 9,000 km in total), making them the longest mountain range in the world. Along that route, they cross Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. By width, they cross into Argentina, which borders Chile.
The Andes are also one of the highest mountain ranges, second only to the Himalayas in Asia. Many summits (mountain tops) reach over 20,000 feet.
Features
- From south to north, these are the Southern Andes, which consists of the Chilean, Fuegian, and Patagonian mountain ranges.
- The central Andes, including the Peruvian Cordilleras.
- The northern Andes, encompassing the Ecuadorian, Colombian, and Venezuelan (or Caribbean) mountain ranges.
Etymology
The etymology of the word Andes has been disputed, the largest consensus being that it comes from the Quechua word anti, meaning "east", as in Antisuyu (Quechua for "eastern region"), one of the four regions of the Inca empire.
The term Cordillera comes from the Spanish word "Cordel" meaning "rope" and is used as descriptive names for various adjoining sections of the Andes, as well as all of the Andes in the Cordillera, as well as in the combination of a mountain range to across the western continents of North America and South America.
Geology
The Andean mountain system is the result of global plate tectonic forces during the Cenozoic Era (approximately the last 65 million years) that built on earlier geological activity. About 250 million years ago, the crustal plates that make up the Earth's landmass coalesced into the supercontinent Pangea.
The subsequent breakup of Pangea and its southern portion, Gondwana, dispersed these plates outward, where they began to take the shape and position of today's continents. The collision or convergence of two of these plates: the Continental Drift South American plate and the oceanic Nazca plate: gave rise to the orogenic activity (building of mountains) that produced the Andes.
Many of the rocks that comprise today's mountain ranges are of great age. They began as sediments eroded from the Amazonia craton (or Brazilian shield), the ancient granitic continental fragment that makes up much of Brazil and was deposited between 450 and 250 million years ago on the western flank of the craton.
The weight of these deposits forced a subsidence of the crust, the resulting pressure and heat transformed the deposits into more resistant rocks; thus, sandstone, siltstone, and limestone were transformed, respectively, into quartzite, shale, and marble.
Approximately 170 million years ago, this complex geological matrix began to rise as the eastern edge of the Nazca Plate was forced under the western edge of the South American Plate (i.e., the Nazca Plate was subducted), the result of the westward movement of the last plate in response to the opening of the Atlantic Ocean to the east.
This subduction-uplift process was accompanied by the intrusion of considerable amounts of magma from the mantle, first in the form of a volcanic arc along the western edge of the South American Plate and later by the injection of hot solutions into the surrounding continental rocks. .
This latter process created numerous dikes and veins containing concentrations of economically valuable minerals that would later play a critical role in human occupation of the Andes. The intensity of this activity increased during the Cenozoic Era and the current form of the mountain ranges emerged. The accepted time period for their rise had been about 15 million to 6 million years ago.
However, using more advanced techniques, researchers in the early 25st century were able to determine that the uplift began much earlier, about XNUMX million years ago.
The resulting mountain system exhibits an extraordinary vertical differential of more than 40,000 feet between the bottom of the Peru-Chile (Atacama) Trench on the Pacific coast of the continent and the peaks of high mountains within a horizontal distance of less than 200 miles. .
The tectonic processes that created the Andes have continued to this day, the system, part of the larger circum-Pacific volcanic chain often called the Ring of Fire, remains volcanically active and subject to devastating earthquakes.
Andes zoning
Tectonic pressures and volcanic activity shaped the land, South America, raised from sea level, began to show the mountains we climb these days.
The range is composed of several smaller transverse and parallel ranges with many active volcanoes, the Andes Mountains were formed as a result of a convergence of plate tectonics. The Nazca plate at the base of the Pacific Ocean and the Brazilian Shield collided and created mountainous structures.
A large portion of magma was also pushed up by the same phenomenon, all this sparked volcanic activity along the coast, various volcanic cones emerged and formed most of the volcanic range, some of the volcanoes are still active and emerge occasionally. Rocky outcrops formed the eastern sections of the Andes mountains.
Geographic
For the year 1973, the geologist named Augusto Gansser proposed a separation, which today is appreciated as classic, since it takes into account the proportion of the oceanic tectonic plates in relation to the continent.
The northern Andes
North of the Gulf of Guayaquil in Ecuador and Colombia, a series of accreted oceanic terranes (discrete allochthonous fragments) have developed that constitute the Baudo or coastal, the mountains, and the Cordillera Occidental. Structurally composed of oceanic volcanic arcs that coalesced after each collision by high-angle, west-rim thrusts.
The Northern Andes are characterized by highly deformed metamorphic rocks and ophiolitic suites that developed during those collisional episodes, during the middle of the Cenozoic, a continental magmatic arc formed between the eastern and western Cordilleras.
Further east are the Andes of Venezuela (the Caribbean Andes) resulted from the collision of the Caribbean and South America, they are considered plates during the Cretaceous times. This complex developed a series of faults in the keys and related basins east of Bucaramanga (Colombia) and north of the Orinoco River delta (Venezuela).
One of those basins, now occupied by Lake Maracaibo, has the largest accumulation of hydrocarbon deposits discovered so far in South America.
The Central Andes
The central Andes are located between the Gulfs of Guayaquil and Penas and thus encompass southern Ecuador, Peru, western Bolivia, northern and central Argentina, and Chile. They are characterized by their continental basement rocks and by the absence of oceanic and metamorphic rocks.
The formation of the central Andes was determined by subduction processes that occurred in the absence of major plate collisions, a period of crustal extension prevailing for a Jurassic Period, until the Early Cretaceous, when important volcanic piles and plutonic rocks were emplaced.
Back-arc basins developed in the sub-Andean regions, controlled by extensional faulting that occurred at about the same time the South Atlantic opened. The mid-Cretaceous in the central Andes was marked by a shift in tectonic activity, from crustal extension to crustal compression.
That change was related to an increase in the rate of convergence between South America and the adjacent oceanic plate, which initiated the formation of a series of sub-Andean forensic basins from Colombia to central Argentina, within these basins now the largest part of the oil resources of the Andean countries.
The southern Andes
The mountain ranges to the south of the Gulf of Penas constitute the Southern Andes, those belts are defined by a long linear mass of great dimensions (large exposed mass of coarse-grained igneous rock) that now extends uninterrupted to the Isla de Estados in the South Atlantic. Outcrops of Early Cretaceous mafic and ultramafic rocks found south of 50°S latitude along the axis of the ridge have been interpreted as the ocean floor of a back-arc fringe basin.
Andean-era metamorphic rocks are preserved only in the Darwin Cordillera along the Fuegian Andes of Chile, the eastern sub-Andean belt is composed of a series of posterior and anterior arc basins, in which sediments have accumulated. more than five miles thick.
Current geological environment
Location by area
La Andes mountains It has different locations which we show you below:
The length of the mountain range is 8,000 kilometers, at the southern tip of America, the Andes mountains slide into the ocean, giant icebergs are breaking through the glaciers, Cape Horn is the most treacherous strait on earth. Thousands of kilometers from the southern tip of Chile, the slopes of the Andes are covered with dense forests.
Now the height of the Andes is 6962 meters, the peak of the mountains is the peak with the name of 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.
In the mountains, at high altitudes, very difficult living conditions, above 4500 m, the belt of eternal snow and ice begins, but at an altitude of 2500-3800 m there are favorable lands for agriculture, it is here that a much of the Andean population and many large cities are located, in the highlands, the locals herd llamas and alpacas.
northern Andes
The region includes the northern Andes and the Caribbean coast and the Pacific Ocean from the island of Trinidad in the north to a 4 ° parallel in the south, within Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador, the main features of nature are determined by its position in the equatorial and subequatorial latitudes and in the mountainous terrain.
In this region, the mountain system remains very narrow and consists of two parallel ridges 1500–2500 m high, dissected by deep transverse valleys, in the west, they are joined by the highest and most massive mountain range of the Cordillera de Mérida, whose highest peaks rise above 4.500 m and are covered with glaciers, in the southwest the Cordillera de Mérida joins the Andes mountain ranges, extending in a direction close to the south.
Central Andes
The central Andes extend a great distance from the state border between Ecuador and Peru in the north, down to 27°S in the south, this is the widest part of the mountain system, reaching 700-800 km wide within Bolivia. . the middle part of the Andes is occupied by plateaus, which on both sides are accompanied by crests of the Eastern and Western Cordilleras.
In the north of Chile, a chain of the Cordillera Costera appears from the Pacific Ocean, reaching a height of 600-1000 m, the Atacama tectonic basin separates it from the Cordillera Occidental, the Cordillera Coastal breaks into the ocean, forming a coastline straight rocky, very awkward for boat parking.
Rocky islands emerge from the ocean along the coast of Peru and Chile, and here, as on the coastal rocks, a large number of birds nest, where huge deposits of guano are formed - the most valuable natural fertilizer widely used in these countries, it is also exported.
Its surface is crammed with coarse clastic material or loose sand, in the eastern part it is covered with thick volcanic products, in some places there are depressions partially occupied by lakes.
An example is the basin of Lake Titicaca, located at an altitude of 3800 m. To the southeast of this lake at an altitude of 3700 m above sea level at the bottom of a deep gorge cut into the surface of a plateau and on its slopes lies the main city of Bolivia – La Paz, the highest mountain capital. world high.
southern Andes
Mountain crests exceed 10,000 feet (Mount Fitzroy reaches 11,073 feet) north to 46°S latitude, but average only 6,500–8,400 feet from 46° to 41°S latitude, except Mount Tronador (11,453 feet). North of Lake Aluminé (Argentina), the axis of the mountain range shifts eastward to a transition zone between 37° and 35°S latitude, where the geographic aspect and geomorphic structure change.
This zone marks the most commonly accepted northern extension of the Patagonian Andes, however, there is some disagreement about this boundary, with some placing it further south, at the Gulf of Peñas (47°S) and others considering it to the north, around 30°S
Volcanic areas of the Andes
This impressive mountain range is also home to the Andean Volcanic Belt, which has a number of active volcanoes, the belt is divided into four regions. The Northern Volcanic Zone, the Central Volcanic Zone, the Southern Volcanic Zone, and the Austral Volcanic Zone, which covers the surrounding islands and extends from the southern tip of South America.
north volcanic zone
The Northern Volcanic Zone extends from Colombia to Ecuador and includes all the volcanoes on the mainland of these countries. Of the volcanoes in this area, 55 are Ecuador volcanoes, while 19 are in Colombia.
In Ecuador, the volcanoes border on the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera Real, while in Colombia they are located in the Cordilleras Occidental and Central, the complicated Iza-Paipa Pliocene volcano located in Boyacá, in the Cordillera Oriental, being the most Nordic statement of the northern Andean volcanic belt.
The volcanic arc was formed by the subduction of the Nazca plate in western South America, many volcanoes in the northern volcanic area, such as Galeras and Nevado del Ruiz, which are located in massively developed highland areas, are significant sources of risk .
The thickness of the crust beneath this region has been estimated to range from about 40 to perhaps more than 55 km (34 mi). Sangay is the southernmost volcano in the northern volcanic zone.
central volcanic zone
The Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes is situated between latitudes 14º and 29º of the Andean Cordillera, an eminent region, much of it over 4000 m in elevation, which forms the altiplano of Bolivia and the puna of northern Chile and Argentina. , this dominates much of this area.
This high-altitude plateau is second in size only to the Great Tibetan Plateau of Central Asia and like the latter is built on a thickened continental crust that reaches a maximum thickness of almost 70 km. Volcanism is largely confined to the margins of this remarkable physiographic province in the Cordillera Occidental, or Cordillera Occidental, with a few isolated examples in the Cordillera Oriental, or Cordillera Oriental, in Bolivia.
So little is known about this area that most of the volcanoes have never been described and in some cases have not even been named. Sixteen of them were considered "active" when the Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World (1963-1966) was published.
It is not difficult to account for the obscurity of the central Andean volcanoes: the region is high, remote and exceptionally arid and as a consequence almost unpopulated, these factors, and the resulting limited access, have meant that historical records or eruptions are lacking.
Even now, an unrecorded eruption is possible. Fortunately, the same factors that have been responsible for the difficulties in studying Andean volcanoes by conventional means also make them ideal subjects for remote sensing studies. The high altitude, clear skies, and barren, bare environment provide the best possible conditions for the use of satellite imagery.
southern volcanic zone
The southern volcanic belt develops near from the Andes of central Chile to the width of Santiago, at around 33°, at Cerro Arenales in the Aysén Region at around 46°, with a path of more than 870 miles. (1400 km).
The arc was formed due to the subduction of the Nazca plate under the South American plate along the Peru-Chile trench, the northern boundary is marked by the subduction of the flat slab of the Juan Fernández Ridge, which is believed to have produced a volcanic breccia called Pampas in the segment of flat slabs in the Norte Chico region since the late Miocene.
The southern end is marked by the triple junction of Chile, where the rise of Chile subducts in South America to the Taitao Peninsula, giving rise to the Patagonian volcanic gap, further south is the southern volcanic area.
Magmas from modern transitional volcanoes in the southern volcanic area are derived from heterogeneous sources in the Earth's mantle, much of the lower forms being derived from subducted oceanic crust and subducted sediment. To the east, in the back-arc region, the degree of mantle melting that gave rise to volcanism is less, as are the influences of the subducted crust.
southern volcanic zone
The Austral Volcanic Zone is a volcanic arc in the southwestern Andes of South America. It is one of the four volcanic areas of the Andes, which extends south of the Patagonian volcanic gap to the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, a distance of more than 600 miles (1000 km).
The arc was formed due to the subduction of the Antarctic plate under the South American plate, the products for eruptions consist mainly of alkaline basalt and basasite, the volcanism in the southern volcanic area is less vigorous than in the southern volcanic area.
Recorded eruptions are rare due to the well being area unexplored in the XNUMXth century, the Rainy weather on its west coast it could also have prevented sightings of eruptions, the southern volcanic area is home to stratovolcano glaciers and subglacial volcanoes below the Ice Field.
The various volcanic areas are interspersed with volcanic gaps, areas that, despite being the right distance from an ocean trench, are devoid of volcanic activity. The Andes has three main volcanic breccias:
- The Peruvian Flat Plate Segment (3°S-15°S)
- The Pampas TV plate segment (27°S-33°S)
- The Patagonian Volcanic Breach (46°S-49°S)
The first separates the north from the central volcanic zone, the second central separates the south, and the second separates the south from the southern volcanic zone. The Patagonian gap is of a different nature, since it is not caused by the subduction of an aseisic ridge but by the subduction of the Chile climb, the boundary ridge between Nazca and the Antarctic plate.
Highest peaks of the Andes Mountains
The highest mountain in the Andes is Aconcagua of about 6,961 m. Aconcagua is considered one of the highest mountains on the planet, it is included in the list of "seven peaks", being the highest on the continent.
It is not known exactly what the name of the peak means, some researchers affirm that its name comes from the language of the Araucanians, while others speak of Quechua roots, there is also a version about the origin of the Aymara language, the name of the mountain is can translate as "white guard" or "stone guard" (Quechua language).
The first attempt to conquer Aconcagua in 1883, an experienced climber Paul Guessfeldt tried twice to climb the mountain, however, both times were unsuccessful, the first successful expedition was a campaign in 1897.
Under the leadership of the American traveler and climber Edward Fitzgerald, his team went to South America to conquer the highest peaks of the Andes and the expedition made up to 6 attempts, which were also unsuccessful in the main group, only the mountain guide Matthias Zurbriggen managed. reach only the highest point of Aconcagua. As a result, he is prescribed the first successful ascent to the top of the sun.
The highest mountain in the Andes is considered one of the most difficult to conquer, at the same time, it is an attractive natural attraction, next to which there is an Inca bridge. Contrary to popular belief, Aconcagua is not a volcano, although the mountain is of volcanic origin. It was formed, like all the Andes, for a long time, the period of its formation covers the Jurassic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic stages.
Climbers, as a rule, choose the northern slope to conquer Aconcagua, which is considered the easiest in technical terms, many do not use oxygen cylinders when climbing, but the pressure here is much lower than at sea level.
The mountain in 2016 made it possible to set several records, including the youngest conqueror of the United States, who at that time was only 9 years old, for all who want to test their strength, the mountain has routes along the southern and southwestern ridges , which are universally recognized as extremely difficult and even dangerous.
Climate in the mountains
Because the Andes stretch from the far north of the continent to the far south, the range of mountain climates varies, with some climates being very cold, while others are quite hot.
This has to do with the elevation of each climate, as well as how close the climate is to the equator. Also, the height of each mountain can play a role in its climate. Each climate supports its own type of animal and plant life.
The hottest jungles and deserts are often separated from the tundralike puna by a few miles. There is also a considerable climatic disparity between the outer slopes (ie those facing the Pacific or the Amazon basin) and the inner slopes of the mountain ranges; the outer slopes are under the influence of the ocean or the Amazon River.
Biological Diversity
There is great diversity in the flora and fauna of the Andes mountains, we show it below:
flora of the andes
The diversity of the flora of the Andes is incredibly great, the western and eastern slopes are distinguished by the richest plant cover.
The Andes of Venezuela delight the eye with extensive forests, which grant wide open spaces to the property of humid equatorial mountain forests adjoining tropical forests in the lower parts of the northwest and the central parts of the mountain system, also sharing the neighborhood with mixed forests. in which evergreen trees thrive.
Equatorial forests are represented by palm trees, ficus, bananas and cocoa, drastic changes occur in the plant world when heights of 2.500 to 3.000 meters are reached, the trees are replaced by bamboo and fern. From 3.000 meters, low-growing shrubs, myrtle bushes and heather are spreading. Composite, the mosses are even more widespread and the eternal ice belt begins at 4.500 meters.
Plants growing on chernozems and brown soils are widespread in the territory of the subtropical Andes. Dry Pune is common at elevations above 3.000 meters, in the east direction from the Main Range, a lot of precipitation falls, which allows the development of steppe vegetation, tropical forests occupy the space in the territory of the Eastern Range from the side of major slopes.
The middle part of the Andes was once heavily forested, but many trees were cut down, only small groves of ancient forests remained, alpine meadows alternate with peat bogs, on the territory of the Patagonian Andes, layered forests spread, which They are made up of subarctic rocks. Here is the kingdom of beech, magnolia, coniferous trees, all of them are adjacent to bamboo.
The eastern slopes are dotted with beech forests. Extreme vegetation of the southern tundra, in the territory of Tierra del Fuego, beech forests grow. They occupy only a narrow strip, after which the eternal snow belt immediately begins, it is thanks to the Andes that the quinine tree spread throughout the world, used in various fields of human activity, including medicine.
andean fauna
The animal world of the Andes is rich and specific, the fauna is full of endemic species, among which there are animals that can surprise anyone. For example, the famous pudu deer is very nice, this is a very beautiful animal, which has an unusual fur color for deer and an interesting shape of the ears.
No less amazing are the graceful llamas and their closest alpaca relatives. The big restless ones are the tailed monkeys, which are common in the jungle. Often removed in movies, the Andean (show) bear, which is the only representative of short-faced bears, acquired relic status.
Anteaters, chinchillas, guanacos (ancestors of the llama), unique tuco-tuco rodents, exotic hummingbirds live in the jungles of the Andes. At an altitude of up to 7,000 meters you can meet the majestic condor, a great variety of amphibians, the total number of which exceeds 900 species.
sports and recreation
The Andes are the most rewarding destination in Latin America for active travelers. For lovers of high-altitude adventures, there really isn't a more promising playground, from rock climbing to hiking, rafting, biking, horseback riding, skiing, stargazing and much more - these are just a few of the phenomenal ways in which you can make the most of your Andes mountain adventure.
Mountain bike
Where there are world-famous mountains, there are world-class mountain biking trails. With some trails covering more than 14,000 feet of descent, a ride in the Andes will get your heart pumping, from the altitude and adrenaline rush or both, you can bike Bolivia's death road, explore the cloud forest of Ecuador or the impressive peaks of Patagonia, all from the seat of your bike.
Rafting
From whitewater rafting, you can choose your level of adventure on one of the many South American rivers that flow from the Andes. Raft through the Chicamocha Canyon in Colombia, often called the Grand Canyon of South America, or in the world-class white waters of Patagonia.
Recall
A perfect adventure, come cliff diving or waterfall diving with experienced guides in Colombia.
Paragliding
Although the Andes are the highest mountain range outside of Asia, you can glide over the tops of the mountains as if they were hills, with unparalleled views and unprecedented access, opportunities for paragliding adventures are exploding throughout the Andean region.
Camping
If you like to immerse yourself in the great outdoors, the Andes offer great places to pitch a tent and enjoy the silence of the mountains. From Colombia to Chile, if sleeping under the stars sounds like a dream come true, you really can in South America.
The Economy in the Andes
Learn more about the economy in the Cordillera de Los Andes:
Agriculture and Livestock
Agriculture in the Andes is difficult and crop yields are relatively poor, water supplies are inadequate and much of the plateau region is dry or receives little and erratic seasonal rainfall, temperatures in the high plains are cold and crops are subject to freezing.
The terrain is rugged and the soils are not well developed and where fertile valleys exist, they are narrow and small, terraced fields have been developed on many hillsides to increase the amount of land available for agriculture.
Therefore, a considerable amount of Andean agricultural production is for local consumption, however, some products have been grown in sufficient quantity to be exported, including coffee (especially from Colombia), tobacco, and cotton.
In addition, large quantities of coca (the source of cocaine) have been exported from Colombia and Bolivia, despite efforts to curb production, the possibilities of increasing the amount of arable land through irrigation are extremely limited.
Mining
The mining industry of the Andes is one of the most important in the world.
Mining is especially extensive in the south, the main minerals being copper in Chile and Peru; tin in Bolivia; silver, lead and zinc in Bolivia and Peru; gold in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia; platinum and emeralds in Colombia; bismuth in Bolivia; vanadium in Peru and coal and iron in Chile, Peru and Colombia. Various oil deposits are distributed along the eastern side of the Andes.
Transport
The Andes have always been a formidable barrier to communication, with great effect on the economic and cultural development of the region, production centers are generally far from seaports and the mountainous character of the land makes construction and maintenance difficult. of railways and highways are difficult and costly.
A large network of the packet trails is still in use between small communities and between farms and markets. Horses, donkeys and mules are widely used. In Colombia, the ox and in Peru and Bolivia call it, they are also transportation animals.
Highways are better suited to Andean agricultural regions, because the small, widely spaced valleys make railways too expensive to build and operate.
Since World War II, all the countries along the Andean mountain ranges have expanded their road networks both within and through the mountains, although only a small part of these roads are paved, the Pan-American Highway connects the main cities of the West; several east-west routes are included in the system.
Air transport has become particularly important in the Andes, where it has reduced the difficulties of land communication; air routes are especially well developed in Colombia and Peru.
What is the population of Los Andes?
The population in the Andes is estimated at 84.500.000 people with 44% located in the Andean countries, therefore, it is estimated that one third of the people living in South America live in the Andes, especially in the main cities. .
The inhabitants of the Ecuadorian Andes are mainly Quechua speakers and mestizos, in the south there are small groups of Canaris and in the north, Salasacas, agriculture (corn, potatoes, beans) is the main occupation, some Indian inhabitants are dedicated to the ceramics and weaving.
When is the best time to visit Los Andes?
December to March is the rainy season in the Andes, the best time to visit the Andes is from May to October, when it is colder (especially in the south), with the Dry weather is the best chance of blue skies and clear weather, temperatures in the Andes depend more on altitude than season.
The Andes are one of the most sought after tourist destinations in South America, especially for tourists who love high altitude expeditions, these mountain ranges provide a playground for countless outdoor adventures, including rock climbing, stargazing, hiking, biking, rafting, skiing and horseback riding.