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Andes: the longest mountain range in the world. The longest mountains in the world What are the longest mountains on earth

Majestic mountain ranges, these natural masterpieces will always attract a huge number of travelers. Mountain climbing can be identified as a separate area of tourism, which many people enjoy. Mountain ranges attract not only with their beauty, but also with their height and inaccessibility. However, there is also such a parameter as the length of mountain ranges. Everyone knows that Everest is the tallest mountain in the world, but not all travelers know what the longest mountains on Earth are. Perhaps this does not matter much to a tourist who decides to climb a peak. And for some, the length of the mountain ranges will be decisive when choosing a travel destination. Visiting a country through which the longest mountains in the world pass can be a source of special pride.

Top 5 longest mountains on Earth

The Andes are the longest mountain range in the world.
The Rockies are the main mountains of the American continent.
The Great Dividing Range is the main decoration of Australia.
Transantarctic - cold mountains of Antarctica.
The Ural Mountains are the longest mountains in Russia.

The Andes are the longest mountain system in the world

The Andes are located in South America. This longest mountain range in the world stretches along the entire western coast of the mainland. The length from north to south is 9000 kilometers. Another name for the mountains is the Andean Cordillera. This is a giant natural formation. The greatest width of the ridges reaches 750 km (the central region of the Andes). The mountains are very high, the average height is 4000 meters. Here is the highest mountain in the world located outside of Asia. This is Aconcagua (6961 meters). In the gorges of the Andes there are the mouths of the largest rivers on Earth, such as:

Amazon;
Orinoco;
Paraguay;
Parana.

Another remarkable feature of the Andean Cordillera is that it is a watershed between two oceans: the Pacific and the Atlantic. They protect the lands lying near the mountain range from the influence of ocean winds. The Andean ridge is so long that it is located in 5 climatic zones, from equatorial to temperate. It passes through the territory of 7 countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Argentina. The longest mountain system on Earth is also the largest of all, having a folded structure. The Andes were formed during the Jurassic period on ancient tectonic plates. The belt is characterized by mobility and tectonic activity. The South American plate is creeping over the Antarctic and Nazca plates, which requires the creation of new mountain slopes. They include a large number of volcanoes, so earthquakes are common in these regions. In the Andes there are many deposits of copper and iron, as well as oil, gas, and precious metals.

The climate of the Andes is very diverse. The northern region of the world's longest mountain range belongs to the subequatorial belt (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador). Wet seasons alternate with dry ones, and there is a lot of rainfall. The climate of the central part of the mountain system is characterized by cooler air. There are deserts and mountain plateaus here. This area is home to Lake Titicaca, which has the largest reserve of fresh water on the continent. Chile and Argentina lie in the southern part of the Andean Cordillera, in the subtropical zone. The climate here is wetter and warmer, with precipitation increasing greatly as you move south. In the Tierra del Fuego archipelago it rains most of the year and the air temperature is low. The flora and fauna of the longest mountain system on Earth is extremely rich and diverse. In connection with the development of industry, problems such as air, coastal waters, and soil pollution have arisen. Also a serious threat to the environment is the deforestation of valuable tree species. Many species of animals and plants are disappearing.

The Rocky Mountains are the second longest in the world

The Rocky Mountains are the main part of the Cordillera, a mountain system located in North America. They stretch along the western coast of the continent, covering Canada and the USA. Their length is 4,830 km. It is a major natural divide between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, much like the Andes. They are among the highest - the size from the foot to the top of the highest Mount Elbert is 4,401 meters. The system consists of southern and northern parts, differing in mountain formation. The northern ones are granite mountains up to 4000 meters high. The southern mountains consist of sandstone, sedimentary rocks, and shale. The Rocky Mountains are rich in oil, gas, and precious metals. They are seismically active and there are earthquakes here. On this land there are geysers and hot springs.

The Rocky Mountains were originally inhabited by Indians. They were engaged in hunting, fishing, and gathering on these lands. From the beginning of the 16th century, Europeans began to supplant them. When gold reserves were discovered in the mountains, people from all over Europe poured here. The mining industry began to develop. The region was populated by people, and a developed infrastructure appeared. The US government has taken care of preserving the unique nature of the Rocky Mountains. Many national parks and reserves were created. Currently, tourism is well developed here. Particularly popular are such activities as mountaineering, skiing, and snowboarding. There are many areas for hunting and fishing.

A mountain attraction is Lower Yellowstone Falls. This is the longest waterfall in the ridge, its height is 94 meters. There are coniferous forests on the mountain slopes, and deciduous and mixed forests in the foothills. The valleys are dominated by steppes and semi-deserts. This land is home to Yellowstone National Park. This is the first park of this type in the world, created in 1872. This is a world-famous site that attracts many tourists. It is located in three American states. There are many geysers, thermal springs, lakes, rivers, waterfalls. The park has a very picturesque landscape. Canyons and caves look great against the backdrop of slopes overgrown with dense forests. There are also such famous parks as:

Yoho;
Rocky Mountain;
Jasper;
Waterton Lakes.

The Great Dividing Range is the most beautiful on Earth

The Great Dividing Range is located on the Australian continent. English name - Great Dividing Range. Its length is almost 2 times less than the Andean Cordillera. The Great Dividing Range is about 4,000 kilometers long. It is the third longest mountain system on Earth. Mountains consist of volcanic, igneous, sedimentary rocks, and minerals. There are large oil, gas, coal and mineral deposits here. Copper, gold, and iron ore are mined here.

The mountains of the Great Dividing Range are less high than the Andes. The highest point is Kosciuszko. This mountain is located in the south of New South Wales. Its length from the foot to the top is 2,228 meters. This is the highest peak in Australia. It is part of the Australian Alps system. In the west of the range the mountains are gentle, turning into hilly terrain. In the east of the range the mountains are very steep, indented by gorges, with many peaks highlighting them. The width of the ridge reaches 650 km. The Blue Mountains are considered the most beautiful. The eucalyptus trees growing on them emit specific vapors that rise above the mountains. From a distance, they seem to be shrouded in a blue haze, which is why they got their romantic name. The deep rivers of Australia originate in the mountains, providing the population with clean water (Darling and Murray). The Murray is the longest river on the continent, stretching 2,508 km. The Darling is its tributary and is the largest after the Murray. The nature of the Great Dividing Range is very beautiful. Eucalyptus forests, many evergreens and deciduous plants grow on these lands. The Blue Mountains are part of Australia's protected area, which includes several national parks.

The Transantarctic Mountains are the coldest in the world

The Transantarctic Mountains lie in the coldest part of the world - Antarctica. They run down the middle of the continent and divide the west and east in half. They consist of several mountain ranges. The length of the Transantarctic Ridge is 3,500 km. These are the fourth longest mountains in the world. To the west of them is the Ross Sea with the glacier of the same name, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

The Transantarctic Mountains were discovered by James Ross during a scientific expedition (1841). These are the oldest mountains in Antarctica and are of volcanic origin. They mainly consist of igneous rocks and minerals. Water from the melting glaciers of the East Antarctic Shield flows through the Transantarctic Chain and forms new glaciers. They form rapids that divide the ridge into several mountain systems. Despite the fact that the Transantarctic Mountains are located on a snow-covered continent, there are quite large areas free of snow and ice. This is the McMurdo Dry Valleys. This territory is a snowless area located on Victoria Land.

The Ural Mountains are the largest mountain range in Russia

The Ural Mountains are located on the border of the East European and West Siberian Plains. Their length is approximately 2000 km. Their basis is a folded belt that finally formed in the Jurassic period. More ancient deposits are formed by sand, limestone, and dolomite. The mountain range is located near the Deep Ural Fault. Seismic activity here is low, so earthquakes do not occur in this region. Geographically, the Ural Mountains are divided into 5 regions. These are the Southern, Middle, Northern regions, as well as the Subpolar and Polar Mountains. The mountains are small in height; they lag quite far behind the American Cordilleras. The highest mountain in the Urals is Narodnaya. Its height is 1895 meters. Next come Yamantau (1640 meters), Manaraga (1662 meters). There are many beautiful lakes in the region in the mountains and foothills. The most famous of them: Uvildy, Turgoyak, Tavatuy.

The Ural Mountains are rich in minerals. Copper, jasper, and many types of precious minerals are found in their depths. Gems are mined here - stones that have an unusual and very beautiful appearance. They are used to make souvenirs, jewelry, and decorative items. The most popular gems mined in the Ural Mountains: aquamarine, rhodonite, malachite, emerald. This area is also a deposit of bauxite - aluminum ore, potassium salts. There are many coal deposits here. It is mined in the Pechora and Kizelovsky basins. There are oil and gas fields.

The longest mountain range in the world is the Andean Cordillera or simply the Andes. From the Inca language this short word is translated as Copper Mountains. The length of the Andes is incomparable to any other mountains on the planet. They stretched for a record 9,000 kilometers. In addition to its incredible scale, the Andes are famous as the birthplace of plants that have radically changed the lives of people on the planet. After all, it was the Andes that became the birthplace of coca, cinchona, tobacco, tomatoes and potatoes.

The Andes begin near the Caribbean Sea and reach Tierra del Fuego. The highest peak of the mountain range is Mount Aconcagua (6962 meters). In the Andean Cordillera there are places where the width of the mountain range stretches for 500 kilometers, and the maximum width of the mountain system is 750 kilometers. The longest mountains in the world act as the largest interoceanic watershed.

The Andes are incredibly diverse and picturesque. And each country that the mountain system crosses has its own uniqueness. For example, in the Andes of Venezuela, deciduous forests and shrubs grow on red soils. The lower slopes of the Central to Northwestern Andes are covered by tropical and equatorial rainforests. Here you can find ficus trees, bananas, palm trees, cocoa trees, bamboos, and vines. However, there are also numerous moss swamps and lifeless rocky spaces. Well, everything above 4500 meters is already eternal ice and snow.

The top of the Andes is Mount Aconcagua (6962 meters)

The fauna of the Andes is no less interesting. Here you can find exotic alpacas, llamas, prehensile-tailed monkeys, as well as pudu deer, relict spectacled bears, vicunas, sloths, blue foxes, chinchillas and hummingbirds.

One mountain is great, but it’s even better if there are many mountains. It is especially pleasing to the eye when they are combined into a long ridge, in which peaks alternate with valleys, small spurs, and all this is diluted with the murmur of rivers. Such beauty, stretching over several thousand kilometers, will not leave anyone indifferent. The emergence of mountain ranges is explained by the theory of relief formation. It says: ridges of valleys, mountains and hills are formed due to the collision of continental plates creeping on top of each other. It is difficult to imagine the forces that are necessary for such a process. Yes, this is not necessary. It is better to admire the result of their activities. Especially if these are the longest mountains in the world. Let's rank them and find out their location.

Cordillera

To begin with, I would like to clarify one important point. Many people confuse these mountains with the Andes, although these are two completely different chains, formed in different eras. Some call the Andes the "Andean Cordillera", but they have nothing to do with these mountains. There is also confusion about their location. The Cordillera “embraces” North America from the south and west, creating a dense climate barrier. The Andes play the same role. It is interesting that these mountains practically converge at the junction of the two Americas. Therefore, they are often combined into a single mountain range, which is fundamentally wrong. It would be more correct not to confuse these giants and leave the Cordilleras to North America, and the Andes to South America.

So, the Cordillera is the longest mountain in the world, with a length of just over 18,000 kilometers. They differ from their “colleagues” in a number of features. The cordillera extends exclusively in the submeridional direction, has a high percentage of high mountains, is formed in five orotectonic belts of different ages, has active volcanism and high seismicity.

sea mountains

Not everyone knows that mountains can be located not only on land, but also under water. Unfortunately, most of them are hidden from the eyes of backpackers. And few are interested in them, because you can’t ski on such mountains. Well, conquering the peaks will look pretty ridiculous. But underwater chains are not inferior in number to above-ground ones. It is difficult to determine the height of underwater giants, but it is not difficult to measure their extent.

So, the second place in the rating “The longest mountain in the world” is at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge with a total length of 18,000 kilometers. It is located in the center along the contour of the American coast. This formation includes several ridges: Knipovich, Mona, Reykjanes, South and North Atlantic. Individual peaks have transformed into Bermuda, etc.). Among the ranges listed above there are no particularly high, old or young ones, they are simply the longest mountains on earth after the Cordillera, which is also quite a lot. Let's move on.

Andes

The Andes are the third longest mountain in the world, with a total length of 9,000 kilometers. With its wide front, the Andes are directed towards and in the north they face the Caribbean Sea. The eastern part of the border leads to the Andean ranges. By the way, ridges of different ages are located along the entire length of the mountain system. Mountain-building movements continue today, accompanied by earthquakes and volcanic processes.

The Andes are characterized by high-mountain relief, which determines a noticeable altitudinal zone and the formation of significant glaciation. The enormous extent of the mountain system determines the difference in moisture and heat supply of its individual parts. Despite the fact that the subcontinent has a mountainous character, its territory has long been densely populated. The Andean peoples mastered the high plains, intermountain valleys and basins within the mountain system and adapted to life in such conditions. The Andes contain the highest mountain villages, cities and cultivated lands. There are six physiographic units within the mountains. But in this article we will talk about only two: the Central Andes and Tierra del Fuego.

Central Andes

The largest part of the mountain system. Within its borders are the mountain ranges of Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru. The orotectonic structure is characterized by the presence of high mountain plateaus and plateaus - “Pun” (or “Altiplano” in Bolivia). The rigid middle massif within which these plains were formed is divided into several blocks. This is clearly visible from the cracks that appeared due to the rise of magma and the outpouring of lavas. As a result, there is a combination of accumulative plains in the lowlands of the relief, areas of peneplain and lava plateaus. As for the climate, the Central Andes are quite dry.

Tierra del Fuego

The archipelago includes several dozen islands of varying sizes. The largest of them, occupying two-thirds of the total territory, is about. The islands belong to Argentina and Chile. The western part of Tierra del Fuego continues the Andes mountain system and is strongly dissected. Mountain ranges (1000-1300 meters) are separated by intermountain valleys, and some are flooded with ocean waters - straits and fjords. The highest point (2469 meters) is located on the Big Island. Ancient glacial relief predominates. There are a lot of lakes dammed by moraines.

Over most of the archipelago, temperate weather prevails. In the western part, heavy precipitation (drizzle) of up to 3000 mm falls throughout the year. In the east there is less precipitation - up to 500 mm. Summers are cool and winters are relatively warm (1-5°C). Tourists who have visited Tierra del Fuego say that summer there is like in the tundra, and winter is similar to the subtropics (in terms of temperatures). As you climb the mountains, the temperature drops sharply and already at around 500 meters reaches a negative value.

In Antarctica there is not only ice, snow and penguins, but also mountains. And quite long. The entire Antarctica is crossed by a huge ridge, dividing it into Western and Eastern. This last place in the “Longest Mountain in the World” rating stretches for 3,500 kilometers. The ridge was discovered back in 1908 by Captain Ross. In subsequent years, research expeditions crossed it several times, but most of it still remains unexplored. Fortunately, now there is satellite imagery, which allows you, if not to touch the ridge, then at least to look at it.

Copper Mountains. This is the name of the longest mountains in the world in the Inca language. These are the Andean Cordillera or simply the Andes.

The length of this mountain range is incomparable to any other on the planet. The Andes stretch for a record 9 thousand kilometers. They begin at the Caribbean Sea and reach Tierra del Fuego.

The highest peak of the Andean cordillera is Mount Aconcagau. It rises exactly 6962 meters. By the way, there are places where the Andes are 500 kilometers wide, but the maximum width of the mountain system is 750 kilometers. This value was recorded in the Central Andes, in the Andean Highlands.

However, most of the Andean cordillera is occupied by a plateau called Puna. It has a very high snow line. It reaches 6500 meters, but the average height of the mountains is about 4000 meters.

As experts say, the Andes are relatively young mountains. Here the process of mountain building was completed several million years ago. The origin of fossils began in the Precambrian and Paleozoic periods. Then areas of land began to appear in place of the vast ocean. For a long time, the area where today's Andes are located was either land or sea.

The mountain range finished forming by uplifting rocks, as a result of which huge folds of stone extended to an impressive height. By the way, this process continues today. Sometimes there are earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in the Andes.

The longest mountains in the world are also the largest interoceanic divide. The famous Amazon River, as well as its tributaries, originate in the Andean Cordillera. In addition, the tributaries of other major rivers in South America - the Parana, Orinoco and Paraguay - begin here. The mountains serve as a climatic barrier for the mainland, in other words, the Andes isolate the land from the west from any influence of the Atlantic Ocean, and on the other hand, from the east, protect it from the Pacific Ocean.

It is not surprising, given the extent of the mountains, that the Andes are located in six climatic zones. Subtropical temperate, equatorial, southern tropical, northern and southern subequatorial. On the western slopes, in contrast to the southern ones, up to ten thousand millimeters of precipitation falls per year. Consequently, the landscape in different parts is radically different.

Based on their topography, the longest mountains in the world are divided into three regions. These are the southern, northern and central Andes. The Northern Andes include the Ecuadorian Andes, the Caribbean Andes and the Northwestern Andes. The main Cordilleras are divided by the depressions of the Cauca and Magdalena rivers. And there are many volcanoes here. For example, Huila rose to 5750 meters, Ruiz to 5400 meters, and the current Kumbal rises to 4890 meters.

The longest mountains in the world are the Andes (Very beautiful)

The Ecuadorian Andes hit a volcanic target with the world's tallest volcanoes. Just look at Chimborazo alone, with a height of 6267 meters. The no less giant Cotopaxi breathes in his back - its height is 5896 meters. The chain crosses seven South American countries at once. These are Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Peru, Argentina. And the highest point of the Ecuadorian Andes is Mount Huascaran with a height of 6769 meters.

As for the Southern Andes, they are divided into Patagonian and Chilean-Argentine. In this part, the highest peaks are Tupungato with a height of 6800 meters and Medcedario with a height of 6770 meters. The snow line in this part reaches 6 thousand meters.

Varied and beautiful

The Andes are a unique natural place. The longest mountains on the planet are extremely picturesque. And each country that the mountain system crosses has its own zest. For example, in the Andes of Venezuela, deciduous forests and shrubs grow on red soils. The lower slopes of the Central to Northwestern Andes are covered by tropical and equatorial rainforests. There are ficus trees, bananas, palm trees, cocoa trees, bamboos, and vines. However, there are also numerous moss swamps and lifeless rocky spaces. Well, everything above 4500 meters is already eternal ice and snow. By the way, the Andes are the birthplace of coca, cinchona, tobacco, tomatoes and potatoes.

The fauna of the Andes is no less interesting. Here you can find alpacas, llamas, prehensile-tailed monkeys, as well as pudu deer, gaemal, relict spectacled bears, vicunas, sloths, blue foxes, chinchillas, and hummingbirds. In a word, those whom Russian residents can only meet in zoos.

A special feature of the Andes is the great diversity of amphibians - there are more than 900 species. There are about 600 species of mammals and almost 2 thousand species of birds in the mountains. Almost 400 species of freshwater fish are found in local rivers.

Tourist delicacy

The Andes, except in rugged and remote areas, are by no means a pristine nature reserve. Literally every piece of land here is cultivated by local residents. But still, for most tourists, the road to the Andes means the same thing as “escape” from modernity. The local way of life, which has been preserved for centuries, helps to go back in time.

Travelers will immediately notice the patchwork of crops that cover the mountain slopes. And its color changes from dark green to golden. Tourists are invited to follow ancient Indian trails, where sometimes, however, they will have to stop to let a herd of goats, sheep or guanacos pass. And no matter how many times you visit the Andes, the first or the hundredth, nature will never leave you indifferent.

Meetings with local residents will be unforgettable. You can talk to them both in their language and with gestures. However, some mountain inhabitants are not very willing to engage in dialogue. If you come across a contact resident, it would be a good idea to look at his lifestyle. The huts here are made of untreated bricks, people sometimes live without electricity, and draw water from a nearby stream.

Well, hiking in the mountains is not quite like mountaineering. These are most likely walks along steep paths. But they should only be performed by well-trained and absolutely healthy people with special equipment.
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Copper Mountains - this is 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 existing on our planet. The length of the Andes is about 9 thousand km. They originate from the Caribbean Sea 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 predominant ones have a number of large peaks. Among them, it is worth noting Mount Ritakuva (5493 meters), El Libertador (6720 meters), Huascaran (6768 meters), Mercedario (6770 m), etc. There are areas where the mountains reach 500 km in width. As for their maximum width, it is about 750 km. Their main part 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. Several million years ago, the process of mountain building ended here. The emergence of fossils began in the Precambrian period. Land areas then began to appear in place of the vast ocean. The area where the modern Andean Cordillera is located has long been either sea or land, and the height of the Andes has varied significantly. The mountain range completed its formation after the uplift of rocks. Huge folds consisting of stone, as a result of this process, extended to an impressive height. By the way, this process is not over. 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 interoceanic watershed. The famous Amazon originates precisely in the Andean Cordillera, as do its tributaries. It should also be noted that the tributaries of the major rivers of the states of Paraguay, Orinoco and Parana begin in the Andes. For the mainland, the mountains are a climatic barrier, that is, they protect the land from the west from the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, and from the east from the influence of the Pacific Ocean.

Relief

The Andes have a large extent, so it is not surprising that they are found in six climate zones. Unlike the southern slopes, the amount of precipitation on the western slopes is high. It reaches 10 thousand mm per year. Consequently, not only the height of the Andes, but also its landscape varies significantly.

The Andean Cordillera is divided into 3 regions according to its relief: Central, Northern and Southern Andes. The main Cordilleras are separated by the depressions of rivers such as the Magdalena and Cauca. There are many volcanoes located here. One of them, Huila, reaches a height of 5750 m. The other, Ruiz, rises to 5400 m. Kumbal, which is now active, reaches a height of 4890 m. The Ecuadorian Andes, classified as the Northern Andes, 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 Southern Andes are divided into Chilean-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 this point is 6739 m. It is the highest of all active ones. In the area of this volcano, the Andes mountains are very unique. Its relative height reaches 2.5 km. On the western slope of the volcano, the snow line exceeds 6.5 thousand m, which is its highest position on the planet.

Atacama Desert

This unusual place contains areas where it has never rained. The Atacama Desert is the driest place on Earth. The fact is that the rains cannot overcome so they fall on the other side of the mountains. The sands in this desert extend thousands of kilometers into the tropics. The cold fog rising from the sea is the only source of moisture for local 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 greatly surprised the pioneers, 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, cutting off the slopes of mountains, the peaks of which become sharper and steeper over time. It was only in 1962 that its source was discovered. A gigantic ice sheet cools the entire region.

Vegetation

The Andes are a unique place on our planet, and not only because of the impressive width and height of the mountains. The Andes are incredibly picturesque. In different places they have their own flavor. In the Andes Mountains of Venezuela, for example, shrubs and deciduous forests grow on red soils. Equatorial and tropical rainforests cover the lower slopes from the Northwestern to Central Andes. Here you can find bananas, ficus trees, cocoa trees, palm trees, vines and bamboos. However, there are also rocky, lifeless spaces, and many In places where the average height of the Andes exceeds 4500 m, there is a region of 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, and chinchillas live here. Residents of our country can find all these animals only in zoos.

One of the features of the Andes is the large diversity 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 in local rivers.

Tourism and locals

The Andean Cordillera, apart from remote and rugged 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 “escape” 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 they need to stop to let a herd of guanacos, sheep or goats pass ahead. No matter how many times you have already visited these local places, it is always fascinating. Meetings with local residents also turn out to be unforgettable. Their way of life is far from what we are used to. The huts in these places are built from rough bricks. Local residents often go 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, these are walks along steep paths. However, they should only be performed by absolutely healthy and well-trained people who have special equipment.