The Andes: A Majestic Mountain Range
The Andes mountain chain is the world’s largest, stretching over 7,000 miles across South America. It forms the backbone of the continent, cutting through innumerable fiords and islands, and ending at Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Highest Peak
The highest peak in the Andes is Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, which stands at 7,021 meters above sea level.
Geology
The Andes are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, and as such, there are many volcanoes in the region. In Chile, the Andes form one of the most important bands of relief and isolate the country from neighboring regions.
Climate
The Andes have a significant influence on the climate of the region. They limit the passage of rainwater into the Argentine pampas and provide an important source of water reserves for agriculture in central Chile.
Vegetation
The Andes mountains decrease in height from north to south, forming three areas: the Altiplano, the Andes of central Chile, and the Patagonian Andes.
Altiplano
The Altiplano is located north of the border to Copiapo and covers parts of Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia. It is a plateau over 3,500 meters in altitude, with deep canyons, salt deposits, and lava flows from ancient volcanic eruptions. The climate has large temperature fluctuations between day and night, and tropical rainfall during the summer.
Central Andes
The Central Andes extend from Copiapo to the Sound of Reloncavi. They are characterized by a cold climate, high solar radiation, and rainfall that is usually snow or hail. The Andean region starts from the 2,000-meter height limit set by the timberline.
Patagonian Andes
The Patagonian Andes are located south of Reloncaví. They are no longer compact and are crossed by deep valleys caused by glaciers. This zone coincides with the dismembered coast on many islands. The Patagonian Andes are influenced by ice fields and have a desert-like climate.
South Zone
The South Zone extends from the 36th parallel to the 44th parallel. It covers the Bio Bio, Araucanía, Los Ríos, and Los Lagos regions. Rainfall increases significantly from the 37th parallel, leading to a lush evergreen forest.
Weather
The weather in the South Zone is Mediterranean at the height of the Maule River, but the dry season is reduced to the south until it disappears during dry months. Puerto Montt has an average rainfall of 2,000mm, which is twice that of the Maule Region. The temperature decreases to the south, so there is greater biodiversity in the north.
Vegetation
The evergreen forest, also called the Valdivian laurifolia or sub-Antarctic forest, is the predominant form of vegetation in places where there is sufficient water, good drainage, and extremely low temperatures. There is greater diversity of species in the far north, due to the higher temperature.
Patagonia
Patagonia refers specifically to the Chilean area east of the Andes. The climate is characterized by poor rains, strong winds, and low summer temperatures. The vegetation corresponds to the steppe, characterized by low shrubs and grassland.
Plant Species
Far North and Towns
Due to the arid climate, there is little plant biodiversity in the Far North. The plateau corresponds to an ecosystem shared with Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina, so plant species are endemic to Chile.
Cacti
Cacti are a family of plants that are almost exclusively American. They have adapted to extremely arid environments by losing their leaves and branches and developing specialized cells for storing water.
Trees
There is little variety of tree species in the Far North. The most common species include the Queñoa, Chañar, Algarrobo blanco, Tamarugo, and Pepper.
Shrubs
Shrubs in the Far North include the Yareta, Cachiyuyo, Retama, and Tomatillo.
Other Plants
Other plants found in the Far North include Azolla filiculoides, Equisetum giganteum, and Guindelia glutinosa.