Andes
Western South American range
The Andes is the longest continental mountain range in the world, stretching roughly 4,500 miles along the western coast of South America through seven countries.
The range includes some of the highest peaks outside Asia, with Aconcagua reaching nearly 23,000 feet.
The Andes have shaped the geography, climate, and cultures of the continent, serving as home to ancient civilizations including the Inca Empire.
We hiked through the Andes during our trip to Peru.
Giant New World vulture
- vicuñaWild Andean camelid
- alpacaFleece-producing Andean camelid
- llamaDomesticated Andean pack animal
- chinchillaDense-furred Andean rodent
puma · guanaco · flamingo · hummingbirds · tapir · camelids · orchids · bromeliads
Ancient Peruvian civilization member
- QuechuaAndean indigenous language family
- terracesRaised flat outdoor areas
- Machu PicchuIncan sanctuary in Peru
- panpipesGraduated tube wind instrument
poncho · coca leaves · chicha · quinoa · weavings · ruins · Cusco · festivals
Linked mountain ranges
- peaksHighest points attained
- altiplanoElevated mountainous plain
- valleysLow areas between hills
- ridgesNarrow elevated formations
passes · plateaus · glaciers · volcanoes · summits · ranges · elevation · terrain
Sport of climbing peaks
- AconcaguaAndes' highest peak
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
- acclimatizationAdjusting to new conditions
- altitude sicknessHypoxia from high elevation
base camp · summit attempt · crampons · ice axe · ropes · porters · crevasses · oxygen
Of crustal forces
- subductionPlate descending beneath another
- volcanic arcCurved line of volcanoes
- upliftRaise emotionally or physically
- orogenyGeological mountain formation
earthquakes · magma · fumaroles · hot springs · mineral deposits · copper · silver · lithium
condor
Giant New World vulture
chinchilla · puma · guanaco · flamingo · hummingbirds · tapir · camelids · orchids · bromeliads · endemic species
Inca
Ancient Peruvian civilization member
- QuechuaAndean indigenous language family
- terracesRaised flat outdoor areas
- Machu PicchuIncan sanctuary in Peru
panpipes · poncho · coca leaves · chicha · quinoa · weavings · ruins · Cusco · festivals · shamanism
cordillera
Linked mountain ranges
ridges · passes · plateaus · glaciers · volcanoes · summits · ranges · elevation · terrain · basins
mountaineering
Sport of climbing peaks
- AconcaguaAndes' highest peak
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
- acclimatizationAdjusting to new conditions
altitude sickness · base camp · summit attempt · crampons · ice axe · ropes · porters · crevasses · oxygen · ascent
tectonic
Of crustal forces
- subductionPlate descending beneath another
- volcanic arcCurved line of volcanoes
- upliftRaise emotionally or physically
orogeny · earthquakes · magma · fumaroles · hot springs · mineral deposits · copper · silver · lithium · erosion
- ArgentinaBuenos Aires, tango, Messi, Patagonia, mate
- high-altitude regionsAlps, Himalayas, Rockies, Tibet, Nepal
- Mountain DestinationsAlps, Rockies, Himalayas, Dolomites, Pyrenees
- mountain rangesAlps, Himalayas, Rockies, Pyrenees, Carpathians
- mountain termsAlps, Himalayas, Rockies, peaks, summit
- snowy placessnowfields, igloo, snowbelt, snowbelts, ski lodge
AndesRockies
North American mountain chain
Himalayas · Alps · Urals · Appalachians · Atlas Mountains
AndesMariana Trench
Deepest oceanic chasm
Dead Sea · ocean floor · Death Valley · sea level · lowlands
- the AndesLongest continental mountain chain
- Andes MountainsSouth American western cordillera
- Andes mintsLayered chocolate-mint confection