South America for our people is as mysterious as the same as Australia, is actually just as unattainable, incomprehensible and mysterious.On it is written a lot of books of adventure and remove the same amount of not less than adventure films.Jungle, monkeys, alligators, piranhas - all this must necessarily be present in a good action movie, and all this in full inherent in South America.
South American mountain range
But not only such stereotypical things are present on this continent.One of the most interesting geographical features are the mountains of South America.They can be described in one word: "the best."Because virtually all the characteristics they "win" the other mountain ranges around the world.Thus, the mountains of South America - the longest chain.Their total length reaches almost nine thousand kilometers.At the same time they pass through the maximum number of countries - are in seven states.
Only the height of the mountain in South America occupy the second place: they are ahead of the Himalayas.They are the winners, by definition, the highest point on the planet.Note, however, the highest mountain in South America - Aconcagua - again immediately follows the Everest, but at the same time also is the highest peak of the entire hemisphere.And Aconcagua - is an extinct volcano in the race for the height of the still remaining wins mountain as a high volcano in the world is no more.This is the largest mountain in South America is in Argentina and has a height of almost seven kilometers (6,960 m).
Mountain wealth
its name - the Andes - the mountains of South America have received, we can say, from the ancient Incas.The word "anta" in their language meant "mountain copper".Apparently, the Incas more than other minerals valued the metal, if so named their mountains.Not only copper-rich Andes Mountains of South America.There are developed and other metals.Among them, lead, zinc, tin and even vanadium.And found rich deposits of precious metals - platinum and gold are mined and high-quality emeralds.
in the foothills of the Andes there are oil and gas deposits (mainly in Venezuela), although they are not as important as in Iraq or Saudi Arabia.
geographic division Mountains
South American mountain range surrounds the entire continent from the west and north.Its width is not too large compared to the length - "only" three hundred kilometers.But due to its enormous length of the Andes - the mountains of South America - decided to distribute a few pieces, also called "clusters."Geographers are four such "segment."
north and west
first part - the Northern Andes.The most northern South America (plus the island of Trinidad) - a relatively low mountains, walking along the shore.They also include higher array Cordillera de Merida, which is located to the west of, and separate system of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, already located on the Pacific coast.The highest mountain in South America in this part of the Andes - Cristobal Colon (5,744 km).
West Central Andes run parallel, also along the ocean, merging into a single backbone already in Ecuador.Between them there are volcanoes - both extinct and active.Among them - the second highest mountain in South America (Chimborazo).This is also a volcano, like the Aconcagua, but below 700 meters.Here there is also now the highest active volcano - Cotopaxi.But it does not reach the height and six kilometers.
south and east
Oriental Andes were noted also active volcanoes.Here they are quite high, but still below the Cotopaxi.Although on average the highest part of the southern Cordillera, also known as the Mountains of South America.
Chilean-Argentine part - the narrowest in the Andes.In some places it is reduced to a single ridge, called the main Cordillera.This is where the Aconcagua.Not less than half the peak of the cluster - active volcanoes today.
Finally, the Southern Andes.In this part of the mainland mountains again dropping, and the most prominent peak - just three and a half kilometers.
formation of the Andes: Past and Present
The average height of the southern Cordillera, as calculated by geographers - four kilometers.The mountains are young enough, but most of them have already completed the formation.Now there is a slow their destruction.It speeds up the proximity of the Pacific Ocean, which is almost tempted mountains.On the map of South America can be clearly seen how close fit water.Winds from the ocean space and moist air accelerates the process of destruction, and therefore the mountains lose a year almost a centimeter in height.
However, a contribution is made and volcanoes, which, as has been said, a lot of the Andes, and a significant number of them still active.Thanks to them, some peaks can still "grow", so that the average height of the system remains the same.
A variety of South American mountains
in different places of the Andes are very different landscape and topography, and vegetation.This is because, firstly, the fact that the folded parts of the mountain ranges in different geological epochs.And secondly, the fact that the Southern Cordillera is very long and is crossed by several natural zones.
central part of the Andes under the influence of the cold Peruvian current gets pretty cool area.On a plateau called Puna temperature does not rise more than 10, and sometimes falls to -25 degrees.There is also, and most arid Atacama desert on the planet.
Southern Andes - is subtropical.And although in the hottest month of the air is not warmed above 15, it is very humid and a lot of rain - an abundance of wet snow or rain.
So, if you traveled from one end of the South American mountains, you can witness the most climate zones.
Climbing appeal
Southern Cordillera, thanks to its unusual height and very interesting to mountaineers.These come from all over the world, including from Russia, and from other parts of the former Soviet Union.
most popular climbing two "object": the highest mountain in South America, that is, Aconcagua, and the peak of Alpamayo.First on the list is considered to be quite simple to overcome.Mount attractive, rather, precisely because of its height and species.However, to conquer Aconcagua need to have good climbing experience, endurance and reliable portability of thin air.The danger for explorers is mostly changeable weather in the region of Aconcagua.Her drastic changes and make such a dangerous mountain.
Another thing - Alpamayo.It is considered the most impregnable in South America and among the top ten global "problem" of the mountains.The angle between the "walls" Alpamayo and the ground is 60 degrees.Even well equipped climbers often do not get up to half of the mountain.We came to the top of the unit.And for the first time Alpamayo was conquered in 1951 by two climbers of the Belgian-French expedition.
among novice climbers considered interesting ascent to the Cotopaxi.Volcano though valid, but now sleeps.Like many other peaks, it was conquered by no means the first time.In the early 19th century, two climbers tried to climb to the top and could not.It is, in principle, it is not surprising, but a shame that they were not able to overcome only the last 300 meters.
Despite the difficult moments of the route, now available Cotopaxi even prepared a novice.The main thing - do not forget to dress warmly, on top of the temperature rarely rises above -10.
An interesting detail is the need for an overnight journey: we must return to the camp before the path of the snow has melted.
So mountains of South America are interested in very different directions, and if possible, you should definitely go there.
