10 Facts about the Andes mountain
1. The Andes are so much more than just one mountain range The Andes Mountains were created over 50 million years ago, when the South American and Pacific tectonic plates collided. It is a collection of numerous mountain chains which join together in what are called orographic knots. These are the high-altitude plateaus, the kind that have created the Bolivian Altiplano, that have allowed for the establishment of human settlements. Modern-day cities like La Paz, Quito, Arequipa, Cuenca, Sucre and Medellin are among the most famous cities found on Andean plateaus. Quito, one of the many vibrant cities set on Andean plateaus. Photo credit: shutterstock 2. Most Andean peaks are volcanic The great majority of the Andean mountain chains are volcanic. The highest active volcano in the world, Ojos del Salado, which stands at 6, 900m, is found here in a remote location along the Chilean – Argentina border. The easiest to reach, Cotopaxi, is only 75km south of the ...