Concept in Definition ABC

A Cordillera is a series of mountains that are linked to each other. In the elongated areas of the edges of the continents a large amount of sediment usually accumulates, then, when these are subjected to compression as a result of lateral thrusts, they fold and rise giving rise to the formation of chains mountainous. But in addition to these causes that have to do strictly with the internal forces that are generated within the planet, in the modifications of the planetary relief other external agents can intervene such as the wind, the water, the weather, the vegetation and the type of soil.

origins

Basically, the movements that occur in the tectonic plates are responsible for the formation of the mountain ranges. The Himalayas, in Asia, is the consequence of the collision of the tectonic plate of India with that of South Asia. In addition, on many occasions this situation can cause volcanoes.

Classification

Depending on the origin of its formation there are three types of mountain ranges:

intercontinental (formed when two tectonic plates collide, forming in that collision a new mountain range, as the himalayas), intracontinental (They are formed inside the tectonic plates not at their edges as a consequence of the accumulation of sediments within the plate that will be responsible after their compression. Ex.: the pyrenees) Y perioceanic (formed by the compression of sediments that are generated through the sinking of an oceanic plate below a continental one. They are characterized by presentation of volcanoes. The Andes Mountains she is a faithful expression of this type).

The Andes Mountains: location, formation and political importance

Regarding the Cordillera de los Andes, we must say that it is the most important chain of mountains in South America, on the American continent. It crosses several of the countries that are located in this area such as Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and a part of Venezuela. Its length reaches four thousand meters, its highest point being the Mountain known as Aconcagua, located in the Argentine province of Mendoza.

It is precisely this mountain that is hyper famous because those who practice mountain climbing aim to reach its peak.

It is also the container for the highest volcanoes on the planet. Along some more than seven thousand kilometers it contours the coast of the Pacific Ocean and occupies a surface area of ​​more than three million square kilometers, per case, it is the longest mountain range of the world.

It also plays a limiting role, being the natural border of the Latin American countries Argentina and Chile.

Its formation dates from the end of the Mesozoic Era corresponding to the late Cretaceous period. The recurrent seismic movements were those that shaped its relief to a great extent.

And when addressing this very relevant geographic scenario, we cannot ignore the importance politics that it knew how to have in past centuries, more precisely in the nineteenth century, in the midst of the war for independence that was brewing in much of the continent. In this specific case, it was the place through which many patriots crossed from Argentina to Chile to confront the royalist troops and thus achieve the liberation of several Latin American countries.

Argentine General San Martín led the crossing with the so-called Army of the Andes, formed for this purpose. After several military incursions, San Martín, managed to liberate Argentina, Chile and Peru and that is why it is considered the Liberator of South America, and the Andes mountain range the geographical place par excellence that allowed achieving the feat.

Despite the hostile climate and having an army that was not sufficiently prepared in those days to withstand that natural setting, San Martín, achieved what no one else did and therefore went down in the annals of history, as well as this geographical area.

Climate considerations

The Cordillera is undoubtedly one of the factors that most influence the climate of a region, because they affect precipitation in a very decisive way. When the wind blows over the sea, for example, a air humid and hot rises forming precipitation.

Also, the temperature will be affected, since the higher the ground the temperatures will be colder, while the orientation It will also influence the temperature because those that are presented facing north are colder than those facing the south.

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