Definition of Altiplano (Altiplanicie)

A large area of ​​land that forms a plateau and is at a considerable height is known as a plateau or plateau. This geographical feature generally originates geologically after the formation of a plateau that joins two mountain systems.

A geographical tour of the main plateaus of the planet

In South America is the Andean highlands and is located between Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Its average elevation reaches 3800 m and is the territory where flames live and where the ancient one developed civilization Tiahuanaco, whose archaeological remains were discovered in the seventeenth century by the Spanish.

In the territory that make up Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia in northeast Africa, the so-called Ethiopian plateau is found at an altitude of more than 1,500 meters. In this enclave there is a culture basic for its inhabitants, the giant ensete.

The Tibetan plateau is the widest and highest in Asia and the world and has an average altitude of 4,500 meters

In central Siberia there is an area of ​​more than 3 million square kilometers and they constitute the Siberian highlands. The predominant vegetation is the taiga and in this territory there are

mineral resources like coal, iron or gold.

The Mexican highlands, also called Mesa del Centro, is located in the central part of the country and its average altitude is above 1,700 meters. In this plateau, unlike the others, the inhabitants carry out an intense economic activity in all kinds of sectors.

In the highlands of Colombia located in the eastern mountain range of the Andes is the Cundiboyacense highlands. This territory receives this name because it is located between the department Cundimarca and Boyacá. In the archaic period of America this plateau was the enclave where a civilization, the Muiscas, was established.

Life in the highlands

In most of the highlands, its inhabitants have to survive high temperatures and in precarious living conditions. On the other hand, they are sparsely inhabited areas due to technical difficulties in accessing them. In general, a plateau is a place hostile, with natural resources limited and with little commercial activity.

Despite its obvious limitations, life in a highland provides an increase in red blood cells in the body and this circumstance favors physical resistance. For this reason Ethiopian long-distance runners are among the best in the world.

Photos: Fotolia - vadim_petrakov / Matyas Rehak

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