Andes Mountains

The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is 6,999 km long, 200 to 700 km wide, and has an average height of about 4,000 m. The Andes extend from north to south through seven South American countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Along their length, the Andes are split into several ranges, separated by intermediate depressions. The Andes are the location of several high plateaus—some of which host major cities such as Quito, Bogotá, Cali, Arequipa, Medellín, Bucaramanga, Sucre, Mérida, El Alto and La Paz. The Altiplano plateau is the world's second-highest after the Tibetan plateau. These ranges are in turn grouped into three major divisions based on climate: the Tropical Andes, the Dry Andes, and the Wet Andes. The Andes Mountains are the highest mountain range outside Asia.

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The highest observatory on Earth sits atop Chile's Andes Mountains — and it's finally open

Rise of archery in Andes Mountains dated to 5,000 years ago -- earlier than previous research

How did the Andes Mountains get so huge? A new geological research method may hold the answer

The glue lice use to attach eggs to hair is exceptional at trapping & preserving anything it encases—including high-quality ancient human DNA from the lice’s hosts. Using hair encased in lice glue scientists were able to isolate human DNA from 1,500 to 2,000-year-old mummies in the Andes Mountains

Map of transparent butterflies highlights biodiversity hotspot in the Andes Mountains