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 mountain chains. But in addition to these causes that have to do strictly with the internal forces that are generated within the planet, other external agents such as wind, water, climate, vegetation and the type of weather may intervene in the modifications of the planetary relief. ground.
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 Indian tectonic plate 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 inside the plate that will be responsible after their compression. Ex .: the pyrenees) and perioceanic (Formed by the compression of sediments that are generated through the collapse of an oceanic plate below a continental one. They are characterized by the presentation of volcanoes. The Andes Mountains 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 an area of more than three million square kilometers, for example, it is the longest mountain range in 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 political importance that it had in past centuries, more precisely in the 19th 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 he is considered the Liberator of South America, and the Andes mountain range is the geographical place par excellence that allowed the achievement of the feat.
Despite the hostile climate and having an army that was not sufficiently prepared at that time to withstand this natural scenario, San Martín, achieved what no one else could 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 influences the climate of a region, because they affect precipitation in a very decisive way. When the wind blows over the sea, for example, hot, humid air rises forming precipitation.
Likewise, the temperature will be affected, since the higher the terrain the temperatures will be colder, while the orientation will also influence the temperature because those facing north are colder than those facing the north. to the south.
