Andes: where are the highest point and attractions

Mountains of the Andes are the most grandiose in length mountain system on the planet. They stretched for eight thousand kilometers along the entire South American continent.

Location:

The mountains of the Andes on the map are crossed by a broad three-hundred-kilometer strip of seven states. Among them are the largest: Peru, Chile, Argentina, Colombia. The entire north and the whole west of the continent cover the Andes, where the active volcanoes and the highest point of the two American continents are located.

In height, the mountain system occupies an honorable second place in the world. Despite the fact that the mountains are millions of years old, they continue to grow.

Territorially, this mountain system is divided into three arrays: North, South and Central. These are the arrays that make up the Andes, where, in turn, there are three climatic zones: subtropical, tropical, subequatorial. They determine the unprecedented species and climatic diversity of the system. At the same time, the Andes are the most immense climatic barrier on the planet, determining the climate on the whole continent.

The highest peak of the Americas

Mount Aconcagua, located in the western part of Argentina, almost on the border with Chile, is the highest mountain of the continent. Its height is 6.96 km. 32.65 S, 70.01 GW - geographical coordinates of the mountain. The Andes, thanks to this peak, became popular among climbers.

The first recorded ascent occurred in 1897, the conqueror M. Tzurbriggen (Switzerland), at that time it was the highest conquered peak.

Now, Aconcagua annually climbs about three and a half thousand tourists, 75% of them are mountaineers - residents of Europe and the United States. Most of them use the easiest route, which does not require climbing equipment. Despite this, people perish on the mountain every year. The reason is a sharp drop in altitude, causing mountain sickness, and unfavorable weather conditions. Nevertheless, tourists with good health are successfully climbing to the top, taking with them numerous photos and unforgettable impressions of the multi-day confrontation with the height.

Climbing the mountain will require the tourist about three weeks, including the mandatory stages of acclimatization. In order to climb to the top, you will need to obtain a special permit, which, depending on the season, costs from 300 to 700 US dollars in local currency (Argentine pesos). Permit for shorter routes (not to the very top) will cost much less.

Titicaca

The lake with the exotic name Titicaca is the most high-altitude navigable on the planet. It is located in the Andean mountain system, where the borders of Peru and Bolivia are located, at an altitude of 3.8 km. Stretching for a length of 190 km and 80 km wide, it covers an area of more than 8 thousand square kilometers. On the lake there are 41 islands, many of which are inhabited.

Titicaca is one of the most revered islands in the world and the cradle of the mysterious Inca civilization. According to the beliefs of local nationalities, their ancestor-founder is the legendary Viracochi, who came from the depths of the lake in order to restore the civilization that was lost during the Flood. In honor of this and other commemorative acts on the islands of the lake numerous sanctuaries are built, many of which date back to 500 BC.

Canyon Kolka

One of the most impressive attractions of the Andes is the Kolka canyon. Surpassing almost twice the depth of the Grand Canyon, it crashes into the surface of the planet for four kilometers. From the observation areas of the canyon, amazing views of the Andes open up, including active volcanoes such as Ampat, Hualka-Ualka, and Sabankaya. The most famous observation deck of the area is the Condor Cross, named so, because from it you can observe diving at this altitude, eagles, looking out for prey. Another attraction of the canyon is the most high-altitude plantations (even the name of the canyon translates as "barn").

Tourist features

Due to the incredible length, diversity and originality, the mountains of the Andes are able to find a response in the soul of almost any tourist. Fans of active recreation will find here a variety of horse and foot routes of varying length. Connoisseurs of exotic food will be able to taste the cuisine of the seven states and the many peoples that inhabit them. By the way, by European standards, prices seem very modest. Everyone who is able to appreciate original cultures will be amazed by the contrast of quite modern cities with thousand-year-old stone palaces and ancient temples, the stones of which still remember the warmth of human hearts thrown at them by gloomy priests.

Among the numerous cities in this region that deserve a visit are the picturesque La Paz, located at a height of three and a half kilometers, and the famous city of Arequipa, its volcano. The huge El-Misto, towering over the city, about 6 kilometers high, is one of the world's highest volcanoes. Despite the fact that the last eruption of El Misto took place in the 80s of the last century, this does not scare away the numerous crowds of tourists attracted by the beauty of this place.