Andes Mountains: Quick Facts

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Oct. 14, 2026

Did You Know?

The summit of Mount Chimborazo in the Andes is the planet's tallest point when measured from the Earth's center.
The Andes are the longest mountain chain in the world.
Potatoes and tomatoes originated in the Andes.

Photos and Videos

Physical map of the Southern and Central Andes and Patagonia, highlighting elevation with color gradients from lowlands to high mountain peaks. The Andes mountain range runs along the western edge of South America through Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, and parts of Peru, with major peaks and volcanoes labeled. Key cities, rivers, lakes, and international boundaries are marked, and a locator map in the corner shows the region's position in South America.

Physical map of northern and central South America highlighting the Andes Mountains along the continent's western edge and the Amazon River basin and drainage network spanning Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and surrounding countries. The map uses color shading to show elevation, marks major rivers, cities, international and political boundaries, and features a small locator map of South America in the corner.

Physical map of the northern Andes and the Orinoco River basin, covering parts of Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and northern Brazil. The map uses color shading to indicate elevation, highlights major mountain ranges, rivers, and drainage networks, and marks international and political boundaries as well as key cities. An inset locator map shows the region's position in northern South America.

Map of South America highlighting in purple the regions where Quechuan languages are spoken, primarily along the Andes Mountains in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and smaller areas in Colombia, Chile, and northern Argentina.

Andes Mountains: transportation

The Cauca River flows through lush green hills with the Andes Mountains rising in the background near Santa Fe de Antioquia, Colombia.

Patagonian Andes

Mendoza, Argentina: Villavincencio Chapel

Behold Andean condors soaring among mountaintops of the Andes, a chain that stretches the entire length of South America

Visit Aymara and Quechua people on the Altiplano of Bolivia and Peru to see the ancient drop-spindle technique

Learn how the Andes Mountains block warm moist air, causing heavy rainfall that feeds the Amazon River

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