Cordillera de Mérida

mountains, South America

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June 30, 2026

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The Cordillera de Mérida is a mountain range located in northwestern Venezuela, forming a significant part of the Andes Mountains. This range includes Bolívar Peak, Venezuela's highest point at 16,427 feet (5,007 meters) above sea level. The region is known for its fertile valleys, particularly the Chama River valley, which supports most of the state's settlements, including its capital, Mérida. The Cordillera de Mérida is also recognized for its agricultural output, mineral deposits, and tourism, with the city of Mérida boasting the world's longest and highest cableway system.12

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Andes Mountains
Physiography of the Northern Andes
…and enters Venezuela as the Cordillera de Mérida. On the Caribbean coast just west of the Sierra de Perijá stands the isolated, triangular Santa Marta Massif, which rises abruptly from the coast to snowcapped peaks of 18,947 feet; geologically, however, the Santa Marta Massif is not part of the Andes.
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…and enters Venezuela as the Cordillera de Mérida. On the Caribbean coast just west of the Sierra de Perijá stands the isolated, triangular Santa Marta Massif, which rises abruptly from the coast to snowcapped peaks of 18,947 feet; geologically, however, the Santa Marta Massif is not part of the Andes.
Read More