The Andes

mountains · South America · nature · geography

Incredibly long. The Andes Mountains stretch for 8,900 kilometers (5,500 miles) down the western edge of South America, making them the longest mountain range on Earth. That's almost as far as flying around the entire planet once!

Massive and tall. The Andes are between 200 to 700 kilometers wide and have an average height of about 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). Some peaks tower even higher, making them among the tallest mountains in the world.

Spans seven countries. The Andes Mountains run through Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela. No other mountain range passes through so many different countries.

Shapes a continent. The Andes form a continuous highland that runs along the western edge of South America like a giant backbone. This mountain range deeply affects the weather, wildlife, and people living nearby.