If among the states of the world there was a competition for the most unusual form, then the first place, no doubt, would be taken by a country called Chile. With a total length of 6,400 km, its width does not exceed 200 km. Such a unique geographical position could not but affect the relief of the country. From our article you will find out if there are mountains in Chile and how high they are.
Chile on the map of America
The state of Chile is located in South America and occupies a narrow strip of the Pacific coast. The country stretches from the Atacama Desert in the north to Tierra del Fuego in the south. At the same time, Chile has only three neighbors: Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. The length of the border with the latter country is 5,308 km.
In addition to the colossal elongation from north to south, Chile also has a huge degree of dissection of its coastline. This is especially true of the southern part of the country, which is a kind of "vinaigrette" of islands, peninsulas and archipelagos of various sizes. In one archipelagoPatagonia has several thousand islets and isolated rocks.
Mountains of Chile
As you know, the western tip of South America is occupied by the Andes mountain range. It is she who is represented in Chile.
The country is located in the central and southern part of the Andean mountain system. Three parallel belts are clearly distinguished in the relief of Chile:
- Main Cordillera with altitudes up to 6880 meters.
- Coastal Cordillera with altitudes up to 3200 meters.
- Longitudinal valley (located between the above two ridges).
Mountains in Chile come close to the ocean, forming a picturesque and densely indented coastline with bays and cliffs. Up to 35 degrees south latitude, the Andes in Chile often exceed 6000 meters in height. The main peaks here are of volcanic origin. As you move south, the Andes decline, gradually turning into the plains of Patagonia.
The highest point in the country
There are several achievements at the top of Ojos del Salado. Firstly, it is the highest point in Chile, secondly, the second highest mountain in South America, and thirdly, the highest volcano in the world. True, the last eruption here took place in the millennium before last.
The absolute height of Ojos del Salado is 6,887 meters. The summit is located on the border of Chile and Argentina. The volcano was first climbed in 1937 by Polish climbers Jan Szczepanski and Justin Vojznis. It is known that the Indians of the Inca Empire revered Ojos del Salado as a sacred mountain.
