A vast mountain range running along the western edge of South America, extending roughly 7,000 km (4,300 mi) from Venezuela in the north to Chile and Argentina in the south. The Andes are the longest continental mountain chain in the world and were formed primarily through the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate. The range includes some of the highest peaks outside Asia, notably Aconcagua (6,961 m), and features diverse environments such as high plateaus (Altiplano), volcanic zones, glaciers, and cloud forests. The Andes have played a central role in the cultural, ecological, and economic development of the region, influencing climate patterns, biodiversity, agriculture, and human settlement.
