The Andes
Mountains are located in South America, running north to
south along the western coast of the continent. The latitude
is 10° N. to 57° S. The longitude is 70° W.
to 80° E. The Andes
Mountains are the longest and one of the highest mountain
ranges in the world. They are located in South America and
stretch 4,500 miles from north to south, along the west
coast of the continent. The
climate is not the same throughout the biome because there
are places nearer to the equator than others. The Andes are
separated into three natural regions: the southern, central,
and northern regions. In the northern region, it is hotter
because it is closest to the equator. There are rain forests
in this region, due to the more humid, rainy climate. In the
southern region, the mountains are nearer to the Antarctic
and it is much colder. It is not very populated in the
southern area. In the
central region of this biome, the weather is more mild
because it is not near either the equator or the cold
Antarctic. The largest herb in the world, Puya raimondii,
grows in this region and can survive at high elevations up
to 13,000 feet. The herb can also live for 100 years. The
herb's leaves all grow from one big stem, which allows for
moisture to run down the leaves to the base of the plant. So
during times of drought, the plant can survive. Many of
the plants which grow in the Andes Mountains are small in
size to conserve energy. Their leaves can be stiff and
strong to protect them from frost and cold weather if they
are high in the mountains. The Andes
Mountains supply many birds with homes like the Flamingo,
Andean Flicker, the Condor, and the Hillstar Hummingbird.
Types of land animals include the Mountain Lion, the Red
Perll, and Llamas to name a few. The Spectacled Bear also
lives in this biome. The Giant Toad and Andean Iguana are
some examples of reptiles. This iguana is one of the few
lizards found in that cold climate. The Andes
Mountains are hurt by humans because they cut down trees
which shelter many unique Andean animals. Man also mines for
gold, silver, and copper which then erodes the soil and
hurts the plants of the Andes. by Alan W.
2002
bibliography: "Wildlife
of the High Andes," Wildlife Explorer, International Masters
Publishers Inc., 1999,
printed in the U.S. Knapp
Gregory. "Andes Mountains" World Book Encyclopedia Vol. 1A
Chicago. World Book
Inc. 2000. p.453-454. "The Year
of the Mountains," http://www.mountains2002.org.
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