Ruqayyah Snyder
Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America, boasting rugged mountains, dense rainforests, massive salt flats, and a rich cultural heritage. The country is home to 3,780 named mountains, the highest of which is Nevado Sajama at 6,542m (21,463 ft). The primary mountain range within Bolivia is the Andes Mountains, which runs through its western border. The Bolivian Andes is composed of ranges or cordilleras, including the Cordillera Occidental, Cordillera Central, and Cordillera Oriental. These mountain ranges offer breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural significance, making Bolivia a paradise for adventurers and nature enthusiasts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Bolivia |
| Mountain ranges | Andes Mountains, Cordillera Real, Cordillera Occidental, Cordillera Central, Cordillera Oriental, Cordillera de Sama, Cordillera de Lípez, Cordillera Apolobamba |
| Highest mountain | Nevado Sajama, 6,542 m (21,463 ft) |
| Most prominent mountain | Illimani, 6,462 m (21,201 ft) |
| Number of named mountains | 3,780 |
| Number of volcanoes | Several, including Nevado Sajama, Parinacota, Pomerape |
| Location | Western region of Bolivia |
| Length | 750 miles (1,200 km) |
| Width | 20 km |
| Highest point | 6,438 m (21,122 ft) |
| Lowest point | 90 m |
What You'll Learn
The Cordillera Real
The highest mountain in the range is Illimani, at 6,438m (21,122 ft). Other notable peaks include:
- Janq'u Uma, 6,427m (21,086 ft)
- Illampu, 6,368m (20,892 ft)
- Wayna Potosí, 6,088m (19,974 ft)
- Chachakumani, 6,074m (19,928 ft)
- Pico del Norte, 6,070m (19,915 ft)
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The Cordillera Occidental
The central section of the Cordillera Occidental is situated between Uyuni and Coipasa, and its most prominent summit is the Ollagüe (Ullawi) volcano on the border with Chile. The southern section is marked by volcanic activity, sandstorms, and fog. The Licancabur stratovolcano is located in this region, rising to 5,920 m (19,422 ft), although only two-thirds of its northeastern slope belongs to Bolivia. The Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde are two lakes found on Licancabur, named for their respective colours.
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The Cordillera Central
The northern section, also known as the Cordillera Real, includes notable peaks such as Chawpi Urqu, the three Palumanis, Illimani, Illampu, Janq'u Uma, Mururata, and Huayna Potosí, all of which soar to heights of over 6,000 meters. This section is renowned for hosting the world's highest meteorological observatory on Chacaltaya. It also offers some of the highest ski slopes globally.
The central section stands out for its Sumaq Urqu peak, the Potosí mountain range, and the Paso de Condor rail station, all situated at an elevation of 4,288 meters.
The southern section is distinguished by its high mineralisation rate and vast deposits of tin. It reaches its highest point at Zapaleri, a summit shared between Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
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The Cordillera Oriental
The Bolivian tin belt lies in the Cordillera Oriental, which can be divided into three sections in Bolivia and one in Argentina. The northern section includes mountain ranges such as Eslabón, San Buenaventura, Muchane, and Pilón, with important summits like Astalaya and Cerro Colorado. The central section, formed by the Cochabamba mountain range, crosses the department of Cochabamba and forms the Yungas and the Chapare. Its major summits include Tunari (approximately 5,200 metres) and San Benito (4,298 metres). This section extends into the department of Santa Cruz, with isolated mountain ranges such as Mataracu, San Rafael, and Las Juntas.
The southern section of the Cordillera Oriental starts north of Chuquisaca and ends in the Caiza and Capirenda mountain ranges in the Gran Chaco province of Tarija. The easternmost range of this section and the Bolivian Andes is the Serranía del Aguaragüe. While this section does not have representative summits, it is still significant for its geological features and its influence on local climates and ecosystems.
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The Cordillera de Lípez
The highest peak in the Cordillera de Lípez is Uturunku, standing tall at 6,008 metres. Other notable peaks include Cerro Lípez, which rises to 5,933 metres (although some sources state 5,929 metres), Soniquera at 5,899 metres, and Tinte at 5,849 metres, located right on the Bolivian-Argentine border. Despite the impressive elevations, there are no glaciers in the Cordillera de Lípez, only some semi-permanent snow fields.
Cerro Lípez, a stratovolcano in the Sud Lípez Province of the Potosí Department in southwestern Bolivia, is particularly noteworthy. It boasts twin peaks and is sometimes mislabelled as Nuevo Mundo on maps. However, the actual Nuevo Mundo peak is located hundreds of kilometres to the northeast and is significantly shorter in height.
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Frequently asked questions
Bolivia is home to several mountain ranges, including the Andes Mountains, which contribute to the country's captivating natural beauty. Within the Andes, there are three main ranges or cordilleras: the Cordillera Occidental, the Cordillera Central, and the Cordillera Oriental. Each of these ranges has distinct geological and ecological characteristics.
The Cordillera Occidental runs parallel to Bolivia's western border with Chile and is known for its dramatic peaks, deep valleys, and arid plateaus. This range is volcanic in nature and includes several active volcanoes such as Parinacota and Pomerape. It is also home to the Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat.
The Cordillera Central, located east of the Cordillera Occidental, forms the central part of the Bolivian Andes. It is characterized by deep valleys and rugged terrain, with prominent peaks such as Illampu, Ancohuma, and Huayna Potosí. This range also includes the Yungas region, a transition zone between the high mountains and the Amazon rainforest.
