Ecology of the Andes

The Andes ( ), Andes Mountains or Andean Mountain Range (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long and wide (widest between 18°S and 20°S latitude) and has an average height of about . The Andes extend from south to north through seven South American countries: Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela.

thumb|Quepiaco in the Atacama Desert in Chile|alt=A green wetland in the foreground with sandy dry peaks in the background on a blue sky