The Andes were formed 45 million years ago as a result of the massive forces of tectonic plates. The Nazca plate and part of the Antarctic plate have been subducting beneath the South American plate, a process that continues today and causes earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in the region.

The chain stretches from north to south through seven countries in South America, along the west coast of the continent, with an average height of about 4,000 m (13,000 ft). The highest peak, Mount Aconcagua, rises to an altitude of about 6,960 m (22,834 ft) above sea level. The summit of Mount Chimborazo, in the Tropical Andes, is actually the closest point on Earth to the Sun, due to its location along the equatorial bulge. The world's highest volcanoes are in the Andes, including Ojos del Salado on the Chile-Argentina border, which rises to 6,893 m (22,615 ft).

The climate in the Andes varies greatly depending on the latitude, altitude, and proximity to the sea. The southern section is rainy and cool, while the central Andes are dry and cold. The northern part is typically rainy and warm. Temperature, atmospheric pressure, and humidity decrease at higher altitudes, and the climate is known to change drastically over short distances.

The meaning of the word "Andes" derives from the Quechua word “anti,” which means "highest crest".

#ProtectTheAndes