Cordillera Oriental (Bolivia) facts for kids
The Cordillera Oriental (which means Eastern Mountain Range) is a group of long, parallel mountain chains in the Bolivian Andes. These mountains are found on the eastern and northeastern edges of the Andes. Many parts of the Cordillera Oriental are covered in forests and are very humid. These areas are great for growing crops and raising animals.
Geologists explain that the Cordillera Oriental was formed by huge forces that folded and pushed up the Earth's crust over millions of years. This process created the tall peaks and deep valleys we see today. The area is also known for having the Bolivian tin belt, where important minerals like tin are found.
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Exploring the Cordillera Oriental
The Cordillera Oriental stretches across Bolivia and even into northwestern Argentina. In Bolivia, it can be divided into three main parts:
Northern Section
The northern part of the Cordillera Oriental is a continuous chain of mountains. Some of these ranges include Eslabón, San Buenaventura, Muchane, and Pilón. Among its important peaks are Astalaya and Cerro Colorado. This section is known for its rugged and wild landscapes.
Central Section
The central part of the Cordillera Oriental was mainly formed by the Cochabamba mountain range. This section crosses the Cochabamba department and creates the beautiful Yungas and Chapare regions.
Some of its highest mountains are Tunari, which stands at about 5,200 meters (about 17,060 feet) tall, and San Benito, at 4,298 meters (about 14,000 feet). This central section also extends into the Santa Cruz department. Here, you can find isolated mountain ranges like Mataracu, San Rafael, Las Juntas, and Los Volcanes. These ranges eventually lead to the amazing Amboró National Park, a place famous for its incredible wildlife and plants.
Southern Section
The southern part of the Cordillera Oriental begins north of the Chuquisaca department with the Presto mountain range. It ends with the Caiza and Capirenda mountain ranges in the Gran Chaco province, located in the Tarija department. The easternmost range in this section, and in the Bolivian Andes, is the Serranía del Aguaragüe. Unlike the northern and central sections, the southern part does not have any extremely tall or famous peaks.
Cordillera Oriental in Argentina
The Cordillera Oriental doesn't stop in Bolivia! It continues south into Argentina. There, it runs from north to south through the provinces of Jujuy, Salta, and the northern part of Tucumán Province.
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In Spanish: Cordillera Oriental (Bolivia) for kids
