Cordillera de Mérida facts for kids
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The Cordillera de Mérida is a huge group of mountain ranges in northwestern Venezuela. Think of it as a big chunk of mountains! It's actually the most important part of the Venezuelan Andes and an extension of the famous Andes Mountains. These mountains stretch from the border with Colombia all the way to Venezuela's coast. A low area called the Táchira depression separates it from another mountain range, the Cordillera Oriental, which helps form the border between Colombia and Venezuela.
Contents
Where are the Mérida Mountains?
This mountain range runs from the southwest to the northeast. You can find parts of it in several Venezuelan states. These include Táchira, Mérida, Barinas, Trujillo, Portuguesa, and Lara.
Rivers and Lakes
The southeastern slopes of these mountains are drained by rivers. These rivers flow into the mighty Orinoco River. On the other hand, streams from the northwestern slopes flow into Lake Maracaibo. At the very tip of the mountain range, you'll find the town of Barquisimeto. This is also where the River Cojedes begins.
Important Cities and Peaks
In the middle of the Cordillera de Mérida is the city of Mérida. This city is surrounded by two important mountain ranges. To the north is the Sierra de la Culata. To the south is the Sierra Nevada de Mérida.
Venezuela's Highest Point
Pico Bolívar is the highest mountain peak in all of Venezuela. It stands tall at 4,981 meters (16,342 feet) above sea level. It's a truly impressive sight!
Nature and Wildlife
Most of the Cordillera de Mérida is covered by thick Venezuelan Andes montane forests. These are special mountain forests. However, if you go really high up, above 3,100 meters (about 10,000 feet), you'll go above the tree line. This means it's too cold for trees to grow there.
Unique Grasslands
In these high areas, you'll find the Cordillera de Mérida páramo. A "páramo" is a type of tropical grassland found in the Andes mountains. It's a very unique and important ecosystem.
Protected Areas
To protect this amazing nature, there are several national parks. These include Sierra Nevada National Park and Sierra La Culata National Park. They help keep the mountains and their wildlife safe.
Glaciers and Snow
The Cordillera de Mérida is home to Venezuela's only remaining glacier. It's called the Humboldt glacier. The snowy season in these mountains is usually in July and August. Snow often covers the peaks above 4,200 meters (13,780 feet). Sometimes, it even snows as low as 3,800 meters (12,467 feet).
See also
In Spanish: Cordillera de Mérida para niños
