Precordillera facts for kids

The Precordillera is a special word from Spanish. It describes hills and mountains that are found before a much larger mountain range. Think of it like the smaller hills you might see just before you reach a huge mountain chain. The word literally means "pre-mountain range." It's mostly used to talk about the areas near the Andes mountains.

What is a Precordillera?

A Precordillera is a geographical area that acts like a front porch to a bigger mountain range. It's usually made up of smaller mountains or hills. These areas are often found right next to very tall mountains, like the Andes. They are an important part of the landscape in places where huge mountain ranges exist.

Where can you find Precordillera?

The term Precordillera is used in several places, especially in South America, near the Andes.

Precordillera in Argentina

In Argentina, the Precordillera refers to the mountains located east of the main Andes ranges. These mountains are separated from the much taller Frontal Cordillera by a place called the Uspallata Valley. The mountains in the Argentine Precordillera can reach heights of about 3,000 meters (around 9,800 feet) above sea level. An example is the Sierras de Villavicencio.

Precordillera in Chile

In Chile, the term Precordillera is used all the way from the north to the south of the country. It describes a specific type of landform. This area lies directly between the main Andes mountains and the Intermediate Depression. It's a key part of Chile's varied landscape.

See also

In Spanish: Precordillera para niños

• Geological history of the precordillera terrane
• Cuyania