Sierra Nevada de Mérida Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Sierra Nevada de Merida
Remnants of glaciers on the Pico Bolívar
Highest point
Peak	Pico Bolívar
Elevation	16,342 ft (4,981 m)
Dimensions
Length	200 mi (320 km) Southeast-Northwest
Geography
Country	Venezuela
Geology
Age of rock	Precambrian

The Sierra Nevada de Mérida is a very tall mountain range in Venezuela. It is part of a larger group of mountains called the Cordillera de Mérida. This group is actually the northern part of the famous Andes Mountains.

The Sierra Nevada de Mérida is home to Venezuela's highest peaks. These include Pico Bolívar, which stands at 4,981 meters (16,342 feet) tall. Other important peaks are Pico Humboldt and Pico Bonpland.

A special protected area, the Sierra Nevada National Park, is located within this mountain range. It helps protect the unique nature found there.

What is the Cordillera de Mérida?
- Rivers and Lakes in the Mountains
- Mérida City and Its Peaks
Nature and Wildlife in the Sierra Nevada
- High Mountain Grasslands
Glaciers: Disappearing Ice
- When Does it Snow?
Images for kids
See also

What is the Cordillera de Mérida?

The Cordillera de Mérida is a big group of mountain ranges in northwestern Venezuela. Think of it as a long chain of mountains. It stretches from the border with Colombia all the way to Venezuela's coast.

This mountain chain runs from the southwest to the northeast. Parts of it are found in several Venezuelan states. These include Táchira, Mérida, Barinas, Trujillo, Portuguesa, and Lara.

Rivers and Lakes in the Mountains

The mountains are important for many rivers. Rain and melted snow on the southeastern slopes flow into rivers that join the Orinoco River. On the northwestern slopes, streams flow into Lake Maracaibo. At the very end of the mountain chain, you can find the town of Barquisimeto and the start of the Cojedes River.

Mérida City and Its Peaks

Right in the middle of this mountain area is the city of Mérida. On either side of the city, there are two main mountain ranges. To the north is the Sierra de la Culata. To the south is the Sierra Nevada de Mérida.

As mentioned, Pico Bolívar is the highest point in Venezuela. It reaches an amazing height of 4,981 meters (16,342 feet).

Nature and Wildlife in the Sierra Nevada

Most of the Sierra Nevada de Mérida is covered by thick forests. These are called Venezuelan Andes montane forests. However, at very high elevations, above 3,100 meters (about 10,000 feet), it becomes too cold for trees to grow.

High Mountain Grasslands

In these high areas, you find a special type of grassland called páramo. The Cordillera de Mérida páramo is a unique part of the tropical grasslands found in the northern Andes. These areas are home to plants and animals that can survive in cold, high-altitude conditions.

The Sierra Nevada National Park is one of the protected areas in these mountains. It helps keep these special ecosystems safe.

Glaciers: Disappearing Ice

In 1991, the Sierra Nevada de Mérida had five glaciers near its highest peaks. Glaciers are like very large, slow-moving rivers of ice.

However, by 2017, only one small glacier was left. It was near Pico Humboldt and was only 10% of its size from 30 years before. Scientists predict that this last glacier might disappear completely within the next ten to twenty years. This shows how much the climate is changing.

When Does it Snow?

The snowy season in these mountains is usually between July and August. During this time, snow covers the peaks above 4,200 meters (about 13,800 feet). Sometimes, snow can even fall at lower elevations, around 3,800 meters (about 12,500 feet).