The Andes Case Study 0.0 / 5 ? GeographyThe Restless Earth (plate tectonics)GCSEAQA Created by: kirstykiwiCreated on: 15-05-15 17:17 Location west coast of South America pases through 6 countries Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile 7,000km long worlds largest mountain range 1 of 6 Formation Converging of Nazca and south American plates Nazca plate has subducted under the South American plate. Rocks on the South Americam plate have folded and crumpled to create the mountains As it is a destructive plate boundary volcanoes and earthquakes are situated along it. 2 of 6 Uses: Farming Mainly subsistance farming Main Staple crop is potatoes Soya, maize, rice and cotton are also grown To get the most of th farming terraces have been built on the side of mountains Llamas are used to carry goods and for transportation. Alpacas are also used for this along wiht creating cloth 3 of 6 Uses: Mining Lots of useful and valuable materials can be found in the Andes. There are large deposits of coal, natural gas, tin, copper, iron ore, silver, phosphates, nitrates and bauxite (aluminium) Most important deposit is gold Yanacocha mine is the biggest open cast gold mine in the world. Cajamarca's (close town) population has gone from 30,000 to 240,00 (2005) since the mine opened. 4 of 6 Uses: Hyrdoelectic power (HEP) Has deep valleys and rivers some are narrow so can be easily be converted into dams. The Yuncan dam in Peru blocks the rivers Puacartambo and Hauchon. Most of the water flowing through the river is due to melting of snow (less in winter). 5 of 6 Uses Tourism Most of Peru's income is though tourism Mainly the Inca trail one of the 23 world heritage sites the trail is 43km of old pathways through old settlements and the mountains The walk is done over 4 days and finishes at Machu Picchu only 500 trecjers can start the trail a day 6 of 6
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