What is an altiplano?
Quick Answer
The Altiplano is a high plateau in the Andes, mainly in Bolivia and Peru, with an average elevation of about 3,650 meters. It is one of the largest high plateaus on Earth outside Tibet.
The Full Story
The Altiplano sits between the eastern and western ranges of the Andes and is a striking example of a mountain plateau. Its high elevation creates a cold, dry climate despite its tropical latitude. The region includes major lakes such as Lake Titicaca and vast salt flats like the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. Indigenous civilizations have lived there for centuries, and today it remains important for agriculture, mining, and tourism. The Altiplano shows how tectonics can create broad elevated landscapes, not just peaks and valleys.
Key Facts
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