<P> The Andes or Andean Mountains (Spanish: Cordillera de los Andes) are the longest continental mountain range in the world . They form a continuous highland along the western edge of South America . This range is about 7,000 km (4,300 mi) long, about 200 to 700 km (120 to 430 mi) wide (widest between 18 ° south and 20 ° south latitude), and of an average height of about 4,000 m (13,000 ft). The Andes extend from north to south through seven South American countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile . </P> <P> Along their length, the Andes are split into several ranges, which are separated by intermediate depressions . The Andes are the location of several high plateaus--some of which host major cities such as Quito, Bogotá, Arequipa, Medellín, Sucre, Mérida and La Paz . The Altiplano plateau is the world's second - highest after the Tibetan plateau . These ranges are in turn grouped into three major divisions based on climate: the Tropical Andes, the Dry Andes, and the Wet Andes . </P> <P> The Andes are the world's highest mountain range outside Asia . The highest mountain outside Asia, Mount Aconcagua, in Argentina, rises to an elevation of about 6,961 m (22,838 ft) above sea level . The peak of Chimborazo in the Ecuadorean Andes is farther from the Earth's center than any other location on the Earth's surface, due to the equatorial bulge resulting from the Earth's rotation . The world's highest volcanoes are in the Andes, including Ojos del Salado on the Chile - Argentina border, which rises to 6,893 m (22,615 ft). </P> <P> The Andes are also part of the American Cordillera, a chain of mountain ranges (cordillera) that consists of an almost continuous sequence of mountain ranges that form the western "backbone" of North America, Central America, South America and Antarctica . </P>

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