<P> The parallel Sierra of Andes delimit one of the world highest plateaux: the Altiplano, (Spanish for "high plain"), Andean Plateau or Bolivian Plateau . It lies in west - central South America, where the Andes are at their widest, is the most extensive area of high plateau on Earth outside of Tibet . The bulk of the Altiplano lies within Bolivian and Peruvian territory while its southern parts lie in Chile . The Altiplano plateau hosts several cities like Puno, Oruro, El Alto and La Paz the administrative seat of Bolivia . Northeastern Altiplano is more humid than the Southwestern, the latter of which hosts several salares, or salt flats, due to its aridity . At the Bolivia - Peru border lies Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in South America . </P> <P> The highest African plateau is the Ethiopian Highlands which cover the central part of Ethiopia . It forms the largest continuous area of its altitude in the continent, with little of its surface falling below 1500 m (4,921 ft), while the summits reach heights of up to 4550 m (14,928 ft). It is sometimes called the Roof of Africa due to its height and large area . </P> <P> Another example is the Highveld which is the portion of the South African inland plateau which has an altitude above approximately 1500 m, but below 2100 m, thus excluding the Lesotho mountain regions . It is home to some of largest South - African urban agglomerations . </P> <P> The Western Plateau, part of the Australian Shield, is an ancient craton covering much of the continent's southwest, an area of some 700,000 square kilometres . It has an average elevation of between 305 and 460 m . </P>

What is the meaning of plateau in telugu