Interandean Valles

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Dry valleys in the central Andes of Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina, known as "valles", are marked by a rain shadow effect of the surrounding mountains, and thus rainfall is limited, and mostly falls in a brief rainy season. The interandean valles comprise most of the mid-elevation areas of the "sierra" of Peru, "los valles" of Bolivia and the "cuyo" region of Argentina

Contents 1 Geography 2 Climate 3 Vegetation 4 Human settlement and influence 4.1 Cities and large towns in the Interandean Valles 5 Notes and references

[edit] Geography

The rugged topography of the Central Andes creates the warm dry valleys that typifies the valles. Generally lying between 1,200 and 3,500 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.) or 4,000 - 13,000 feet above sea level. Much of the area features steep hillsides and deep canyons, including the world's deepest canyon, the Colca Canyon.

Most of the major cities and towns of the valles are found in broader, open valleys with expansive flat land created by ancient lakes or floodplains that is more amenable to agriculture than the highly erodable slopes.

To the south and west, are the harsh, frigid deserts, salt flats and alpine graslands of the altiplano. To the north and east are the lush, wet, dense cloud forests or "yungas" of the front-range, downslope, and foothills of the Andes. Higher ridges, peaks, and plateaus, dominated by high-elevation alpine puna grasslands, Polylepis woodlands, or snow-capped peaks separate the valles from both of these ecoregions. ^{[1] [2]}

[edit] Climate

The valles are marked by mild, wet summers, and cool dry summers. Seasons vary according to latitude. Generally, most rains coming during from December through March, and the dry season () lasts from April through November. The warmest times of the year are the transitional months of Sep.-Oct. Rainy seasons can be cool and damp for extended periods, though are quite warm during dry spells. Dry seasons are substantially colder. Any precipitation that does occur, may fall as snow at higher elevations, though snow is extremely rare below 10,000 feet above sea level (3400m.a.s.l.).

[edit] Vegetation

Vegetation is often sparse or deciduous, resulting from the long dry season. Most of the native vegeatation has been replaced by agriculture or invasive exotics that are still widely used, such as Eucalyptus spp., Phragmites spp., Pinus radiata Notable endemic plants include Schinus molle and various cactus species, though some of those may be non-native as well.

[edit] Human settlement and influence

The majority of the human population of the central Andes, including most major cities, large towns, and agriculture, are found in these valleys. ^[3]

A longer frost-free period, and a generally warmer climate makes the valles more amenable than the higher, colder altiplano for many crops, esp. fruits, vegetables, and corn. Further, many valles feature broad plains created by river floodplains or ancient lake beds, that serve better than the steeper more formidable terrain of the yungas. And the drier climate supports fewer parasites and diseases as well.

[edit] Cities and large towns in the Interandean Valles

Peru:

        * Cajamarca
        * Huánuco
        * Huancayo
        * Ayacucho
        * Abancay
        * Andahuallas
        * Arequipa
        * Cusco

Bolivia:

        * La Paz
        * Cochabamba
        * Sucre
        * Tarija
        * Villazón
        * Tupiza

Argentina

        * Salta
        * Jujuy
        * Catamarca
        * La Rioja
        * San Juan
        * Mendoza

[edit] Notes and references