安地斯山脉(Andes)
南美大陆西部的山系，为世界伟大自然景观之一。南北延伸约8,850公里。在委内瑞拉境内大致与加勒比海岸平行，然後转向西南进入哥伦比亚。在那里形成三大不同地块：东、中、西科迪勒拉山。到了厄瓜多尔境内形成两条平行的科迪勒拉山脉，一条面向太平洋，另一条往亚马逊盆地沈降。这些山脉继续往南走，进入秘鲁；其境内最高峰是在布兰卡山的瓦斯卡兰山（海拔6,768公尺）。在玻利维亚境内，安地斯山脉又形成两个不同地区，介於其间的是阿尔蒂普拉诺高原。沿着智利-阿根廷边界，它们形成复杂的山链，包括最高峰阿空加瓜山。在智利南部山脉陡降入海，形成无数的岛屿。安地斯山地区有多个火山带，形成火环（Ring of Fire）的一部分。这里也是多条大河的发源地，其中包括奥利诺科河、亚马逊河和皮科马约河。
English version：
Andes
Mountain system, western South America. One of the great natural features of the globe, the Andes extend north-south about 5,500 mi (8,850 km). They run parallel to the Caribbean coast in Venezuela before turning southwest and entering Colombia. There they form three distinct massifs: the Cordilleras Oriental, Central, and Occidental. In Ecuador they form two parallel cordilleras, one facing the Pacific and the other descending toward the Amazon basin. These ranges continue southward into Peru; the highest Peruvian peak is Mount Huascarán, at 22,205 ft (6,768 m), in the Cordillera Blanca. In Bolivia, the Andes again form two distinct regions; between them lies the Altiplano. Along the Chile-Argentina border, they form a complex chain that includes their highest peak, Mount Aconcagua. In southern Chile part of the cordillera descends beneath the sea, forming innumerable islands. The Andes are studded with numerous volcanoes that form part of the Ring of Fire. They also are the source of many rivers, including the Orinoco, Amazon, and Pilcomayo.
