The huge mountain system Cordiller consists of two parts - Cordillera North America and Andes (Cordillera South America). The scale of this mountain ridge is so great that they occupy the territory of eleven states, such as: USA, Canada, Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile. Most is located in the United States. Cordillera is a natural watershed between the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. There is a high seismicity and volcanism.

The North American Cordiller Mountain System is an elongated along the entire west coast of the continent of North America, the ridge of parallel mountain chains. Through length in length, this mountain range has 18,000 km. It takes 7,000 km in the United States. She begins near the coast ridges, peak - 2400 m. The most extended length is considered the Rocky Mountains, the height is 4339 m (Mount Elbert). The highest vertex in the North American section of the Cordiller is considered to be McK-Kinley Mount - 6193 meters. The width of Cordiller reaches 1600 meters in America.

In Cordillers of North America, there are three longitudinal belts: East, internal, Western.

Eastern belt, or the belt of the Rocky Mountains, consists of a chain of high massive ridges, mostly serving watershed between the Pacific Power and Pool and the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic Ocean. In the East, the belt is interrupted by the foothill plateau (arctic, great plains). In the West, it is limited by deep faults ("Mant of Rocky Mountains") or the valleys of large rivers (Rio Grande). In places gradually passes into mountain ranges and plateaus. On Alaska to the belly of the Rocky Mountains, the Brooks Ridge, in North-Western Canada, Richardson and Maczi Mountains, limited from the north and south of Pil and Liard's rivers, are referred to.

Cordiller's indoor beltconsisting of a plateau and Nagrai is located between the Eastern Belt and the Pacific Range belts in the West. In the inner Alaska, it includes very wide tectonic depressures engaged in the floodplains of rivers, and alternating with hill-shaped arrays up to 1500-1700 m (Kilbak Mountain, Kusokvim, Rei). This includes mountain ranges and ridges, not inferior to the Rocky Mountains (Kassiar Omineka Mountains, 2590 m). Within the United States itself - high-altitude arrays in Idaho (height up to 3857 m).

Western belt It consists of the belt of the Pacific ridges, the belt of intergurgeous lakes and the belt of the coastal chains. The belt of the Pacific ridges covering the inner region of the Cordiller consists of high-altitude formations. It includes the Alaskan ridge from the top of McKornley (6193 m), a chain of volcanic Aleutian islands, the Aleutian ridge (Eliamna volcano, 3075 m), a high-altitude node of the Massif of St. Ilya, the coastal ridge that forms the sea bay with rocky shores throughout its mass. In the USA, this belt includes cascade mountains of volcanoes (Rainier volcano, 4392 m), ridges: Sierra Nevada (Whitney Mount, 4418 m), Mountains of California Peninsula (height up to 3078 m), transverse volcanic Sierra with Orizaba volcanoes (5700 m) , Popochette (5452 m), Nevado de Colima (4265 m).

Sea Bulips and Straits (Cook Bay, Shelichov Straits, Georgia, Sebastian-Whiskinino Bay) alternate with lowlands and plateaus (lowland Susitsy, Copper River Plateau, Willamett Valley, Big California Valley). Coastal chains are made up of low and medieval formations (USA coastal ridges, Sierra Whiskaino on the California Peninsula) and Highlated Coastal Islands (Kadyak Islands, Queen Charlotte, Vancouver, Alexander Archipelago). This belt reaches the greatest height in the south of Alaska, in the mountains of Chugach (Marquez Baker, 4016 m).

Climate

Since the Cordillers of North America occupy space stretched to 7,000 km, the climate in different belts is different. For example, in the northern part, where the Arctic (Brooks Ridge) is held, and the subarctic (part of Alaska) zone, there is a glaciation on the vertices of 2250 meters. The snow border passes at an altitude of 300-450 meters.

The zones in close proximity to the Pacific Ocean are distinguished by a mild climate, to a greater extent, oceanic (on the latitude of San Francisco - Mediterranean), in the inner areas - continental. On the Skon Plateau, the average winter temperature ranges within -30 ° C, summer - up to 15 ° C. In the large pool in winter there are frosts up to -17 ° C, and in the summer, temperatures often exceed 40 ° C (absolute maximum 57 ° C). Humidity in various parts of the Cordiller depends on the distance from the coastline. So, in the West there is an increased humidity and, accordingly, a greater amount of precipitation. In the direction of the western part to the eastern, in the central part - less precipitation. To the east, the tropical climate enhances humidity. Therefore, the average annual precipitation ranges from 3000-4000 mm in the south of Alaska, on the coast of British Columbia - up to 2500 mm, on the internal USDA, it decreases to 400-200 mm.

Rivers and lakes

In Cordillera, there are many lakes of mining and glacial and volcanic origin. These include a large salt lake, Tahoe. In Cordillers of North America, they take the beginning of the Missouri River, Yukon, Colorado, Colombia. Due to the fact that the eastern belt of the mountains is a natural watershed, the majority of precipitation falling within this ridge flows to the West, in the Pacific Ocean. The north of 45-50 ° Northern latitude on the Pacific River coast is replenished due to the melting of snow and spring flood. The southern part of lakes and rivers exists due to rainfall in the form of rain and snow. The most actively replenishment occurs due to the melting of snow with a winter maximum on the Pacific Coast and Spring-Summer - in the inner areas. The cordillers of the southern zone do not have a runoff in the ocean and are replenished due to short-term watercourses ending in small salty lakes (the largest of them is a big salt lake). In the northern part of the Cordiller there are freshwater lakes of glacial and tectonic and naked origin (Atling, Kutena, Okatan, etc.).

Mountain reliefs of rivers having waterfall zones are used to generate electricity. The fastest water sources are used in agricultural purposes, in particular for the irrigation of fields. Part of the natural stems on the Columbia River are used for the construction of hydropower plants (Grand Kuli, Te-Dalts, etc.).

Natural regions

Due to the fact that Cordillera crosses subarctic, moderate, subtropical and tropical belts, they are divided into 4 main natural areas: Northwest, Canadian Cordillers, US Cordillers and Mexican Cordillera.

US Cordillers stand out a large width - 1600 km, therefore they are distinguished by a wide range of climatic conditions, landscape and fauna. High wooded ridges, covered with snowflakes and glaciers, directly adjoin here with extensive heartless desert plateau. Climate subtropical, on the Mediterranean coast, in the inner parts arid. On the slopes of the high ridges (advanced ridge, Sierra Nevada), the belts of mountain pine forests are developed (American spruce, larch), coniferous subalpine retrograms and alpine meadows. In the low coastal ridges, mountain-pine forests grow, sequare groves and evergreen tight shrubs.

In the west, the Cordiller up to the 19th century has grown many forests, but in 19 and especially in 20 centuries. The forests were strongly burned and burned, and the area under them was significantly reduced (Sitkinskaya spruce was especially injured, the Douglasia, preserved in small quantities on the Pacific Coast). The low zones of the internal plateau are occupied by wormwood and shrub semi-deserts and deserts, low ridges - pine and pine-juniped palpaths.

In places of residence of people, large animals or destroyed, or are on the verge of destruction. Bison, rarely occurring antilopa - Vilorogue is saved only thanks to national programs. A rich animal world can only be observed in reserves (Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, etc.). In semi-desert areas are predominantly rodents, snakes, lizards, scorpions. The population is concentrated near the Pacific coast, where major cities are located (Los Angeles, San Francisco). In the valleys of rivers - arrays of irrigated lands used under subtropical fruit crops. Subtropical palpal and shrub deserts are used as pastures.

Again and again I reread the favorite book "Children of Captain Grant". I love her heroes, worrying with them their difficulties and adversity. But most of all I love the part of the journey of the heroes of the Cordillera mountains. What are these Mountains and where are they located?

Where are the mountains of Cordillera

Mountain Cordillera - This is one of the largest mining systems of the Earth, It has prottening about 18 thousand kilometers. Their feature is a huge variety of natural conditions, which makes these mountains unique. Located they're in North and South America. South American Cordillerathese are called Andes. Mountains stretch through the following countries:


Above the cordiller only Himalayas. There are in the mountains active volcanoes And there is a high probability of earthquakes. Cordillera North America shared three belts. Eastern belt call another belt of rocky mountains because consists It is predominantly out high massive ridges. Inner belt comprises plateau and Nagoryev. Here exist so wide tectonic depressions,in which there are floodplains of rivers. Although there are high ridges. IN Western belt Include: pacific ridges; Coastal belts and belts of intermountain lakes.


Mountain chain of North Ameriki. include:

  • lowlands;
  • plateau;
  • sea bays and straits;
  • coastal chains;
  • mountain coastal islands.

Animal world

Depending on climate, height and other climatic conditions, The animal and vegetable world of Cordiller is very different. Here are common coniferous forests. The height of trees sometimes reaches more than 80 meters. Among them: spruce,cypressian,fir,white and black spruce,huge thuja (red cedar),birch.

There is also a lot of mukhov and Fern. Trees like sequoia Located somewhat south. You can meet various types evergreen oak.


The main predator of the mountains is the famous Grizzly bear. Distributed foxes, wolves, lynos, elk, deer. In the southern regions there are lizards and snakes. But today Animal world in all its glorycan be found only inreserves. For example, bison and vilorogs live only there.

Cordillera - This is the largest mountain system of the world. It is located on the west coast of North and South America. That is, it is divided into two approximately equal parts. For this reason, sometimes the southern part of it, Andes, are called the longest mountain system (9000 km).

This is partly true, because Andes like a separate object, and the truth has a greater length.

The length of the Cordiller is about 18 thousand km. Approximately 9 thousand km per each of its parts - they are almost equal. But if we talk about the size as a whole, the northern part is larger - it is wider (up to 1600 km). But the south is a higher - 6962 meters at the highest point (Mount Akonkagua). In the north part of the Cordiller, the height reaches 6190 meters (Mount Denali), which is also quite a lot. In general, at the height of this mining system among the leaders, although far from the first place.

As cordillers extend to huge distances, they lie in almost all geographic belts. And this means that the conditions here are the most diverse. However, something similar is observed throughout the length of the mountains - glaciation. Even in the hottest climatic belts on the mountains there are snow caps (due to the relatively large height of the mountains). The total area of \u200b\u200bglaciation is 90 thousand km 2.

Verses Cordiller

At least the highest points of the mining system and are located on six thousand meters, the average height of the mountains is 3-4 km. Although, the relief of this geological object is very diverse, so the designation of the height is quite conditional.

The highest peaks of the mountain system are:

  • - Mount Akonkagua (extinct volcano) - 6962 meters.
  • - Mount Denali (Mac-Kinley) - 6190 meters.
  • - Okhos del Salado (the largest volcano of the world) - 6891 meters.
  • - Monte-Pissis - 6792 meters.
  • - Lewulaylyako (active volcano) - 6739 meters
  • - Tupungato (active volcano) - 6565 meters.
  • - Orizab Volcano - 5700 meters.
  • - The system consists of a large amount of mountain arcs, which already gives some kind of uniqueness to Cordillera.

    You can also note the presence of mountain ranges and kitelins, forming the increase and lowering of the relief - it is very interesting.

  • - In Cordillera, there is quite high volcanic activity. True, it is not about spewing volcanoes.
  • - There are large stocks of non-ferrous and black metals in the mountains, as well as oil and brown coal.
  • - Thanks to a large number of climatic belts, the roast world of the Cordiller is very diverse.

The Mountains of America are primarily the Cordiller system is the longest mountain system of the world, which stretches along the west coast of both Americas (Northern and South America). Any resident of North and South America knows where Cordillera is located. The slopes of the ridges in North. Parts of the Cordiller are covered in the Osn. coniferous forests.

Cordillera lie in all the geographical belts of America (except for the subnutrctic and antarctic) and are distinguished by a large variety of landscapes and a pronounced high-altitude lower.

In the north-western part of Cordiller North America and in the south-east of the Andes, the glaciers descend to the ocean level, in the hot belt they cover only the highest peaks. The formation of the Cordiller has not yet ended, as evidenced by frequent earthquakes and intensive volcanism (more than 80 acting volcanoes).

Cordillera is unusual because they are at once on two continents. In addition to the Rocky Mountains themselves, it includes Brooks Ridge on Alaska, Richardson Ridge and Mackenzie Mountains in Canada, East Sierra Madre mountain system in Mexico. The highest point of the belt is the Elbert mountain, which is located within the state of Colorado.

It consists of Plateau Fraser, Columbia Mountains, Highlands Big Pool, Colorado Plateau and Mexican Highlands. In Central America and on the Islands of the Caribbean Sea, Cordillera disintegrate into three main mountain arcs that are separated by depressions.

Cordillera North America are composed of various geological structures of different ages. Because of a very high length in the meridional direction, the climate in Cordillera is greatly different. These mountains stretch along the western side of the above-mentioned continents: from Alaska (North-West part of North America) to the island of the fiery land, which is located near Antarctica.

Cordillera is one of the highest mountains in the world.

Only Himalayas, as well as several mining systems of the central part of Asia, surpass them in height. In the territory where Cordillers are located, integer Indian civilization were born, unique in their development and cultural heritage.

Cordillera North America is divided into a number of ridges. Next to the southeast within Canada and the United States, Cordillera is called "Rocky Mountains". Cordiller at Z. continent. America. Internal Part of the plateau, Highlands and Plateau - Yukon, Fraser, Colombian, Colorado, Mexican. Glaciers occupy approx. 80 thousand km²; Most of them are in the Alaska mountains. To the east The periphery of Mexican Highlands grow evergreen tropical forests, in the center of Cordillera. America is leafy tropical forests, spiky shrubs, thickets of cacti and secondary savannah.

Where are Cordillera?

Cordillera Center. America and West Indies are distinguished by three mountain arcs: the northern arc follows through the Cayman to Cuba (Sierra Maestra Mountain), Haiti (center. South. Part of the internal plane takes dry steppes and deserts. Cordillera - this term exists and others Values, see Cordillers (values). Part of the Western belt are large mountains - cascading, Sierra Nevada Ridge and cross volcanic Sierra.

The relief of North America is diverse and contrast. In the West, the plains are adjacent to the mountainous structures of Cordiller. Cordillera are located within the mountain west of the mainland. By age, Cordillera is the youngest part of the mainland, although they began to form in the mesozoic.

Within this mountain system, three ridge belts are well traced. One of them is actually Cordillera - in the West. The second belt, oriental, covers the rocky mountains. In the extreme north, these ridges come closer, in the central part, on the contrary, diverge.

Cordillera prevent the penetration of oceanic air masses deep into the continent. With the removal from the Pacific, significant differences between the North and Southern Parts of the Cordiller are increasingly clearly noticeable. According to natural features, this large mountain system can be divided into such natural countries: Cordillera Alaska and Canada, US Cordillera, Mexican Highlands, Mountains and Islands of Central America.

Mountain ridges of this natural country in the East and in the West bold the Yukon Plateau. The development of the mountains has not yet ended, as evidenced by a large number of existing volcanoes. Between them and the mountains of Sierra Nevada there is a deep Wpadina California Valley. This is the mountain system of the Appalachian Highlands, stretching along the east coast of North America. Cordillera North America - the system of mountain ranges and a flatbed in the Cordiller system and the reciprocal system. Part of the north. America.

Physico-geographical zoning Cordiller

600 - 800 m, and Brooks Mountains, 1200 - 1800 m.

Within Canada, K. S. A. have south-east. The main raising of the Canadian part K. S. A. - Rocky Mountains on the B and the coastline at s have an alpine relief due to. The coastal ridge of Canada goes into cascading mountains with volcoloch.

Cordillera - one of the highest mountains in the world

To the Mountain belt from the Tehunpekek Isthmus, the mountain belt splits: one branch deviates on in and continues on the center of the center. America, the other is stretched to the Panama Ist. Between Teuantepec Crest and South. America Cordillera has the character more or less separately, we will give. Low ridges and arrays.

The snow border on Alaska - at an altitude of 600 meters, on the fiery ground - 500-700 meters, in Bolivia and South Peru rises to 6000-6500 meters. Western belt is presented with folded and volcanic ridges that pass in parallel with the coast of the Pacific Ocean. The inner belt includes a number of plateau and a flatbed located between two other belts. So, an arc, which is a structural continuation of the Rocky Mountains and Eastern Sierra Madre, forms the Mountains of Cuba Islands, the North of Haiti and Puerto Rico.

Watch what is "Cordillera North America" \u200b\u200bin other dictionaries:

The mountains began to form in the Jurassic period, few earlier than the Andes whose education began only at the end of the chalk period. The north of the 50th latitude predominates the snow diet of watercourses, and to the south - rain. Especially many hydroelectric power plants are built in the Columbia River Basin.

The Cordillera are the origins of such major rivers such as Yukon, Mackenzie, Missouri, Colombia, Colorado, Rio Grande and many others. Cordillera North America is mainly in the territory of such countries as Canada, USA and Mexico.

Cordillera (Cordilleras, literally - mountain ranges), the largest and not having a mining system at the globe. The Cordillera Mountain System is also one of the highest mountain systems inferior only to the Himalayas and mining systems of Central Asia.

Geography of the Cordillera Mining System

Cordillera stretches from the coast of the Arctic on Alaska (66 ° C. sh.) In the north-west of North America along the western shores of North and South America, up to the southern shores of the fiery land (56 ° S.) in the south of South America. Cordillera on their ways pass through many countries of both continents: Canada, USA, Mexico, states of Central America, Venezuela, Colombia, Ekuadora, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile. The length of the mountain system Cordillera is over 18,000 kilometers. The highest mark is located in South America on the top of the Akonkagua mountain of 6960 meters above sea level, and in North America, the highest peak of Cordiller corresponds to the top on the Mac-Kinley mountain (on Alaska) reaching the height of 6193 meters. Cordillers form a gigantic barrier between the quiet ocean and the eastern parts of both continents. Cordillers are a large watershed between two oceans, the Atlantic and quiet and are also a climate border between countries located on both sides of the mining system. The whole mountain system of Cordiller is customary to divide into two parts corresponding to the territories of both continents, these are Cordillera North America and Cordillera South America, or Anda. The entire mining system consists of numerous parallel ridges, bordering an intermittent inland platea belt and a flatbed (in North America - Yukon, Fraser, Colombian, B. Pool, Colorado, Mexican; in South Peruvian and Central and Central). Three parallel systems of the mountain ranges are pronounced in North America, one of them (Rocky Mountains) extends to the east of the Plane zone, another system of mountain ranges extends directly to the west of this zone (Alaskan Range, the coastal ridge of Canada, Cascade Mountains, Sierra Nevada etc.) and the third system of the mountain ranges passes along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, partly on the coastal islands. Coming in Central America, cordillers smoothly decrease and split into two branches. One branch takes place in the east on the Antilles, the other crosses the Panaman stakes and enters the territory of the mainland of South America. Andes (Cordillers of South America) in the northern and central parts consist of four, and otherwise from two systems of parallel ridges separated by deep longitudinal depressions or intergical plateau.

The highest mountain peaks of Cordiller are the ridges of the middle part of the Andes, where the height of individual mountain peaks reaches more than 6700 m (Akonkagua, 6960 m; Okhos del Salado, 6880 m; Sakham, 6780 m; Lulylyalyako, 6723 m). The width of the mountain range varies greatly, so in North America, the width of the mountain belt Cordiller reaches 1600 km, and on the southern mainland it reaches only 900 km that almost in d is less.

The main forming processes, thanks to which Cordillera arose, began in North America in the Jurassic period, in South America (where the structures of Paleozoic Gercinskaya folding are taken to take large participation) - at the end of the chalk period and were held in close connection with the formation of mining systems on other continents ( cm.

Alpine folding). Multification processes actively continued in Cenozoa. These processes are largely determined by the main orographic elements.

The folded Cordiller structures are closely connected with the Mountain Systems of Northeast Asia and Antarctic. According to the latest observations, the formation of the Cordiller has not yet ended, in confirming these observations, it is evidenced quite frequent and sometimes very strongly destructive earthquakes and intensive volcanism leading often to strong destruction and victims both among people and among the animal world.

In the active areas, Cordillere has more than 80 active volcanoes, of which the most active Kathmai, Lassen-Peak, Colima, Antisana, Sangai, San Pedro, Chile Volcanoes, and others. An important role in the formation of the Relief of Cordiller also played a quaternary glaciation, especially north of 44 ° С. sh. And south of 40 ° sh. Cordillers are rich in minerals. Here I minimize significant deposits of copper (especially rich deposits in Chile), zinc, lead, molybdenum, tungsten, gold, silver, platinum, tin, oil, etc.

Climate of the mountain system Cordillera

Due to the big length of its extension from the north to the south, the strong dissemination of the relief and the high height of the mountains, the consequence of the exclusive large variety of natural conditions in the Cordiller mining system. Cordillera lie in almost all geographic belts of the globe (except Antarctic and Sanctarctic belt).

Cordiller climate has a wide variety and varies greatly depending on the breadth of the terrain, height and exposure of the slopes. The chopped ridges of the Cordiller are very moistened in moderate and subarctic belts (Western slopes) and in equatorial and sub-screen belts (mostly oriental slopes). Internal plateaus have a sharp continental climate, in subtropical and tropical belts differ exceptional aridness. Significant parts of the flat, internal depression and slopes of the ridges, mainly in tropical belts, occupy steppes, semi-deserts and deserts. Highly moistened painted mountain chains are covered with thick forests. In moderate belts, coniferous forests are widely developed (in the north) and mixed forests from evergreen beats and conifers (in the south), closer to the equator - mixed (leaf-and evergreen) subtropical and tropical forests. On the wet slopes of the ridges of equatorial, sub-screen and subtropical belts - complex spectra of high belts, from guils to eternal snow. The snow border lies in Alaska at an altitude of 600 m, on the fiery ground 500-700 m, in Bolivia and southern Peru rises to 6000-6500 m. On Alaska and in the southern Chile, glaciers go down to the ocean level, in the hot belt they only cover the highest vertices.

Cordillera North America, part of the Cordillera Mountain System, occupying the western outskirts of North America (including Central America) and extending more than 9 thousand km from the Beaufort Sea (69 ° Northern Latitude) to the Panama Isthmus (9 ° Northern Latitude). The width of the mountain belt on Alaska reaches 1200 km, in Canada - 1000 km, in the United States - about 1600 km, in Mexico - 1000 km, in Central America - 300 km.

Relief. Cordillera North America are the largest mining area of \u200b\u200bthe mainland and are represented by the system of high-altitude linearly located ridges, mountain arrays and extensive dentition surfaces. Characteristic features of the relief are a large fragmentation, mosaic of morphostructures, the presence of chains of volcanoes and other forms of active relief formation. In Cordillers of North America, 3 longitudinal belts are clearly pronounced: East, internal and Western.

The oriental belt, or the belt of the Rocky Mountains, is represented by the chain of high massive mountain ranges, mostly employees of the watershed between the pools of the Rivers of the Pacific, Atlantic and Northern Ocean Oceans. In the East, the belt breaks sharply to the foothill plateau (arctic, great plains), in the west places are limited in deep tectonic depression ("moat of the rocky mountains") or the valleys of large rivers (Rio Grande), and in some places, it is gradually moving into mountain ranges and plateaus. On Alaska, Brooks Ridge refers to the belly of the Rocky Mountains, in the northwestern part of Canada - Richardson Ridge (height up to 1753 m) and Mackenzie Mountains, limited from the north and south through the valley of Pil's rivers and Liard. In the northern part of the belt is dominated by islandish-mask-folded arrays with alpine formas of relief, large glacial fields, karam, circles, housing valleys. In the Rocky Mountains of Canada, narrow straight ridges and longitudinal valleys are common. Colombian mountains are adjacent to them in the West. Between 45 ° and 32 ° NORTH latitude, the eastern belt reaches the greatest width and is represented by the rocky mountains in the United States (height up to 4399 m, Mount Elbert). They are characterized by the predominance of large nodes of short architectural-fold-lump ridges, separated by extensive plateau (so-called pools, parks). The highest - advanced ridges (height up to 4345 m), Wind River (up to 4207 m), Mount Yint (up to 4123 m), absamer (up to 4009 m). Sharp shapes are highlighted high-altitude arrays in the field of battolite development in Idaho (for example, the Lost River Ridge, the height is up to 3859 m). The southern part of the eastern belt is represented by the Sierra Madre Range East (height up to 4054 m).

The inner belt, or an internal plateau belt and a flatbed, is located between the eastern belt and the belt of the Pacific ridges in the West. For him, denudation platea and a plateau (Yukon, inner, Neiquanko) with a height of 750-1800 m, deeply dismembered by the valleys of rivers. In the inner part of Alaska, extensive tectonic depressures engaged in river valleys alternate with flat-axis mountain arrays of 1500-1700 m (Killbak Mountain, Couscock, Rei). In Canada, this belt is narrow, in many places it is interrupted by mountain massifs of the skin, Kassiar, Omereka (height up to 2469 m). Volcanic plateaus are common (for example, Fraser, Colombian Plateau, Yellowstone). On the territory of the United States and Mexico, this belt is also represented by a highland large swimming pool, Colorado Plateau, Mexican Highlands. For the southern part, the extensive areas of the desert (Mojave, Sonor, etc.) are characterized.

The western belt consists of two parallel chains of ridges separated by longitudinal tectonic depression. The highest chain of the Pacific ridges focuses from the West inland plateaus Cordillere North America and includes the Alaskan ridge (height up to 6194 m, Mac-Kinley mountain is the highest point of North America), Wrangel Mountain (up to 5005 m, Bon Mountain) and St. Ilya Mountain ( up to 5951 m, Mount Logan). The Line of the Pacific Ridges continue Mount Alsek (height to 2265 m), the Baunundari Ridge (up to 3136 m), the coastal ridge, cascade mountains complicated by the series of volcanoes (Reinir, 4392 m; Lassen-Peak, Shasta, etc.). The south of Sierra Nevada, Sierra Madre Western, cross volcanic Sierra with Orizaba volcanoes (height 5610 m), Popochetetet (5465 m), Istaxiuatl (5230 m) and other south of the Tectonic Balzas River Southern Ridges are located South Madre , Sierra Madre (height to 4220 m, Volcano Tahumulko - the highest point of Central America), Central Volcanic Cordillera with Paras volcanoes (2704 m), Iraça (3432 m), etc.; In the southern narrowed part of the mainland, there are two arc raising of the Panama Isthmus - the folded ridges of San Blas and Serrania del Darya (height up to 1875 m). The extreme western chain of the Pacific ridges includes the Aleutian Islands, the Aleutian Ridge, Mount Chugach (height to 4016 m, Mount Markus Baker), a series of coastal mountainous islands (Kadyak Island, Alexander Archipelago, Queen Charlotte Islands, Vancouver), Coastards, Mountains on the peninsula California (up to 3100 m, Mount Diablo).

In the northern part of the Cordiller of North America (north of 40-49 ° Northern latitude) are widespread the leideslords (triggers, karas, finite-sea ridges, loss, short and lake plains) and modern nival form of relief (Kuruma, Nagorno terraces, etc.), Deaded to the highest levels of the mountains (Alaskan Ridge, Rocky Mountains). In areas that have not subjected to glaciation (the inner part of Alaska), and on the arctic lowland, thermal and polygonal forms are widely represented. In the rest of the Cordiller North America, water-erosion forms dominate: valleal dismemberment - in the most moistened areas (Cordillera Canada), table forms and canyons - in arid areas (Colorado Plateau, Colombian). For desert areas (large pool, Mexican Highlands) are characterized by deanuding and eologous form of relief.

Geological structure and minerals. In tectonic terms, the Cordillera North America is a grandiose in the size of a fold-to-cover mountain structure in the northern part of the East-Pacific Mobile Belt. They experienced several phases of folding: Antler (Late Devon; 370-330 million years ago), Sonomskaya (end Perm - Middle Triass; 250-235 million years ago), Nevadskaya (late Yura; 150-140 million years ago), Sevier ( End of early chalk; 110-100 million years ago) and laramomy (chalk referee and Paleogen; 65 million years ago). The extreme Western Prostoolean part of Cordiller North America belongs to the field of unfinished alpine tectogenesis. 2 longitudinal tectonic mega zones are isolated: external (oriental) and inner (Western). The outer mega zone includes: Brooks Ridge in the North, Rocky Mountains in the central part and the East Sierra Madre Ridge in the south. In its main part (Rocky Mountains), the mega-zone is saturated with a Rannedokembry crystal foundation located east of the North American Platform (the border of the spread of the platform foundation Further to the West enters the vertex area of \u200b\u200bthe California Bay and the Yukon River Pool); The mega zone developed during Paleozoic and Mesozoic and experienced final deformations in the laramide phase of folding. Within the ridges of Brooks and Eastern Sierra Madre, the mega-zone is imposed on the Paleozoic folded structures of the Innita and Woshito-Marton systems, respectively; Its development here is limited to the mesozoa. The outer mega zone is mainly formed by the shelf carbonate and terrific deposits of the former passive outskirts of the North American continent, which are described by a system of tectonic covers, torn off the foundation and moved to the northeast and east (in the Brooks Ridge - to the north). In the western part of the Rocky Mountains, Verkhneproterozoic predominantly wreckage breeds with the seals of basalts and the horizons of glacial sediments (Tillites) accumulated into the riftogenesis stage, which preceded the formation of the passive outskirts of the ancient North American continent. The greatest width of the outer mega zone reaches in the USA, which is due to the involvement of a large portion of the North American platform in the larabian deformations. In the north of the deformed site of the platform, a series of differently detected rates of the foundation, which are highlighted for dividing their deep depressions filled with sediments of chalk and paleocene. In the southern half of the site (Colorado Plateau), there was a major blockage of the foundation, limited from the east with linear raising of southern rocky mountains and the young rift Rio Grande. On the territory of Mexico, the extreme eastern part of the external mega-zone was subjected to folded deformations in Miocene. In front of the headway, Cordiller North America is stretched by a chain of advanced deflection (filled with chalk cannozoic MOLASSI), which include pools: Kolville in Alaska (the largest and deep), Mackenzie and Alberta in Canada, Powder, Denver and Raaton in the USA, Cikontepka in Mexico .

The inner mega-zone of Cordiller North America developed from late Yura (there are relics of the oceanic cortex - the officer of this age), since the passive outskirts of North America transformed into active. For the mega-zone, an exceptionally complex internal structure with numerous zones of melange, supays and shifts that have developed in the end of the deformations that began in Perm and reached climax in chalk were characterized. The mega zone is the so-called collage (mosaic) of terrains, which arose as a result of the combat (acreication of tectonic) many dozen large and small blocks of the earth's crust of different nature and age: wreckage of intraoanic raises, bark of the seasons, volcanic island arcs, micro-continents, Abruptly differing in the structure and composition of their cuts and non-detecting interlocks. Some of Terrains experienced moving to the north along the edge of the continent for many hundreds (perhaps more than a thousand) kilometers.

After graduating from the main deformations on the fold-heading structure of Cordiller North America, interim deficiencies filled with chalk and / or Cenozoic Molasses, for example, Sentral Valley's deflection in California, a row of the West of Alaska, were superimposed. With a subduction (subduction) of the Pacific Lithosphere under the Continent North America, the formation of Jurassic Granite Batolites of the Alaskan Range, the coastal ridge, the Sierra Nevada and Peninsula and the California Peninsula, the manifestation of oligocene-miocene volcanism in the Range of Western Sierra Madre, the formation of donne acting volcanoes Aleutian island arc, Aleuta and Alaskan ridges, cascade mountains, transmexicular volcanic belt. Eastern introduction of small intrusions of granites occurred at the end of the chalk - the beginning of Paleogen only in the southern part of the rocky mountains and the Colorado Plateau. In Miocene, basalt volcanism created in the rear of the cascade mountains, creating a Colombian plateau. Cenozoa was the era rift formation, when an extensive polyprofluorine system (pools and areas of the zone) arose in the central part of the orogen) with abbreviated to 30 km and less power of the earth's crust and lithosphere, Rift Rio-Grande was formed, Rift California Bay on the continent.

The southern part of Cordiller North America (south of the valleys of the River River and Matahua, labeling a large shear-broken zone) belongs to the tectonic antil-Caribbean region.

Cordillera North America, especially their prosthean part, retain high mobility with the manifestation of intensive seismicity, which is related to the processes occurring at the transition border of the North American continent - the Pacific Ocean: a subduction (subduction) of the Pacific lithospheric plate under the north-American in Aleutian deep-sea refinery and Along the coast of Washington and Oregon (USA); Horizontal slippage of the Pacific Plate along the North American over the shear zones of Queen Charlotte and San Andreas; immersion of the East Pacific Raising (Spreading Ridge) under the North American Continent at the top of the California Gulf; The coconut plate shide (south of the California Gulf) under the North American Plate in the Central American Bile. Eastern in Cordillera North America seismic activity weakens, but does not fully fade away: seismic western, southern and eastern periphery of the Big Basin and Rift Rio Grande.

North American Cordiller is rich in minerals. Typical are copper-molybdenum-porphy special deposits. A number of ore zones and blocks are distinguished: the gold-mercury zone of the coastal ridge, the gold-copper and tungsten zone of the Sierra Nevada Ridge, the gold-silver zone of the large pool, the Uranonous block of the Colorado Plateau, the zone of the advanced ridge with the Molybdenum and Gold and Silver Rud . Known ore deposits iron, lead, zinc, nickel, as well as bauxites, phosphorites, barite, fluorite, etc. To the strip of advanced deflection and intermountain deflection and varieties of oil and natural combustible gas, coals, stone and potash salts, natural borators. .

Climate. Northern Districts of Cordiller North America are located in the Arctic (Brooks Ridge) and Subarctic (most of the Alaska, the northern part of Canada) belts, the territory is up to 42 ° Northern latitude on the coast (in the inner belt to 37 ° Northern latitude) - in a temperate belt, south - - In the subtropical, Mexican Highlands and California Peninsula - in tropical, south of 12 ° Northern latitude - in the subequatorial belt. On the slopes addressed to the Pacific Ocean, almost all types of climate are characterized by relatively soft oceanic features, for the inland areas - more sharp, continental. The high-rise climate explanation is observed. In the northern part of the Cordiller of North America on the coast of winter rainy, soft, summer cool and raw, with frequent fogs. The average temperatures of January, constituting from 0 to -5 ° C to the south of the Alaskan ridge, change to -30 ° C (absolute minimum -62 ° C) on the Yukon plateau; The average temperatures of July are about the same - about 15 ° C. The annual amount of precipitation in the south of Alaska (Mount Chugach, St. Ilya, Wrangel) is 3000-4000 mm (the power of snow cover up to 150 cm or more), in the area of \u200b\u200bthe Yukon Plateau - about 300 mm. In a moderate belt, cyclonic activity has been observed throughout the year. In the seaside region of Canada, the average temperature of January about 0 ° C, July 15.5 ° C. The annual precipitation amount is on the western slopes of the coast range of 6000 mm, on the internal plateau decreases to 200-400 mm. In the Rocky Mountains in winter, frost is often cold (absolute minimum -54 ° C), summer solar and dry, the average temperature of July 19-20 ° C. 600-1200 mm of precipitation falls per year.

In the subtropical belt in the southern part of the Cordiller of the United States and the northern part of the Mexican Highlands on the slopes facing the Pacific Ocean, the climate Oceanic (on the latitude of San Francisco - Mediterranean), in the inner areas - dry continental. Mid-sized temperatures increase as long-term mainland in January from 0 to 5 ° C (minimum to -17 ° C, large pool), in July from 14-17 ° C to 20-28 ° C (absolute maximum 56.7 ° C, Death Valley). On the coast of winter rainy, it is characteristic of the decrease in the annual amount of precipitation from north to south from 2000 to 350 mm. In the inner belt, dry hot summer and relatively cold, moderately wet winter. Precipitation from 100 to 400 mm per year. In the tropical belt, the southeastern part is best. The climate of the northwestern part of Mexico and the California Peninsula due to the influence of the Hawaiian Anticyclone Passat, dry all year round, on the coast - with high relative humidity and fogs. In the northern part of the belt, the average temperatures of the cold month (January) 13-14 ° C, the very warm (May) 20 ° C, in southern -, respectively, 21-23 ° C and 26-27 ° C. In the western and central regions of the northern part, the annual precipitation amount is 100-200 mm and increases to the south to 500 mm. The arid winter season with temperatures from 21 ° to 24 ° C lasts up to 6-8 months. In the southern belt drops 1500-2000 mm precipitation per year. In the subequatorial belt, average annual temperatures are 26-27 ° C. In the mountains at an altitude of 3,800 m, up to 6 ° C are lowered, in constantly wet Atlantic slopes in the year 2000-4000 mm of precipitation falls. In the eastern part, tropical hurricanes, bringing storm sediments and possess the devastating force.

Glaciation. The area of \u200b\u200bmodern glaciation Cordiller North America is 67 thousand km 2. Large differences in the latitudinal and altitude position of Cordiller North America, as well as a sharp difference in moisturizing the territory caused the uneven development of glaciation. The lowest (300-450 m) snow border is located on the Pacific slope of the mountains of South Alaska, falling to the ocean level. On the northern slopes of the mountains of Chugach and St. Ilya, the snow border is located at an altitude of 1800-1900 m, on the Alaskan ridge - from 1350-1500 m (southern slope) to 2250-2400 m (north slope). The area of \u200b\u200bglaciation in the northwestern part of the Pacific ridges is 52 thousand km 2. In the Brooks Ridge and Mackenzie Mountains, the olelition is developed only at the highest peaks. The south of the snow border takes place at an altitude of 1500-1800 m in the coastline and up to 2250 m - in the Columbia Mountains. The total area of \u200b\u200bthe oleloculation of the inner parts of Alaska and Cordiller Canada is only 15 thousand km 2. On the territory of the United States, the snow border to the south rises to 2500-3000 m in cascading and rocky mountains, up to 4000 m and more - in Sierra Nevada, up to 4500 m and more - in Mexico. The area of \u200b\u200bmodern glaciation in the United States is 0.5-0.6 thousand km 2, in Mexico - 0.01 thousand km 2. In the Cordillers of North America, all the main types of glaciers are presented: extensive ice fields and caps, foothill glaciers, or cock linens (for example, Malaspina), valley glaciers (for example, Hubbard in the coastal ridge), carot and short hanging glaciers, mostly disappearing (Sierra -Nevada). Star-shaped glaciers with numerous glacial flows are formed on volcanic vertices (for example, on the Rainier volcano).

Surface waters. Within Cordiller North America, the origins of many river systems of the mainland are located: Yukon, Mackenzie, Saskatchewan - Nelson, Missouri - Mississippi, Columbia, Fraser, Colorado, Rio Grande. The main watershed between the quiet and atlantic oceans is the eastern belt of the mountains, therefore the rivers of the pool of the Pacific Ocean are the most fulfilled. Norther 45-50 ° Northern latitude nutrition of rivers Ice and snow with a clearly pronounced spring flood. In the south, rain nutrition with a winter high in the Pacific Coast and Spring-Summer - in the interior. In the southern part of Cordiller North America, significant territories do not have drainage in the ocean and irrigated mainly by watercourses ending in the relaxed salty lakes (the largest of them is a large salt lake). In the north, fresh labets of glacial and tectonic origin (Atling, Kutena, Okanan, etc.), in the south - tectonic (Chapala, Nicaragua). Rivers Cordiller North America have tremendous hydropower potential and are widely used to produce electricity and irrigation. Large reservoirs are built on the rivers of the Yukon, Colombia, Colorado, etc.

Types of landscapes. Due to the considerable height, the high-altitude explanation of natural landscapes is clearly expressed in the entire length of Cordiller North America. At the same time, the strike of the mountain ranges in the direction perpendicular to the main flow of moisture causes significant differences between the landscapes of coastal (Pacific) and internal parts of the territory. The most large changes in the landscapes are associated with the latitudinal position of the mining system, with the transition of it from the subarctic belt to moderate, subtropical, tropical and subequatorial. In the northern part, Cordiller is distinguished by Cordillera Alaska and Canada, in the southern part - Cordillera USA, Mexico and Central America.

Cordillera Alaska. With the exception of the coast of Alaska, in Cordillera Alaska, many-member rocks are widely developed. The spectrum of high-altitude belts is represented by foothill retrase (Ferothundra) in the valleys of rivers and mountain tundra at high plateaus and slopes of the ridges in the north of Alaska. At the south-west coast, subarctic peequisic meadows are developed (Vainik, Schuchka, Opets, Differential Tools) on glezheyama and cryosa, on the slopes of the Aleutian ridge from a height of 200-300 m - shrub tundra. On the southern slopes of the Alaskan forest ridge rises to almost the snow border. The thick coniferous forests are common from the Sithhin spruce, to which the Western chamlock is mixed on the slopes of the mountains of Kenai, Chughal, the Nutan Cypress (red cedar). In the valleys of rivers flowing into the bay of Cook (for example, Matanuska), land is partially used in agriculture.

Cordillera Canada. Pacific slopes to a height of 1200-1500 m are covered with productive tall forests, in which coniferous breeds are dominated: Tui giant and folded (red cedar), West Hemlock, Sitkinskaya spruce, fir Douglas, or pseudotussuga teisset. Engelmanov spruce and alpine fir are growing above, subalpine coniferous parels are common. The soil changes from mountain bromade to mining and podzolic. In the inner areas north of 53 ° Northern latitude, caustic forests made of white, black firings and fir (balsamic, great, etc.) on podzolic soils, south (as evaporation increases) of pine forests (yellow, twisted) on gray forest The soils are replaced by a forest-steppe, in which the islands of pine forests are combined with extensive areas of dry meadows from oatmeal and nicknames, and in the southern part of the plateau, the Fraser transfers to the steppe. The high-altitude spectrum of the landscapes of Colombian mountains includes steppes, mountain coniferous forests from the fir of the giant, the pines of Waemutova, Douglasia, a fir and red, red cedar, a balsamic pine on pine pine, and subalpian meadows. Ranged mountain ranges to a height of 1800-2400 m are covered with dense mountain-taiga forests made of white, balsamic fir, banks of pine and white birch, the Golt Tundra, Snezhniks, glaciers are developed above, the subalpine meadows appear in the northern part.

In forest areas there are a significant proportion to forestry landscapes. In the southern parts of wide intergigurgy kitlovin - arable and pasture landscapes. Secondary pine forests after fires and logging are widespread.

Cordillera USA has a unique variety of natural landscapes. Western slopes of Pacific ridges and rocky mountains are inherent in the most complex structure of the altitude explanation. On the slopes of high ridges (advanced, Sierra Nevada), the belts of mountain pine forests are developed (pines yellow, twisted, sugar, edible), mountain fir-fir-fir forests, coniferous subalpine retrograms and alpine meadows. In the more arid southern areas of the Rocky Mountains, steppe-logging type of high-altitude explanation is developed. On the slopes descending to the Great Plains, the mountain steppes are replaced by pine forests, and at an altitude of 1800-2200 m-fir-fir (Douglas Piht, Engelmanov Spruce) forests. The lower parts of the mountain ranges facing the deserts of the internal plane, are engaged in areas of steppes from Gram, Celina, grass Mesquite, shrubs, juniper, shrub Mesquite and succulents. The bandless Western slope of the Sierra Nevada to a height of 2800 m is covered with mixed forests with the domination of pines of yellow, Douglasi, oaks (as an impurity, the sequoia is giant, or "Mamonto Tree"), above - fir and subalpiy shrubs and meadows. On the dry oriental slopes only pine-juniped palpal. In the slopes of the northern part of the coast ridges, mixed forests are common with Douglasia, Tia, Western Chamlock, a cypressive on sour mountain burze. For the southern part of the ridges are characterized by summer-dry mixed tall forests from pines, douglasia, evergreen oaks, strawberry wood on mountain brown soils. In the north-west of California near the Pacific coast, sequoia groves have been preserved. On the slopes of the most southern ridges receiving 250-350 mm precipitation per year, the chaparal is common - the formation of dubbed shrub evergreen oaks with an admixture of acacia, suma on gray-brown soils. The internal plateau is occupied by hollow semi-deserts and deserts, in the eastern, more moisture, part of the dry steppe of gram and bison grass on brown soils. At the Columbia Plateau - typical cereal steppes on ordinary chernozem. In the large pool, medieval ridges covered with pine handsets, and hollow semi-deplexes with the participation of swans, a garden tree are mosaicly alternate. In the subtropical areas in the plant cover, the creoshot bush, acacia, tree of meskit, cacti (oplation, echinocacts, column cacti ceres, agaves, yukki) are dominated. The soil is predominantly brown desert-steppe, servers, salt marshes and solonts (in basins), mining and brown. Spring subtropical vegetation - pines and acacia, juniper and creoshot, mexican succulents, cereals are common on the Colorado Plateau. In the southern part of the internal Norgore, the exotic features of desert landscapes give picturesque forms of weathered sandstones in the form of arches, pedestals.

Most of the forests in the coastal ridges are cut down, agricultural and residential landscapes are dominated. In intermore valleys, irrigated plantations are concentrated (vineyards, citrus fruits) and pastures. Big California Valley is the largest area of \u200b\u200birrigated agriculture.

Cordillera Mexico. The low ridges of the northern part of Mexican Highlands and the short slopes of Western and Eastern Sierra Madre are covered with mountain coniferous-tightening forests to its internal areas. In the southeast and southern regions, wet-forest landscapes are dominated. On the rest of the territory are prevailing succulent and shrub (with a creosted bush) of the desert and semi-deserts. Mexican Highlands is the richest genetic center of the endemic Mexican flora, there are about 500 species of cacti, 140 species of agave, several types of YUKK. The onward slopes of the peripheral ridges at the foot are occupied by low-spirited prickly forests and gentlemen from Caesalpia (including Queberaho), acacia, mimosa and meskita on brown-red soils. South-22 ° Northern latitude of the southeastern wind-overed slopes of Eastern Sierra Madre and on the southern slopes of the transverse volcanic Sierra to a height of 600-1000 m, constantly wet evergreen tropical forests are growing with an abundance of fakes, palm trees, and tree ferns on yellow ferllaltic soils. Forests are distinguished by an exceptionally rich species composition of woody plants: a red tree (mahogani, or Caoba), Paleo, fragrant pepper, breadwinner, Kori, Andir, chloroform. On the slopes addressed to the saturated moisture of Passatam, the altitude of 1000-2500 m dominates the broad-sized forests from Dubov, Liquidambara, Clain, Willow, Sambukus, the tip of the tree fern and gummies in the lower tier. Trees are collapsed by Lianami and epiphyts from Begonid, Bromelle and Orchids. The tops of the slopes are occupied by coniferous-deciduous and coniferous forests from Waemut and Mexican pines and sacred fir. The Pacific slopes of the ridges and the leveled slopes of volcanoes are covered with seasonally wet winter-dry leaf-and evergreen forests of a variety of species composition. In the forests there are up to 100 types of tree species, including Kori, Carap, Crested, Mahogan, Enterolobium, Jimea, Andir, Chloroform, Kalofilaum Brazilian. In the arid inner hollows in the south of Mexican highlands, dry low-rigid deciduous and semi-repulsive tropical forests are growing. Breeds such as Cedrlen, Burser, Ipoma, Cotton Tree Seiba, Pseudobombax, Cordan, Cordan, are widespread. In the north-west of Mexican Highlands and on the California Peninsula, tropical coastal deserts are dominant with peculiar wood and shrub formations with the participation of succulents, Mesquite, Yukki, Iron Tree.

Cordillera Mexico - an area of \u200b\u200bextensive pasture cattle breeding and irrigated agriculture. On the plains and in the foothills, large forest areas are cleared under plantation sugar cane, bananas, cocoa, coffee and tropical fruits, in arid areas - cotton and agaves.

In the Cordillers of Central America, a wooded type of high-altitude explanation is clearly expressed. Prioeanic tropical and subequatorial wet and moderately wet forests prevail on abundantly moisturized northeastern slopes and seasonal-wet forests on leeward southwestern slopes. In the median belt on the slopes - mixed evergreen and coniferous forests on sially yellow-brown soils. In the basins and in the areas of coasts, savanna and gentlemen are common. In the eastern part of Central America, evergreen and semi-detective (rain) forests of complex composition - Selvas with an abundance of lian and epiphytes, palm trees, ficuses, bamboo, trees with valuable wood, rubber glasses on ferrylylit and allitated red-yellow soils. The biological diversity of forest formations is huge, there are about 5,000 types of vascular plants. The most common tree breeds - Mahogani, Akhras, Brazimum, Paleto, fragrant pepper, breadwinner, Ampelosher, Mazakill, Kori, Kalofilaum Brazilian, Castill, Terminal Amazonian. At an altitude of about 2000 m, "forests of fogs" appear from beeches, linden with thickets of tree fern and bamboo. In high ridges and volcanoes are developed high mountain meadows. Mussels prostrately prostate plains and lowland of the extreme south of Central America are covered with deciduous evergreen forests (Tambelnia, Ipomoy, Bombaks). At low sections and gentle slopes of the mountains, plantations of coffee, bananas, sugar cane, etc. prevail.


Environmental problems and protected natural areas. The adverse effects of human economic activities are manifested in a significant territory of Cordiller North America and are associated with the intensive use of natural resources, primarily forest, mineral, soil, water. In the southern part of Cordiller Canada and in the West USA forests were intensively burned from the 2nd half of the 20th century. Especially suffered by planting Sitkinskaya ate, Douglasia, Sequoia. In the south of the coastal ridge and the Colombian mountains, in the cascade mountains, the cuttings are occupied not only by gentle, but also the sharp sites. Deforestation, fires, animal shootings and loss of their habitats, high recreational loads create an unfavorable ecological situation in a number of Cordiller North America. At considerable territories, accelerated erosion is manifested. There is a contamination of water sources with pesticides and nitrates. In Mexico, the deforestation speed is 0.8% per year, the highest in the Cordillers of North America erosion flush is observed. Valuable species of trees are cut down: Crested, Caoba, or Mahogan, Queberaho, Saibi, Camprea Tree, Brazilian Kalofilaum, Pine, Sacred Fir. A serious problem associated with cutting wood and petroleum pollution of the coastal water of the Gulf of Mexican Bay is the preservation of mangrove ecosystems. In the state of Arizona (USA), as well as in the Bowl of the city of Mexico City (Mexico) there is no depletion of groundwater.

The largest and most famous protected natural areas in the Cordillers of North America are Denali National Parks, "Arctic Gate", Katmai, Lake Clark (USA); Biosphere reserve Monties-Asles, Nevado-de-Toluca National Parks, Tepochetete, Popochettel-Istaxioatl, Pico de Orizaba (Mexico). The World Heritage List includes parks and reserves of the Wrangel Mountains and Mountains of St. Ilya, Cloin, Gleisher Bay, Waterton Gleisher International Park (all in the USA and Canada), Parks of Canadian Rockies (Canada), Yellowstone National Parks, Olympics, Grand Canyon, Redwood, Yosemitsky (USA), Maripos Monk Biosphere Reserve (Mexico), Rio Placano National Parks (Honduras), Daryaen, Koiba (Panama), Talamanca - La Amistad (World Biosphere Project, Costa Rica and Panama), guarded territory Guanakaste (Costa Rica).

Lit.: Vyvetsky G. N. Climates of North America. M., 1953; King F. B. Geological development of North America. M., 1961; Tamayo J. L. Geografia General de Mexico. 2nd ed. Fur., 1962. Vol. 1-4; Antipova A. V. Canada. M., 1965; Ignatiev G. M. North America. M., 1965; Thornbury W. D. Regional Geomorphology of the United States. N. Y., 1965; Earth relief. M., 1967; Saderson A. North America. M., 1979; Kraulis J. A., Gault J. The Rocky Mountains. N. Y., 1986; Wilson K. M., Hay W. W., Wold S. M. Mesozoic Evolution of Exotic Terranes and Marginal Seas, Western North America // Marine Geology. 1991. Vol. 102; Glushchikov Yu. N. Geography of mountain and polar countries. M., 1996; Gebel P. Natural heritage of mankind. M., 1999; KHAIN V. E. Tectonics of continents and oceans (year 2000). M., 2001.

T. I. Kondratieva; V. E. Khain (geological structure and minerals).

One of the largest mountain systems on our planet is Cordillera Mountains.

They are striking their huge scale (they are beautifully seen from space, if you look at the mainland), length and extraordinary beauty with the uniqueness of local climate, flora and fauna.

Where are Cordillera

Cordillera (Cordilleras English origin of the title) are located on the west coast of America and extend from the north to the south. These are huge mountains of several thousand kilometers, length reaches 18,000 km, width - 1600 km.

Looking at a physical map of the world, you can see that the mountains pass through 10 countries and capture all the western hemisphere of the Earth. The coordinates are impressive: South latitude 32/39/12; Western longitude 70/00/42.

Note: The age of this system is simply huge - Cordillers were formed in the Jurassic period, and scientists suggest that their education has not yet completed, as evidenced by frequent volcanoes (more than 80 acting).

High Point of Cordiller

The average height of the Cordiller is 3-4 thousand meters above sea level. The highest point of Cordiller - Akonkagua Mountain, is located in South America in Andes at the border with Chile.

Mount Akonkagua

And the place on which the Andes were formed, the Patagonian platform is called. The absolute height of this mountain is about seven thousand kilometers (6961 m) above sea level.

In North America, the highest point of Cordiller is Mount Denali, located in the south of Alaska. Mountain just below Akonkagua, height 6190 m.

Characteristic Cordiller North America

Mountains originate on Alaska and pass through all the mainland, through three countries (Canada, USA, Mexico) to the point in the south in the valley of the Mexican Balasas River on the border with Central America.

The tectonic structure is complex, there are: areas of ancient, medium and new folding, many acting volcanoes.

On the entire length of Cordillera have three main belts:

  • the inner - consists of a plateau and a flatbed in the middle of Western and East, there are many tectonic depressions with rivers;
  • eastern - Rocky Mountains belt, large ranges divide the Pacific Ocean and Mexican Bay with an Arctic Ocean;
  • western - volcanic mountains parallel to the Pacific shore.

Three main arcs Cordillere

In Central America, the mountains disagree on arcs:

  1. One arc forms mountains in Cuba and North Puerto Rico and Haiti. The arc was formed from the eastern and western belt, from the north.
  2. The other begins on the borders of Mexico from the south, then on Central America, to the western part of Panama. This arc smoothly goes into.
  3. The last arc from the south of the Western belt takes direction to the mountains of the south side of Puerto Rico and Haiti, and Jamaica Mountains.

Geological structure and minerals

The lowlands between the mountain chains have long accumulated sedimentary rocks.

And now in the mountains of North America, large deposits of minerals were formed, the mountains themselves are valuable with metal ore:

  • on Alaska there is oil deposits;
  • rocky mountains are rich in copper, gold, tungsten;
  • the coastal part of the ridges is interest in the extraction of mercury and coal.

Natural zones

Since Cordillera takes place across America, the natural zones of the mountains are captured by everything:, Forestandra, mixed forests, forest-steppe, forests, semi-deserts and deserts, tropical savans and forests. There are no arctic and subarctic zones.

River and Lake Cordillere

In the north of Alaska there are glaciers (large - Bering). Many rivers begin their way in the mountains of Cordillera, for example: Missouri, Yukon. Very full-flowed rivers of the Pacific Basin.

The southern rivers are filled with rainwater, the northern rivers are powered by glaciers and snow.

Spring floods typically for the northern regions of the mountains. Strong northern rivers are used for irrigation and mining. Famous reservoirs: Colombia, Colorado. There are also lakes fresh and salty.

Climate and climatic belts

The climate on Cordillera is diverse due to the extensive territory on which they are located:

  1. Air humidity in the southernmost mountains of no more than 60%, and in northern up to 80%.
  2. The average t air in the summer in July plus, in the south to 30 degrees, and in the north to 15. Winter average t January in the north -30, in southern regions -17.
  3. The amount of precipitation for the year is large in the south of Alaska to 4000 mm, and the most scarce in the Mojave desert - 50mm.

Mountains passing through all the climatic belts:

  • south is the tropics and subtropics;
  • the north of the belt replaces the climate with the arctic to subarctic, then moderate;
  • in central, inland areas - the continental belt, and on the Pacific slopes of the mountains - the soft oceanic.

Flora and fauna

The natural landscape of the mountains is very diverse (due to the altitude explanation).

Highlight natural areas:

  1. Northwestern It consists mainly of glands and plane. The climate is severe, eternal Merzlota, to the southern coast - a little warmer. Landscape - Tundra, palpal. Deer, Leming, many birds live in the tundra. Bears, wolves, fish, pum can be seen in the forests.
  2. Canadian Cordillera - in southeast Alaska. Moderate climate, in the landscape of cedar, fir forests. On the slopes of the Pacific coast grow thui. Forest inhabitants - deer, mountain rams, moose, bears, wolverines, pumas, foxes.
  3. US Cordillera - A country where there is an extensive part of them. Nature is also very rich, on the slopes of the mountains - pine forests. There are arid plateau. Low coastal mountains are covered with evergreen bushes and relict trees. The animal world is significantly exterminated. Lizards, snakes, rodents dwell in semi-deserts.
  4. Mexican Cordillera - Climate dry, many seismic zones. Shrubs, forests, in savannah - cacti grow. Hares, wolves, pumas, rodents - residents of the local desert. Wolves, lynx, bears are inhabited in the forests, and in the tropics of monkeys, tapir, predators.

National Parks in Cordilleter

In order to inspect numerous attractions, you must certainly visit the reserves located on the territory of Cordiller.

Grand Canyon

To familiarize yourself with the features of flora and fauna, evaluate all the beauty of the landscape, see volcanoes, you can go to one of the national parks:

  1. In the USA - Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Sequoia, Yosemitsky, Gleisher.
  2. In Canada - Joho, Banff, Jasper, Garibaldi, Shanny.

Conclusion

Square and greatness Cordiller amazes, geographical position and a large number of mountain ranges with amazing secrets manitis and raises a desire to go on a journey.