South American Cordillera
nounUK /ˌsaʊθ əˈmɛrɪkən ˌkɔːdɪˈljɛərə/
US /ˌsaʊθ əˈmɛrɪkən ˌkɔːrdəlˈjɛrə/
A very long chain of tall mountains that runs along the western side of South America.
The South American Cordillera includes the Andes, which stretch for thousands of miles.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The branch of the Cordillera that forms the Andes Mountains in western South America.
Geologists study the South American Cordillera to understand how the Andes were formed.
3. A broad system of connected mountain ranges extending through several South American countries.
The South American Cordillera passes through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
4. The volcanic and seismic belt associated with the Andes mountain chain.
Earthquakes often occur along the South American Cordillera because of moving tectonic plates.