The main feature of South America are the Andes mountain ranges. It does not only divides the water basins, the Atlantic and Pacific ones, but also determines dramatically the climate and the weather at both sides of the mountains. The lands in Chile range from 0m up to almost 6864m (22513ft) in the mountains, hosting avariety of environments from Glaciers to heavilyforested pine tree forest through highlands and Deserts.		The Andes Pacific coast  The highlands or Altiplano

Please get into Mountain Ranges under Resources for more information about the Andean Mountain range.

There is a mainly sandy desertic land no wider than 80km (49.6mi) extended from the Volcanic mountain ranges to the pacific coastline. Areas where rivers provide enough water, develop very productive oasis and the main cities and harbors are placed there.

Good places for fishing and other water sports can be found along the Chilean and Peruvian coasts.

The highlands or “Altiplano” (literally high plains) lays between the western slopes of the volcanic range and the coastline. Despite of its name is not all flat, it is actually made up of valleys, rivers beds’, lakes and plains separated by relatively small mountain ranges.

Its average altitude is 4,000m (13,120ft) with its lowest part at Uyuni saltflats 3,660m (12,005ft). and its highest part at Ulla Ulla plains 4,400m (14,432ft). The high Plateau in its approximately 1,000km (621mi) long from North to South; in its wider section is about 200km (124mi) wide.

Microclimatic valleys lies along of the rivers that flow from the mountains to the Pacific ocean.

One of the most spectacular and unforgettable areas of the Altiplano is the colorful, spectrum-like cold desert called Atacama. All contained within this desert, you will see awesome Salt Flats, geysers, volcanoes, glaciers, rock and lava canyons, colorful lakes and rivers, and vast, spacious areas which will transport you to a surrealistic world.

Despite the arid terrain and lack of water, the surrounding deserts have been the cradle of several old, native cultures. On this lands there are many ancient ruins and archeological remains of the past.