How do people use an area of fold mountains? Case study: The Andes

How do people use an area of fold mountains? Case study: The Andes

1. Farming (Bolivia)

   • Subsistence farmers
     • Cash crops
   • Variety of crops grown on the steep slopes
     • E.g. potatoes which are the locals' main source of food
   • Flat land retains water in areas that receive very little
   • Female llamas
     • Exploited

2. Key terms

   • Terrace
   • Subsistence
     • Those who farm to provide food for themselves and their family
   • Irrigation

3. Hydroelectrical power

   • Steep slopes and narrow valleys limit farming but benefit HEP
   • Melting winter snow increases water supply
     • More energy created
     • In 2009 the El Platanal plant begain to generate electricity

4. Mining

   • More than half of Peru's exports are from mining
   • YANACOCHA GOLD MINE
     • Largest in the world
     • Provides jobs thus income
   • Andes has a range of important minerals
     • E.g. tin, nickel, silver and gold
   • Mountain sprayed with cyanide to destroy everything but gold
     • Contaminates water supply

5. Tourism

   • MACHU PICCHU
     • Machu Picchu is inhospitable bc remains of early settlements build by the Incas are protected
   • Natural attractions
     • Mountain peaks, volcanoes, glaciers and lakes.

6. Location

   • Extend down the West coast of South America
   • Borders 7 countries
     • Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela