THE ANDES HIGHLANDS OF TODAY HOSTS MAJOR CITIES.

The Andes is the longest continental mountain range in the world. It is a continual range of Highlands along the Western coast of South America.
The Andes is about 7000 km (4300 mi) long, about 200 to 700 km (120 to 430 mi) wide, and of an average hight of about 4000m (13000 ft).
The Andes extend from North to South through 7 South American countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
The Andes is the location of several Plateaus, because it splits into several ranges, which are separated by intermediate depressions. Some of these Plateaus host major cities, such Quito, Bogota, Arequipa, Medellin, Sucre, Merida, Santiago, and La Paz.
QUITO is the capital city of Ecuador at an elevation of 2850 m (9350 ft) above the sea level.  It is the highest official capital city in the world. It is located in the Huayllabamba River basin, on the Eastern slopes of an active strato volcano in the Andes Mountains named Pichincha.
BOGOTA is the capital city of Colombia. It is the 3rd. highest capital city in South America at an elevation of 2640 m (8660 ft) above the sea level. In terms of land area, Bogota is the largest city in Colombia, and one of the biggest in latin America. It figures among the 25 largest cities of the world.
AREQUIPA is the 2nd most populous city in Peru. It is located at an elevation of 2335 m (7661 ft) above the sea level. A series of volcanic cones dominates the skyline from the city. These volcanoes form Mountains like the Misti, Pikchu Pikchu, and Chachani.
MEDELLIN is the 2nd largest city in Colombia. Located in the Aburra valley, a central region of the Andes at an elevation of 1500 m (4921 ft) above the sea level.
SUCRE is the constitutional capital of Bolivia and the 6th most populous city in the country. Located in the South Central part at an elevation of 2810 m (9214 ft) above the sea level.
MERIDA is one of the principal cities of the Venezuelan Andes. It has the highest and longest cable car in the world. The city sits on a tableland nestled in the valley of the Chama River, at an elevation of 1600 m (5249 ft) above the sea level.
SANTIAGO is the capital and the largest city of Chile. It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of 520 m (1706 ft) above the sea level.
LA PAZ is Bolivia's third-most populous city after Santa Cruz and El Alto. It is the seat of the country's government. It is located on the Western side of Bolivia at an elevation of 3650 m (11975 ft) above the sea level. It is the highest administrative capital in the world.