How tall is tierra helada?
2,300 m (7,500 ft) m as the end of the subtropical cloud forest (Yunga fluvial)
Where is tierra helada located?
central MexicoMexican climate …or alpine pastures, and the tierra helada (“frozen land”), or permanent snow line, which is found at 13,000–14,000 feet (4,000–4,270 metres) in central Mexico.
What is the elevation of tierra templada?
The tierra templada (“temperate land”) extends to about 6,000 feet (1,800 metres) and includes the city of Xalapa, at an elevation of more than 4,600 feet (1,400 metres), where the average daily temperature is 66 °F (19 °C).
Do people live in tierra helada?
In the Andes Mountains you can learn a lot about human adaptations. The Andes Mountains have 4 elevation zones that people live in: Tierra Caliente, Tierra Templada, Tierra Fria, and Tierra Helada.
What is the warmest altitude zone in Mexico?
Tierra caliente (hot land) includes all areas under about 900 m (3000 ft). These areas generally have a mean annual temperature above 25°C (77°F). Their natural vegetation is usually either tropical evergreen or tropical deciduous forest.
What is the mildest altitude zone in Mexico?
Tierra Templada – Temperate Zone The temperate zone is located at an altitude between 900 and 1800 meters above sea level. In this zone the days are pleasantly warm and the nights are characteristically cool.
What type of climate is seen in an elevation range of 12000 to 16000 feet?
Physical Characteristics The tierra helada lies between 12,000 and 15,000 feet, with average temperatures varying from 20°F to 55°F. This is an extreme environment. The climate is very cold and windy. It often freezes at night, and snow falls at the higher elevations.
What does Tierra Templada mean in English?
Definition of tierra templada : a region or zone of temperate climate especially : tropical land of usually from 2000 to 6000 foot elevation in which the temperature is modified by the elevation.
What crops are grown in Tierra helada?
In the Tierra Templada they plant coffee, corn, wheat, and flowers because the climate is cool. The Tierra Fria is cold and frosty so they grow corn, barley, wheat, potatoes, apples, and pears. The Tierra Helada is too cold to grow anything at all but they heard llamas there.
What are the four elevation zones in Latin America?
Traditionally, geographers have divided tropical Latin America up into four temperature-altitude zones: the tierra caliente, the tierra templada, the tierra fria, and the tierra helada.
What are the homes made of in the tierra templada?
Housing in the Andes mountains In the Teirra Templada they have solid homes with made of concrete brick or plaster with tile roofs. In the Tierra Fria they have thick adobe brick houses to keep in the warmth in the cold nights.
Why are glaciers important to people who live at lower elevations of the Andes?
Glaciers are vital resources for communities in and around the Andes, where meltwater is used for drinking, irrigation, and hydroelectric power — especially in arid regions and during periods of drought.
Why is it impossible to live in the tierra helada region?
Human Adaptations The tropical heat of the tierra caliente can make it an extremely difficult place to live. As a result, the area is less populated than the cooler, higher elevation zones. Some inhabitants are descended from the Africans who were brought by the Spanish to labor on large plantations as slaves.
What crops are grown in tierra helada?
In the Tierra Templada they plant coffee, corn, wheat, and flowers because the climate is cool. The Tierra Fria is cold and frosty so they grow corn, barley, wheat, potatoes, apples, and pears. The Tierra Helada is too cold to grow anything at all but they heard llamas there.
What is tierra helada quizlet?
Tierra Helada (Spanish for "frozen land"), also known as Tierra Nevada (Spanish for "snowy land"), is a term used in Latin America to refer to the highest places found within the Andes mountains.
Where is tierra caliente?
southern MexicoTierra Caliente is a cultural and geographical region in southern Mexico that comprises some low-elevation areas of the states of Michoacán, Guerrero and Mexico. As the name suggests, the region is characterized by a hot climate.
How do people live in Tierra Helada?
People have adapted to life in the tiera helada in various ways. As in the tierra fría, they dress in warm clothing. They plant the few crops that will grow at high elevations, including a native grain called quinoa, along with certain types of potatoes. They also raise llamas and alpacas, two types of animals that are related to the camel. Llamas and alpacas produce thick wool for blankets, bags, and clothing. Llamas also make good pack ani- mals for transporting heavy loads across the mountains. Some of the people who live in this elevation zone work in mines. The high Andes have many mineral deposits, including tin, lead, copper, and silver. Working conditions in the mines are quite dangerous, with many miners contracting lung disease or getting injured on the job. However, mining does provide one of the few sources of cash income in this harsh environment. Above the Snow Line The highest part of the Andes lies just above the tierra helada. This area extends from the snow line to the tops of the tallest mountain peaks. In this cold and rocky region, snow and ice cover much of the land. This part of the Andes is generally not inhabited, but it still plays a key role in Andean life. The reason is glaciers. These large ice fields cover the highest peaks in the Andes, storing large amounts of water above the snow line. In the summer, water from melting glaciers flows down to people living at lower elevations. Streams fed by these glaciers form a crucial part of the water supply. Glaciers are very sensitive to changes in climate. They can grow or shrink, depending on the changes in temperature and precipitation that occur over time. If glaciers melt too fast, the result can be disastrous for the people who are living below them. "Glaciers don't always behave nicely," said a scientist who studies them. "Some glaciers have a nasty habit of storing up large amounts of water and then releasing it suddenly in a massive melt... which may involve floods, landslides, or avalanches." 13.7 Beginning to Think Globally In this chapter, you read about the four elevation zones in the central Andes Mountains. Each of these elevation zones has its own climate and vegetation. You have also learned how people have adapted to the conditions in each zone. In other parts of the world, people have made different adaptations to mountain living. In general, however, relatively few people in the world live at high elevations because the conditions of life there are just too difficult. In the future, mountains may become more attractive to people as places to live. There are signs that the world's climate is getting warmer, and if this warming trend continues, life will change at higher elevations. For example, tree lines and snow lines are likely to rise. As mountains become warmer, more people may choose to live at higher elevations. At the same time, a warmer climate is likely to have a negative effect on mountain glaciers. Keep this in mind as you look at glaciers in the next section. Shrinking Andes Glaciers This satellite image shows a shrinking glacier in the Andes. There is still enough ice in this glacier to feed mountain streams year round. But if the glacier disappears, some of those streams may run dry part of the year. 199 Life in the Central Andes: Adapting to a Mountainous Region
What is the lowest elevation zone in the Andes?
Tierra Caliente 750F-800F The Tierra Caliente The tierra caliente is the lowest elevation zone in the central Andes Conditions here are tropical. People dress in light clothing and live in houses open to the air. They also have to cope with tropical diseases like malaria. Banana Plantation Bananas thrive in the tierra caliente. They are grown on large plantations like this one. Many plantation workers are descended from Africans brought to South America as slaves. 194 Chapter 13 13.3 The Tropical Lowlands: Tierra Caliente A worker is picking bananas on a plantation in Ecuador. The temperature is high, so he stops frequently to wipe the sweat from his brow. He also must watch out for spiders because tarantulas often hide within banana stalks. A tarantula bite may not be deadly, but it is extremely painful. This banana plantation is located in the tierra caliente. Consisting mostly of tropical lowlands, this elevation zone hes at the foot of the Andes on both the eastern and western sides. People who live in the tierra caliente must adapt to a hot year-round climate. Physical Characteristics The tierra caliente is the lowest of the four elevation zones of the Andes, extending from sea level to approximately 3,000 feet. The climate of this zone is generally hot and humid, with the average temperature ranging from 750F to 800F. Broadleaf evergreen forests cover the eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains heading into the Amazon River Basin. On the western slopes of the Andes, the natural vegetation ranges from lush rainforests to tropical grasslands. The Pacific coast of Peru is different. This area is also situated with- in the tropics, but it receives little rainfall. Here the land is mostly desert. Great sand dunes rise up in some places, whereas other parts are flat and rocky. Where there is water from rivers or streams, however, the vegeta- tion is tropical.
What is altitudinal zonation?
Geoterms altitudinal zonation the division of land into zones based on elevation, which in turn helps determine climate and vegetation snow line the lowest elevation on mountains where snow remains year-round terracing the creation of flat areas on mountain slopes for the purpose of farming tree line the highest elevation where trees grow on a mountain vertical trade the trading of crops between lowland and highland areas Tierra Helada 200F-550F Tierra Fria 550F-650F Tierra Templada
How do people adapt to the tropical heat?
Some inhabitants are descended from the Africans who were brought by the Spanish to labor on large plantations as slaves. Indigenous peoples also live in some parts of the tropical rainforest. People in this elevation zone have adapted to life within the tropics. Farmers plant crops that can do well in the heat, with some of the most common crops being bananas, rice, and sugarcane. People dress in light clothing, and they live in houses that are open to the cooling breezes. Their houses are often constructed of bamboo or wood, with palm-thatch roofs, and some houses have been raised on stilts to provide protection against flooding. 13.4 The Pleasant Uplands: Tierra Templada In the rolling hills of Ecuador's tierra templada, gardeners are raising flowers, tending long rows of carnations, daisies, and roses. The flowers they grow will be shipped to buyers thousands of miles away. In fact, many of the roses enjoyed by Americans on Valentine's Day come from Ecuador because the mild weather of Ecuador provides the perfect climate for cultivating flowers. Physical Characteristics The tier-ra templada is the second elevation zone of the Andes. It lies between approximately 3,000 and 6 000 feet above sea level. At these elevations, the climate is temperate, with tem- peratures ranging from 650F to 750F, with rarely any frost. This pleasant weather lasts throughout the year, which is why people often call the tierra templada "the Land of Eternal Spring." In this zone, the types of vegetation change with elevation. At the lower elevations, tropical plants such as palms, bamboo, and jungle vines are quite common. At the higher elevations, broadleaf evergreen forests are typical. Human Adaptations The mild climate of the tierra templada makes it a good place to live. As a result, this elevation zone is more populated than the tierra caliente. Many of the people who live here are mestizos. Mestizos are a mixture of indigenous and European peoples. European cultural influences are strong within the tierra templada. Farmers in this zone choose their crops based on elevation. At lower levels, they grow heat-loving crops, like bananas and oranges. Higher up, Tierra Templada 650F-750F The Tierra Templada The tierra templada is the second elevation zone in the Andes. It has a pleasant, springlike climate year- round. This mild weather appealed to European settlers. Some of the largest cities in Latin America are found here. Flower Growing Flowers like these roses are an impor- tant crop in the tierra templada. Most flowers are shipped to Europe and the United States. Flower prices rise and fall depending on events in those distant markets. Flowers are one of the first things people stop buying in hard times. they grow corn, beans, and other vegetables. They also grow flowers for export. However, the main commercial crop of the tierra templada is cof- fee because the conditions here are ideal for growing high-quality coffee beans. Most of the coffee is grown on small farms, but there are also large coffee plantations. People who live in the tierra templada have adapted their housing and dress to the comfortable climate. They live in solid homes made of concrete brick or plaster and covered with tile roofs. More well-off resi- dents may live on large estates called haciendas. During the heat of the day, people wear light clothing, but they switch to warmer clothing for the cool mornings and evenings. Life in the Central Andes: Adapting to a Mountainous Region 195
How many glaciers are there in the world?
13.8 Global Connections The map to the right shows glaciers around the world. There are about 160,000 glaciers worldwide today. Some of these glaciers are found in lowland cold areas such as Antarctica, whereas others have formed on high mountain peaks. Can you find examples of both lowland glaciers and mountain glaciers on the map? What is happening to mountain glaciers around the world? Many mountain glaciers are retreating, or shrinking. Look at the image of the Gangotri Glacier, which is a mountain glacier that is located in the Himalayas. The lines on the photograph show how Gangotri Glacier has retreated over time. Not all glaciers are shrinking, however. Some are staying the same size or even expanding. Why are some mountain glaciers retreating? Most scientists blame climate change for the shrinking of glaciers. These scientists say that Earth's climate has been slowly warming. These rising temperatures are causing glaciers to melt more than they have in the past. As their ice turns to water, the glaciers retreat. What impact do retreating glaciers have on people living in mountainous regions? Approximately 75 percent of the world's fresh water is frozen inside gla- ciers. When glaciers melt, they provide water for people to use. For example, the glaciers near Quito, Ecuador, supply about 80 percent of this South American city's water. If Quito's glaciers continue to shrink, they will provide less and less water to the city. "It's kind of like a bank account," said one scientist. "When you've withdrawn all the water, there isn't any more." Glaciers Around the World Glaciers Ice sheets 1,000 2,000 miles 1 2,000 kilometers Robinson projection AMER SOUT AMERICA Brazilia n Highlands Pamp Village 996 1986 351 feet +100 ft. Lake level 100 feet —200 feet -300 feet 262 feet 200 Chapter 13
How did the Incas adapt to life in the Andes?
Notice the terraced fields at the edge of the city. Another sign of adaptation to life at high elevations is vertical trade. This is the trade of farm products between the higher and lower elevation zones of the Andes Mountains. Highland farmers cannot grow crops from the lower zones, such as bananas, oranges, and tomatoes. Therefore, traders bring those products up to the highland markets. The traders also take highland crops, such as potatoes and wheat, down to the lowland markets. Through vertical trade, people who live in one elevation zone can have access to foods grown in other elevation zones. In this way, they are able to achieve a more balanced and varied diet. Making Freeze-Dried Potatoes Long ago, Indians in the high Andes learned how to make chuño, or freeze-dried potatoes. They leave the potatoes out in the cold night air to freeze. The next day, they squeeze the water out of the thawing potatoes. They rinse them in the riverbed and then leave them out to dry. Chuño can be stored for years without spoiling. Life in the Central Andes: Adapting to a Mountainous Region 197
