Altiplano, High plateau in western South America.
The Altiplano is a high plateau in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile that stretches between the mountain ranges of the Andes and forms one of the largest elevated plains in the world. The landscape shows wide open spaces with grassland, volcanic peaks on the horizon, and flat basins holding salt lakes and freshwater lakes.
This plain formed millions of years ago through tectonic uplift between two Andean ranges and filled with large lakes during ice ages. Many of these waters evaporated over time and left salt crusts and smaller lakes scattered across the area today.
The high plain takes its name from Spanish words meaning elevated tableland and has been home to communities adapted to life at extreme altitude for thousands of years. Visitors often see herders with llama flocks and small villages built from adobe that adjust to the harsh conditions.
Travelers should allow several days to adjust to the thin air before attempting strenuous activities and drink plenty of water to avoid headaches. The sun burns more intensely here than at lower elevations, so sunscreen and good sunglasses are essential.
In some places on this plain the border between Peru and Bolivia runs straight through lakes and salt flats, so travelers can walk from one country to another without checkpoints. Some sections show pink lagoons colored by minerals that attract flamingos searching for algae in the shallow water.
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