INTER-ANDEAN VALLEYS OF PERU: CHARACTERISTICS, MAIN VALLEYS - GEOGRAPHY - 2025

The inter-Andean valleys of Peru are reliefs of the earth's crust that are characterized by being between the mountain ranges of the country. In the case of Peru, its valleys were born as a result of the movements of the Andes mountain range, which allowed the presence of a flat area among other higher altitude areas.

It is one of the most important types of relief that exist in Peru, in addition to the mountains, mountains, plateaus, plateaus and other formations. Valley areas are low in height, especially compared to the mountain range, and are often classified as depressions. The presence of rivers is common in the inter-Andean valleys, and these can be the cause of its relief on some occasions.

Huancayo, in the Mantaro valley. Source: KimStuar, via Wikimedia Commons.

The areas where the inter-Andean valleys are found are very wide and are found from the northern part of South America. However, it is in the south of the continent, in areas such as Peru, Bolivia and Argentina, where its extension is most abundant.

The inter-Andean valleys in Peru border areas with a large number of inhabitants and where agricultural activity has been carried out on a larger scale. It has two very characteristic elements: the slope, which are the steep areas, and the plain, which refers to the lowlands, normally located 200 meters above sea level.

characteristics

The main characteristic of the inter-Andean valleys is that they are land formations that can be found between the Andes mountain ranges. They are divided into two sections: slopes and plains.

In the flat areas is where the most important cities of the Andean region are established. These populations benefit from a land that has very good qualities to develop agricultural activity. Although it is conditioned by meteorological phenomena, which are not the same in all places.

In Peru, the inter-Andean valleys are mostly flat, although they also have slight undulations. The unevenness in these reliefs is usually not greater than eight percent. In addition, it is common to find these habitats in areas that exceed three thousand meters above sea level.

The formation of the inter-Andean valleys in Peru responds to different phenomena. Mainly they talk about their origin throughout the Tertiary era.

Weather

Lower temperatures, low rainfall and damage from erosion can cause problems for this type of relief and reduce its potential.

In general, the Andean valleys have climates that correspond to temperate or semi-arid regions. Although in Peru there may also be areas with drier climatic conditions.

The temperature in the inter-Andean valleys usually varies between 12 and 15 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The dry and rainy periods are easily identifiable.

Ideal for communities

The typology of the inter-Andean valleys in Peru is ideal for groups of people to inhabit these areas, since it is where the most fertile lands are obtained, unsuitable for the mountainous areas that surround it. The presence of rivers is also important.

Another advantage for the communities is that they have less extreme climates than the surrounding areas, as they are regions that are protected by the mountainous reliefs that surround them. That is why they are less vulnerable to currents.

Main inter-Andean valleys of Peru

Peru has a significant number of inter-Andean valleys throughout its geography. Perhaps the most important are the Mantaro valley, the Callejón valley, the Urubamba valley and the Jequetepeque valley.

Mantaro Valley

This valley in the Peruvian territory is the one with the largest population, with about a million people, and it is also the most productive. It is located in the southwest area of ​​Junín and is characterized by having good climatic conditions, which vary between dry and temperate environments.

Alley Valley

In the Ancash region, in the north of the center-east of the country, is the Callejón de Huaylas valley. This relief is located between the Cordillera Blanca and La Negra.

Its ecosystem is special, since it has snow-capped mountains and lagoons. Its good soils allow the cultivation of fields and the presence of several towns. The Santa River runs through it.

Urubamba Valley

The Urubamba Valley gains importance due to the practice of agricultural activity. It is even considered one of the valleys with the highest production in the country, with corn being the most important product.

The average maximum temperature in this area is 23 degrees Celsius. In this valley you can find many ruins from the Inca period, which lasted a century.

In addition, at one of its ends is the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This area has areas of great fertility, the presence of the Vilcanota River and pleasant climates. One of its most important towns is Ollantaytambo, which is one of the previous stops, and obligatory, to go to Machu Picchu.

Jequetepeque Valley

This valley has a river that bears the same name. Its relevance lies in the cultural importance it has for Peru due to the development of different cultures over time.

Products such as rice, corn and even fruits such as plums or watermelon are easily grown here. Although rice production is the most important.

Agricultural activity in this valley has been present since pre-Columbian times, which goes from 11,000 BC to 1532, when the conquest of Peru occurred.

Other inter-Andean valleys that can be found on Peruvian soil are that of Huancabamba, located in the Piura region and which was formed by the river that bears the same name; and the Pachachaca de Abancay valley, in the Ayacucho area, which is also known as the valley of eternal spring thanks to its constant warm climate.

In addition, there is also the Colca Valley which is located in the department of Arequipa and has a great tourist relevance, thanks to the presence of the Colca canyon. Finally there is also the valley of Oyón, in Lima.

References

1. Peruvian geomorphology. Recovered from mundogeografiaa.blogspot.com
2. The dry valleys of the high jungle. Recovered from peruecologico.com.pe
3. Peru: Geographic and Administrative Political Aspects. Recovered from Proyectos.inei.gob.pe
4. Regional production. Recovered from minagri.gob.pe
5. Peruvian Valleys - Explore the Valleys and Canyons in Peru. Recovered from peru.travel