Sierras Pampeanas: Central Sierras (Argentina)

Sierras Pampeanas: Central Sierras (Argentina)

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Sierras Pampeanas, or Central Sierras, is a geographical region and chain of mountains that rise sharply from the surrounding Pampas region of northwestern Argentina. They run parallel to the Andes, cross into seven Argentine provinces, and may be cataloged into sub-regions.

Sierras Pampeanas: Central Sierras

Sierras Pampeanas, also called the Central Sierras, is a geographical region and chain of mountains that rise sharply from the surrounding Pampas region of northwestern Argentina.

The mountains parallel the Andes and cross into seven Argentine provinces: San Luis, San Juan, Córdoba, La Rioja, Catamarca, Santiago del Estero, and Tucumán.

The Sierras Pampeanas region may be cataloged into sub-regions:

  • Tucumán and Catamarca: Cumbres Calcahaquíes, Sierra del Aconquija;

  • Catamarca: Sierra de Belén, Sierra de Ambato, Sierra de Ancasti (or Sierra del Alto), Sierra de Fiambalá, Sierra de Hualfín

  • La Rioja: Sierra de Famatina, Sierra de Sañogasta, Sierra de Velasco, Sierra de los Llanos, Sierra de los Colorados, Sierra de las Minas, Sierra de Chepes, Sierra de Paganzo

  • San Juan: Sierra de Valle Fértil, Sierra de la Huerta, Sierra Guayaguas, Sierra de Pie de Palo

  • Santiago del Estero: Sierra de Ambargasta, Sierra de Guasayán, Sierra de Sumampa

  • St. Louis: Sierra de las Quijadas, Sierra de Varela, Sierra del Portezuelo, Sierra del Alto Pencoso, Sierra del Yulto, Sierras de San Luis, Sierra de Guayaguas, Sierra de Cantantal, Sierra del Tala

  • Córdoba: Sierra de Cordoba, including Sierras de Comechingones (which border with San Luis)

The highest point of the Sierras Pampeanas is Cerro General Belgrano (6,250 m or 20,500 ft above sea level) in La Rioja, in the Famatina area. Between the high points are several salt-filled depressions. For example, the Salinas Grandes depression is located in Cordoba, La Rioja, Catamarca, and Santiago del Estero.

A characteristic of many of these mountain ranges is their morphological asymmetry: the western slopes are usually steeper than the eastern slopes. Thus the former are sometimes called coasts, and the latter are called skirts.

Due to erosion and other geologic forces (volcanoes, glaciers, rivers, tectonic, etc.), the surface of this area varies widely. It includes cliffs and narrow channels of some rivers; there are abundant caves, caverns, and overhangs. Some mountains are separated by significant open areas, too large to be considered a valley; these are called barreales (mud flats) or pampas (grassy plains).

This region has a temperate and semi-arid climate, with warm summers and cool winters. The northern east slope is covered by rainforest due to high humidity in this subtropical zone. The portions within Córdoba and San Luis enjoy a Mediterranean-type climate, with intense summer rainstorms and snowy winters; the vegetation here includes conifer trees. More precipitation falls on the eastern slopes, which meet the moist winds from the Atlantic Ocean.

Groundwater is not abundant in most of this area; the eastern slopes show a more significant population due to the greater runoff water available there. Short, torrential rivers and many streams and creeks carry low flows, with brief and violent floods caused by summer rains. These rivers are used for the production of hydropower.

Flora and Fauna

Known species include algarrobo blanco (white carob), algarrobo negro, chañar, jarilla, mistol, piquillin, tala, alpataco, tabaquillo, and espinillo. In the more arid western regions, grow giant or medium cacti and various shrubs (chilca, tola, etc.) As more rainfall is available, the vegetation is dense with trees such as conifers, alder, deciduous trees including walnut, jacaranda, pisonia, Schinus molle, quebracho, acacia, and flowering plants such as orchids, jasmine, and bromeliads.

The Córdoba and San Luis areas have abundant vegetation on the eastern slopes, including carob, "coconuts" (local name of palm trees), garabato blanco (acacia) and willow. In the Córdoba hills are stands of olives, peach, pear, apricot, fig, quince, lemon, cypress, cedar, ponderosa pine, eucalyptus, poplar, oak, and willow.

Shrubs and medicinal herbs are found, primarily in the Córdoba and San Luis areas, including peperina, pennyroyal, dandelion, plantain, canchalagua, wild grapes, chamomile, malva, lime, and passion fruit.

The area boasts a diverse fauna, although several species are moving toward extinction (such as the boa). Among the native animals: are puma, brocket deer (in the north), wildcat, fox, armadillo, and mule deer; rodents such as the viscacha and guinea pig.

The observed fauna varies according to the combination of three fundamental natural factors: the arrangement of mountain ranges, altitude, and climate.

There are important variances of biome in the Pampas Sierras: semi-arid areas, rainforest areas, and moderately fertile areas covered with natural forests (especially in Córdoba and San Luis). In the arid zone of La Rioja and Catamarca are found vicuña and some alpaca. Earlier in the twentieth century, jaguars were found in the rainforests. Then, in the eighteenth century, there were sightings of spectacled bears.

The avifauna is diverse and relatively abundant in the higher, mostly arid areas. It includes condors and vultures. In the fertile plains of Tucumán previously were found rhea, turkeys, parrots, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and pigeons.

Map depicting the location of the Sierras Pampeanas region

Map depicting the location of the Sierras Pampeanas region