The Precordillera of La Rioja, San Juan and Mendoza is a mountainous area of more than 450 kilometers in length, and ranges from the Sierras Pampeanas to the Cordillera Frontal of Argentina.
It extends from 29º South latitude, on the border with the Puna, to the Mendoza river, and borders the Rodeo, Uspallata, Calingasta and Iglesia valleys. Here are some of the most relevant aspects of this geological province.
- The predominant biome in the Precordillera is the semi-desert.
- The climate is arid.
- It has great thermal amplitudes, since the area is furrowed by the Zonda wind, with high temperatures, and this increases the flow of the rivers, inducing seasonal changes..
- The discharge of humidity from the winds coming from the Pacific means that on the surface of the Precordillera, snow does not occur frequently.
- The average annual wind speed in the area is between 15 and 20 kilometers per hour.
- Average annual rainfall is less than 400mm,
- In the Precordillera there are three large transversal rivers: The Jáchal River, San Juan and Mendoza.
- The agricultural practice on the banks of the rivers is very common in the Precordillera.
- One of the economic activities with the greatest growth is viticulture; that is, the cultivation of the vine that will be used in the production of wines.
The Precordillera is distinguished by presenting three large mountain groups, with an approximate length of 150 kilometers each of them.
Outlined from north to south, these groupings are as follows:
1-Northern set: it begins to the south of the Bonete hill and ends a little north of Rodeo, in the town of Angualasto. The Cerro de la Bolsa boasts the highest altitude of the Precordillera, with 4924 meters.
two-Central set: it begins to the north of the Sierra Yerba Loca, and continues in a southerly direction on the Alumbre and Blanco hills and Sierra de la Invernada, until it reaches the transversal valley of the San Juan river.
3-Austral set: it ranges from the Sierra de Tontal to the Sierras de Villavicencio and Uspallata, slightly exceeding the altitude of the Mendoza River.
The mountains that make up the Precordillera are parallel blocks, separated from each other by long and narrow valleys. The peaks are peneplains, the product of prolonged surface erosion.
The Precordillera of La Rioja, San Juan and Mendoza has a xerophilous vegetation; that is, mainly composed of low scrub, cardones, carob trees, broom and jarillas.
In higher altitude areas the plants are slightly smaller and curved. This responds to the natural adaptation of these species to the scarcity of water, low temperatures and gusts of winds..
The most predominant species in the Precordillera are the Patagonian mara, chinchilla, guanaco, red fox, puma, vicuña, vizcacha de la sierra and iguanas.
With regard to birds, the Condor, the black heron and the red-legged flamingo stand out. It is also possible to appreciate the presence of rheas in the area.
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