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Chile

instability—in addition to volcanic activity, it is subject to severe earthquakes. Chile’s mineral resources are limited in number, but the deposits are large and rich. Natural resources include nitrates, iron ore, coal, molybdenum, manganese, petroleum and natural gas, silver, and gold. Three Topographic Zones Chile can be divided length-ways into three major topographic zones. The towering Andean cordillera is located to the east. To the west are low coastal mountains overlooking a narrow strip of lower land along the Pacific Ocean. In between the mountain ranges is the third topographic zone—the plateau area, which includes the fertile Central Valley. The Andes are widest in Chile’s northern region, forming broad plateaus and containing many mountains with elevations higher than 20,000 feet (6,100 m). The country’s highest peaks, Cerro Aconcagua (22,834 feet, or 6,960 m) and Ojos del Salado (22,572 feet, or 6,885 meters), can be found on the bor- der with Argentina. In the north, the plateau area is occupied by the great Atacama Desert, which contains vast nitrate fields and rich mineral deposits. In the center of the country is the river-fed Central Valley, 600 miles (968 km) long, and 25 to 50 miles (40 to 81 km) wide. Major mountain passes cut through the Andes here, giving access to the country’s finest natural harbors. The fertile area between the Aconcagua and Bío-Bío Rivers forms the agricultural heartland of Chile. In the northern part of the Central Valley are vineyards and giant farms; in the south are primeval forests and deep, cold lakes.