*... the easter Andes on one side... and the maritime cordillera on the other. Between them there
is an extensive and very lofty plateau, 13,000 to 14,000 feet above the sea, with the lake called
Titicaca... The surrounding mountains form a region of frost and snow.
The hardy llamas and
alpacas live and breed amidst the tufts of coarse grass... Besides the grass, there is a lowly
shrub called tola, which can be used as firewood. Quinua belonging to the spinach family, can alone
be raised at the higher elevations, yielding a small grain which, by itself, is insufficient to maintain human life."
The harsh climate of the Andes Plateau presents many challenges for its inhabitants. The altitude and cold temperatures make it difficult to cultivate crops, and the limited vegetation forces the people to rely on hardy animals like llamas and alpacas for sustenance.
Despite these challenges, the people of the Andes have developed unique ways of adapting to their environment. They have learned to make use of the limited resources available to them, such as the tola shrub for firewood and quinua for sustenance.
The breathtaking beauty of the Andes, with its towering mountains and crystal-clear lakes, is a testament to the resilience of both the land and its people. The Andes Plateau may be a harsh and unforgiving environment, but it is also a place of incredible natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.