Tierra fría


In Latin America, tierra fría are mountain locations where high elevation results in a markedly cooler climate than that encountered in the lowlands at a comparable latitude. The combination of low latitude and high altitude — typically between approximately 6,000 ft and 10,000 ft
in locations within 10° of the equator — produces a climate that falls into the same category as many oceanic climates found along the west coasts of the continents within the temperate zones — mild temperatures all year round, with monthly averages ranging from about 10°C in the coldest months to about 18°C in the warmest months. Common crops grown in the tierra fría are potatoes, wheat, barley, oats, corn, and rye.
Beyond the tierra fría is a region known as the suni, puna, or páramos; near the Equator this encompasses places with altitudes of between roughly 12,000 ft and 15,000 ft, representing the treeline and the snow line respectively. Vegetation here resembles that found in the tundra of the polar regions. Still higher is the tierra nevada, where permanent snow and ice prevail. The Peruvian geographer Javier Pulgar Vidal used following altitudes: 2,300 m, 3,500 m and 4,800 m.
Some of Latin America's largest cities are found in the tierra fria, most notably Bogotá, Colombia, altitude 2,640 m, Mexico City, Mexico, altitude 2,240 m and Quito, Ecuador, altitude 2,850 m; all three cities are also the capitals of those respective countries.
Agriculture in the region resembles that which is conducted in valley areas in the temperate zones, featuring such crops as barley and potatoes.