High in the mountains the air is thin and cold. Life is very hard there. The cold, windy, and wet climate can make life uncomfortable. The steep rocky slopes are difficult to farm and the short growing season makes it hard to raise crops yet thousands of people live in mountain villages.
Homes
Some of these people have two homes. In spring and summer they mover higher up the mountain where their animals can feed on fresh grass.
TransportationHow do people in mountain communities travel?
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Jobs
How do people in mountain communities make a living?
Many mountain people work as farmers, herders, park rangers, and tour guides tourists and climbers.
Many mountain people work as farmers, herders, park rangers, and tour guides tourists and climbers.
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RecreationThe scenery in many mountain areas is very beautiful. People enjoy walking, skiing, snowboarding, and climbing there. Mountain areas are popular places for vacations.
There are some very large national parks and nature preserves like Yellowstone National park located in the Rocky Mountains. People visit them to see the wildlife, scenery, and just to relax and have fun. |
Geography
Where are mountains located around the world?
The People of the Andes Mountains
People as well as other animals and plants have adapted to living in the mountains. The South American Uru tribe have larger hearts and lungs to breathe the thin air at high altitudes. So, what do the people of high altitude eat? Besides corn, which takes nine to ten months to mature at the high altitudes, the mountain people of the high Andes also grow many types of potatoes, with which they make their chief food called “chuno” (potatoes that are preserved basically by being freeze-dried). They spread the potatoes out in the intense sun and very dry air to dry out, and then leave them to freeze overnight. The potatoes are then left to this process of drying and freezing for many days before they are ready. The Andes people make a hot cereal, as well as other dishes, from the seeds of the quinoa plant which are very high in protein. Some even raise guinea pigs as a source of meat. To help cope with the hardships of living at high altitudes, most native peoples of the Andes chew on the leaves of the coca plant. This plant contains chemicals that dull the nerves, making the people feel warmer and stronger.
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