The Cordillera Central is a
Bolivianmountain range that divides the three river basins in the country and also has the second highest peaks in Bolivia. It is rich in minerals and starts in the north with
Chawpi Urqu and the three Palumanis that were in the south up to
Zapaleri, forming a border with
Chile and
Argentina. The Cordillera Central is divided into three sections:
The northern section or
Cordillera Real, with Chawpi Urqu and
Palumani, also taking into account the most significant of Bolivia that you find near
La Paz,
Illimani,
Illampu,
Janq'u Uma,
Mururata, and
Huayna Potosí, all of which are more than 6,000 meters high. This section is famous because the highest meteorological observatory in the world can be found on
Chacaltaya. Some of the highest
ski slopes in the world can be found here also.
The central section contains Sumaq Urqu, with the
Potosí mountain range and the Paso de Condor rail station, both situated at an elevation of 4,288 meters.
The southern section is characterized by its high rate of mineralization and large deposits of tin. Its highest summit is
Zapaleri on the border with Chile and Argentina.
Cordillera Central can also be found between Cordillera Occidental and Cordillera Oriental