Andean states

The term Andean countries, a group of States referred to in the west of South America, with a stake in the mountains of the Andes.

Natural Geographical definition

In a narrower sense, one often sees among those countries of South America, whose territory is largely shaped by the Andes: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile. Although Argentina and Venezuela also have a share in the Andes, they are not usually referred to as the Andean countries, as the share of the Andes on the territory of the country in these two cases is low. The Andean regions of Argentina and Chile are also often attributed to the region of the Southern Cone.

Andean countries as a cultural space

The culture of the Andean countries, particularly the countries of the Central Andes (Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador, the northern Chile and north -eastern Argentina ), has a distinct ethnic, linguistic and cultural elements, such as the use of the Quechua or Aymara, and the Adobe design. One of the reasons for this is the Inca Empire, which stretched in this region approximately between 800 and 1500, as well as their cultural mixing ( mestizaje ) with Iberian influences. This has meant that the name Andean countries is now also used as a term for a cultural space.

Even in the traditional music of the Andean countries have similarities in harmony and rhythm as well as the musical instruments used. It's such styles, which blends from the pre-Columbian heritage ( especially the use of wind instruments such as flutes and panpipes diverse as Quena and Sicus, but also the Obertonharmonik ) and Spanish influences ( string instruments such as guitar, charango, etc. as well as diatonic ) are.

Political- economic space

More rarely, the term Andean countries as a synonym for the countries of the Andean Community ( Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia) is being used. While Venezuela and Argentina are members of Mercosur, Chile is connected through association agreements with two alliances - without being a member.