The
Andean States are a group of nations in
South America that are defined by sharing a common
geography (
Andes mountain range) or culture such as the
Quechua language and
Andean cuisine which was primarily spread during the times of the
Inca Empire, but also before and after it.
Politically speaking, Argentina is usually not considered part of the Andean States as it lacks a strong native Andean heritage and is culturaly more oriented towards Europe and it is not a member of the Andean Community of Nations (which Venezuela is in the process of leaving and Chile has rejoined). The Andes occupy the western part of South America, and are associated with the following countries
When grouped as "the Andean states", the emphasis is, of course, on the mountainous regions of these countries. For example, the Argentine pampas are not part of the Andean region, but western Argentina is part of the Andean region, and has cultural continuities with its Andean neighbors. Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia are part of the Andean Community (a trade grouping), and each contains Amazon Rainforest and Amazonian indigenous people as well as Andean mountains.
