Cordillera Volcánica

The Cordillera Volcánica extends in a northwesterly direction parallel to the Pacific coast for about 50 km between lat 16°07' and 16°33'S. and long 71°12' and 71°33'W. Small groups of ice-covered peaks have a glacierized area of 15 km², as estimated from Landsat images. The cordillera drains into the Pacific Ocean through Río Tambo and Río Vitor. The highest peak is Nevado Chachani at 6,100 m asl, but the most spectacular peak is Volcán Misti that towers over the city of Arequipa.