The Transverse Valleys (Spanish: ''Valles transversales'') are a group of transverse valleys in the

semi-arid A semi-arid climate, semi-desert climate, or steppe climate is a aridity, dry climate sub-type. It is located on regions that receive precipitation below Evapotranspiration#Potential evapotranspiration, potential evapotranspiration, but not as l ...

northern Chile. They run from east to west (traversing Chile), being among the most prominent geographical features in the regions they cross. They are located in the Chilean regions of

Valparaíso Valparaíso () is a major city, Communes of Chile, commune, Port, seaport, and naval base facility in the Valparaíso Region of Chile. Valparaíso was originally named after Valparaíso de Arriba, in Castilla–La Mancha, Castile-La Mancha, Spain ...

, Coquimbo, and Atacama. They share some characteristics, such as reaching the

Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five Borders of the oceans, oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean, or, depending on the definition, to Antarctica in the south, and is ...

without passing through an Intermediate Depression, being rather deep and dissecting the landscape, concentrating most agriculture and population in the areas through which they pass, and being intensively cultivated. They are one of the defining elements of the Chilean natural region of Norte Chico. The area of the Transverse Valleys spans roughly 600 km from north to south.Errazúriz, Ana María; Cereceda, Pilar; Gonzales, José Ignacio; Gonzales, Mireya; Henriquez, María; and Rioseco, Reinaldo. ''Manual de Geografía de Chile''. Third edition. 1987. p. 95.

References

Landforms of Atacama Region Landforms of Coquimbo Region Landforms of Valparaíso Region Valleys of Chile {{Chile-geo-stub

See also

References