Tepuis
Tepuis are tabletop mountains of the Guiana Highlands, spanning parts of Venezuela, Guyana, and Brazil. They are among the region’s most distinctive landforms, characterized by sheer cliffs and flat, forested summits that rise abruptly from the surrounding lowlands. The highest tepuis reach several hundred meters above their bases, with some peaks exceeding 2,000 meters in elevation.
Tepuis consist mainly of ancient quartz-sandstone rocks of the Precambrian Guiana Shield. They were uplifted long
Ecology: The isolation of tepui summits has given rise to high levels of endemism. Summit ecosystems support
Human history and protection: Tepuis lie largely within protected areas such as Canaima National Park in Venezuela,
Notable tepuis: Mount Roraima, Auyán-tepui (source of Angel Falls), Kukenan-tepui, and Pico da Neblina are among