A Patagonian-type plateau is a piedmont plateau characterized by its location at the base of a great mountain range. These plateaus are often composed of horizontal layers of basalt and sedimentary rock. As the Andes were uplifted, the adjacent land to the east was also raised but remained relatively flat. This plateau serves as a transition from the alpine environment of the Andes to the coastal geography of the Atlantic. It is an area of vast, treeless steppes, demonstrating how piedmont plateaus can create unique, localized ecosystems based on their specific topographical placement.