This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction The Andes and their relationship with the plate tectonic context The history of the Amazon River in a regional geological context Cenozoic shortening history in the Central and Northern Andes Exhumation histories Surface uplift data in the Andes Structural styles and timing of the structures in the sub-Andean zones The Vaupés Swell and the Fitzcarrald Arch Discussion Conclusions Acknowledgements References