What Are The General Characteristics Of South America?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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South America can be divided into three physical regions:

mountains and highlands, river basins, and coastal plains

. Mountains and coastal plains generally run in a north-south direction, while highlands and river basins generally run in an east-west direction.

What are the two best known features of South America?

The main two physical features of South America are

the Andes Mountains and the Amazon River

.

What are 5 facts about South America?

  • Total Population: 428 million people.
  • Largest city: Sao Paulo (Brazil)
  • Life expectancy: 72 (males) 79 (females)
  • Highest Mountain: Aconcagua (6962 meters above the sea)
  • Land area: 17,840,000 square kilometers (6,890,000 square miles)
  • Largest Lake: Lake Titicaca.
  • Longest River: Amazon River.

What are 3 interesting facts about South America?


Atacama desert

is the driest place in South America. Angel Falls are the world’s highest waterfalls. Amazon River Basin is the world’s largest river basin. The Andes are the world’s longest mountain range.

What makes South America unique?

South America is home to some of the most amazing geographical features including the Andes Mountains,

the Amazon Basin and Rainforest

, the Brazilian Highlands, the Pampas plain, the Pantanal wetlands and the Guiana Highlands. It is believed that until about 225 million years ago Africa and South America were joined.

What is classified as South America?

The continent generally includes

twelve sovereign states

: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela; two dependent territories: the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; and one internal territory: French Guiana.

Why South America is called the land of extreme?

In geographic terms, it

has some of the hottest, driest deserts in the world

(the Atacama and Sonoran deserts) while having the largest rain-forest in the world (the Amazon).

What is the main culture of South America?


The Incan Empire

is the most well known indigenous culture of South America. The Inca Empire was established in 1438 in the Andean city of Cuzco, Peru. Over a period of 100 years, the empire expanded to include parts of present-day Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia.

Which South American country is the most beautiful?

  1. Chile. The longest noodle in the world. …
  2. Bolivia. Indian heart of South America. …
  3. Peru. South American beauty. …
  4. Brazil. State of Carnival, Football and the Amazon Forest. …
  5. Argentina. Hot tango and juicy steaks. …
  6. Venezuela. Country full of table mountains and Orinoco. …
  7. Ecuador. …
  8. Colombia.

How would you describe South America?

South America is

a continent of extremes

. … One of the continent’s river basins (the Amazon) is defined by dense, tropical rain forest, while the other (Paraná) is made up of vast grasslands. With an unparalleled number of plant and animal species, South America’s rich biodiversity is unique among the world’s continents.

Who found South America?

Explorer

Christopher Columbus

sets foot on the American mainland for the first time, at the Paria Peninsula in present-day Venezuela. Thinking it an island, he christened it Isla Santa and claimed it for Spain. Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451.

Why is South America important?

South America has

diverse agricultural products, vast mineral wealth, and plentiful freshwater

. It also has rich fisheries and ports on three bodies of water: the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. The continent’s economy is centered on the export of natural resources.

Why should I visit South America?

South America is

an incredible continent to travel around

, and its amazing combination of unique landscapes, diverse cultures and delicious food are sure to leave any visitor wanting more.

What food is South America known for?

  • Ceviche (Peru) …
  • Arepas (Venezuela) …
  • Empanadas (Argentina) …
  • Pisco Sour (Chile, Peru) …
  • Yerba Maté (Argentina) …
  • Pastel (Brazil) …
  • Dulce de Leche (Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil) …
  • Brigadeiros (Brazil)

Where is the center of South America?

Geographic Center of South America –

Cuiabá, Brazil

– Atlas Obscura.

What country is part of South America?

South America includes 14 countries:

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador

, Falkland Islands (United Kingdom), French Guiana (France), Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.