South America: Physical Geography

General Overview

• South America is the fourth-largest continent, stretching from the Gulf of Darin to Tierra del Fuego.
• The continent's physical geography, environment, resources, and human geography are distinct and can be studied separately.
• South America is divided into three main physical regions:
  • Mountains and highlands
  • River basins
  • Coastal plains
• Geographic variation leads to a diverse range of biomes.

Biomes

• Biomes in South America range from dry desert coastal plains to the alpine biome of the Andes.
• The Amazon River basin features a dense tropical rainforest biome.
• The Paraná River basin consists of vast grasslands.
• South America is noted for its rich biodiversity.

Mountains & Highlands

• The Andes is the primary mountain system, the world's longest, covering around 8,850 km.
• Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Andes and outside Asia, stands at 6,962 meters.
• Notable regions include:
  • Altiplano (high plateau) of Peru and Bolivia
  • Patagonia region of Argentina and Chile
• South America also features the Brazilian Highlands and Guiana Highlands.

River Basins

• Key river basins include the Amazon, Orinoco, and Paraguay/Paraná.
• Amazon River Basin:
  • Largest watershed globally, covering nearly 7 million square km.
  • Central to the Amazon rainforest, which hosts vast biodiversity.
• Orinoco River Basin:
  • Covers about 948,000 square km.
  • Features the Llanos savanna biome.
• Paraguay/Paraná River Basin:
  • Includes the Iguazu Falls.
  • Empties into the Rio de la Plata estuary.

Coastal Plains

• Coastal plains exist along Brazil's northeastern coast and Peru and Chile's Pacific coast.
• These plains are notably dry due to geographical and oceanic influences, such as the Peru Current.
• The Atacama Desert is among the world's driest regions.

Vocabulary Highlights

• Alpine: Related to mountains.
• Altiplano: High plateau in the Andes.
• Basin: Depression in the land or ocean floor.
• Biome: An area classified by its plant and animal life.
• Savanna: A tropical grassland with scattered trees.
• Thermal Inversion: Climate pattern where air is warmer at higher elevations.

Additional Resources

• Articles, images, maps, and interactive resources related to South America's geography are available through National Geographic and other platforms.