South America Geography Overview

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Which ocean bounds South America in the west?

Arctic Ocean

Pacific Ocean (correct)

Indian Ocean

Southern Ocean

What separates South America from Antarctica?

Isthmus of Panama

Drake Passage (correct)

Caribbean Sea

Tropic of Capricorn

In which hemisphere does the greater part of South America lie?

Northern hemisphere

Eastern hemisphere

Western hemisphere

Southern hemisphere (correct)

What is the narrow stretch of land that joins South America to North America called?

Isthmus of Panama Signup and view all the answers

Which water body lies just north of South America?

Caribbean Sea Signup and view all the answers

What are the longitudinal and latitudinal extents of South America?

$35 ° W to 81 ° W and 12 ° N to 55 ° S$ Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the heavy rainfall in the equatorial regions of South America?

Convectional rainfall Signup and view all the answers

Why do the regions west of the Andes in South America not receive much rain and are very dry and hot?

Blockage of moisture-carrying winds by the Andes Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the dry and hot conditions in the regions west of the Andes in South America?

Blockage of moisture-carrying winds by the Andes Signup and view all the answers

What is responsible for the cooling and drying effect on the coast of Chile and Peru?

Influence of ocean currents Signup and view all the answers

Why do the local winds from the Pacific carry little moisture and bring no rain to the west coast of South America?

Cooling effect of local winds from the Pacific Signup and view all the answers

What causes heavy summer rainfall in a greater part of South America?

Influence of ocean currents Signup and view all the answers

What causes heavy rain throughout the year on the east coast of South America?

The South-east Trade Winds blowing over the warm Brazilian Current Signup and view all the answers

What is the unique feature of the climate of South America mentioned in the given text?

Abnormal warming of the surface waters known as El Nino Signup and view all the answers

Why does Iquique on the west coast of South America have a similar temperature to Buenos Aires on the east coast?

Attributed to the cooling effect of the Peruvian Current Signup and view all the answers

Which region in South America experiences no dry season, high humidity, and heavy convectional rainfall throughout the year?

Most of Brazil Signup and view all the answers

What influences the cool pleasant climate throughout the year in Quito, Ecuador, despite its location near the equator?

The altitude of the Andes Mountains Signup and view all the answers

What brings winter rain to central Chile while creating a dry rainless desert region in Patagonia?

The North-west Trade Winds Signup and view all the answers

Why does Manaus have a warmer average temperature compared to Quito at a similar latitude?

Difference in altitude above sea level Signup and view all the answers

Which climatic region experiences consistent heavy convectional rainfall throughout the year?

Most of Brazil Signup and view all the answers

What is responsible for creating a dry rainless desert region in Patagonia?

Westerlies bringing winter rain Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of the Oceanic or Marine Climate in southern Chile?

Cool temperatures and rainfall throughout the year Signup and view all the answers

Where are the equatorial forests or rainforests found in South America?

In the selvas of the Amazon Basin Signup and view all the answers

What makes the Patagonian Desert in Argentina unique?

It is the seventh largest desert in the world Signup and view all the answers

What are some tree species found in the equatorial forests of South America?

Rubber, cinchona, and hardwood-yielding trees Signup and view all the answers

What is the climate of the areas experiencing the Oceanic or Marine Climate in southern Chile?

Cool temperatures and consistent rainfall throughout the year Signup and view all the answers

What is the unique feature of the vegetation in the selvas of the Amazon Basin?

Great variety of vegetation Signup and view all the answers

What types of natural vegetation thrive in regions with heavy rainfall throughout the year and in regions with winter rainfall?

Forests and evergreen trees and shrubs Signup and view all the answers

Where are grasslands predominant in South America, and what is the determining factor for their presence?

Grasslands are predominant where rainfall is maximum in the summer season. Signup and view all the answers

Which climatic region is characterized by warm temperatures throughout the year and light summer rainfall, and where is it found in South America?

Mediterranean regions of central Chile, northeastern and central Argentina, and Uruguay Signup and view all the answers

In which part of Argentina is the Patagonian Desert located, and what type of climate does it experience?

The Patagonian Desert is located in the southeastern part of Argentina and experiences a temperate desert climate. Signup and view all the answers

What brings rainfall to central Chile in the winter, and what type of climate does this region experience?

Rainfall in central Chile is brought by North Westerly Winds in the winter, and the region experiences a Mediterranean climate. Signup and view all the answers

In which region of South America have parts not received any rain since recording weather data started, and what is the reason for this lack of rain?

The Atacama Desert in Chile has not received any rain since recording weather data started, and the reason for this lack of rain is the cold Peru Current. Signup and view all the answers