South America's Physical Geography

Extreme Aridity and Deserts

• The Atacama Desert is known for being the most arid region in South America, located in northern Chile.
• The region characterized by scrub vegetation and relative aridity is also the Atacama Desert.

Rivers and Basins

• The Amazon River Basin is the largest river basin in the world, covering a vast area across several countries.

Diverse Regions of South America

• The region encompassing parts of Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana is identified as the Guiana Highlands.
• The physical geography of South America ranges from dense rainforests to high mountain ranges, highlighting its ecological diversity.

Rainforests and Biodiversity

• The Amazon rainforest, known for its incredible biodiversity, is located primarily in Brazil but also extends into several neighboring countries.
• It is recognized as the largest rainforest in the world.

Mountains and Highlands

• The Andes Mountains, running along the western edge of South America, are famous for their high peaks and diverse ecosystems.
• The highest point in South America and the Southern Hemisphere is Aconcagua, located in Argentina.
• The Brazilian Highlands, primarily located in Brazil, feature a series of elevated plateaus.

Grasslands and Agriculture

• The Pampas, known for their fertile plains, support extensive agriculture and cattle ranching in Argentina.
• The Gran Chaco region is known for its grassy savannas and is a significant agricultural area.

Geographic Context

• South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, bordering the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Explore the diverse physical geography of South America, characterized by mountains, rivers, rainforests, and deserts. Learn about the Andes Mountains, the longest mountain range in the world that runs along the western edge of South America.