Tag: geography

South America is generally divided into four major physical divisions: the Andes Mountains, the Central Plains, the Eastern Highlands, and the coastal strips.

Both the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn pass through the South American continent.

Cape Horn is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile and is widely considered the southernmost point of the South American continent.

The Andes is the longest continental mountain range in the world, stretching along the entire western coast of South America.

The latitudinal extent of South America is approximately from 12 degrees North to 55 degrees South.

The longitudinal extent of South America is approximately from 35 degrees West to 81 degrees West.

The Eastern Highlands of South America consist of three main regions: the Guiana Highlands in the northeast, the Brazilian Highlands covering most of eastern Brazil, and the Patagonian Highlands in the south. Together they form the ancient shield areas east of the Andes.

The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by discharge volume and drainage basin size, carrying more water than the next seven largest rivers combined. While the Nile is the longest river, the Amazon's watershed covers about 40% of South America.

The climate of South America is influenced by its vast latitudinal extent, the presence of the high Andes mountains, and the impact of prevailing winds and ocean currents (like the Humboldt Current).