South America is part of what. South America - Do we know everything about the continents? South America geographic location

Climatic zones

South America 5 climatic zones: subequatorial belt(2 times), equatorial belt, Tropical Belt , subtropical belt and the temperate zone.

Hydrography

The most important river systems in South America are Amazon, Orinoco and Parana , whose total basin is 9,583,000 km² (the area of ​​South America is 17,850,568 km²). Most of the lakes in South America are located in Andes , the largest of which and the highest navigable lake in the world is Titicaca , on the border of Bolivia and Peru. The largest lake is maracaibo in Venezuela, it is also one of the oldest on the planet.

South America has the highest waterfall in the world - Angel . The most powerful waterfall is located on the mainland - Iguazu.

South America is the wettest continent Earth.








Minerals

The bowels of South America contain a very diverse complex of minerals. The largest deposits iron ores confined to the ancient Precambrian of Venezuela (Orinoco River basin) and Brazil (Minas Gerais), the richest deposits of porphyry copper ores - to granitoid batholiths of the Central Andes. Deposits of ores of rare elements are associated with ultramafic alkaline intrusions of Eastern Brazil. Deposits of ores of tin, antimony, silver, and other ores have been found on the territory of Bolivia. The forward and intermountain troughs of the Andes contain deposits of oil and gas along their entire length, which are especially rich within Venezuela. There are coal deposits; deposits of coal are known in the Upper Paleozoic, brown - in the Cenozoic. Bauxite deposits are confined to the young weathering crust (especially in Guyana and Suriname).

Animal and Plant World

The natural world of South America is one of the richest on the planet. At least 44,000 can be found in the Amazon Basin different types plants, 2.500 species river fish and 1,500 species of birds. The jungle is home to huge spiders that feed on birds, and mammals such as armadillos and sloths. The rivers of South America are home to sea cows, freshwater dolphins, giant catfish and electric eels. Thousands of species forest insects not yet studied.
Alnacas and vicuñas from the camelid family are found in the Andes. The steppes of Pamna are inhabited by a large running nandu bird, or the American ostrich. In colder areas on the southern fringes of the continent, penguins and seals are common. On the Galapagos Islands, lying in the Pacific Ocean west of the coast of Ecuador, there are such rare representatives of the animal world as the famous giant tortoises.
Fertile soils nourish the rich vegetable world continent. South America is the birthplace of prickly araucaria, rubber, potatoes and many domestic plants (for example, monstera).
The nature of South America is under threat of destruction. As people cut down forests, many species of forest animals and priceless plants that have not adapted to new living conditions disappear without a trace..

South America is a continent located in the Western Hemisphere of our Planet. It is crossed by the Equator line and divides this continent into two parts. One part (largest) belongs to the Southern Hemisphere, and the second (smallest) belongs to the Northern Hemisphere.

The mainland ranks 4th among the continents in terms of its area - 17,840,000 km². On its territory, which includes the adjacent islands, there are 15 states, three of which are dependent. By clicking on the link, you can see a detailed list of countries in South America in a table with capitals and characteristics. The population is approximately 400 million people.

In the west, the continent is washed by the Pacific Ocean, in the east by the Atlantic Ocean, in the north by the Caribbean Sea, which is the boundary between North America and South America.

Extreme points of mainland South America

The northern point - Cape Gallinas is located in Colombia on the Caribbean Sea.

The southern (mainland) point - Cape Frouard is located in Chile on the Brunswick Peninsula on the coast of the Strait of Magellan.

The southern (island) point - Diego - Ramirez - is the southernmost point of America and Chile, which consists of a group of islands covering an area of ​​just over one square kilometer.

The western point - Cape Parinas is located in Peru.

Eastern point - Cape Cabo - Branco, located in Brazil.

Relief of South America

The mainland of South America is divided by relief into the Mountainous West and the Plain East.

The Atacama Desert is located in Chile and is the driest place on Earth. There are places in the desert where it rains once every few decades. Here is the lowest humidity. Of the vegetation, only cacti and acacias are found.

The western part of the mainland consists of the Andes mountain system, stretching through the seven states of South America, and the eastern part of the plains. In the North is the Guiana Plateau, 1930 km long and 300 - 1000 m high.

In the east of the mainland, the Brazilian Highlands are located, with an area of ​​​​about 4 million km2. 95% of the Brazilian population lives here. highest point of this upland is the mountain - Bandeira. Its height is 2897 meters. Due to the huge natural diversity, the Brazilian Highlands are divided into three parts: the Atlantic, Central and Southern Plateaus.

South of the Brazilian Highlands is the Laplata Lowland, on the territory of which such states as Paraguay and Uruguay, the northern part of Argentina, southern part Brazil and southeastern Bolivia. The area of ​​the lowland is more than 3 million km2.

The Amazonian lowland is a lowland covering an area of ​​over 5 million km2. It is the largest lowland on our planet.

Climate of South America

There are 6 climatic zones in South America: Northern and Southern subequatorial belt, Equatorial, Tropical, Subtropical and Temperate zone.

The climate of South America in most of its subequatorial and tropical, in which dry and wet seasons are clearly defined. Equatorial humid climate characteristic only of the Amazonian lowland. In the south of the continent, a subtropical and temperate climate prevails. In the northern plains, the temperature is 20-28 degrees all year round. In the Andes, temperatures decrease with altitude. There may even be frost. On the Brazilian plateau, the temperature in winter can drop to 10 degrees, and on the Patagonian plateau to zero degrees.

River systems of South America.

The following river systems are located on the mainland: Parana, Orinoco, Amazon, Paraguay, Uruguay.

The Amazon is the world's largest river in terms of basin area (7180 thousand km²), formed by the confluence of the Ucayali and Marañon rivers. Considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Brazil owns most of the basin. It flows mainly through the Amazonian lowland and flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

Parana is the second longest river on this continent, flowing in the southern part of the continent. It flows through the territory of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay. Just like the Amazon flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

Paraguay - a river, is the right tributary of the Parana. It divides the Republic of Paraguay into Northern and Southern Paraguay, and in its southern part is the state border between Paraguay and Argentina.

Uruguay is a river originating in Brazil and formed by the confluence of the Canoas and Pelotas rivers. It is the border between Brazil and Uruguay. Its river system is the country's main source of water supply. The country's largest hydroelectric power station is also located here.

Orinoco is a river that flows through Venezuela and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Its feature is the bifurcation of the river. The Casiquiare River separates from it, which flows into the Rio Negro River. In this river there is a white river dolphin or Amazonian and one of the largest - the Orinoco crocodile.

Lakes of South America

Maracaibo (translated as "Land of Mary") is a large brackish water lake located in Venezuela. The depth of this lake differs significantly in its southern and northern parts. The northern one is shallow, and the southern reaches (according to various sources) from 50 - 250 meters. This lake is also one of the oldest lakes.

Titicaca (titi - puma, kaka - rock) - the most big lake by reserves fresh water and the second largest after Maracaibo. More than three hundred rivers flow into this lake. It is navigable. Archaeological studies show that the city of Wanaku is located at the bottom of the lake.

Patos is a lake located on the coast in Brazil. It is 280 km long and 70 km wide. It is separated from the ocean by a sandy spit 8 km wide. It has large hydroelectric power stations. Salt, fish and oil are mined here.

Flora of South America

Due to the warm climate and the huge amount of rainfall, the plant world in South America is very diverse. For each climate zone characteristic flora. A large area is occupied by the jungle, which is located in the tropical zone. Here grow: chocolate and melon tree - papaya, rubber trees, various palm trees, orchids.

To the south of the jungle, deciduous and evergreen plants grow in the equatorial forests. Here grows such a tree as a quebracho, which has a very durable wood. In the subtropical zone, you can find vines and cacti. Further, moving south, there is a steppe zone where feather grass and various herbs grow. Behind this zone, deserts and semi-deserts begin, where dry shrubs grow.

Fauna of South America

The fauna of the mainland is as diverse as the flora. Monkeys, sloths, jaguars, anteaters, parrots, hummingbirds, toucans and many other animals live in the tropics. Crocodiles, anacondas, piranhas, a rodent - a kopibaru, are found in the Amazonian selva, river dolphins. Only here you can meet a wild cat - an ocelot, similar to a leopard. In the savannah live: armadillos, pigs - bakers, spectacled bear, ostriches, cougars, fox and maned wolf. In the plains zone live: deer, llamas, pampas cat. Only in South America can you find deer - pudu, only 30-40 cm high. Huge turtles live on the Galapagos Islands, which belong to South America.

South America is the fourth largest continent. The area of ​​South America is 17,833,000 sq. km. Extreme points of South America:

• Northern: Cape Galinas (12°N, 72°W);
• Southern: Cape Horn (56° S, 72° W);
• Western: Cape Parinhas (5°S, 81°W);
• Eastern: Cape Cabo Branco (8° S, 35° W).

South America is in the western hemisphere, the mainland is intersected, most of it is in the southern hemisphere. South America forms a single part of the world - America. South America is separated from North. From the west, the mainland is washed by, from the east -. To the north is the Caribbean Sea. The huge Drake Strait separates from.

The coast of the mainland is indented quite weakly. Most bays are small, formed at the mouth of rivers when the ocean moves inland. The largest is La Plata Bay in the southeast of the mainland. The southern coast of the mainland is heavily indented, where there is an archipelago, separated from the mainland by the famous Strait of Magellan - the hardest path that all sailors passed in.

The average height of the continent is quite small, which is explained by large area, which is occupied by the lowlands: Amazonian, Orinokskaya and. These are quite flat, sometimes swampy areas, coinciding with the basins of the corresponding rivers. Between them there are three plateaus: Brazilian, Guiana and with heights from 500 to 2000 m. The Andes stretch along the western coast - a huge mountain system with a length of 9 thousand km. They are a continuation and part of the Pacific volcanic ring. In the Andes, there is the highest peak in South America - Mount Aconcagua (6960 m.), As well as a number of volcanoes - Cotopaxi (5897 m.), Chimborazo (6267 m.).

The entire northern and most of the central part of the mainland are in the equatorial and subequatorial. here all year round it does not fall below +20°C, in summer it reaches +30°C. There is a lot of precipitation all year round; in the subequatorial winter, a dry period begins. The tropical climatic zone is present only in the southern part of the mainland, the winter dry period is pronounced here, precipitation falls only in summer. In the east of the mainland is wet, from the Atlantic Ocean comes wet air. The climate gets drier as you get closer to the west coast. west coast the Atacama Desert is located.

The subtropical belt is located in the southern hemisphere between 30° N. sh. and 40° N. sh. On the west coast, this is the type of climate, with warm summer(+20°С), rather warm (+10°С) and humid winter. On the east coast, a humid subtropical climate is formed, with precipitation up to 2000 mm. precipitation. Between these zones there is a zone of continental subtropical climate, here it is dry, hot (+25°С) summer and warm (+10°С) winter. occupies the southern tip of the mainland. Moderate formed on the west coast, here warm winter, cool summers and a lot of precipitation. The east coast is dominated by temperate continental climate, cold in winter, down to -30°С, warm in summer, up to +20°С, there is little precipitation all year round.

The entire Amazonian lowland is occupied by wet equatorial forests- selva. This is a unique natural area with a huge variety of flora and fauna. Various types of palms and rubber trees, ficuses, ceibas, many lianas and orchids grow here. Almost all animals of the selva swim well, many have adapted to moving through the trees. There are many monkeys, birds, there are porcupines, tapirs, largest predator- jaguar, the only representative of the cat family, which willingly moves through the water. The Amazonian forests are home to the smallest birds in the world - hummingbirds, and the largest butterflies, spiders, beetles.

Savannahs and woodlands are also a very large natural area. In the north, it is located on the Guiana Plateau and is called llanos, in the south it occupies and is called campos. Here ferrallitic and red-brown soils, in llanos there are individual trees - acacias, palms, in campos grow mainly cereals and legumes. There are many large animals - deer, peccaries, cougars, jaguars, crocodiles and manatees are found in the rivers.

South of the campos begins the pampas - the steppes of South America. Most of the pampas have been developed by man, crops are grown here, and sheep are bred. In some areas, wild animals remained - ostriches, llamas, deer.

And it occupies a small area - Atacama, desert soils here, mainly cacti grow. In the Andes there is altitudinal zonality, in the upper zones there are llamas and guanacos, chinchillas, almost exterminated because of valuable fur. The largest bird on Earth, the condor, lives here.

In ancient times, South America was integral part other land masses. After their split and drift to the southwest, the mainland existed for a very long time isolated from the rest of the continents. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the Isthmus of Panama connected the two continents in the Western Hemisphere. Then a navigable canal of the same name was laid through it. To a large extent, the modern look determines not only geographical position South America (SE) and its geological structure, but also the activities of the population.

General information about the mainland South America. Territory size

The territory of the continent (including the adjacent islands) is 18 million km 2 (the fourth largest). In ancient times, strong tectonic shocks caused a split in the land and the drift of the South American plate far to the west - towards the Nazca plate. The result of this oncoming movement was a powerful collision of lithosphere massifs, the formation of folded mountains (Andes). The climate became warmer, the course of the Amazon changed, there was a strong swamping and overgrowing of its valley in the middle and lower reaches with wet impenetrable forests. Due to its remote location in the organic world of South America, endemic and relict species plants and animals. A description of the geographical location of South America will help to understand what factors are decisive for the formation of the modern climate and natural areas, activities of the population.

Geographic location of South America. Plan

The shape of the continent is similar to a drop, the tip of which is facing the Antarctic Peninsula and South Pole. The wide base is north of the equator, and in the subtropics, the narrow base. The characteristic of the GP of the mainland includes a listing of the main elements of its location on the globe and map, and neighboring geographical objects. It is necessary to perform a number of actions:

1. To study the position relative to the equator, the prime meridian.
2. Determine the coordinates of the most extreme northern, southern, western and eastern points.
3. Briefly describe coastline oceans washing the mainland, largest seas, straits and bays.

Description of the geographic location of South America

The main mass of the continent is located south of the 0 ° parallel (equator), and in the northern latitudes - a small area. Meridian 0° does not pass through this continent.

The geographical position of South America in latitude:

• 12° N sh. - cape Gallinas in the north;
• 54°S sh. - Cape Froward on the southern outskirts of the mainland;
• 56°S sh. - island point - Cape Diego Ramirez in the south.

The geographical position of South America in longitude is the coordinates of the two extreme points in the east and in the west:

• 35°W d. - Cape Cabo Branco;
• 81°W d. - m. Parinhas.

Along the 10° parallel, the distance on the mainland reaches 4655 km, and 5150 km is the largest latitudinal dimension of the continent of South America. The position relative to the equator of this territory is 5 ° S. sh.

The nature of the coastline

The western margin of the mainland is washed by the Pacific Ocean and its cold Peruvian Current. This is a slightly indented part of the coast. Here are the highest and longest mountain ranges of the Andes. South America and Antarctica are separated by a strait named after medieval pirate Francis Drake. The water surface stretches for 460 km from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean. The width of the strait is from 818 to 1120 km, its depth is from 276 to 5249 m. The geographical position of the mainland of South America near Antarctica has led to harsh conditions in the south of the continent, in and on the islands of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. The nature of the Falklands is also influenced by the south polar region. In the east, the shores are washed by the Atlantic, in the north - by the Caribbean Sea.

Voyages of Columbus

On the ancient Greek maps and drawings of Ptolemy, the continents in the Western Hemisphere are not plotted. There are a number of legends and hypotheses based on evidence of sailing to the islands and the coast of America by the ancient peoples of Eurasia (Phoenicians, Egyptians, Vikings), inhabitants of Oceania. Scientists and travelers of that time assumed that there was a western path to the rich states of the East. The physical and geographical position of South America led to the long isolation of this continent from the Old World, its poor study until the 15th century. During this period, Europeans began to settle and develop America. Navigator and merchant Christopher Columbus under the flag of the Spanish crown visited the New World four times (1492-1504). For the first time he went far to the west at the head of a small sailing squadron - to look for shortest way to India. During the expedition, he discovered one of the Antilles. In August 1498, the ships of Columbus entered the mouth of the Orinoco, marking the beginning of the conquest of the mainland by Europeans. The navigator, landing on unexplored shores, was sure that he had reached India. Aboriginal with light hand Columbus became known as the Indians.

Brief information about the colonization of the mainland by Europeans

Amerigo Vespucci was the first to guess that Columbus had discovered an unknown land. In honor of the navigator's brilliant suggestion, the southern continent was called America (1507). Vespucci visited America several times in his life. He made maps and described them. For two centuries, the Spaniards and the Portuguese have mastered the space in the central and southern parts. They turned into ruins the ancient Indian cities built by the civilizations of the Incas, Aztecs and Maya. The French, British and Dutch joined the large-scale colonization of South America by immigrants from the Iberian Peninsula in the 16th century. Sailors circled the continent, delved into the impenetrable jungles of the central part in search of the treasures of Eldorado, as well as the source of water that gives eternal youth. Expeditions climbed to the peaks of the Andes, went up and down the Amazon, Parana, and other rivers. The legendary Spanish conqueror F. Orellana crossed the continent (1542), sailing along the Amazon from its source in the Andes to the very delta on the Atlantic coast.

Explorations of South America (XVII-XX)

The German geographer A. Humboldt, during his scientific expeditions, compiled detailed map mainland, ocean currents off its western shores. He was the first to figure out the importance of cold flows for the formation of the climate of the Andes, described altitudinal zonality and the vegetation of the mountains (together with the Frenchman E. Bonpland). The famous British naturalist Charles Darwin studied the nature of South America in the 19th century. Observation of unusual animals of the Galapagos volcanic islands led the researcher to the idea of ​​the evolution of organisms. Russian scientists G. Langsdorf and N. Rubtsov explored the hinterland of the Brazilian Plateau in the 19th century. Expeditions led by A. Voeikov and N. Vavilov studied the centers of origin and distribution of the most important agricultural crops (1932-1933).

The diversity of the nature of the mainland

Within the South American continent, there are significant differences in nature due to a number of factors. The most important among them is the influx of solar radiation, which depends on the geographic latitude. The nature of the mainland is influenced by:

• features of the geographical position of South America;
• the size of the territory;
• atmospheric circulation;
• surrounding oceans;
• warm and cold currents;
• (mountains, plains, deserts).

In South America, the climate is not as dry as in Africa. We list the main belts (from north to south): equatorial, tropical and temperate, transitional - subequatorial and subtropical.

Conclusion

Characteristics of the geographical location of South America - important element exploration of the continent. In ancient times, the mainland was not in the part of the Earth that it now occupies. It has come a long way of development - from a part of Pangea and Gondwana to the modern geological era.

The continent is located in the Western Hemisphere, mostly south of the equator. To the west is the Andes mountain range. Near the shores there is a deep-water trench, which arose as a result of the collision of two blocks of the lithosphere. There are active volcanoes in this region, destructive earthquakes occur, complicating the life and activities of the population.

The modern inhabitants of the mainland are the descendants of the Indians, Spanish and Portuguese conquerors, slaves brought to work on the plantations. The total population 12 exceeds 380 million people. The mainland is rich in sights, among which are the highest Mountain peaks, waterfalls, the remains of ancient cities, many other objects of domestic and international tourism.

South America is the southern continent in America, located mainly in the Western and Southern hemispheres of the Earth, partly in the Northern Hemisphere. It is washed by the waters of two oceans: the Pacific and the Atlantic, as well as the Caribbean Sea, which is a natural boundary between the two Americas.

Characteristics of South America

The length of the mainland South America is 7350 km. from north to south and 5180 km. from west to east.

Extreme points:

• northern- Cape Gallinas;
• southern (mainland)- Cape Frownard;
• southern (island)— Diego Ramirez;
• western- Cape Parinas;
• eastern Cape Cabo Branco.

The word "America" ​​in the name of this continent was first used by Martin Waldseemuller, putting on his map the Latin version of the name Amerigo Vespucci, who, in turn, first suggested that the lands discovered by Christopher Columbus were not related to India, but were the New World, before Europeans unknown.

Rice. 1. Views of South America

Brief description of South America

Relief

According to the nature of the relief, South America can be divided into the Mountainous West and the Plain East.

The average height of the mainland is 580 meters above sea level. The Andes mountain system stretches along the entire western edge. In the north of the mainland, the Guiana Plateau rises, in the east - the Brazilian, between which is the Amazonian lowland. To the east of the Andes, lowlands lie in the foothills.

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Geologically, quite recently, the Andes were the scene of active volcanic activity, which continues in the modern era in several areas.

Rice. 2. Guiana Plateau

Climate

There are 6 climate zones in South America:

• Subequatorial belt (occurs 2 times);
• equatorial belt;
• Tropical belt;
• Subtropical belt;
• Temperate zone.

Most of South America has a subequatorial and tropical climate, with well-defined dry and wet seasons; on the Amazonian lowland - equatorial, constantly wet, in southern regions subtropical and temperate. On the plains of the northern part of South America, up to the Southern Tropic, the temperature is 20-28 ° C all year round, to the south in January (summer) it drops to 10 ° C. In July, that is, in winter, average monthly temperatures fall on the Brazilian plateau to 10-16 ° C, on the Patagonian plateau - to 0 ° C and below. In the Andes, the temperature decreases markedly with height; in the highlands it does not exceed 10 °C, and frosts are not uncommon here in winter.

The most humid are the windward slopes of the Andes in Colombia and southern regions Chile - 5-10 thousand mm of precipitation per year.

In the southern part of the Andes and on individual volcanic peaks to the north, glaciers are found.

South America is the wettest continent on Earth.

Rice. 3 South America. View from space

Mainland countries South America

There are 15 countries and territories on the continent:

• Argentina;
• Bolivia;
• Brazil
• Venezuela;
• Guyana;
• Colombia;
• Paraguay;
• Peru;
• Suriname;
• Uruguay;
• Falkland Islands (owned by the UK, disputed by Argentina);
• Guiana (belongs to France);
• Chile;
• Ecuador;
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (belonging to the UK).

The most widely spoken languages ​​in South America are Portuguese and Spanish. Portuguese is spoken by Brazil, whose population is about 50% of the population of this continent. Spanish is the official language of most countries on this continent. Other languages ​​are also spoken in South America: in Suriname they speak Dutch, in Guyana they speak English, and in French Guiana they speak French respectively.

What have we learned?

The topic "South America" ​​is studied in geography lessons in grade 7. From this article, we learned in which hemisphere South America is located, what it is washed by, on which mainland Brazil is located, and also learned other useful information: about the relief, climate and countries of this continent. We learned that South America is the wettest continent on the planet and that it has 6 climatic zones. Thanks to this article, you can easily create short message with a description of the continent or prepare a report for the lesson.

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