South America

08.02.2019

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In the Western Hemisphere of planet Earth lies the fourth-largest continent by area: South America.
This continent, like Africa, is crossed by the equator, which divides it in half. There are only fifteen countries located in South America, three of which are dependent. The continent’s population is approximately four hundred million.
From history, we know that the discovery of this continent is associated with the navigator Christopher Columbus and the Spanish explorer Columbus. Thanks to his achievements, the entire world was marked by new lands. However, the discovery of America was entirely accidental, as the purpose of Columbus’s expedition was to find a small route to India.

South America – a Continent of Extremes

South America is washed by only two oceans: the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Caribbean Sea to the north. The topography divides the continent into mountains with plains to the west and mountains to the east. South America contains an arid region, located in Chile, called the Atacama Desert. Rainfall is very rare in this region, and in some areas it falls only once every ten years, resulting in sparse vegetation in the desert, consisting of cacti and acacia.

To the west are seven countries and the Andes Mountains. To the east are the Brazilian Highlands, where most of Brazil’s population lives. The southern continent of America has more climate zones than any other continent, with six, leading to its climate being considered the wettest.

The continent is rich in lakes and rivers, and has the largest drainage basin, the Amazon River. The Paraná River is also a long river, flowing through Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. The Orinoco River is unique in that it forks in the middle, home to the white river dolphin and a large crocodile. Due to ample rainfall and a predominantly warm climate, the native plant world is vast. Jungles occupy a vast area located in the tropical zone. This continent is home to the extraordinary chocolate and melon trees, orchids, and various palm species. Equatorial forests are rich in deciduous and evergreen plants. This continent’s greatest asset is its flora, as vegetables such as potatoes, chocolate trees, and tomatoes were introduced to other continents based on this. The fauna is represented by countless species, ranging from small insects to enormous alligators.