29. South America

South American geography

The continent of South America is over 7 000 kilometers long.

Its western coast is dominated by a high mountain range known as the Andes. 

A large rainforest region covers the eastern parts of the continent. The long Amazon river flows through the rainforest. The rainforest region can be distinguished as a dark green area in the map on the right.

A highland region can be found on the southern side of the Brazilian rainforests. When moving towards the south, it gradually transforms to the Argentinian temperate grassland. 

The areas near the equator experience a warm tropical climate, and they are surrounded by subtropical and temperate climatic regions. The southern tip of South America is located close to the continent of Antarctica. The climate there is significantly colder than in other parts of South America.

The Amazon

The Amazon River and the surrounding Amazon rainforest are one of the most unique and diverse regions on planet Earth. The Amazon River is the broadest river on the planet. During the rainy season, the Amazon River floods easily. 

The Amazon rainforest is rich in plant and animal life. Previously, the rainforest has been hard to travel through because of its thick vegetation. Hundreds of new animal and plant species are found in the Amazon rainforest every year.