Geography (SOUTH AMERICA)
Landforms: Brazilian Highlands
A bit smaller than the Guiana Highlands at 800 miles (1287 km) long, the Brazilian Highlands are confined to Brazil. These highlands are home to several mountain ranges including the Serra de Mantiquiera, Serra do Paranapiataba, Serra Geral, and Serra do Mar.
Climate: El Nino
A warm ocean current, forms off the coast of Peru about every three years. This current heats the waters in the Pacific, causing floods and droughts throughout the world.
The major lakes of South America are in and around the ____________ Mountains.
Andes
Which countries are well-positioned along the trading routes of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans?
Argentina and Chile
South America's main rivers flow to the _______________.
Atlantic Ocean
What countries of South America are landlocked?
Bolivia and Paraguay
Country: Bolivia
Bolivia is located in central South America. Its borders are Brazil to the north and east, Argentina and Paraguay to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the west. Bolivia is just a bit less than three times the size of Montana. The major land forms of Bolivia include the Andes Mountains, a highland plateau, hills, and the plains of the Amazon Basin. Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake, is shared by Bolivia and Peru. Elevation affects the climate, which ranges from humid and tropical to semiarid and cold. The northeast region is subject to flooding. Bolivia is one of South America's two landlocked countries, the other of which is Paraguay.
Country: Ecuador
Bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Peru to the south and east, and Colombia to the north, Ecuador is located in northwest South America. Quito, its capital city, lies just south of the equator. Ecuador is a bit smaller than Nevada. Ecuador's landscape is characterized by the Andean central highlands, coastal plains, and eastern jungle. Its climate is tropical along the coast and in the Amazon jungle and cooler in the highlands. Ecuador's natural hazards include occasional droughts, frequent volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, landslides, and floods. Ecuador is home to Cotopaxi, the world's highest active volcano.
What is South America's largest country?
Brazil
Country: Brazil
Brazil is the largest country in South America and covers most of the continent's land mass. It is just a little smaller than the entire U.S. All the countries of South America border Brazil except Chile and Ecuador. The terrain of Brazil is diverse. The Amazon basin lies in the north and west. In the southeast are highland areas. Plateaus and coastal plains are also part of the Brazilian landscape. Like the terrain, Brazil's climate varies. It's mostly tropical, but more temperate in the south. Droughts are a frequent problem in the northeast, while the southern area is threatened by flooding and frost.
Country: Chile
Chile, located along South America's western coast, is a long, narrow country. Its borders are the Pacific Ocean to the west, Argentina to the east, Bolivia to the northeast, and Peru to the north. Chile is just a little less then twice the size of Montana. The Atacama Desert, the world's driest desert, lies in northern Chile. The Andes run along its coast. Its central portion is a fertile valley. Chilean climate is temperate; it is cool in the south, desert in the north, Mediterranean in the center. Chile's natural hazards include earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. Chile's geographic location places it close to trading routes for both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Country: Colombia
Colombia is located in the northern portion of South America. Its borders are the Pacific Ocean to the west and north, Panama to the west, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Venezuela to the east, Brazil to the southeast, and Peru and Ecuador to the southwest. Colombia is about twice the size of Texas. Its climate is tropical along the coasts and cooler in the highlands. Colombia's landscape consists of eastern and coastal plains with central highlands. The Andes Mountains run through the country. Colombia's natural hazards include occasional droughts and earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions in the central highlands. Colombia is the only country of South America with coasts on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
Which country has coastlines along both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean?
Coloumbia
Country: French Guiana
In the northern part of South America, French Guiana is bordered by Suriname to the west and Brazil to the west and south. The Atlantic Ocean forms its northeastern border. It is slightly smaller than Indiana. French Guiana is mostly an unsettled wilderness. Its central region is hills and mountains, which drop to low plains along the coasts. Its tropical climate is constant year round. Severe storms here frequently result in flooding.
Country: Peru
In western South America, Peru is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Ecuador to the northwest, Colombia to the northeast, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, and Chile to the south. Peru is a little smaller than Alaska. The Andes run through the center of the country. Plains lie along its western coasts. To the east is the lowland jungle of the Amazon Basin. Peru's climate is diverse; it ranges from temperate to extremely cold in the Andes, to the dry western desert, to tropical in the east. Natural hazards here include flooding, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, and mild volcanic eruptions. It shares with Bolivia control of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake. Peru is home to the slope of Nevado Mismi, the origin of the Amazon River.
Climate: the Peru current
Is a cold current that flows along the west coast of South America toward the equator. The current cools the warm winds of the Pacific that pass over the ocean. This warm air rises over the Peruvian and Chilean coastal areas.
What about the location of South America makes it prone to seismic activity?
It is located on the Ring of Fire
Water Systems: Lake Titicaca
It is the largest lake the highest navigable lake in the world. It is 120 miles (193 km) in length and extends to 50 miles (80 km) wide in some places. It lies between the countries of Peru and Bolivia.
What is the highest navigable lake in the world?
Lake Titicaca
Country: Guyana
Like Venezuela and Colombia, Guyana is in the northern part of South America. The Atlantic Ocean forms its northern border. It lies east of Venezuela, west of Suriname, and north of Brazil. Guyana is a little smaller than Idaho. Its major physical features include its savannas, low coastal plains, and highlands. The climate here is tropical with cooling trade winds. Flash floods are a common occurrence during its two rainy seasons.
Country: Argentina
Located in southern South America, Argentina is bordered by Chile to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Uruguay to the east, Brazil to the northeast, and Paraguay and Bolivia to the north. Argentina, the second largest country in South America, is three-tenths as large as the United States. The Andes run along its western border. The plateau of Patagonia is in the south. Pampas cover its northern portion. Although Argentina's climate is mainly temperate, it is extremely cold in the southeast, and dry in the southwest. Natural hazards include earthquakes, windstorms, and flooding. Like its western neighbor, Chile, Argentina is well-positioned near Atlantic and Pacific trade routes. It is home to Laguna del Carbon, the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere.
Country: Paraguay
Paraguay, located in central South America, is one of South America's two landlocked countries. It's bordered by Argentina to the west and south, Brazil to the east, and Bolivia to the north. Paraguay is a little smaller than California. The Rio Paraguay runs through the country. East of the river lie forested hills and grassy plains; west are marshy plains. Scrub and dry forest cover the rest of the country. The climate of Paraguay ranges from tropical to subtropical. The eastern portion receives heavy rainfall and the west is semiarid. Natural hazards include flooding. Most of Paraguay's population is concentrated in its southern region.
Natural Hazards
South America is frequently threatened by natural hazards. Its location atop the South American plate makes it prone to seismic activity. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are a problem in many areas. The Pacific Ring of Fire runs along the western portion of the continent. Other hazards include El Nino, droughts, flooding, landslides, and tsunamis.
Landforms: Patagonia
South of the Pampas, Patagonia lies between the Andes Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. At about 1000 miles (1609 km) long, Patagonia extends from the Rio Negro River in Argentina to Tierra del Fuego and the Strait of Magellan. The landscape here is rugged and barren. However, it's popular with tourists because of its beautiful scenery.
Which South American country is not troubled by natural hazards?
Suriname
Country: Suriname
Suriname is also in the north of South America. Its northern border is the Atlantic Ocean. It is a bit larger than the state of Georgia. It is bordered by Guyana to the west, French Guiana to the east, and Brazil to the south. Suriname's tropical climate is cooled by trade winds. The landscape of Suriname consists mostly of tropical rain forests. It has many rolling hills and narrow, swampy coastal plains. Suriname, South America's smallest independent country, is not troubled by natural hazards.
Water Systems:
The Amazon River is the world's largest river in volume. The Rio de la Plata is comprised of the Uruguay, the Paraguay, and the Paraná rivers. The Orinoco River flows in a westward arc from its origin in the Guiana Highlands to the Atlantic Ocean. The São Francisco, which is completely in Brazil, is the fourth largest river in South America.
What is one of the world's driest places?
The Atacama desert
Natural Resources
The rain forests of South America are an immensely valuable resource, one which the continent as a whole has not done a good job of preserving. South America's mineral resources include gold, oil, copper, iron ore, and tin. Because of the value of these mineral resources to other countries, many countries of South America have failed to develop diversified economies, which has often resulted in political instability.
Landforms: Guiana Highlands
These highlands are located in northern South America. They are 1000 miles (1609 km) long and extend from Venezuela to the tip of Brazil. Here lies Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall. Its landscape is marked by one large plateau, tropical rain forests, many gorges, rivers, and waterfalls.
South America is composed of how many countries?
Thirteen
Landforms: Amazon Basin
This basin, also called Amazonia, is home to the world's largest rain forest, the Amazon Rainforest. It covers about one-third of the continent and provides water for nearly half of South America. The Amazon River and its more than 1,000 tributaries run through its center. Rainfall is plentiful here, averaging more than 200 rainy days a year. It receives more than 100 inches (254 cm) annually.
Landforms: Atacama Desert
This desert, high in the Andes in Chile, is a cold place that receives little precipitation. Few people live here. The Atacama is a relatively small desert that is only 100 miles (161 km) wide and 625 miles (1006 km) long.
Landforms: Pampas
This large, grassy plain extends from the Atlantic Ocean to the Andes Mountains. The pampas lie primarily in Argentina and extend into Uruguay. They cover nearly 294,000 square miles (473,147 sq. km). This biome is home to many South American cattle ranches.
Landforms: Andes Mountains
This mountain range runs through the western portion of South America from Panama to the continent's southern tip. The Andes are 4,500 miles (7,240 km) long and are the site of some of the world's largest volcanoes. They are also the source of the continent's major rivers. Its highest peak is Aconcagua at 22,384 feet (6,960 km).
Landforms: Llanos
This wide, fertile, grassy, treeless plain is located in Colombia and Venezuela. It covers 225,000 square miles (362,102 sq. km) and is drained by the Orinoco River and its tributaries.
Country: Uruguay
Uruguay, in southern South America, is well-positioned, with the Atlantic Ocean forming its southern border. Argentina forms its western border and Brazil its eastern border. Uruguay is almost as large as the state of Washington. Grassland covers three-fourths of the country. Uruguay's landscape consists mainly of fertile coastal lowlands, plains, and low hills. It benefits from a warm, temperate climate, but lacks mountains, which act as a natural barrier to extreme weather conditions. For this reason, high winds are a frequent problem.
Country: Venezuela
Venezuela, in northern South America, is bordered by Colombia to the west, the Caribbean Sea to the north, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the southeast. Venezuela is twice as large as California. Its climate is tropical, but cooler in the highlands. The landscape of the country includes the Andes Mountains and the Maracaibo Lowlands in the northwest, a central plains region, and the Guiana Highlands in the southeast. Natural hazards here include floods, rock slides, mudslides; and occasional droughts. Venezuela is home to the world's highest waterfall.
llano
a treeless, grassy plain
Its ___________ largest rivers cover nearly ___________ of the continent.
four, 3/4
pampas
grasslands of South America
Map
https://internationalvla.sooschools.com/media/a_wgh_2016/4/sa-landforms-map.gif
In what land form is the world's largest rain forest located?
the Amazon Basin
