Facts About South America.South America, or South America , is considered by some to be its own continent while others only consider it a subcontinent within America . By extension it is behind Asia , Africa and North America , but by population it only exceeds Oceania . With a very peculiar geography, it contains some of the most impressive natural areas in the world.
10 Facts About South America
South America is the fourth largest continent in terms of land area and is located entirely in the western hemisphere. It is known for its diverse landscapes, rich culture, and natural wonders. Here are some interesting facts about South America:
- Size and Geography: South America covers an area of approximately 17.84 million square kilometers (6.89 million square miles). It is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and Antarctica to the south.
- Countries: South America is home to 12 independent countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
- Amazon Rainforest: The Amazon Rainforest, located primarily in Brazil but also extending into other countries, is the largest tropical rainforest in the world and is often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth” due to its significant role in producing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide.
- Andes Mountains: The Andes, running along the western edge of South America, is the longest mountain range in the world, stretching over 7,000 kilometers (4,300 miles). It is known for its high peaks, including Aconcagua in Argentina, which is the highest point in both South America and the Southern Hemisphere.
- Atacama Desert: The Atacama Desert, located in Chile, is one of the driest places on Earth. Some areas of the desert have not seen rain for hundreds of years.
- Angel Falls: The world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall, Angel Falls, is located in Venezuela. It has a total height of 979 meters (3,212 feet), with a continuous drop of 807 meters (2,648 feet).
- Galapagos Islands: This archipelago, situated off the coast of Ecuador, is famous for its unique and diverse wildlife. The islands played a significant role in Charles Darwin’s development of the theory of evolution by natural selection.
- Lake Titicaca: Straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is the largest lake in South America by volume and the highest navigable lake in the world.
- Carnival: South America is known for its vibrant and colorful carnival celebrations. The most famous of these is the Rio Carnival in Brazil, attracting millions of visitors every year.
- Languages: Spanish and Portuguese are the most widely spoken languages in South America. However, many indigenous languages are also spoken throughout the continent.
- Biodiversity: South America is incredibly biodiverse, housing a vast array of plant and animal species. The continent is home to iconic wildlife like jaguars, llamas, alpacas, toucans, and the famous Andean condor.
- Machu Picchu: Peru’s ancient Incan citadel, Machu Picchu, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts tourists from all over the globe.
These facts only scratch the surface of the cultural, historical, and geographical diversity that South America offers. Each country within the continent has its own unique charm and attractions, making it a fascinating destination for travelers and researchers alike.
Demographics of South America
In Bolivia the indigenous population still prevails.
The population in South America is the most diverse since over the years the indigenous population, the colonizers of the European continent and slaves from Africa have mixed. Furthermore, from the 19th century on, the South American continent has also received a lot of immigration from Europe and Asia .
This means that in some countries the population of European origin is predominant , as in Argentina , while in others like Bolivia the indigenous population still prevails.
Languages of South America
The most widely spoken languages in South America also have a great relationship with the time of colonization . The two main languages are Spanish and Portuguese . The latter is only spoken in Brazil , but due to its large population it has almost the same number of speakers as the Spanish spoken in eight other countries. French, English and Dutch are also spoken, but none of them reach a million speakers on the continent.
In addition to these languages of European origin, there are more than 300 indigenous languages and some of them have millions of speakers.
South America Climate
The presence of the Andes causes great differences in temperature according to altitude.
Due to its great extension and its peculiar geography, the climates that can be found in South America are very varied. There are areas near the equator and tropics where tropical (warm) climates dominate , more temperate areas past the Tropic of Capricorn and polar climates (cold) in the extreme south. In addition, the presence of the Andes causes great differences in temperature according to altitude.
South American religion
In South America Catholicism has more followers than Protestantism.
The Christianity is the most practiced religion in America of the South and some studies state that 91% of the population is considered Christian. However most of them do not consider themselves practitioners.
The branch of Catholicism that has many more followers than Protestantism is especially widespread . However, the number of faithful in both cases is decreasing over the years in favor of atheism or agnosticism. Other relatively abundant religions are Judaism and Islam that are mainly found in certain communities in Argentina.
History of South America
The history of South America is very broad as it includes numerous civilizations and cultures that developed over many years without having contact with populations from other continents.
However, today history is usually divided into pre-Columbian times, European discovery, colonization, independence, consolidation of nations, and contemporary history .
Most populous cities in South America
Buenos Aires is one of the most populated cities in South America.
The South American continent contains some of the most populated cities in the world and many of them concentrate a large percentage of the population of their country . Some examples are Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Lima in Peru , Caracas in Venezuela and Bogotá in Colombia.
South America Economy
South America has been a relatively unstable region in various aspects, including the economic policies applied by its countries. However, in recent years, considerable progress has been made, placing several countries in the region among the world’s high-income economies .
There are currently three economic trends on the continent : capitalist countries with open economies , countries with mixed economies more inclined towards social democracy and, finally, countries with semi-closed economies.
Culture of South America
In a single country in South America there can be very marked cultural differences.
The culture in South America is highly influenced by European colonization but also by pre-Columbian indigenous culture , especially in some areas. Because borders between countries have been established relatively recently, more pronounced cultural differences can often be found within a country than in border areas between different countries.
Nature of South America
The Iguazú Falls contain more than 250 jumps.
South America contains some of the most spectacular and diverse natural landscapes to be found in the entire world. The Atacama desert is the most arid in the world, Salar de Uyuni is the most extensive salt desert, the Iguazú Falls contain more than 250 jumps, the Galapagos Islands have a unique flora and fauna in the world, and the Amazon Rainforest is the largest and most biodiverse tropical forest on the planet .
Gastronomy of South America
The consumption of roast beef is quite widespread throughout South America.
The gastronomy in the South American continent maintains influences from various cultures: Amerindian, Spanish and African . The consumption of roast meat is quite widespread throughout the continent, as well as outdoor barbecues. However, cuisine and eating habits vary by region.
