South America Major Physical Features – The Europeans called the Western Hemisphere the New World. South America is the kingdom that includes the southern part of the New World. This kingdom includes the entire continent of South America, which is physically smaller than North America. As a continent, South America is physically larger than Europe, Antarctica or Australia, but physically smaller than Africa or Asia. The continent of South America is further east than North America and physically smaller. Almost all of South America lies east of the same meridian that runs through Miami, Florida. The Atlantic Ocean crosses the continent to the east and the Pacific Ocean crosses the continent to the west. The narrow Isthmus of Panama creates a natural break between the South American continent and its northern neighbors. The Caribbean Sea forms the northern border.
The continent covers a wide range of latitude. The equator cuts through the northern part of the continent directly at the mouth of the great Amazon River. The country of Ecuador is located on the equator – hence its name. The equatorial zone is dominated by the tropical climate of the great Amazon basin. The Tropic of Capricorn passes directly through the latitude of São Paulo, Brazil, and the Atacama Desert of Chile, indicating that most of the continent is in the Tropic Belt to the north. South of the Tropic of Capricorn is the southernmost cone of South America, where the Pampas and Patagonia regions are located. Tierra del Fuego is the southern tip of the kingdom that borders Argentina and Chile. On the southern side of the Tierra del Fuego Archipelago is Cape Horn, which is considered the southernmost point of the continent. The Diego Ramírez Islands south of Cape Horn mark the southern tip of South America.
South America Major Physical Features
Most of the recognized island groups are generally associated with the physical region of South America. The Galapagos Islands are part of the country of Ecuador. The Falkland Islands, commonly called the Malvinas, are located off the southern coast of Argentina. They are physically connected to South America, but as an overseas territory they are governed and controlled by Great Britain. Argentina occupied the Falkland Islands and fought with Great Britain. Chile controls Easter Island and Robinson Island in the Pacific Ocean. Various islands in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean, such as the Dutch islands of Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire, are sometimes associated with South America due to their proximity to land. They are included in category 5.4 “Caribbean” in the Caribbean and are often associated with Central America.
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The South American continent has a wide variety of landscapes, from the high Andes to the tropical rainforests of the Amazon region. This combination of physical characteristics provides many resources that enable people to participate in the economy, acquire wealth, and provide for their needs. The long range of the Andes holds a wealth of minerals that have been mined since ancient times. Precious metals were mined from the mountains to provide good opportunities for those lucky enough to receive its riches. Abundant fossil fuels have been discovered in the extreme north of Venezuela and Colombia. The Amazon plain has been a source of timber and, more recently, abundant mineral wealth. Some of the largest iron ore mines in the world are located here. Brazil’s vast plains and the rich soil of the Pampas allow for large-scale agricultural operations that provide food for the continent and the world. Even the poor Atacama region in northern Chile has the largest copper deposits in the world. In addition, the variety of climates allows the development of different species of animals. The extremes of the South American country have created obstacles and opportunities for those who live there.
Before the European colonial era, many local groups organized themselves into states or kingdoms. The Inca Empire was the largest in existence at the time of European arrival. Early empires built large structures that required large quantities of cut stone weighing several tons that had to be moved into place without the use of modern tools or technology. European colonialism changed the continent in many ways. Not only did Europeans conquer and conquer indigenous Indian groups like the Incas, there was cultural exchange that changed the way of life for many South Americans. Colonialism created many of the current state borders and affected trade relations with newly established colonies. The plantation system and the introduction of slaves from Africa greatly changed the ethnic composition of the people who lived on the east coast. After slavery was abolished, slavery brought laborers from Asia to support the labor base.
Indentured laborers were usually poor people who agreed to work for an agreed period of time, usually less than seven years, in order to obtain the necessities of life such as shelter, food and transportation or clothing. These people usually did not receive a salary, but they could receive a sum of money when they completed the agreed service. Under favorable conditions, enlisted personnel were treated as relatives and gained valuable experience and work skills to take care of their future. Many conditions were not so good and resembled a form of slavery where people did not survive slavery but succumbed to disease, hardship or death.
The physical environment and the influence of colonialism were responsible for the cultural characteristics of the regions of South America. The continent can be divided into multi-ethnic regions influenced by early colonial development. The mixing of ethnic groups from Europe, Africa and Asia with each other or with indigenous peoples creates a mosaic of colorful cultures. For example, most people in Guyana and Suriname are from Asia, most people in Argentina and Uruguay are from Europe, most people in Peru and Bolivia are American, and most people in many areas along the east coast of Brazil are of African descent. A large percentage of the population of South America is mixed race. Understanding the cultural landscape of South America supports understanding the patterns of human development.
Large Political Map Of South America With Relief, Major Cities And Capitals
The modern development of the South American economy has helped to integrate South America into the world economy. Levels of economic development vary greatly from state to state. There are clear signs of core-periphery geographic patterns in different parts of the continent, and the rural-to-urban transition has been strong in many areas. Rural regions in the Andes or the interior suffer from a lack of economic support needed to develop their infrastructure. At the same time, metropolitan areas are expanding rapidly and are fully integrated with global markets and the latest technologies. Many large cities are located near coastal regions. This form of urbanization is mainly due to colonial activity and influence. South American countries are working to coordinate trade and commercial activities. Trade agreements and economic unions have become common ways to find business relationships to increase the economic opportunities of a state.
The far-reaching Andes Mountains and the mighty Amazon River system dominate the physical landscape of South America. The five thousand kilometer long Andes mountain range covers the entire western part of the continent from Venezuela to southern Chile. The Andes are the longest mountain on Earth and the highest in the Americas. The Andes Mountains have more than thirty peaks that reach at least twenty thousand meters in height, many of which are active volcanoes. The Andes Mountains provided isolation for the Inca Empire, a wealth of minerals for those who had the strength to extract them, and a barrier for travelers across the continent. The minerals of the Andes include gold, silver, tin and other precious metals. Mining became a major industry during the colonial period and continues to this day.
In the center of this continent is the great Amazon River, which is more than two thousand kilometers long and has a large drainage basin in the largest rain forest in the world. Many rivers in the Amazon are larger than most rivers in the world. The Amazon, which runs parallel to the equator, rivals the Nile as the world’s longest river. In 2007, there was a dispute over the true length of the Amazon River. Using satellite images and ground crew using the Global Positioning System (GPS), Brazilian scientists have calculated the new longitude of the Amazon. Using the same methods, they also calculated the new length of the Nile River. They found that both of them were taller than they had originally measured. At this time, the actual length of each river is openly disputed. The most accurate statement is that the Amazon River has the highest flow rate of any river in the world and is possibly the longest river in the world.
The Amazon carries about a fifth of all the world’s river water. Amazon and its many affiliates pull it all
Chile Physical Map
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