Facts about South America
- South America is continent in western hemisphere, mostly lies in the southern hemisphere and its small portion lies in the northern hemisphere.
- The continent has a covered area of 17,840,000 km square.
- This continent is surrounded by Pacific Ocean on west, north and east by Atlantic Ocean and North America and northwest by Caribbean Sea.
- South America ranks fourth in terms of area after Asia, Africa and North America.
- The continent ranks fifth in terms of population after Asia, Africa, Europe and North America.
- About 2/3 part of this continent is in the tropical region, south of Equator.
- There are 12 countries in South America Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela and 3 dependent territories the Falkland in UK, French Guiana in France, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands in UK.
- The South America is connected to North America through the Isthmus of Panama.
- The island of Tierra del Fuego lies extreme south of this continent.
- Brazil is the most populous country in South America with population of 213,345,145(in 2020) which is 49.33% of total population of South America about half the population of the country.
- Least populated country in South America is Suriname with population of 539,000 in 2013.
- Most populated part of this continent is eastern and western coast.
- Brazil is the biggest country in both South America and Latin America with an area of 8.5 million Square km.
- Suriname is the smallest country with an area of 165,000 square km in South America and Uruguay in south eastern region is the second smallest country.
- La Paz is the highest Capital in the world with an elevation of 3640 meter above sea level
- The Amazon Rainforest in South America is the world’s most Bio diverse place.
- Southernmost point on mainland –Cape Froward in Chile.
- Northern most point on mainland – Punta Gallina in north Colombia.
- Eastern most point on mainland –Ponta do Seixas in Brazil.
- Western most point on mainland- Punta Parinas in Peru.
- The total coastline in relation to its area is 15,800 miles long.
- Brazil ranked one in south American country with a coastline of 7,941 km long and Chile ranked second with coastline of 6,435 km.
- Andes Mountains (Fold Mountain) are the longest and Second highest mountain range in the world which formed the continuous highland along the western edge of the continent. It is 7000 km long and 200-700 km wide, with a height of 4000 meter. The range runs through seven countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.
- Amazon River of South America is the largest river by discharge volume of water in the world. Amazon is also the second longest river in the world. This river flow through the countries of Peru, Columbia, Brazil. The river is 6400 km long with covered basin area of 7,000,000 square km. It originates from Rio Apurimac, Mismi Peak of Andes and drains its water into Atlantic Ocean.
- Aconcagua in Argentina is the highest peak in South America and second highest of seven summits. It is the part of Andes Mountain and located 6,962 meter above sea level.
- La Rinconada Cojata in Peru is the highest country of this continent.
- Sao Paulo is the largest city South America in Brazil.
- Lake Titicaca is the largest, deepest and freshwater lake in Andes Mountain on the borders of Bolivia and Peru of South America. This is the highest navigable lake in the world. Two Separate sub-basins of this lake are connected by Strait of Tequina.
- Quito in Ecuador is the highest capital city of the world.
- Angel falls is the uninterrupted highest waterfall with height of 979 meter is situated in the Guiana Highlands in Bolivar state of south eastern Venezuela formed by Churun River a tributary of Carrao River. It is formed through Faulting process.
- Atacama Plateau is an arid high plateau in Andes mountain of Northern Chile and Argentina. It is the driest place on the earth. It is 4500 meter above sea level and covers an area of 180,000 km square.
- Major mineral resources of South America are gold, silver, copper, iron ore tin and petroleum. Brazil, Peru and Bolivia are major producer of tin. South America is home to deposits of oil and natural gas. Colombia’s Atrato river basin is a major depositor of gold in South America. Major gold centers are central Andes in Peru, Andes of Chile and some area in Brazil.
- Lowland Tapir is the largest terrestrial mammal in South America. It can weigh up to 660 pounds
- Anaconda, a variety of Python found in the Amazon basin in 10-12 meter long.
- The Galapagos island of Ecuador is the Natural fertility center of Olive Ridley Turtle in South America.
- Largest producer of coffee in South America are Brazil, Columbia.
- Two important cash crops of South America are Coffee and Cacao which is basic ingredient of Chocolate.