Chapter 11

South America
Location and Extent:
South America is the fourth vastest continent in the world continents. Its area is 80 million
sq.km. Its shape is like an irregular cone that has a base towards North and is extended towards
the South like the cow’s tail. This continent is spread between 13° north and 56° south latitudes.
The north south extent from Caribbean Sea to Cape horn is about 7600 sq.km. Strait of Panama
connects it with the Central and South America. Equator passes with the mouth of the largest
river of South America– Amazon. Tropic of Capricorn passes almost in the middle of South
America. The map clearly shows that two third of the area of South America is located in the
Torrid zone. The longest distance of the continent in East-West direction is 5150 sq.km.

Physical Features:
South America is generally divided into three major regions:
1. Western Folded Mountains of Andes Range:
2. Eastern Mountains and Plateaus of Giana, Brazil, and Paitogonia:
3. Central Flood Plains Basin:
1. The Western Folded Mountains of Andies Range:
The Western Folded Mountains of the Andes Ranges is the longest mountain range
in the world, stretching along the Pacific coast from the Caribbean sea in North to
Horn Bay in the south. These mountains are so high that the mountain passes are
located at an altitude of more than 3000 meters. At least 50 peaks of the Andes
Mountains are over 6,000 meters high. These young folded mountains emerged
from the ocean floor about 20 million years ago.
i. Northern Andes:
In the north, the Andes Mountains are divided into three branches, between which are river
basins and valleys. Between the central and eastern mountain ranges is the Maracaibo– a lower
Plain, which is located around Lake Maracaiboi. This is rich in mineral oil. The height of the
Andes near Carribean Sea decreases to about 600 meters. There has become a cluster/jumble of
Andes mountains where the branches of many mountains meet and form knots in Ecuador, which
is located between the 5° and 10° South latitudes. Residuals on the surface of Peru and Ecuador
show that there had been passed a long volcanic eruption period in the area. Earthquakes still
occur here. Cotopaxy and Chimborazo are Ecuador’s most famous volcanoes.

ii. The Central Andes:

This is the widest part of the Mount Andes. In Peru, it is divided into eastern and western
branches. Between them is the high plateau of Altiplano, 3600 meters above the sea level. The
maximum width of Mount Andes is there, where these mountains have surrounded the Peru and
Bolivian plateau. The rivers flowing over the surface of plateaua fall into Lake Titacaca. Lake
Titacaca is located at the border of Peru and Bolivia. It is located at an altitude of 3750 meters
above sea level and is the world’s highest waterway (for shipping).

iii. Southern Andes:

The two main branches of the Andes meet in northern Chile and from the 30° latitudes south, the
Andes runs in a single range to the extreme south of the continent. The entire length of Chile
consists of rugged mountain ranges to the east of the Andes and coastal mountain ranges to the
west. There is the Central Centra of Chile between the mountains ranges and coastal mountains
of Chile. To 40° latitudes south, the submerged worn and torn valleys have become called,
Fiords.

Eastern moumtains And Plateaus of Giana, Brazil and Paitogonia: The three
major high lands in South America are mentioned below:
I. Giana Plateau:
This plateau is located between the basins of the Orinoco and Amazon Rivers. It is an irregular
plateau surface made up of old and hard rocks. There are many non-continuous conical
mountains and wide valleys that appear to be significantly higher than normal. The plateau has
been divided into small highlands by river throuhh cutting of many narrow and deep valleys.
The eastern slopes of these mountains are so steep that it is very difficult to reach the interior
from the shores. Even today, access to interior areas is carried through rivers. However, these
waterways are blocked by waterfalls. Angel Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in the world.
Its height is about 1000 meters.

II. Brazil Plateau:

This is a high plateau in the shape of a triangle with a very uneven surface. It is spread over a
vast areas in comparison to Giana Plateau. This is a solid piece of land formed of hard rocks that
is the nucleus of the continent and has been stable since ancient times, hence it is called the
Continental Shield. The mountains of Brazil are of maximum height in the eastern part and have
sloes towards the sea. The high and steep slopes of the Highlands in the southeastern part assume
the shape of a mountain called Serra-do-mar. The Brazilian mountain range is sloping to the
north. Many rivers and streams flow northward into the Amazon River.
Most of the rocks in the vast southeastern part of Brazil’s plateau are formed by the
consolidation of the lava layers. It has changed into fertile soil due to seasonal changes. This
fertile soil is locally called terra-rosa or red soil. For cultivation of coffee it is very suitable. As a
result, the southeastern part of Brazil is famous for its coffee cultivation. Like the mountains of
Giana, the mountains of Brazil are divided into blocks by the process of weathering.

III. The Paitogonia Plateau:

This plateau extends 1600 km long and about 400 km wide in the extreme south of the
Continent. Its highest point is to the west at the foot of the Andes, and the eastern side is less
sloping than the western side. Most of the plateau is dry, so the natural productions are small
plants and shrubs. Rivers flow out of the Andes ans flows over the plateau. As a result, the
surface is cut into ravines and narrow valleys. Large towns and settlements are located in these
deep valleys and are protected from the harsh winds.

Central Flood Plains Basin:

The three flood plains basins in South America are mentioned as:
I. The Orinoco basin
II. The Amazon basin
III. The Parana Paraguay Basin
This is spread in the north of the continent over an area of 349,650 sq.km, which is irrigated by
the river Orinoco and its tributaries. The major part of this basin is located between the river
Orinoco and the Andes. However the length of the Orinoco river is about 2250 kms but only 800
kms is navigable. Near the ocean, it splits into many branches, and in the rainy season, its delta
becomes like a Maze.

2. The Amazon basin:

The Amazon Basin and its tributaries together form the world’s largest river system. The
tributaries coming out of the Brazilian Mountains join the great river Amazon. The entire
Amazon basin covers an area of 6993,000 square kilometers, the size of Australia. The length of
the Amazon River is about 6280 km. Its mouth is an estuary, not a delta, because at its mouth
the tidal waves occur. Much of the Amazon Basin is covered by tropical rainforests. These
forests are the vastest in the world. The climate of the dense forests is unpleasant so the
population is very small. It is inhabited by backward black people, who are physically and
mentally weak. In dense forests, animal life is usually confined to the tops of trees. There are
animals that crawl on the ground like snakes etc. and in open forests there are animals like
elephants, antlers( barasingha) etc. Economically, the Amazon Basin is known for producing
elephant’s teeth and rubber. Some parts of the lower areas of these forests have been cleared
where rice, coffee, black Maize, palms and bananas are produced. It is capable for shipping up
to 1600 km from the Atlantic Ocean for large ships and from Peru to Iquetos 3700 km for small
ships and boats.

IV. The Parana Paraguay Basin:

The Paraguay River emerges from the Mato Grasso Plateau in the west of mountains of Brazil
and River Parana flows from the central part of the mountains of the Brazil River, ( towards the
east of Paraguay) in the south of Paraguay State meets with the Paraguay River. In these rivers,
shipping can occur for long distances. These rivers passes through the grasslands of Uruguay
and Argentina, the Pampas plains. Another river, Uruguay, comes from the mountains of Brazil
and joins the Parana River in the north of the Buenos Aires city. Both of the rivers fall
collectively into a small bay in the sea, known as the Rio Dela Plata. These three rivers irrigate a
vast area.

Climate:
The continent South America is spread from 13° north latitudes to 56° south latitudes to about
70° lines of latitudes. Therefore, there are all kinds of climates from Equator up to the temperate
zone in this continent. Apart from that, there is also a climate on the highest peaks of Andes like
the region of Tundra. A map of South America clearly shows that the continent is wider to the
north and has become like a cow’s tail to the south. This is the unlike the condition of North
America, Europe and Asia, in which very large arid regions are located in temperate regions but
the situation is different in South America. Very little area of it is in the temperate zone. As a
result, extreme temperatures are not found in any part of South America. Oceanic currents affect
most parts of the South America. The cold current of Peru, which meets the west coast from 30°
latitude south to 40° latitudes north, lowers the coastal temperature. But warmer currents along
the east coast, soith equaltorial current and the current of Brazil raise the temperature. As a
result, the east coast is warmer at the same latitude than the west coast. In tropical and
subtropical regions, warmer air from the Atlantic Ocean reaches the interior of the continent.
However, the westerlies are stopped by the Andes in the southern part and Rian Shadow Area is
created in their east. That is why the climate of Paitagonia plateau is dry.

Temperature:
In July, when the sun shines almost vertically in the north of the equator on Tropic of Cancer,
then in the interior of the continent, temperature rises slightly above 26.7 ° C in the Amazon
basin, just a little south of the equator. In the rest of the tropics, towards the north of Tropic of
Capricorn, temperature is between 17.8 C and 26.7 ° C. The temperature in the south gradually
decreases. Because the southern part of the continent is narrow and no part of it is far from the
ocean, temperature is moderate. The temperature in the far south remains above 0 ° C, that is,
above freezing.
January is the summer month in the Southern Hemisphere. The sun shines almost vertically on
the Tropic of Capricorn. With the exception of the Amazon basin near the equator, the
temperature of a large area in the tropics is over 26.7 ° C. January temperature in the southern
part of the continent range between 8.9° C and 22.2° C.

Rain:
Apart from the equatorial region, two major factors affect the climate of South America. Trade
winds and westerly winds. 30° latitude trade winds from south to north come from the sea and
rain on the east coast. Mount Andes prevents these winds from reaching the west coast. That is
why the west coast remains dry. Northwesterly winds are affected towards the south of the 40°
south latitudes, which causes heavy rainfall over the west coast. Since the Andes is not very
high in these latitudes, these winds pass through these mountains and bring some rain on the
eastern slopes of the Andes. The air descends from the eastern slopes and becomes hot and dry.
As a result, much of Paitagonia becomes a Rain Shadow Area.
In winter, when the sun shines vertically in the north of the equator, the westerly winds move
further to north, and the westerly winds bring rain between 30° south latitudes and 40° south
latitudes on the Pacific coast. In summer when the wind circles moves towards the south, these
lines of latitudes are affected by the southeast winds and are deprived of rain.
A climate that is hot and dry in summer and less hot and humid in winter is called
Mediterranean Climate.
Distribution of Rain:
South America is divided into the following parts according to the distribution of rain.
 Abundant Rain areas
 Average temperature Rain areas
 Areas with high rainfall
 Dry areas with low rainfall
I. It is clear from the rain distribution map that areas where there is heavy rainfall and rains
throughout the year, these include the Amazon Basin, the equatorial east coast and southern
Chile.
II. The northern half of the continent South America receives average rainfall. The average
annual rainfall is 1000 – 2000 mm. Rainfall here is mostly due to evaporation or hot tropical
wind in the Summer.
III. Areas that receive heavy rainfall during the summer include the Orinoco River Basin, the
Parana Basin and the Paraguay Basin. Rainfall is unpredictable here and there is often a drought
in the weather.
The rain in winter, and dryness of summer are called Mediterranean Climate. Such rainfall
occurs on the west coast of Chile between the 30° south latitudes and 40° south latitudes.
IV. The low rainfall areas in South America are south of the high rainfall areas in summer where
annual rainfall is 500 mm to 1000 mm. The driest parts of the continent are located in the west
of the Andes, 30° south latitudes from south to north and south to this latitude in the east.
The climate in South America as a whole is not of extreme level, neither too hot nor too cold.
However, whenever a cold wave reaches the north from the South Pole, the temperature drops
considerably. Sometimes the effect of the cold wave is felt in the Amazon basin. The arid belt
has extended to the west of Argentina, where rainfall is very low and unpredictable. To further
south, the semi-desert region of Paitagonia is located in the southeast of Aargentina.
Population:
According to 2015-16 statistics, the total population of the South American continent is about
422.5 million and the population density is 24 persons per square kilometer. Some scientists
believe that North and South America have been inhabited by humans for nearly ten thousand
years. In 1492, the Portuguese traveler Columbus discovered the coast of the West Indies, the
coast of Central America, and the coastal area around South Trinidad. Less than fifty years later,
the Spain conquered South America and Central America. On the other hand captured the
Portuguese.
In the 17th century, the British, French and Dutch colonized Giana in the northeast of the
continent. At the same time, they formed an inter-marriage relationship with the natives of
South America. Thus the union of Indians and Europeans in South America gave rise to a new
generation called the Mestizos. In time, they became a major part of the continent’s population.
Most of the inhabitants of Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, and Paraguay are now either
Mestizos, or the Indians of South America. Argentina and its neighboring country Uruguay are
mostly of European descent. Today, South America is home to many Italians, Germans,
Hispanics, Japanese, Portuguese, and other immigrants.
South America is a vast continent with a small population. Its area is one eighth of the surface
area of the earth but its population is eighteenth (1/18) of the total population of the world.
Average of densely population areas (excluding major cities) are:
1. Southeastern part of Brazil
2. Hinterland of the mouth of the Plata River.
3. Central Chile
4. The plateaus and high lands of the Peru and Andes in the north of Peru and Bolivia
To the size of the continent, densely populated areas are less comparatively. Sparsely populated
areas are spread in the vast area of the South America, such as most of the Amazon Basin, most
of the mountainous region of Gaina, Paraguay, and Granchako in Argentina, the western part of
the Brazil mountain, Paitagonia Plateau, the Atacama desert in northern Chile, and the forested
region of southern Chile.
People in most of the countries of South America live in villages. However, people in Argentina
and Chile mostly living cities. In current times, the transmission of people from villages to cities
has increased. The population of Brazil is approximately 20,9567,920 according to the 2016
census, which is the highest compared to other countries in South America. Two-thirds of the
total population is of European descent. The population in Uruguay is also mostly consisting of
European race. The Abyssinians and the mixed race live mostly in the northeastern coastal
region of Brazil. The strange thing about the population of this continent is that the people of the
Andes region live mostly on the mountain heights but the Orinoco Basin and Gaina Highlands
are sparsely populated. The Chile desert arid region, a south country of the Andes is sparsely
populated. Two-thirds of the country's population lives in its portion (Central Chile) where is a
pleasant Mediterranean type climate and the land is fertile. That is why hunting is done here on
a large scale and cattle are raised. Argentina is the second largest country in South America.
People live mostly in the cities of Pampas field. Paraguay is not a developed country because it
is located in the interior of the continent and has limited access to foreign countries.
Most part of the country is mountainous, the population is mostly of Indian- American and the
population density is average.