Physical Geography & Features of South America
South America is the world's fourth largest continent. It is a geographically diverse region with a wide array of landforms and bodies of water. From the towering peaks of the Andes Mountains to the expansive Amazon Rainforest and Atacama Desert, the continent includes nearly every type of geographic feature you could imagine.
The Andes Mountains
Running like a long spine along the western edge of the continent, the Andes is the longest mountain range in the world. It extends through the South American countries of Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia.
The Andes feature many high-altitude plateaus, deep valleys, and some of the world’s highest peaks, such as Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, standing at over 22,800 feet. The region’s geological activity is evident in its numerous active volcanoes, such as Cotopaxi in Ecuador.
Angel Falls
Located in the Canaima National Park in the Gran Sabana region of Venezuela, Angel Falls is the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall.
Angel Falls has a height of 3,212 feet and a continuous drop of 2,648 feet. The falls are 15 times higher than Niagara Falls, and descends from the Auyan-tepui, one of the many table mountains found in Canaima National Park.
The Amazon Rainforest
Covering a significant portion of northern South America, the Amazon rainforest extends across Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
The Amazon Basin is renowned for its unparalleled biodiversity, characterized by dense tropical rainforests, winding river systems, and an intricate network of tributaries.
The Amazon River is second only in length to the Nile in Africa, but its the largest in terms of discharge volume of water.
The Brazilian Highlands
A large portion of eastern Brazil consists of plateaus, low mountain ranges, and rolling hills.
These are the Brazilian Highlands and they extend into portions of Paraguay and Argentina.
The cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are located in this region, and it serves as a major agricultural and industrial center.
The Atacama Desert
On the western coast of South America in northern Chile is the Atacama Desert. It is one of the driest deserts in the world.
The Atacama features vast salt flats, unique rock formations, and the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon). This otherworldly landscape has stone and sand formations carved by erosion.
The Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos are a group of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean, about 600 miles west of Ecuador. This archipelago is renowned for its unique ecosystems that played a crucial role in shaping Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection.
The Galapagos are characterized by their extraordinary biodiversity and the presence of species not found anywhere else on Earth. The islands’ isolation and distinct geological features contribute to the evolution of species adapted to their environment.
Iguazu Falls
On the border between Argentina and Brazil, Iguazu Falls are actually 275 different waterfalls spread out over two miles. The Devil’s Throat is the largest and most powerful section of the falls, where the majority of the Iguazu River plunges into a narrow chasm, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of mist and roaring water.
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is a large, deep lake in the Andes Mountains between Peru and Bolivia. It is the highest navigable lake in the world at 12,507 feet above sea level. The lake has a surface area of 3,232 square miles and depths of over 920 feet.
It is dotted with several islands, most notably the Uros Islands. These are home to indigenous Uros people who live on floating reed islands constructed by hand.
The Pampas
The Pampas are a vast grassland extending across parts of Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. The region is characterized by plains, fertile soil, and a humid climate, making it ideal for agriculture. The region is a major producer of grains and livestock.
Patagonia
Patagonia is a sparsely populated region at the southern tip of South America, shared by Argentina and Chile. It is known for its stunning landscapes, including rugged mountains, glaciers, and fjords.
The weather in Patagonia can be unpredictable, with strong winds and rapidly changing conditions, adding to the region’s wild and untamed allure.
Tierra del Fuego
At the southern tip of South America lies Tierra del Fuego, an archipelago divided between Argentina and Chile. Like Patagonia, the region features mountains, fjords, and glaciers. Ushuaia, the capital of Tierra del Fuego, is often referred to as the southernmost city in the world.
Tierra del Fuego is Spanish for “Land of Fire,” and was given its name by the explorer Ferdinand Magellan who noticed a significant number of fires along its coasts during his expedition of 1520. However, the earliest human settlement of the area dates back to 8000 BCE.