The continent is compact and approximately triangular in condition, being wide while in the north and tapering to a degree—Cape Horn, Chile—from the south.

Practically all passenger transportation inside the Amazon simple is done by means of this waterway, As well as virtually all cargo transportation that may be directed to the main regional facilities of Belém and Manaus.

The Amazon River, which flows from west to east over the north-central part of South America, is the planet's premier river concerning discharge quantity. By some definitions, the Amazon River is also the longest river on earth - although the Nile River is usually regarded as the earth's longest, some experiments recommend an alternative resource for that Amazon River, which would really ensure it is the globe's longest.

Brazil sent naval and air forces to combat German and Italian submarines from the continent and through the entire South Atlantic, in addition to sending an expeditionary drive to battle within the Italian Marketing campaign.[41][42]

The mountains in the west allow for mineral exploitation, while extensive forest and jungle places make forestry routines attainable.

Guyana was initially colonized by the Dutch before coming underneath British Manage, though there was a short time period throughout the Napoleonic Wars when it absolutely was occupied by the French.

The continent's cultural and ethnic outlook has its origin Along with the interaction of Indigenous peoples with European conquerors and immigrants and, more regionally, with African slaves. Given a long history of colonialism, the overwhelming majority of South Americans speak Spanish or Portuguese, click here and check here societies and states are rich in Western traditions.

Later in 1836, when Brazil was encountering the chaos from the regency, Rio Grande do Sul proclaimed its independence determined by a tax crisis. With the anticipation in the coronation of Pedro II to your throne of Brazil, the region could stabilize and combat the separatists, which the province of Santa Catarina experienced joined in 1839.

Colombia is probably the 5 most significant producers on this planet of espresso, avocado and palm oil, and one of several 10 major producers in the world of sugarcane, banana, pineapple and cocoa;

South America has a protracted history, dating back to the first human settlements through the Bering Land Bridge, about fifteen,000 several years in the past. The earliest evidence of human race existence is from 9000BC when chill peppers, beans and squash cultivation began for food stuff necessities.

How did it get its identify? The identify "America" emanates from Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine navigator who was the very first to propose that The full landmass was a completely new continent rather than an undiscovered Portion of Asia, as Formerly imagined by other explorers.

The Iguazu Falls have more get more info than 250 waterfalls. When it comes to hydrography, the majority of the most crucial rivers while in the region are located in the japanese A part of the continent.

Sparsely populated and positioned substantial in the Andes of Chile, this rather modest desert (or plateau) is a cold spot, and on the list of couple of deserts on this planet that click here does not obtain any rain.

Geography of South America The topography of South America is described to resemble a bowl - it's big mountains around its periphery and an inside that read more is fairly flat.