South America

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Introduction

Corcovado Hill from Sugarloaf - Rio - Brasil

© All Rights Reserved Midworlder

South America is an irresistible destination for many travellers. With amazing natural beauty to explore from stunning mountains, pristine beaches and wild rain forests. Then there are amazing precolonial ruins to rival any found around the world from cultures still strong today. Spanish and Portuguese colonial buildings and churches dominate major cities with more gold in them then any other churches in the world where African, Latin and indigenous cultures have fused. Modern art have exploded in many cities next to thumping dance clubs filled with beautiful people. Add in thundering waterfalls surrounded by vast jungles, massive street parties around Carnaval time, and lost then found Inca cities. South America can take a lifetime to truly explore and experience.

Geography

The geography of South America is extremely diverse stretching north of the equator to almost touching northern Antarctica. Along the Pacific coast there is the stunningly high mountain range of the Andes, which is also the longest mountain range in the world. This mountain range runs for over 7,000 kilometers and its highest mountain is Aconcagua reaching a stunning 6,962 metres above sea level and one of the most famous mountains on the continent. There are also hundreds of volcanoes in the Andes, many of them are extremely active.

The north central area of South America is filled with the amazing Amazon Rainforest, which is the largest rainforest in the world and is home to amazing bio-diversity. The southern part of the country on the east coast is Patagonia, which is high altitude plain on the eastern side of the Andes. South America is also home to Angel Falls in Venezuela, which is the highest waterfall in the world. The Amazon River, which is the largest river by volume of water. The Atacama Desert, which is the second driest place on earth and the highest navigable lake in the world Lake Titicaca. Anyone looking for high mountains, amazing beaches or steaming jungles can find there perfect place in South America.

Subregions

Atlantic Coast: Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay
Andean: Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru
Northern: Colombia, French Guiana (Overseas Department of France), Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela
Islands: Easter Island (Special Territory of Chile) and the Falkland Islands (British Overseas Territory)

Countries and Territories

Salto Berrondo

© All Rights Reserved pablodf

Sights and Activities

Muy grande

© All Rights Reserved Journeyman

Major Cities

• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Florianópolis, Brazil
• Montevideo, Uruguay
• Quito, Ecuador
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Santiago, Chile
• Guayaquil, Ecuador

Landmarks

See also: Famous Landmarks

• Amazon Rainforest and River make up one of the largest rainforest watershed regions in the world.
• Andes Mountains are stunning mountains that reach dizzying heights.
• Galapagos Islands is one of the most famous wildlife preserves in the world and home to some very strange animals. Follow the foot steps of history when you visit this untouched wilderness.
• Iguazu Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world.
• Machu Picchu is one of the most famous ruins in the world.
• Patagonia is an amazing region in the south of of South America with great plains, mountains and untouched wilderness. Just remember to be bring your rain gear.
• Pantanal is one of the most famous wildlife preserves in the world.

Learning South American Languages

These language phrasebooks were created by Travellerspoint members to help travellers pick up some basic phrases, grammar and pronunciation skills before their trip:

• Dutch phrasebook
• Portuguese phrasebook
• Spanish phrasebook

Find out about contributing to or starting a new phrasebook on our project page: Project:Language phrasebooks.

Learning Spanish

If you want to combine your travels with some study, consider taking a Spanish language class. More general information is found in Learning Spanish in South America.