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 South
America is a continent, with most of its area in the Southern
Hemisphere. South America is situated between the Pacific Ocean and
the Atlantic Ocean. It has an area of 17,820,000 km² (6,880,000 sq
mi), or almost 3.5% of the Earth's surface. As of 2005, its population
was estimated at more than 371,200,000.
Portuguese and Spanish are the primary languages of
the continent. The majority of South Americans (51%) speak Portuguese.
However, most South American countries are Spanish-speaking, and
nearly all of the continent's lusophones reside in Brazil.
Mestizos officially make up the majority of the
populations of Chile (90%), Colombia (58%), Ecuador (65%), Paraguay
(95%) and Venezuela (67%). Figures in other countries are Argentina
(about 13%), Bolivia (30%), Brazil (about 12%), Uruguay (8%) and Peru
(37%).
 The
region of South America also includes various islands, most of which
belong to countries on the continent. The Caribbean territories are
grouped with North America. The South American nations that border the
Caribbean Sea – including Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and
French Guiana – are also known as Caribbean South America. From the
Amazon River and the sort sand beaches of Brazil to the stunning
Andean highlands and Ecuador, there is much to see and do in South
America. Explore the ruins of Peru's Machu Picchu, lost city of the
Incas, The Enchanted Galapagos Islands in Ecuador or stroll the verdant paths of
Chile's National Botanical Gardens in Santiago. Tango the night away
in Buenos Aires, Argentina's vibrant capital; South America holds the
interest of travelers a like.
In central South America the climate is very humid
and there are rain forests. Around the rain forests there are arid
deserts. The Iguacu Falls, in Southern Brazil, are one of the biggest
falls in South America. The falls are made up of 275 cascades. The
width of the Iguacu is 2.5 miles or 4 kilometers. In the local
language Iguacu means "Great Waters."largest lakes: Maracaibo,
Titicaca, and PooPo. biggest river: Amazon River.
 South America
is home to many interesting species of animals including parrots,
tarantulas, snakes, and mammals. There are not many large predators in
South America, but the Jaguar is one of the strongest predators in the
world. There are three animals found mainly in South America that look
very different from each other, but they are closely related. These
are the sloth, the anteater and the armadillo. One of the most famous
animals that lives in the Amazon river is the piranha fish, known for
its sharp teeth and an aggressive appetite for meat and
flesh. The largest snake in the world Anaconda is living in rivers and
dense forests of South America. Brightly colored and poisonous frogs
are living inside the forests. The camelid Llama is another important
animal lives in South America. continues... |
