Top 20 facts about South America. Interesting facts about South America

South America is a large continent bordered by the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Here there is the longest mountain range - the Andes, which stretch for seven thousand kilometers, the longest and most full-flowing river in the world - the Amazon. In the South American jungle - the selva - the largest snake - the anaconda lives, in the rivers there are the most dangerous freshwater fish - piranhas. The population speaks mainly Spanish, although there is a large country - Brazil, where the official language is Portuguese, there are also small overseas territories of European states in which English, French, and Dutch are spoken. The most famous attraction is the completely preserved city of the Incas - Machu Picchu. Here are some interesting facts about South America.

Story

South America was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492. Europeans arrived here in search of India, where they expected to buy spices. Later it turned out that this was not India, but a separate continent, but this land was called the West Indies for a long time, and the local population is still called Indians.

On the territory of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador (partially - Chile, Argentina and Colombia) there was the state of the Incas of Peru (the local name of the state is Tahuantinsuyu). This state had a population of about one million people, the army numbered several tens of thousands of people, but was captured in 1532 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, whose detachment consisted of 168 people. The remnants of Inca statehood lasted until 1572, when the Spaniards conquered the city of Vilcambamba and executed the last independent Inca ruler, Tupac Amara. There is evidence of the Inca city of Paititi, which was independent from the Spaniards, but it has not yet been found.

The Bolivian city of Potosi in the 16th-17th centuries was the world's largest industrial center, with a population of 160,000 people. Silver was mined here, for 200 years this metal was mined for 820 million pesos, and this coin was heavy and weighed 28 grams. Silver, tin and copper continue to be mined today, the population is the same as it was several centuries ago, 160 thousand people.

Here is Machu Picchu - the ruins of the Inca city, which has been completely preserved to this day. Despite the difficult terrain, transport routes were laid here, including the railway, and millions of tourists visit Machu Picchu every year. There is also a similar well-preserved Inca city - Choquiquerao.

Geography

The largest country is Brazil. They speak Portuguese here, while in most other countries they speak Spanish.

The Amazon is not only the river with the largest basin (the area occupied by the river and tributaries), but also the longest river. Until recently, the Nile was considered the longest river, but scientists have found the origins of the Amazon and it turned out to be longer than the African record holder. The rainforest that grows on the banks of the Amazon and its tributary is called the selva. It is a very rainy place, sometimes it rains for two thirds of the year. Due to this, the Amazon is very full-flowing; it brings the largest amount of fresh water to the ocean among the rivers of the world.

Venezuela has the highest Angel Falls. Its height is over one kilometer. Despite the fact that the waterfall is large and beautiful, few tourists come to it, as it is located in the impenetrable jungle.

The Bolivian city of La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, is the highest capital in the world (the government of the country is located here, the real capital is Sucre, where the Bolivian Supreme Court is located), the lowest part has a height of about three kilometers, the highest areas are at an altitude of four kilometers above sea ​​level. In this city, visitors may well get sick with altitude sickness, while local residents are quite accustomed to such rarefied air and feel good in their hometown.

Izalco volcano in El Salvador is considered the most active volcano in the world. In the last 200 years, an eruption has occurred here every few minutes, magma pours out of the vent and a three-hundred-meter column of smoke rises into the sky. Navigators use the volcano as a lighthouse - this landmark can be seen for many kilometers.

Chile has the driest desert in the world, the Atacama. Europeans have been observing it since they arrived on the continent, and in 400 years of observation there has been no precipitation here. The humidity here is zero, so the mountains, which reach a height of seven kilometers, do not have glaciers. But in 2010, precipitation occurred here, and it was not rain, but snow.

In Colombia, there is the Caño Cristales river, which has red, green and yellow algae. Although the water is ordinary, the current seems to be multi-colored.

Andes - mountains that run from south to north along almost the entire South America, stretch for more than 7 thousand kilometers, this is the longest mountain range in the world. The highest peak - Aconcagua has a height of almost seven kilometers - 6960 meters.

In the capital of Suriname, Paramario, there is not a single high-rise building, thus the colonial architectural complex has been preserved, which many tourists come to see.

Flora

A rubber tree grows here, its sap was used to make rubber products, including car tires, before the invention of artificial rubber. Quinine, a cure for malaria, was made from the bark of the cinchona tree. Chocolate is made from cocoa beans. Many plants common to Europeans come from America - potatoes, corn, sunflowers, tomatoes.

On the territory of Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil there is a large flat steppe 1600 kilometers long - the Pampas. This steppe is considered the largest pasture in the world.

The Pantanal is the largest swamp in the world, it is located mainly in Brazil, but some are in Bolivia and Paraguay. Since these places are difficult to access for humans (during the summer rains, a depression of 140,000 square kilometers is flooded by 80% with water), many species of plants and animals have been preserved here - about 3,500 plant species grow, 400 species of fish, 650 species of birds, 100 species of mammals, and 80 species of reptiles. Many dangerous animals - about 20 million caimans, you can meet a giant python.

The territory of Guyana is 90% occupied by the jungle. It is the only English-speaking country in South America.

Fauna

In the rainforests lives the world's largest butterfly, the agrippina tizania, with a wingspan of up to 30 centimeters.

The largest species of vultures, the condor, lives in the Andes. This is the largest bird in the world. The wingspan is up to three meters, in this parameter it is inferior to the largest species of albatrosses (up to 3.5 meters), but they are significantly superior in weight (up to 15 kilograms for vultures, the weight of wandering albatrosses is up to 10 kilograms).

Pudu deer are up to 40 centimeters tall and weigh up to 10 kilograms.

The largest rodents live here - capybaras, they have a length of up to one and a half meters, weight reaches 65 kilograms.

Anacondas live in tropical forests - large snakes that reach a length of up to 5 meters. There is evidence of the existence of longer anacondas, but they have not been scientifically confirmed.

In the upper reaches of the Amazon live the smallest monkeys - pygmy marmosets. These funny animals are up to 15 centimeters in size (excluding the tail, which is about 20 centimeters long).

South America is the birthplace of many record-breaking animals:

• the largest beetles (lumberjack beetles);
• the most poisonous frogs (spotted dart frog, red-backed poisonous frog, two-colored phyllomedusa);
• the smallest monkeys (marmosets);
• the largest butterflies (Agrippina butterfly);
• the most dangerous freshwater fish (piranhas).

• South America is one of the seven continents of the world.
• It is located between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
• South America was discovered European explorer Amerigo Vespucci. There are 12 countries on its territory.
• By area, South America occupies fourth place among the continents of the world after Asia, Africa and North America.
• By population it ranks fifth behind Asia, Africa, Europe and North America.
• South America has many natural resources, most of which are concentrated in the Amazon basin. The Amazon River is one of the largest rivers in the world.
• There are historical facts, proving that the civilization known as Chavin spanned the period from the 900th century to the 300th century BC.
• Many remnants of this civilization was found on the territory of Peru, in the area of ​​Chavin de Huanter, lying at an altitude of 3,177 meters above sea level. The trade network and agriculture developed during the Chavin civilization.
• One of the oldest civilizations in South America- Inca civilization.
• Capital of the Inca civilization was the city of Cusco in the Andes. The Incas were known for their unique, highly developed culture. The ruins of the Inca civilization testify to the fact that the buildings of their cities were lined with excellent masonry and designed with great precision. Historians believe that the Incas successfully performed brain surgery.
• Natural resources of South America used by European countries such as Spain and Portugal. Many South American countries were colonies of these European states.
• South American country Brazil gave the world many outstanding and famous actresses such as Florinda Bolkan (Florinda Bolkan), Sonia Braga (Sonia Braga), Shusha (Xuxa), Bruna Lombardi (Bruna Lombardi) and Vera Fischer (Vera Fischer).
• In the basis of the English movie "Evita"(Evita), created by British director Alan William Parker (Alan William Parker), was based on the biography of the first lady of Argentina Maria Eva Duarte de Peron (Maria Eva Duarte de Peron).
• Colombia in 1971 hosted the Pan American Games?
• In 1982, South American Gabriel Jose Garcia Marquez(Gabriel Jose Garcia Marquez), won the Nobel Prize in Literature.
• South America is home world famous athletes such as Joao Carlos de Oliveira, Robson Caetano da Silva, Joaquin Cruz and Rogerio Sampaio.
• Galapagos Islands in Ecuador(Galapagos Islands), Rapa Nui National Park in Chile (Rapa Nui National Park), Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary in Colombia (Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary), Central Suriname Nature Reserve, La Santisima Jesuit Missions Trinidad de Parana in Bolivia (Jesuit Missions of La Santisima Trinidad de Parana), National Park Noel Kempff Mercado National Park in Bolivia and Jesus de Tavarange in Paraguay (Jesus de Tavarangue) - all these South American sites have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
• In 1982 in the city of Lima (Peru) hosted the international beauty contest Miss Universe

The original culture and nature annually attracts tourists to the countries of South America. The largest country on the mainland is Brazil with the famous Rio de Janeiro, which hosts popular carnivals. What other interesting but little-known facts about South America are useful to an inquisitive researcher?

Geography

South America is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the north. The mainland is connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama. The landscapes of the mainland are diverse - deserts, forests, hills and plains.

The Amazonian lowland is covered with tropical forest - the largest in the world, it rains here for two hundred days a year. The Amazon River originates in the Andes and irrigates half of the continent. The Amazon holds the record among rivers for pouring fresh water into the ocean.

The Andes is a mountain system stretching for 7,240 km, the highest peak is Aconcagua with a height of 6,960 meters. The Andes are home to the world's largest volcanoes, and the far south of the mountains are glaciers.

The geography of the mainland is amazing, there are unique areas here: the Brazilian and Guiana highlands, the Llanos plain and many amazing places. The extreme southern point of the mainland is Cape Horn, sailing past this point is a dangerous sea route. At the southern tip of the mainland lies the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, consisting of several islands. The archipelago was named, which was the first to circumnavigate the globe.

The Pampas, a plain known for cattle ranching, stretches for 1,600 km. Pantanal is the largest swamp in the world, famous for its diversity of flora and fauna. Between the ocean and the Andes stretches rocky and lifeless Patagonia, famous for its mountain views.

High in the Andes, the Atacama Desert is located - in these places it is cold, it does not rain. The desert is covered with solidified lava flows and salt deposits.

The mainland of South America is mentioned when they talk about all kinds of records.

• The greatest river in the world - the Amazon, which has half a thousand tributaries, passes through the territory of Brazil.
• Angel Falls is the largest in the world, its height is 1,054 km. It is located in Venezuela, in a remote place. The local Indians call the waterfall Maiden's Eyebrow.
• The highest mountain capital of La Paz in Bolivia, located at an altitude of 4 km above sea level.
• Machu Picchu is located in Peru.

Countries

South America is diverse, swampy jungles side by side with waterless deserts. The Andes mountain range constantly supplies the mainland with volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. In the south of the mainland, the warm Caribbean Sea, and in the north, the cold storms of the Atlantic. You can talk about the climate of South America for hours, it is so diverse that the countries on the mainland are radically different.

• Brazil is the largest and most populous country on the continent. The capital is Brasilia. The famous city of Rio de Janeiro is constantly full of tourists.

• Argentina is a beautiful country, famous for its large carnival, which takes place annually on January 16th. The capital is Buenos Aires.
• Bolivia is distinguished by the fact that the government is located in the city of La Paz, although the real capital is Sucre.
• Venezuela is located in the north of the continent, in a warm climate. The capital is Caracas. World famous National Park with tropical virgin nature.

• Guyana with Georgetown as its capital. The territory of Guyana is 90% occupied by the jungle.
• Guiana is a French territory. The administrative center is Cayenne.
• Colombia is the capital of Bogota, named after the discoverer of the continent. Native American and European culture are harmoniously intertwined here. There are many museums in the country that store historical rarities.

• Paraguay, with Asuncion as its capital, is landlocked. There are many architectural monuments in the capital.
• Peru is the capital of Lima, the most beautiful city on the coast, exciting the minds of fans of the culture of the ancient Incas.
• Suriname is a tropical country, there is not a single high-rise building in the capital of Paramaribo. The city has retained its originality, which is why it is interesting for tourists.

• Uruguay, with Montevideo as its capital, is famous for its carnivals and preserved colonial architecture.
• Chile is located on a long and narrow strip along the ocean and in the Andes. The capital of Santiago, famous for its coup d'état and balneotherapy.
• Ecuador with its capital Quito is located on the equator, replete with ancient monuments, colonial museums and enchanting mountain landscapes.

Flora

The plants of South America have evolved since the Mesozoic era. This development has never been disturbed by glaciations or other destructive climate changes. The flora of the mainland was in a long isolation from other parts of the earth's land. This explains the antiquity of the flora of this continent, its species diversity. The industry of the countries of the continent is not developed, which has a positive impact on the conservation of nature.

The population density of the mainland is small, and some areas are not inhabited at all, the flora is in a virgin state. The vegetation of South America is rightfully spoken of as a bottomless source of food, fodder, and medicinal resources. The most cultivated plant in the agriculture of the continent is the potato.

Rubber, cinchona and chocolate trees are also grown. The tropical forests of the mainland have no competitors on Earth in terms of the richness of species and the size of the occupied territories. As part of the tropics, there are up to twelve tiers, and the height of some trees reaches 100 meters.

Fauna

South America has a rich wildlife. Even experienced travelers have something to be surprised at on this continent. There are 600 species of mammals, 900 amphibians and 1,700 birds on this continent.

Giant butterflies and ants live in tropical evergreen forests, parrots predominate among birds, hummingbirds fly. Condors, the largest of the flying birds, have survived in two places on the continent. Among the animals there are many endemics, such as the Titicaca whistler - lake frog. The wingless grebe nests on the floating islands of Lake Titicaca.

Only on this continent live pudu deer no taller than 40 cm, weighing up to 10 kg. The mystery of another animal - the capybara - led the faithful to turn to the Pope for clarification. Parishioners asked if capybaras could be eaten during the fasts - it was not clear whether it was a fish or an animal. Capybara lives in water and on land, which confused believers.

The largest snake is the anaconda, it easily copes with the caiman. You can talk about the animals and plants of this continent for hours. Based on real stories that happened to travelers in South America, many amazing adventure novels for children and adults have been written.

History of development

South America was discovered by a navigator who went in search of India, inspired by the fact that the Earth is round. The search for sailors lasted a month, three ships sailed to the new shores. In 1498 Columbus arrived in South America believing it was India. The rediscovery of South America took place in the 16th century, when a navigator arrived on the mainland and found out that Columbus was mistaken in considering these lands to be India.

After the discovery of the mainland, colonization began, conquerors, called conquistadors, went to new lands in search of wealth. The newly discovered lands were plundered and devastated, while the indigenous peoples were enslaved and exterminated.

Simultaneously with the conquest, the study of the lands took place, the German scientist A. Humboldt organized an expedition, studying nature and the indigenous population. The scientist's research lasted twenty years and was so detailed that the release of the book was compared with the new discovery of America.

Exploration within the continent was stimulated by rumors of the mythical land of Eldorado. Spanish and Portuguese expeditions in the 16th-18th centuries made conquests in search of treasures, exploring the mountain range, plateaus and numerous tributaries of the Amazon. These areas were studied by conquerors, scientists, Jesuit missionaries.

Russian scientists also studied the exotic continent. Botany professor Vavilov studied in detail cultivated plants native to South America in 1933.

26.10.2009

South America is one of the seven continents of the world. It is located between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. South America was discovered by the European explorer Amerigo Vespucci. There are 12 countries on its territory.

In terms of area, South America ranks fourth among the continents of the world after Asia, Africa and North America. In terms of population, it is in fifth place, behind Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. South America has many natural resources, most of which are concentrated in the Amazon region. The Amazon River is one of the largest rivers in the world.

Historical facts about South America
There are historical facts proving that the civilization known as Chavin spanned the period from the 900th century to the 300th century BC. Many remnants of this civilization have been found in Peru, in the Chavin de Huanter area, which lies at an altitude of 3,177 meters above sea level. The trade network and agriculture developed during the Chavin civilization.

One of the oldest civilizations in South America is the Inca civilization. The capital of the Inca civilization was the city of Cusco in the Andes. The Incas were known for their unique, highly developed culture. The ruins of the Inca civilization testify to the fact that the buildings of their cities were lined with excellent masonry and designed with great precision. Historians believe that the Incas successfully performed brain surgery. The natural resources of South America were used by European countries such as Spain and Portugal. Many South American countries were colonies of these European states.

Fun Facts About South America
The South American country of Brazil has given the world many outstanding and famous actresses such as Florinda Bolkan, Sonia Braga, Xuxa, Bruna Lombardi and Vera Fischer.

The English film Evita, created by British director Alan William Parker, was based on the biography of the first lady of Argentina, Maria Eva Duarte de Peron (Maria Eva Duarte de Peron).

Interesting facts about South America

South America is the fourth largest continent in the world. Here are the largest rivers and rainforests, a wide range of deserts, wet and arid regions. It is often referred to as subcontinental America. The continent is bordered by the Pacific Ocean in the west, and in the north and east by the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It is the fifth most populated continent in the world. We will tell you the most interesting facts about South America that will increase your current knowledge of geography.

Historical reference

The history of South America begins 225 million years ago when it was united with Africa. Here, during excavations, people were discovered whose age is 15,000 years. It is believed that this was the first place where people began to live.

9000 years ago, people began to grow beans, chili peppers and squash in South America. 3,500 years ago, South Americans began to domesticate animals such as alpacas, guanacos, and llamas.

Norte Chico is considered the earliest known civilization in South America. The Muisca (now Colombia) was also one of the oldest civilizations in South America.

The Spanish and Portuguese began to develop South American natural resources in 1530.

Simon Bolivar and José de San Martin waged a war for the independence of Peru and liberated the country.

In the 20th century, South America became a battleground for the Cold War.

The peoples living in South America are known for their carnival celebrations.

Geography of the continent

The climate of South America varies greatly from the hot and dry climate of its deserts, to the humid and rainy climate of the tropical forests. These forests are surrounded by dry meadows.

The western coast of South America is dominated by a hot desert, and in the mountains the temperature rarely rises above freezing.

People from all over the world come here to see the beauty of the local nature with their own eyes. Thus, the tourism industry becomes the main source of income in South America.

About 200 million people in South America speak Spanish and Portuguese, making them the most spoken languages ​​on the continent.

We hope you learned something new for yourself, and our article was useful to you. We would love it if you share your thoughts with us in the comments.