World > South America
PhotoJardim Botânico de Brasília
Jardim Botânico de Brasília. By Daderot

The Geography of
South America

All of our pages about South America.

PhotoRelief map of South America
This map is free to use!

South America is the fourth largest of the continents, nearly twice as large as Europe (13% of the world’s land surface), extending south from Central America. Five-sixths of the continent lies in the southern hemisphere and two-thirds within the tropics. It includes the Andes mountain system, which stretches the whole length of the west coast, the equatorial Amazon rainforest—the largest rainforest in the world.

Argentina – Beats to your rhythm

Argentina is extremely varied. The country stretches about 2,300 miles (3,700 kilometers) from the subtropical north to the cold, windswept south. Argentina has magnificent grasslands and large expanses of desert area as well . . .

Bolivia – Lo auténtico aún existe

Bolivia is a country whose natural wonders stretch from towering ice-clad mountain peaks to steamy tropical jungles. And it is a land whose culture and history are both clearly visible, and whose people are proud, gracious, giving, and friendly . . .

Brazil – Visit and love us

Brazil occupies about one-half of South America, and it contains about half of the continent’s population. It is home to the world's most vast expanse of tropical rain forest and to the planet’s greatest river . . .

Chile – Where the Impossible is Possible

Chile is a country of dramatic scenery and many climates. Cool waters stroke its shore and icy glaciers crown its peaks.No country in the world has such an extraordinary shape as Chile . . .

Colombia – Magical Realism

Colombia has an incredible range of experience to offer: some of the finest beaches in the world; the beauty of the triple range of Andean mountains; lushly green valleys, torrential streams, dense jungle . . .

Ecuador – All You Need is Ecuador

Ecuador has a geographical landscape so varied that it has been described as a microcosm of every micro-climate found in South America . . .

Paraguay – You Have to Feel It!

Paraguay is a beautiful, subtropical land still largely unspoiled. Although the country was conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century, the native Guarani retained their national identity. . . .

Peru – Land of the Incas

Peru's natural diversity ranges from parched coastal desert to sweltering tropical rain forest. Between these two extreme environments, the towering Andes soar to snow-covered, glacier-scoured peaks whose height is topped only by Asia's Himalayas . . .

Uruguay – Uruguay natural

Uruguay is notable for its delightful capital and its 200 miles of coastal resorts. Vacationers from all over the continent flock to the "Riviera of South America" . . .

Venezuela – South America's country in the Caribbean

Venezuela is a country with superb beaches backed by lovely mountains and forests that hide, among other delights, beautiful wildlife and the world's highest waterfall . . .