Physical Divisions of South America - Notes for Competitive Exams
South America is the fourth largest continent in the world with an area of about 17.8 million square kilometers. It lies mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, although a small part extends into the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is bordered by the Pacific Ocean in the west, the Atlantic Ocean in the east, the Caribbean Sea in the north, and is connected to North America through the Isthmus of Panama.
South America is known for its diverse physical features, including high mountains, extensive river basins, vast forests, and fertile plains. The continent’s physical geography strongly influences its climate, vegetation, and economic activities.
Geographers generally divide South America into three major physical divisions: the Western Mountain Region, the Central Lowlands, and the Eastern Highlands.
Major Physical Divisions of South America
| Physical Division | Description | Important Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Western Mountains | Young fold mountains along the western coast | Andes Mountains |
| Central Lowlands | Large river basins and fertile plains | Amazon Basin |
| Eastern Highlands | Old plateaus and uplands | Brazilian Highlands |
Western Mountain Region
The western part of South America is dominated by the Andes Mountains, which form the longest mountain chain in the world. The Andes stretch for more than 7000 kilometers along the western coast of the continent from Venezuela in the north to Chile and Argentina in the south.
These mountains were formed due to the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate. The Andes contain many active volcanoes and high peaks. The highest peak in the Andes is Aconcagua, located in Argentina, with a height of about 6961 meters.
The Andes Mountains act as a climatic barrier that affects rainfall patterns across the continent. They also contain important mineral resources such as copper, tin, and silver.
Important Features of the Andes Region
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Length | About 7000 km |
| Formation | Young fold mountains |
| Resources | Rich in minerals |
| Climate influence | Blocks moist winds |
Central Lowlands
The central part of South America consists of vast lowland plains and river basins formed by sediment deposits carried by rivers. These lowlands are among the most fertile and ecologically important regions in the world.
The most important lowland region is the Amazon Basin, which is drained by the Amazon River. The Amazon Basin contains the largest tropical rainforest on Earth, known as the Amazon Rainforest.
Another important lowland region is the Orinoco Basin, which is drained by the Orinoco River.
The La Plata Basin is another major drainage region, formed by the Paraná River and the Paraguay River.
Major Lowland Regions
| Basin | Location | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Basin | Brazil and neighboring countries | Largest river basin |
| Orinoco Basin | Venezuela–Colombia | Tropical grasslands |
| La Plata Basin | Argentina–Paraguay–Brazil | Important agricultural region |
Eastern Highlands
The eastern part of South America consists mainly of old plateaus and highlands that were formed by ancient geological processes and later shaped by erosion.
The most important plateau in this region is the Brazilian Highlands, which covers a large part of Brazil. These highlands are rich in minerals such as iron ore and manganese.
Another important plateau is the Guiana Highlands, located between Venezuela, Guyana, and Brazil. This region contains famous natural features such as Angel Falls, located in Venezuela.
The southern part of the continent contains the Patagonian Plateau, which is a dry and sparsely populated region.
Important Highlands of South America
| Highland | Location | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Highlands | Brazil | Mineral-rich plateau |
| Guiana Highlands | Venezuela–Guyana | Contains Angel Falls |
| Patagonian Plateau | Argentina | Cold desert plateau |
Major Rivers of South America
South America contains some of the largest river systems in the world, which play an important role in transportation, agriculture, and biodiversity.
The Amazon River is the most important river of the continent. It carries more water than any other river on Earth and flows through several countries including Brazil, Peru, and Colombia.
The Orinoco River flows through northern South America, while the Paraná River forms part of the La Plata Basin.
Major Rivers of South America
| River | Length (Approx.) | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon River | 6400 km | Largest river by discharge |
| Paraná River | 4880 km | Major South American river |
| Orinoco River | 2140 km | Northern river system |
Important Points for Competitive Exams
South America is the fourth largest continent in the world.
The Andes Mountains are the longest mountain range in the world.
Aconcagua is the highest peak in South America.
The Amazon Basin is the largest river basin in the world.
The Amazon River has the greatest water discharge of any river.
The Brazilian Highlands form the largest plateau region in South America.
Angel Falls is the highest waterfall in the world.
Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
UPSC
Which is the longest mountain range in the world?
Answer: Andes Mountains.
Which river has the largest discharge of water in the world?
Answer: Amazon River.
SSC
Angel Falls is located in which continent?
Answer: South America.
RRB
Which is the highest peak in South America?
Answer: Aconcagua.
JKSSB
The Amazon Basin is famous for:
Answer: Tropical rainforest and largest river system.