South America

continents · geography · biodiversity

A continent south. South America is one of the seven continents, and it's located mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, which means it's below the equator. A smaller part of it actually dips into the Northern Hemisphere.

In the Western Hemisphere. South America is entirely in the Western Hemisphere, the same half of Earth where North America and Central America are located. It's surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

Home to the Andes. This continent contains the Andes Mountains, the longest mountain range in the world, and the Amazon Rainforest, the largest rainforest on Earth. These landscapes are packed with incredible wildlife and ecosystems.

Many countries call it home. Twelve independent countries are located in South America, including Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Argentina. Each country has its own unique culture, languages, and traditions.

The wettest places on Earth. The Amazon Rainforest receives more rainfall than almost anywhere else in the world, and the Amazon River is the largest river by water flow. This massive water system supports millions of plant and animal species.