Situated
between the
Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, South America is a continent
crossed by the equator, with most of its
area in the Southern Hemisphere. It became attached to North
America only recently, geologically speaking, with the formation of the
Isthmus of Panama.
The Andes, likewise a comparatively
young and seismically restless mountain range, run down the western
edge
of the continent; the land to the east of the Andes is largely tropical
rain forest, the vast Amazon River basin.
South America ranks fourth
in area, after Asia, Africa, and North America. In population, it ranks
fifth, after Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.
South America consists of the
following twelve countries: ARGENTINA; BOLIVIA; BRAZIL; CHILE;
COLOMBIA;
ECUADOR; GUYANA; PERU; PARAGUAY; SURINAME; URUGUAY; VENEZUELA and
the three non-independent
territories: FALKLAND ISLANDS (UK) (claimed by Argentina as Islas
Malvinas);
FRENCH GUIANA (France); SOUTH GEORGIA and the SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS
(UK).
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.
The largest country in South
America by far, in both area and population, is Brazil.
Other regions in
South
America also include the Andean States, Guyana Highlands and Eastern
South
America.
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South
American Handbook 2009, 85th: Tread Your Own Path (Footprint South
American Handbook) - The South American Handbook is a
legend in travel guide
publishing. The one-and-only “Travelers’ Bible” has had its annual
overhaul, giving you a comprehensive update of everything they ever
needed to know about how to discover this fascinating continent. This
new, 85th edition is unparalleled in its depth of coverage and takes
independent travelers away from the well-trodden “Gringo Trail,” off
into the wilds of the Andes, up the Amazon River, and onto deserted
beaches.
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