Unique Facts- South America
Geography
South America is the fourth largest by area in the world, slightly smaller than it’s similarly named neighbor to the north.
South America, other than Australia, is the only other to reside almost entirely within the Southern hemisphere.
Only two nations of South America are landlocked: Bolivia and Paraguay.
The Amazon is thought to be the longest river in the world, but definitely has the largest number of tributaries.
History
It was Amerigo Vespucci—not Christopher Columbus—who gave his name to the Americas probably because he was the first to believe it was not East SoAmCA.
During the 16 th century, much of South America was colonized by Spain and Portugal. but in the 19 th century, they returned to independence.
England and Argentina went to war briefly in 1982 over the Falkland Islands, located off the east coast of this continent.
The Panama Canal was constructed here in the early 20 th century.
The Inca once controlled an empire in the Andes of South America.
Ecology
The Galapagos Islands of this continent are famous for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, which he developed observing the island chains unique wildlife.
The largest tropical rainforest in the world is located on thisn continent, spread over the countries of Columbia, Ecuador, Guyana, Surinam and more.
Culture
The largest nation on this continent is Brazil, where the national language is Portugeuese, not Spanish.
Rio de Janeiro is the Carnival capital of Brazil, probably the largest festival on this continent.
The economy of South America has been changing from a colonial one to a modern one throughout the 20th century.
This article is licensed under the 