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South America

Definition

South America is a continent located entirely in the Western Hemisphere below North America. It encompasses twelve independent countries with diverse cultures, languages, and histories.

Analogy

Think of South America as an incredibly diverse buffet with twelve different dishes representing each country on the continent. Each dish has its unique flavors (cultures) and ingredients (historical background), making it an exciting place full of variety.

Related terms

Colonial legacy: Colonial legacy refers to the lasting impact left by European colonization in South America. This includes aspects such as language dominance (Spanish & Portuguese), cultural blending between indigenous populations and colonizers, and economic structures.

Amazon Rainforest: The Amazon Rainforest is a vast tropical rainforest occupying the majority of the Amazon Basin in South America. It is known for its incredible biodiversity and serves as an essential ecosystem for the planet.

Andean Civilization: The Andean Civilization refers to the complex societies that thrived in the Andes Mountains of South America before European colonization. These civilizations, such as the Inca Empire, had sophisticated agricultural systems, impressive engineering feats, and unique cultural practices.