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South America

Definition

South America is a continent in the Western Hemisphere, primarily in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. It's known for its diverse cultures, geography, and history that includes ancient civilizations like the Inca.

Analogy

Think of South America as a giant patchwork quilt. Each patch represents different countries with their unique cultures, languages, histories and landscapes - from Brazil's vibrant carnivals to Argentina's tango dance and Peru's ancient Incan ruins.

Related terms

Latin America: A group of countries and dependencies in the Western Hemisphere where Romance languages such as Spanish, Portuguese, and French are predominantly spoken. It includes most of Central and South America.

Andes Mountains: The longest continental mountain range in the world located along the western edge of South America.

Amazon Rainforest: The largest rainforest on Earth which spans across several countries in South America including Brazil, Peru, Colombia etc., known for its rich biodiversity.



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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.