South America is home to a wide variety of animals. Horses and cattle graze in immense numbers over the vast grassy plains of South America. A remarkable species of serpent called the boa constrictor is found in South America. The boa constrictor is able to kill and eat animals as large as a deer.

The Andes Mountains of South America rise sixty times as high as the highest church steeple you ever saw. They are so high that their tops are continually covered with snow. Some are volcanoes.

Earthquakes sometimes occur and destroy whole cities, killing many of the inhabitants. An earthquake is a violent shaking of a part of the Earth.

In historical times, travelers had to cross the Andes on the backs of mules, which were much safer than horses in such dangerous places. Native Indians, with chairs fastened on their backs, sometimes carried travelers over the mountains in safety.

Immense birds, called Andean Condors, are found here, which often destroy sheep and cattle, tearing them with beak and claws.

South America is noted for the longest river (Amazon) and longest mountain chain (Andes) in the world.

Natural resources abound in South America. For example, in 2018, iron ore and crude oil are exported from Brazil and zinc and gold are exported from Bolivia.

QUESTIONS - Examine the map and answer the questions.

1. Which continent is north of South America?
2. Which ocean is directly east of South America?
3. Which ocean is directly west of South America?
4. Which sea is directly north of South America?
5. What is the longest river in South America?
6. What is the largest country in South America?
7. Which South American countries are the farthest north?
8. Which South American countries are the farthest south?
9. What is the name of the great chain of South American mountains?
10. Between which two oceans is South America?
11. Where is the Caribbean Sea in relation to South America?
12. Which South American countries border the Pacific Ocean?
13. Which South American countries are inland?
14. Which country borders South America to the north?
15. Which cape is in the south of South America?
16. Which strait is southwest of the Falklands islands?
17. Through which countries does the equator pass?
18. Through which countries does the Tropic of Capricorn pass?
19. Which continent is south of South America?

ANSWERS

1. North America is the continent north of South America.
2. The Atlantic Ocean is directly east of South America.
3. The Pacific Ocean is directly west of South America.
4. The Caribbean Sea is directly north of South America.
5. At over 4,000 miles (6,437 km) long, the Amazon River is the longest river in South America and the world.
6. Brazil is the largest country in South America.
7. Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana (Territory of France) are some of the South American countries that are farthest north.
8. Chile and Argentina are two of the South American countries that are farthest south.
9. The Andes is the name of the great chain of South American mountains.
10. South America is between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
11. The Caribbean Sea is north of South America.
12. Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile border the Pacific Ocean.
13. Bolivia and Paraguay are inland South American countries.
14. Panama (PA) is the country bordering South America to the north.
15. Cape Horn is a cape in southern South America.
16. The Strait of Magellan is southwest of the Falklands islands.
17. The equator passes through Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil.
18. The Tropic of Capricorn passes through Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil.
19. Antarctica is the continent south of South America.

Notebook Work: Label the following on the map of South America: the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Paraguay, Guyana, Uruguay, French Guiana (territory of France), Brazil, Suriname, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia.