The geographical position of South America. A description of the geographical position of South America

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2018-04-02 13:13:16

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the geographical position of South America

In ancient times South America was an integral part of other land masses. After they split and drift to the South-West mainland for a very long time existed in isolation from the other continents. Until the beginning of XX century, two continents in the Western hemisphere were connected by the isthmus of Panama. Then after it was built the eponymous canal. Largely modern appearance not only determines the geographical position of South America (GP) and its geological structure, but also the activities of the population.

General information on the mainland of South America. The value of the territory

The Territory of the continent (including adjacent Islands) — is 18 million km2 (the fourth square). In ancient times strong seismic tremors caused a split of the land and the drift of South American plate far to the West — toward the Nazca plate. The result of this counter-movement became a powerful clash of arrays of the lithosphere, the formation of fold mountains (the Andes). The climate became warmer, changed the course of the Amazon, there was a strong eutrophication and overgrowing of wet Redwood forests of the valley in the middle and lower reaches. Due to its remote location in the organic world South America remained endemic and relict species of plants and animals. A description of the geographical position of South America will help to understand which factors are crucial for the formation of the modern climate and natural areas, activities of the population.

Geographical position of South America. Plan

a description of the geographical position of South America

The shape of the continent is like a drop, the tip of which faces to the Antarctic Peninsula and the South pole. The broad base is to the North of the equator and in the subtropics - the narrow part. Characteristics of the GP of the continent enables the enumeration of the main elements of its placing on the globe and map, nearby geographic features. You need to perform several actions:

  1. To Study the position relative to the equator, the Prime Meridian.
  2. Define the coordinates of the extreme Northern, southern, Western and Eastern points.
  3. Briefly describe the coastline surrounding mainland oceans, major seas, Straits and bays.

Description of the geographical position of South America

The bulk of the continent is located South of the parallel of 0° (the equator), and in Northern latitudes is a small territory. Meridian 0° does not pass through the mainland.

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The Geographical position of South America in latitude.

  • 12° North latitude. — M. Galinas in the North;
  • 54° Yu. sh. — M. Froward on the southern edge of the continent;
  • 56° Yu. sh. — island point — M. Diego Ramirez on the South.

the geographical position of the continent of South America

The Geographical position of South America in longitude is the coordinates of the two extreme points in the East and in the West:

  • 35° s. D. — M. Cabo-Branco;
  • 81° s. D. — M. Parinyas.

10° parallel distance on the mainland reaches 4655 km and 5150 km — this is the highest latitudinal size of the continent of South America. Position relative to the equator this area — 5° Yu. sh.

Character of the coastline

physical geographical position of South America

The Western edge of the continent washed by the Pacific ocean and its cold Peruvian current. This little rugged part of the coast. Here are the highest and longest mountain ranges of the Andes. South America and Antarctica separates the Strait which was named after the pirate of the middle Ages Francis Drake. The water surface stretches for 460 miles from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The width of the Strait ranges from 818 to 1120 km, its depth — from 276 to 5249 m. Geographical position of the continent of South America near Antarctica has caused severe conditions in the South of the continent, Magellan Strait and the Islands of the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. The nature of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) is also experiencing the influence of the Antarctic region. On the East coast is washed by the Atlantic, in the North-the Caribbean sea.

The voyage of Columbus

geography South America

Ancient Greek maps and figures of Ptolemy continents in the Western hemisphere are not plotted. There are a number of legends and hypotheses based on the evidence on the voyage to the Islands and coast of America ancient Eurasian peoples (Phoenicians, Egyptians, Vikings), the inhabitants of Oceania. Scientists and travelers of that time assumed that there was a Western route to the rich countries of the East. Physical geography of South America has led to long-term isolation of this continent from the Old world, his lack of knowledge to the XV century. During this period Europeans began to colonize and develop America. Navigator and merchant Christopher Columbus under the flag of the Spanish crown four times (1492–1504) called for the New world. For the first time he went far to the West at the head of a small sailing squadron — to find the shortest route to India. During the expedition, he opened one of the Antilles. In August 1498 Columbus ' ships entered the mouth of the Orinoco, marking the beginning of the conquest of the continent by Europeans. The Navigator, leaving the uncharted shore, I was sure that I had reached India. Aboriginala light hand of Columbus were called Indians.

Brief information about the colonization of the continent by Europeans

feature of the geographical position of South America

Amerigo Vespucci guessed first that Columbus discovered an unknown land. In honor of the great assumptions of Navigator southern continent became known as America (1507). Vespucci visited America several times during its life. He made maps and described them. For two centuries the Spaniards and the Portuguese have mastered the space in the Central and southern parts. They turned to the ruins of ancient native American city built by civilizations of the Incas, Aztecs and Mayans. To large-scale colonization of South America by immigrants from the Iberian Peninsula in the XVI century joined French, British and Dutch. The mariners had rounded the continent, deep into the impenetrable jungles of the Central treasure of El Dorado, as well as a water source, the giver of eternal youth. The expedition climbed the peaks of the Andes, went up and down the Amazon, Parana, and other rivers. The legendary Spanish conqueror F. Orellana crossed the continent (1542), rowed down the Amazon from the headwaters in the Andes to the Delta on the shores of the Atlantic.

Studies in South America (XVII-XX)

the oldest agricultural areas

The German geographer A. Humboldt during their expeditions has made a detailed map of the continent, ocean currents the West coast. He first discovered the value of the cold flow for the formation of the climate of the Andes, described the altitudinal zonation and vegetation of the mountains (together with the Frenchman E. Bonplan). Studied nature in South America in the XIX century by the famous British naturalist Charles Darwin. The observation of unusual animals of the Galapagos volcanic Islands has led researchers to the idea of evolution of organisms. Russian scientists G. Langsdorf and N. Scarring was explored in the nineteenth century the hinterland of the Brazilian highlands. Expedition led by A. Voeikova and N. Vavilov studied the centres of origin and distribution of the major agricultural crops (1932-1933).

The natural Diversity of the continent

Within the South American continent there are significant differences in the nature, due to several factors. The most important among them — the amount of solar radiation, which depends on the latitude. On the nature of the continent is influenced by:South America position relative to the equator

  • Geography of South America;
  • Dimensions;
  • The circulation of the atmosphere;
  • Surrounding the World's oceans;
  • Warm and cold currents;
  • The underlying surface (mountains, plains, deserts).

In South America is not such an arid climate as in Africa. We list the main zone (North to South): Equatorial, tropical and temperate, transitional — subequatorial and subtropical.

Conclusion

Characteristics of the geographical position of South America — an important element of the study of the continent. In ancient times the mainland was not in the part of the Land that he now occupies. He passed long way of development – from the component parts of Pangaea and Gondwana to the modern geological era.

A Continent located in the Western hemisphere, mostly — South of the equator. In the West there is a mountainous zone — Andes. Near the coast is a deep trench, resulting from the collision of two blocks of the lithosphere. In this region, there are active volcanoes, destructive earthquakes occur, complicating the life and activities of the population.

waterfall

The Modern inhabitants of the continent — the descendants of the Indians, the Spanish and Portuguese conquerors, slaves brought to work on plantations. The total population of the 12 countries on the continent exceeds 380 million. The continent is rich in attractions, among them — highest mountain peaks, waterfalls, remains of ancient cities, many other objects of domestic and international tourism.


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Alin Trodden - author of the article, editor
"Hi, I'm Alin Trodden. I write texts, read books, and look for impressions. And I'm not bad at telling you about it. I am always happy to participate in interesting projects."

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