South America

South America is the fourth-largest continent by area and lies mainly in the Western Hemisphere, connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Caribbean Sea to the north. The Andes form a long mountain chain along the western edge; among their peaks is Aconcagua, the highest point in the Americas.

In the center and east, vast lowlands include the Amazon Basin, while the Brazilian Highlands occupy much of eastern Brazil. The continent also contains the Atacama Desert, one of the driest non-polar regions on Earth, and the grasslands of the Pampas. South America is home to the Amazon River system and the Amazon rainforest, which covers parts of several countries and supports exceptional biodiversity.

Climate and landscapes vary greatly, from tropical forests near the Equator to high Andean environments, temperate plains, and cold areas in the far south. The continent has twelve sovereign states, along with territories such as French Guiana, an overseas department and region of France.

Spanish and Portuguese are the most widely spoken languages, while Dutch, English, French, and many Indigenous languages are also used. South American societies reflect Indigenous, European, African, Asian, and mixed heritages, shaped by long histories of migration, trade, and cultural exchange.