South America is a continent defined by immense geographical features and rich cultural history, presenting a landscape of dramatic extremes. Extending from the tropical Caribbean to the icy reaches of Patagonia, it encompasses the planet’s largest rainforest and its longest continental mountain range. This geographical complexity has shaped unique human histories and ecological systems. The following facts reveal specific details about the continent’s profound influence on the world.
The Amazon’s Global Impact
The Amazon biome, the largest remaining tropical rainforest on Earth, covers over 2.7 million square miles and spans nine countries. This massive ecosystem is home to unparalleled biological diversity, housing at least 10% of the world’s known species. Scientists have cataloged an estimated 40,000 plant species and more than 3,000 freshwater fish species within the basin.
The Amazon River, the largest by volume, significantly influences global hydrology. It discharges approximately 15% to 16% of the world’s total river discharge into the Atlantic Ocean. Although historically called the “lungs of the planet,” the forest’s net oxygen contribution is near zero because oxygen produced by plants is consumed by decaying matter. The Amazon’s true global significance lies in its role as a carbon store, holding an estimated 90 to 140 billion metric tons of carbon.
The Andes Mountains’ Scale and Height
The Andes form the longest continental mountain range, stretching approximately 5,500 miles along the western edge of the continent. This range serves as a geographical and climatic barrier, influencing weather patterns across South America. The average height of the Andes is about 13,000 feet, with numerous peaks exceeding 20,000 feet.
The highest point is Mount Aconcagua, located in Argentina, which reaches an elevation of 22,838 feet. Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in the Western Hemisphere and the highest peak outside of Asia. The Andes were formed by tectonic uplift from the Nazca Plate subducting beneath the South American Plate, a process that continues to shape the region’s topography.
Unparalleled Linguistic Diversity
Beyond the dominant Spanish and Portuguese languages, South America maintains a complex linguistic heritage. The continent is home to numerous indigenous languages, with estimates suggesting around 300 are still spoken today. Before European contact, the number of distinct languages was likely over 2,000.
This diversity is reflected in the large number of distinct indigenous language families, which some systems classify as high as 50. Many languages remain isolates, meaning they are not genetically related to any other known language. For instance, Quechua, once the official tongue of the Inca Empire, is still spoken by an estimated six to eight million people across the Andean region. Certain languages possess unique structural features, such as Quechua’s requirement for a suffix that qualifies the source and authority of a speaker’s statement.
Legacy of the Inca Empire
The Inca Empire, known as Tawantinsuyu, was the largest pre-Columbian empire in the Americas. Its success was largely facilitated by advanced administrative and engineering capabilities. The Qhapaq Ñan, a road system spanning approximately 25,000 miles, is a key example.
This extensive network, built without the use of the wheel, connected diverse regions, from mountain passes to coastal deserts, and included suspension bridges and tunnels. Administrative efficiency was maintained through the quipu, a complex system of knotted and colored strings used to record census data, taxes, and accounting information. The Inca also demonstrated architectural mastery with sites like Machu Picchu, constructed with precisely cut stones fitted together without mortar.
Population Concentration in Coastal Megacities
A striking demographic pattern in South America is the concentration of its population along the coasts and in large urban centers. Vast geographical barriers, such as the Andes, the Amazon rainforest, and the Gran Chaco, have historically confined development to the continental edges.
Cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Lima have grown into megacities, with their metropolitan areas each containing over 10 million residents. Urban areas in Latin America and the Caribbean host over 80% of the total population. This pattern leaves the interior regions of the continent, particularly the Amazon basin and the Patagonian plains, sparsely populated and largely undeveloped.