South america
Definition
The fourth-largest continent, home to diverse ecosystems including the Amazon rainforest, the Andes mountains, and the Pampas grasslands. South America has a rich history shaped by indigenous civilizations like the Inca, European colonization (primarily Spanish and Portuguese), and independence movements in the early 19th century.
Examples
- Brazil is the largest country in South America and the only Portuguese-speaking nation on the continent
- The Inca Empire stretched along the Andes before Spanish conquest in the 1530s
- Simón Bolívar led independence movements across northern South America
Key Fact
South America has 12 sovereign nations; Brazil is the largest by both area and population.
Study This Concept
Practice South America with free review games in these units: