Atlantic South America

Physical Geography

Major River Systems

Atlantic South America includes the countries of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. The worlds largest river system is the Amazon. It is about 4,000 miles long and extends from the Andes to the Atlantic. Hundreds of tributaries flow into the Amazon.

Major River Systems

The huge drainage area helps make the Amazon the river that carries the most water in the world. About 20% of the water that runs of the earths surface travels down the Amazon. Its flow hitting the Atlantic decreases salt levels for 100 miles.

Major River Systems

The Parana River drains much of the water from central South America and much of it flows into the Rio de la Plata and on to the Atlantic. The Rio de la Plata is an estuary – an enclosed body of water fresh water and salty sea water meets and mixes.

Plains and Plateaus

The Amazon Basin is a large, flat flood plain in northern Brazil. South of the Basin are the Brazilian Highlands, a rugged region of old, eroded mountains. Matto Grasso Plateau is another high plains. Farther south is Gran Chaco plain that runs through Paraguay and northern Argentina.

Plains and Plateaus

In Argentina, there is a wide grassy plain – the Pampas in the central region. South of the Pampas you find Patagonia an area of dry plains and plateaus. All of these begin in the high Andes mountains to the west.

Climate and Vegetation

Atlantic South America has many climates. The southern highlands are cool, while the northern and coastal regions are tropical and moist. In southern Argentina, the Patagonia has a cool desert climate. North of Patagonia, the rich soil and subtropical climate make part of the Pampas good for farming

Climate and Vegetation

The Gran Chaco in northern Argentina has a humid tropical climate where heavy summer rains can sometimes turn the plains into a marshland. A large section of central Brazil has a tropical savanna climate with warm grasslands

Climate and Vegetation

The northeast part of Brazil has a hot dry climate and the southeast is cooler and more humid. In northern Brazil the humid tropical climate of the Amazon creates the rainforest and all of its life. Rain falls almost every day and it has the worlds greatest variety of plant and animal life.

Natural Resources

The rainforest is one of the worlds greatest natural resources. It provides wood, rubber, food, plants for medicines and many other products. Deforestation has become an issue in the region.

Natural Resources

Soil exhaustion is another problem. Commercial farming in coastal areas, have grown the same crops over and over, stripping nutrients from the soil. Minerals are a big resource with deposits of gold, silver, copper, iron and oil. Hydroelectric power from dams on the big rivers is also an important resource.

And so …

Exit: What can we do to preserve the rainforest and still use its resources?

Stay tuned nest time for Brazil. I know that place!