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Unlike North America, where changes in land cover depend to a large extent on changes in temperature conditions, in South America, with its high temperatures the nature of the vegetation depends mainly on the degree of moisture. A large number of solar heat allows plants southern mainland vegetate throughout the year almost everywhere. As in Africa, the main factor determining the length of the growing season is the degree of moisture. The latter in the hot zone decreases not from the oceans deep into the mainland, but from the equator to the tropics, and only in the subtropics do the differences between the oceanic and inland territories sharply come out. In this regard, the main woodlands in South America, equatorial regions are dressed. Moist equatorial forests (hyley), including hyley with a short dry period (deciduous-evergreen forests), and monsoon forests cover the Amazon and the adjacent slopes of the Andes and highlands. The climate of these regions has not undergone significant changes since the end of the Mesozoic. And the flora of equatorial America in its composition, including cycads, club mosses, etc., is a remnant of one of the most ancient floras on Earth. It consists of representatives of the neotropical flora, the formation of which began from the Cretaceous or from the end of the Jurassic, that is, when there were still direct connections with Africa and other parts of the hypothetical Gondwana. Therefore, 12% of the genera of dicotyledonous plants are common to the Neotropical and Paleotropical regions. Long term isolation South America in the Tertiary time caused the high endemism of its flora. Endemic or have in South America the center of their species distribution, not only many genera of plants, but even entire families (jugs - Marcgraviaceae, bromeliads - Bromeliaceae, etc.). From the neotropical hygrophilous flora, apparently, the flora of the savannas, mountainous rainforest and even partly xerophilous semi-desert flora. Species of cacti, agaves, and bromeliads, for example, originally arose in humid equatorial forests; ecologically adapting and changing, they penetrated both the western desert coast, and the semi-deserts of Argentina, and the inter-Andean plateaus. Predominantly in the form of epiphytes, they are widespread in the Amazon and at the present time. Thus, the equatorial forests were the most important center for the formation of the vegetation cover of South America, most of which is included in the Neotropical floristic region. Almost as ancient is the flora of the savannas and woodlands. They are located north and south of the humid equatorial and monsoon forests on the plains and plateaus of the east of the mainland up to 30 ° S. sh., and in the west - between 0-5 ° S. sh., occupying an area approximately equal to the hylaea and monsoon forests.

Savannahs and woodlands again give way to moist forest formations on the eastern, windward slopes of the uplands and subtropical evergreen mixed (coniferous-deciduous) forests in the cooler, higher regions of the Brazilian Highlands between 24-30 ° S. sh. Moist forests also cover the slopes of the southern Andes, south of 38 ° S. sh. Up to 46°S sh. they are composed of evergreen hardwoods and conifers (hemigilea). On the western, windward slopes, the forests are denser, on the eastern - sparse and have an admixture of deciduous species. On the far south In the Patagonian Andes, on the western slopes they pass into mixed, deciduous-evergreen subantarctic forests, and on the eastern slopes, into predominantly deciduous forests. Due to the fact that in the Quaternary the southern Andes were almost completely covered by glaciers, the settlement of this segment of the mountains occurred relatively recently. Apparently, the center of the spread of flora to the southern Andes after the glaciation was the subtropical Andes of middle Chile, where during the glaciation there were a number of shelters that allowed many relics to survive. etc., from the Andes of middle Chile, the southern beech (Nothofagus), Alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides var. patagontca) moved south. in the west of South America, moist forests are replaced by hard-leaved (Mediterranean) forests and shrubs.Young types of meadow-steppe, semi-desert and desert vegetation prevail in the subtropics in the east of the mainland, including eastern slopes Andes. Shrub semi-deserts are also widespread in Patagonia, which lies even further south in the rain shadow of the Andes; The vegetation cover of Patagonia also formed only in the postglacial period from the Antarctic flora. Patagonia and southern Chile belong to the Antarctic Floristic Region. The vegetation cover of intermountain plateaus and western slopes is very young. Central Andes. Recent uplifts of this area and Quaternary glaciations have caused significant changes in climate and vegetation. In the Tertiary time, there was a mesophilic tropical flora, and now mountain-steppe, semi-desert and desert types of vegetation predominate. Due to the position of South America mainly in low latitudes, it is dominated by Various types lateritic soils. hot forest areas with constant and abundant precipitation, podzolized lateritic soils are characteristic, which are difficult to separate from a very thick weathering crust. In areas with seasonal moisture, red, brown-red, and red-brown soils are typical.

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Spacecraft: Landsat Spatial resolution (original): 28 m and 15 m Geographic center images: 04° 34’ S, 71° 49’ W Spectral channels: 1, 8, 7 Instrument: ETM+ Date: December 29, 1999 Additional description: The image was synthesized in pseudocolors. Tropical rainforests are characterized by red-yellow soils, very poor mineral salts that plants feed on. This is due to the fact that most of the minerals contained in these soils are quickly weathered, destroyed, and then washed out. In the composition of the mineral mass of red-yellow soils, only kaolin, aluminum and iron hydroxides remain, often in the form of dense ferruginous layers (the so-called lateritic crusts and layers). The forest, under which red-yellow tropical soils develop, has a yellow-green color and a small-spotted pattern. Waterlogged soils are formed in the floodplains of the rivers, the vegetation of which in the image has a red-brown color. Waterlogged soils are deciphered by the color of the vegetation, which is different from the color of the forests. The river has blue and blue colors. The oxbows of the river, turned into long lakes, are clearly visible.

South America is the fourth largest continent on Earth. This is the southern part of the land, which is called the New World, the Western Hemisphere, or simply America. The mainland has the shape of a triangle, it is wide in the north and gradually narrows towards southern point- Cape Horn.

The continent is thought to have originated when the supercontinent Pangea broke apart several hundred million years ago. This theory says that throughout both South America and Africa were a single landmass. For this reason, both modern continents have similar mineral resources and types of rocks.

Basic geographic information

South America, together with the islands, occupies 17.3 million km². Most of its territories are located in the Southern Hemisphere. Passes through the continent. The coastline is quite indented. Pacific and Atlantic oceans, which form bays at the mouths of rivers. South coast with the Tierra del Fuego archipelago more indented. :

• north - Cape Gallinas;
• south - Cape Frouard;
• west - Cape Parinas;
• east - Cape Cabo Branco.

The largest islands are Tierra del Fuego, Galapagos, Chiloe, Wellington Island and the Falkland Islands. To large peninsulas include Valdes, Paracas, Taitao and Brunswick.

South America is divided into 7 natural regions: Brazilian Plateau, Orinoco Plain, Pampas, Patagonia, Northern Andes, Central and Southern Andes. The continent consists of 12 independent countries and 3 territories without sovereignty. Most of the countries are developing countries. The largest country in terms of area is Brazil, which is Portuguese-speaking. Other countries speak Spanish. In total, about 300 million people live on the mainland, and the population continues to grow. Ethnic composition difficult due to the special settlement of the mainland. Most people live on the coast Atlantic Ocean.

Relief

Andes

The base of the continent consists of two elements: the Andes mountain belt and the South American platform. It has risen and fallen several times during its existence. Plateaus have formed in elevated places in the east. Low-lying plains formed in the troughs.

The Brazilian Highlands settled in the southeastern part of Brazil. It stretched for 1300 km. The composition includes the Serra de Mantiqueira, Serra do Paranapiataba, Serra Gerall and Serra do Mar mountain ranges. The Brazilian shield is located south of the Amazon. The Guiana Plateau, 1600 km long, stretches from Venezuela to Brazil. It is famous for its gorges and tropical forests. Here is the highest Angel Falls, 979 m high.

The Amazonian lowland was formed due to the turbulent waters of the river of the same name. The surface is filled with continental and marine sediments. In the west, heights barely reach 150 meters above sea level. The Guiana Plateau arose in the north of the continent. The longest mountain range on Earth, the Andes, is 9 thousand km. most high peak is Mount Aconcagua, 6960 m. Mountain building continues to this day. This is evidenced by the eruptions of numerous volcanoes. The most active volcano is Cotopaxi. The mountain range is seismically active. Last thing major earthquake happened in the Chile region in 2010.

desert

In the southern part of the continent, a zone and semi-deserts were formed. This is a unique area for temperate zone: deserts overlook the ocean coast. The proximity of the ocean creates high humidity. However, the formation of arid terrain was influenced by the Andes. They block the path of moist winds with their mountain slopes. Another factor is the cold Peruvian current.

Atacama

Atacama Desert

The desert area is west coast continent, its total area is 105 thousand km². This region is considered the driest on the planet. In some areas of the Atacama, precipitation has not fallen for several centuries. The Peruvian current of the Pacific Ocean cools the lower ones. Because of this, in this desert, the lowest humidity on Earth is 0%.

The average daily temperature is cool for desert regions. It is 25 ° C. In some areas, fog can be observed in winter. Millions of years ago, the region was under water. After a while, the plain dried up, resulting in the formation of salt pools. There are a lot of active volcanoes in the desert. Red stony soils predominate.

The landscape of the Atacama is often compared to that of the moon: sandbanks and rocks alternate with dunes and hills. Evergreen forests stretch from north to south. On the western border the desert strip is replaced by thickets of bushes. In total, there are 160 species of small cacti in the desert, as well as lichens and blue-green algae. Acacias, mesquite trees and cacti grow in the oases. Among under climatic conditions llamas, foxes, chinchillas and alpacas tuned in. 120 species of birds live on the coast.

A small population is engaged in mining. Tourists come to the desert to visit the Moon Valley, see the "Desert Hand" sculpture, and enjoy sandboarding.

Sechura

Sechura Desert

This desert area is located in the northwest of the continent. On the one hand it is washed Pacific Ocean, and on the other - borders the Andes. Total length is 150 km. Sechura is one of the cold deserts with an average annual temperature of 22 ° C. This is due to southwest winds and ocean current off the coast. It also contributes to the formation of fogs in winter. Fog retains moisture and gives coolness. Due to subtropical anticyclones, little precipitation falls in the region.

Sands form mobile dunes. In the central part they form dunes 1.5 m high. Strong winds moving sand and exposing bedrock. Animal and vegetable world concentrated along streams. On the territory of Sechura there are two large cities.

Monte

Desert Monte

The desert is located in the north of Argentina. It has a hot and dry climate. Precipitation may not fall for about 9 months of the year. Weather changes are explained by the absence of mountains: the territory is open to north and south winds. Clay soils in the valleys, and stony soils in the mountains. Few rivers are fed by rain.

The territory is dominated by semi-desert steppes. There are woodlands near the water. The fauna is represented by birds of prey, small mammals, including llamas. People live in oases and near water bodies. Part of the land is turned into agricultural land.

Inland waters

Amazon river

The continent receives a record amount of rainfall. Thanks to this phenomenon, many rivers were formed. Since the Andes act as the main watershed, most of the mainland belongs to Atlantic Basin. Water bodies are mainly fed by rain.

The Amazon, 6.4 thousand km long, originates in Peru. She has 500 tributaries. The rainy season increases the level of the river by 15 m. Its tributaries form waterfalls, the largest of which is called San Antonio. are poorly used. The length of the Parana River is 4380 km. Its mouth is located on the Brazilian Plateau. Rainfall is uneven because it crosses several climatic zones. In the upper reaches, due to the rapids, Parana forms waterfalls. The largest, Igausu, has a height of 72 m. Downstream, the river becomes flat.

The third largest inland body of water on the continent, the Orinoco, is 2,730 km long. It originates on the Guiana Plateau. In the upper reaches there are small waterfalls. In the lower part, the river forks, forming lagoons and channels. During floods, the depth can be 100 m. frequent hot flashes and low tides, shipping becomes a risky business.

by the most big lake, which is located in Venezuela, is Maracaibo. It was formed as a result of the deflection of the tectonic plate. In the north, this reservoir is smaller than in the southern part. The lake is rich in algae, thanks to which various species of birds and fish live here. The south coast is represented. Tourists are attracted by a rare phenomenon called the Catatumbo Lighthouse. As a result of mixing the cold air of the Andes, the warm air of the Caribbean Sea and methane from the swamps, lightning appears. They strike 160 days a year, and silently.

Titicaca, the second largest lake in South America, is located between the Andes. It has 41 inhabited islands. It is the largest navigable lake. Titicaca and surroundings are national park. Rare live on its territory. Due to rarefied air, there is little species diversity. Most of the continent has large reserves fresh water.

Climate

Subequatorial climate zone

The continent is located in five climatic zones. occupies the Pacific coast and the Amazonian lowland. During the year, 2 thousand mm of precipitation falls. The temperature throughout the year is low, about 24 ° C. It is in this belt that the equatorial forests grow, which are the largest array of wet forests on Earth.

The struggle for the environment is to create national parks and reserves. Countries need to adopt clean technologies and replant deforested areas.

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ground cover South America

South America is the only continent in the Southern Hemisphere that extends into the temperate zone. It is crossed by five geographical zones: northern tropical, equatorial, southern tropical, subtropical and subboreal. The widest part of the continent lies in the equatorial-tropical latitudes.

Like North America, South America is protected from the west by the high barrier of the Andes, which, along with the direction of moisture-carrying air masses, determines the nature of the moistening of the adjacent plains.

In the equatorial, tropical and subtropical zones, the eastern transfer of moist air masses from the Atlantic Ocean prevails. In the temperate (subboreal) zone in the southern part of the continent, the western transfer of moisture from the Pacific Ocean dominates.

The Pacific coast and the western slopes of the Andes in the subtropical and tropical zones receive the minimum amount of precipitation, as they are under the influence of cold southeastern and southern air masses coming from the eastern periphery of the Pacific anticyclone. Precipitation falls irregularly, in some places there is no rain for several years in a row. Dryness is aggravated by the presence of western coasts continent of the cold Peruvian current. The coasts of Northern Chile and Peru are tropical rocky and saline deserts. Desert landscapes and soils occupy the western slopes and high uplands of the Central Andes. Here is the vast high-altitude Atacama Desert.

The barrier role of the Andes is also clearly manifested in the southern part of the continent, where the western transfer of air masses predominates. The west-facing slopes of the Andes in Southern Chile receive 2000-5000 mm of rainfall, while Patagonia, lying in the rain shadow, receives 150-250 mm. The aridity of the climate of Patagonia is enhanced by the presence of the cold Falkland Current along the Atlantic coast of South America. Therefore, the plains of the subboreal belt of South America, despite the fact that they lie in the eastern oceanic sector, are dominated by landscapes of desert steppes and deserts with chestnut and brown desert-steppe soils.

The latitudinal zoning of soils on the plains of South America is manifested only in the northern, widest part of the continent.

In the equatorial zone, on the plains of South America, lying east of the Andes and receiving moisture from the Atlantic Ocean, the Amazonian lowland has the most humid climate with precipitation from 2000 to 5000 mm per year without a significant dry period. It is dominated by moist equatorial tropical forests - giley - on yellow ferrallitic soils, interspersed with swamps. To the north and south, somewhat asymmetrically with respect to the equator, there are tropical regions with a rainfall of 2000-1000 mm and a pronounced dry period lasting from 3 to 5 months. These are zones of seasonally humid tropical forests and savannahs on red ferrallitic and alferritic soils, occupying the Guiana and the interior of the Brazilian Plateau. On a large part of the surface, the ancient ferrallitic weathering crust has been preserved here. Long-term erosion exposed laterite horizons cemented by iron and manganese hydroxides on the surface. Massive lateritic slabs armor the surface, preventing further denudation. Gradually, they themselves are destroyed, and ferruginous rubble and concretions participate in the composition of deluvial surface sediments and are preserved in the profile of modern soils. As a result of redeposition of ferrallitic weathering crusts, strata of white quartz sands accumulated along with red-colored cover deposits during erosion of the weathering crust of felsic quartz-bearing rocks. On them, under sparse vegetation, the poorest, barren quartz-sandy soils were formed, and in the Atlantic, the most humid part of the equatorial and tropical regions, along the outskirts of the swamps, illuvial-humus podzols were formed.

In the central western and northeastern parts of the Brazilian plateau, composed of acidic igneous rocks, xerophytic light forests and shrub savannahs - campos serrados predominate. In the northeast, where the annual amount of precipitation does not exceed 300-350 mm, which falls mainly in the form of showers, caatingas are common - xeromorphic thorny shrubs and succulents. The soil cover is poorly developed, washed out thin skeletal red-brown soils with a very low level of fertility predominate.

Since in tropical and subtropical southern half continent, moist air masses come from the Atlantic Ocean, the most humid conditions and, accordingly, soils dominate in the eastern Atlantic part. To the west, the amount of precipitation decreases, landscape and soil zones in this part of the continent are elongated in the meridional direction.

In the Atlantic elevated part of the Brazilian Plateau and on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Coast, between 5 and 23 ° S. sh., the Atlantic region of humid tropical and subtropical forests is located on red ferrallitic soils, occupying the lower parts of the eastern mountain slopes and a narrow strip of coastal lowland. On the altitude about 2000 m, deciduous forests appear on humus ferrallitic acidic soils; at an altitude of 2200 m, forests give way to mountain peat bogs. In the southwestern part of the Atlantic region within the volcanic basalt plateau in the basin of the river. Paranas at altitudes of 1000 m and more on leveled wavy-hilly surfaces of the "planalto" under coniferous-deciduous and coniferous-araucarial forests and tall-grass prairies, in a subtropical humid climate, dark brown ferrallitic and ferrallitized soils and reddish-black subtropical prairie soils. They have a powerful humus horizon, but acidic and unsaturated.

In the southern part of the Atlantic part of the sector, on the alluvial plains of La Plata, forests are replaced by tall grass meadow prairies of the Eastern Pampa. On ancient alluvial loess-like loams, often calcareous, chernozem-like soils (brunizems) are widespread. These soils with a powerful humus horizon are neutral or slightly acidic, well structured, evenly moistened throughout the year and receive 1400-1600 mm of precipitation. Summers are hot here (24-27 °С), winters are mild (10-16 °С), but frosts down to -5 °С occur.

Physicochemical characteristics and the hydrothermal regime of the soils of the eastern Pampas determine their high fertility.

Deep into the continent in the areas of central Pampa, as the sea air masses transform, the amount of precipitation decreases to 500-600 and further from 300-400 mm. The meridional strike of humid zones determines the same direction of landscape and soil zones. The chernozem-like soils of the Eastern Pampa are replaced in the more inland regions of the Dry Pampa by subtropical chernozems. In the Andean part, in the Gran Chaco, subtropical dry desert steppes and xerophytic shrubs appear on brown and gray-brown soils in combination with solonetzes and solonchaks.

In the Cis-Cordillera and Pampina Sierras, on the piedmont plains and in the intermountain valleys, semi-deserts and deserts are common on gray soils and gray-brown solonetsous soils with solonchaks in relief depressions.

This desert Pre-Andean belt stretches south and merges in the southern narrowed part of the continent with the semi-deserts and desert steppes of Patagonia.

In the organization of the soil cover of tropical and subtropical regions of South America great importance have alluvial heavily watered plains.

In the northern part of the continent, between the Guiana Highlands and the Caribbean Alps, there is a vast treeless area covered with grass and palm savannahs - the Llano Orinoco.

The western, low-lying, part of this territory is a flat alluvial plain. During the rainy period, when the water level in the rivers rises, it is filled with water and turns into a vast lake. During the dry period, it is freed from water and covered with grassy-marsh vegetation. Swampy and, to varying degrees, waterlogged soils predominate here, and groundwater laterites are widespread. In the southern half of the continent, large areas of alluvial waterlogged and swampy soils are confined to the Inner Plains. Their northernmost part - the Beni-Mamore plain - belongs to the basin of the river. Amazons. Abundant precipitation (up to 2000 mm per year) causes summer floods of rivers and flooding of flat alluvial plains. Tall-grass savannas and tropical light forests are common here on ferralitic gley and bog soils, often with laterite horizons. To the south is the depression of upper Paraguay - the Pantanal. During summer showers, it turns into a swamp lake; in the dry period, the surfaces freed from water are occupied by meadow vegetation on meadow gley soils; many swamps and lakes remain in depressions.

To the south, in the Pre-Andean part of the interior plains, within the Gran Chaco plain, there is a belt of marshes and salt lakes, framed by salt marshes. Along the river Paraguay stretches a wide strip of tropical swamp soils. Relatively elevated areas of the plain are occupied by tropical crooked forests on red-brown soils.

Within the Andean west of South America, the structure of vertical bioclimatogenic zonality is complicated not only by the sharp contrast of bioclimatic conditions, as mentioned above, but also by active volcanic activity. Associated with volcanic ash deposits is the distribution in the equatorial Andes of dark-colored allophane soils - andosols, widely used in mountain agriculture. At an absolute altitude of 2200-3200 m in Colombia, corn, wheat, beans and potatoes are grown on these soils at average monthly temperatures of 14-16 ° C.

The extreme, southwestern, part of the Andean mountain belt belongs to the subboreal forest sector southern hemisphere. There are also many active volcanoes, the slopes and foothills of the mountains are covered with thick layers of volcanic ash. On the western, abundantly moistened slopes of the mountains, under the evergreen moist forests (hemigilea), humus-rich ocher volcanic ash-volcanic soils “trumao” predominate. On terraces of rivers and alluvial fans there are thick peaty soils with layers of volcanic ash, locally called nadis.

Volcanic activity affects not only the soil cover of mountainous areas. The effect of ashfalls affects the mineral composition of parent rocks and soils of the Inner Plains of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.

South America is a unique continent. More than 50% of all equatorial and tropical forests growing on Earth are located in this part of the world. Most of the continent is located in tropical and equatorial belts. The climate is humid and warm, the temperature in winter and summer does not differ much and is always positive in most of the mainland. The natural zones of South America are located unevenly due to the large differences in the relief of the eastern and western parts. The animal and plant world is represented large quantity endemic species. Almost all minerals are mined on this continent.

This topic is studied in detail by the school subject geography (Grade 7). "Natural areas of South America" ​​- the name of the topic of the lesson.

Geographical position

South America is entirely in western hemisphere, most of its territories lie in tropical and equatorial latitudes.

The mainland includes the Malvinas Islands, which lie in the shelf zone of the Atlantic Ocean, and the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Archipelago Tierra del Fuego separated from the main part of South America by the Strait of Magellan. The length of the strait is about 550 km, it is located in the south.

To the north is Lake Maracaibo, which is connected by a narrow strait to the Gulf of Venezuela, one of the largest in the Caribbean.

The coastline is not very indented.

Geological structure. Relief

Conventionally, South America can be divided into two parts: mountainous and flat. In the west - the folded belt of the Andes, in the east - a platform (ancient South American Precambrian).

The shields are raised sections of the platform; in relief they correspond to the Guiana and Brazilian highlands. Sierras formed from the east of the Brazilian Highlands - blocky mountains.

The Orinoco and Amazonian lowland plains are troughs South American Platform. The Amazonian lowland occupies the entire part of the territory from the Atlantic Ocean to the Andes mountains, from the north it is bounded by the Guiana Plateau, and from the south by the Brazilian Plateau.

The Andes are among the highest mountain systems planets. And this is the longest chain of mountains on Earth, its length is almost 9 thousand km.

The earliest folding in the Andes is Hercynian, it began to form in the Paleozoic. Mountain movements are still taking place - this zone is one of the most active. This is evidenced by strong earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Minerals

The mainland is very rich in various minerals. Oil, gas, hard and brown coal, as well as various metallic and non-metallic ores (iron, aluminum, copper, tungsten, diamonds, iodine, magnesite, etc.) are being extracted here. The distribution of minerals depends on geological structure. deposits iron ores belong to ancient shields, this is the northern part of the Guiana Highlands and central part Brazilian highlands.

Bauxites and manganese ores are concentrated in the weathering crust of uplands.

In the depressions of the foothills, on the shelf, in the deflections of the platform, combustible minerals are mined: oil, gas, coal.

Emeralds are mined in Colombia.

In Chile, molybdenum and copper are mined. This country ranks second (as well as Zambia) in the world in terms of extraction of natural resources.

Such are the natural zones of South America, the geography of the distribution of minerals.

Climate

The climate of the mainland, like that of any continent, depends on several factors: currents washing the continent, macrorelief, and atmospheric circulation. Since the mainland is crossed by the equator line, most of it is located in the subequatorial, equatorial, subtropical, tropical zones, therefore the amount of solar radiation is quite large.

Characteristics of the natural zones of South America. Zone of humid equatorial forests. Selva

This zone in South America occupies large area: the entire Amazonian lowland, the adjacent foothills of the Andes and part of the nearby east coast. Moist equatorial forests or, as they are called locals, "selvas", which is translated from Portuguese as "forest". Another name proposed by A. Humboldt is "hylaea". equatorial forests multi-tiered, almost all trees are intertwined various types vines, many epiphytes, including orchids.

Typical representatives of the fauna are monkeys, tapirs, sloths, a huge variety of birds and insects.

Savannah and woodland zone. Llanos

This zone occupies the entire Orinok lowland, as well as the Brazilian and Guiana highlands. This natural area is also called llanos or campos. The soils are red-brown and red ferralitic. Most of the territory is occupied by tall grasses: cereals, legumes. There are trees, usually acacias and palms, as well as mimosa, bottle tree, quebracho - endemic growing in the Brazilian Highlands. Translated means "break the ax", because. The wood of this tree is very hard.

Among animals, the most common are peccary pigs, deer, anteaters and cougars.

Zone of subtropical steppes. pampas

This zone covers the entire La Plata lowland. The soils are red-black ferralitic, it is formed as a result of rotting of pampas grass and tree leaves. The humus horizon of such soil can reach 40 cm, therefore the land is very fertile, which is used by the locals.

The most common animals are llama, pampas deer.

Semi-desert and desert zone. Patagonia

This zone is located in the "rain shadow" of the Andes, because. mountains block the way wet air masses. Soils are poor, brown, gray-brown and gray-brown. Sparse vegetation, mainly cacti and grasses.

Among the animals there are many endemic species: Magellanic dog, skunk, Darwin's ostrich.

temperate forest zone

This zone is located south of 38°S. Its second name is hemigelei. These are evergreen, constantly moist forests. The soils are mostly forest burozems. The vegetation is very diverse, but the main representatives of the flora are the southern beech, Chilean cypresses and araucaria.

Altitudinal zonality

Altitudinal zonality is typical for the entire section of the Andes, but it is most fully represented in the equator region.

Up to a height of 1500 m there is a "hot land". Moist equatorial forests grow here.

Up to 2800 m - this is a temperate land. Tree ferns and coca bushes grow here, as well as bamboo and cinchona.

Up to 3800 - a zone of crooked forests or a belt of low-growing alpine forests.

Up to 4500 m lies paramos - a zone of alpine meadows.

"Natural areas of South America" ​​(grade 7) is a topic that shows how individual geocomponents are interconnected and how they influence each other's formation.