What is the area of South America? How many states are located on it? And does it make sense for European tourists to go to these distant countries? About all this - in our article!
Geographical location and area of South America
The New World (or America) is located in the western hemisphere and consists of two continents. Moreover, the area of North and South America is approximately comparable. Today, these two continents are connected only by the narrow Panama Isthmus.
What is the area of South America? It is 17.84 million square kilometers. The coastline of the mainland is weakly divided, only in its southern part there are several large archipelagos and bays. The continent stretches from 12 degrees north latitude (Cape Gallinas) to 54 degrees south latitude (Cape Froerd) and is washed by two oceans: the Pacific from the west and the Atlantic from the east.
South America was discovered by Christopher Columbus during his third voyage. The first serious geographical research of the mainland was carried out by the German scientist Alexander Humboldt at the turn of the XVIII-XIX centuries. Also, a great contribution to the study of South America was made by researchers Grigory Langsdorf and Henry Bates.
Political map of the continent
Today in South America there are 12 independent states, as well as Guiana - the overseas department of France. The Falkland Islands, which are the disputed territories between Great Britain and Argentina, are also located in the southern part of the mainland.
All countries of South America in area (from the largest to the smallest):
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Peru
- Colombia
- Bolivia
- Venezuela
- Chile
- Paraguay
- Ecuador
- Guyana
- Uruguay
- Suriname
It is curious that in almost all of South America today the left (socialist) ideology is extremely popular. In almost all countries of the continent, left parties are present in power to a greater or lesser extent. Nevertheless, against this background, a market economy is developing successfully.
Tourism and Recreation in South America
The vast area of South America causes a huge variety of tourist and recreational resources on its territory. Every year, tourism is becoming an increasingly important sector of the economies of South American states. Almost in each of these countries there is something for the tourist to see: the remains of ancient cities, architectural and historical monuments, beautiful waterfalls and picturesque landscapes. Many are also attracted by the varied South American cuisine, as well as the rich local culture.
Perhaps the most touristic country in South America can be called Brazil. Thousands of tourists annually go to the virgin rainforests of the Amazon to try their hand at confrontation with wildlife. In second place is the country of Peru with its fortresses, monasteries and ancient Inca cities.
Among the most visited tourist cities in South America are Cuzco, Rio de Janeiro, Lima, São Paulo, Cartagena and Buenos Aires.
Peru for tourists
Peru is a country with a rather poorly developed economy. However, tourism is one of the three key sectors of the national economy. Miracles of nature, rich culture and numerous historical and cultural monuments - this is what attracts tourists to Peru.
Most often, Americans, Canadians, British and French come here. Most of the foreign tourists travel to the city of Cuzco to see with their own eyes one of the New Seven Wonders - the Inca city of Machu Picchu. Many tourists are attracted to Peru by the Gokta Falls, which is the third highest in the world (770 meters). The most interesting thing is that it was opened only in 2005.
Of interest to tourists is the city of Kahamarka - a gorgeous example of colonial architecture. It is all built up with two-story houses of the XVIII-XIX centuries under tiled roofs.
And many European tourists are sincerely surprised when they find out that a real vodka fountain is not located somewhere in Russia, but in Lima, the capital of Peru.
Interesting Brazil
At least five million tourists visit this South American country every year. Brazil is ready to offer them the most varied vacation: visiting the rain forests of the Amazon or Pantanal Basin, the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. You can also relax on one of the many beaches on the Atlantic coast. Brazil's domestic tourism is quite well developed.
Brazil is an interesting country and in many ways very unusual. So, for example, all outdoor advertising is prohibited here. Foreign goods and products in this country are insanely expensive, since there is an import tax in the amount of 100% of the total cost of the goods.
Foreign tourists are attracted not only by the world famous city of Rio de Janeiro, but also by the capital of Brazil - Brasilia. It was designed in just a year, and built in three.
Finally
The area of South America is almost 18 million km 2 . There are 12 independent states and one dependent territory (French Guiana) on the continent . In general, each of these countries may be of interest to European tourists.