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South America (Continent) Facts & Worksheets

South America is a subcontinent of the Americas. It has a land area of 17.8 million square km. The continent is composed of 12 sovereign countries with several islands.

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South America is a subcontinent of the Americas. It has a land area of 17.8 million square km. The continent is composed of 12 sovereign countries with several islands. Ten of the twelve countries from this continent are part of Latin America.

See the fact file below for more information on the South America or alternatively, you can download our 27-page South America Continent worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Etymology and Background

  • It is theorized that South America and Africa were once together in a single continent called “Gondwana”, along with Antarctica and the Arabian Peninsula.
  • There are lots of civilizations that sprouted up on this continent, such as Chavin, Moche, Inca, Arawak, and Carib civilizations.
  • The continent has a much warmer climate compared to North America.
  • South America is very rich in mineral resources including copper, iron, gold, and silver.
  • On this continent, you can also find the most distinct animal species in the world.
  • During the time of exploration, the two most powerful countries during that time, Portugal and Spain, signed an agreement which is known as the “Treaty of Tordesillas” with blessings from the Pope. This treaty stated that all land external from Europe is exclusively for these countries only.
  • There was widespread slavery throughout the continent. The natives are forced to work inhumanly. However, in the later years, Portugal decided to substitute African slaves for the natives because they were fitter and stronger compared to the natives.
  • Chile was the first country in South America to stop the practice of slavery.
  • The two most significant people in the liberty of South America were Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin.
  • The driest place in the world can be found on this continent – it is the Atacama Desert, which is located in Chile.
  • Approximately 40 percent of the plant and animal species around the globe can be found in South America.
  • The second highest mountain in the world can be found on this continent in Argentina.
  • There are about 150 languages that are used in Brazil.
  • One of the smallest countries in the world can also be found on this continent, which is Suriname. This country has one of the smallest populations in the world with only 540,000 people.
  • Brazil is the biggest country in South America. Also, half of South America’s land mass is covered by Brazil.
  • North and South America are linked by a thin strip of land which is known as the “Isthmus of Panama”.
  • The Amazon River has the biggest volume of water compared to any other river in the world.
  • We can find the tallest untapped waterfall in the world, the Angel Falls, on this continent in Venezuela.
  • We can also find one of the biggest cities in the world in South America, which is Sao Paulo in Brazil.
  • The largest flying bird of prey can be found in this continent. It is called the Andean Condor.
  • South America is the only continent where you will find pink dolphins.
  • The most widespread religion on this continent is Christianity, which comprises the majority of the population of South America.
  • There are three types of biomes that can be found on this continent, namely grassland, rainforest, and savanna.
  • On this continent we can find the highest mountain, which can be found in Argentina.
  • Tierra del Fuego is the largest island in South America.
  • The highest mountain that can be found on this continent is Aconcagua, which is located in Argentina.
  • This continent is rich in agricultural products such as cocoa, coffee, corn, soybeans, and wheat.
  • The southernmost city in the world is in Ushuaia, which is located in Argentina.
  • There are a large number of dinosaur fossils that have been excavated in the last 30 years in South America.
  • This continent has the fifth-largest population in the world.
  • The biggest open pit mine can also be found on this continent, and is located in Chile.
  • The most iconic stadium in the world can be found in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. It is known as the “Maracana Stadium”.
  • Because of the continuous urbanization, Brazil and Colombia are experiencing a decrease in fertility and mortality.
  • Lake Maracaibo is the biggest lake in South America, which has the measurement of 8,208 square miles.
  • 20 percent of the world’s supply of oxygen comes from the Amazon Rainforest.
  • The theory of evolution originated after Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos Islands.

South America Continent Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about South America across 27 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use South America Continent worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the South America which is a subcontinent of the Americas. It has a land area of 17.8 million square km. The continent is composed of 12 sovereign countries with several islands. Ten of the twelve countries from this continent are part of Latin America.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • South America Facts
  • Name the Country
  • Languages in South America
  • Capital Cities in South America
  • Population of South America
  • Unique Species of South America
  • Civilizations in South America
  • South American Currencies
  • The Bodies of Water
  • Self-Reflection on Amazon River

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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