South America

South America is the fourth largest continent. It has the Amazon rainforest, the longest mountain range, and some of the most colorful cultures on Earth. South America is a land of extremes, from the driest desert to the wettest rainforest.

Land and People

About 430 million people live in South America. The Andes Mountains are the longest mountain range in the world at about 4,500 miles. The Amazon River carries more water than any other river. The continent has 12 countries.

Culture and Fun Facts

South America is famous for soccer, Carnival, and lively music like samba and tango. Spanish and Portuguese are the main languages. The continent has incredible biodiversity with animals like jaguars, anacondas, and condors. Coffee, chocolate, and potatoes all come from South America.

Fun Facts

• The Amazon rainforest produces about 20 percent of the world's oxygen.
• The Andes is the longest mountain range in the world.
• Angel Falls in Venezuela is the tallest waterfall on Earth.

Did You Know?

The Amazon rainforest is so thick that the forest floor is in near darkness. When it rains, it takes about 10 minutes for the water to reach the ground because it has to pass through so many layers of leaves and branches.