1. SOUTH AMERICA

3. In terms of population the continent ranks 5th after Asia, Africa, Europe & N. America.

4. It consists of 13 independent countries and 6 dependencies.

6. Aruba (Netherland)

7. Falkland Islands (UK)

8. French Guiana (France)

9. Bonaire (Netherland)

10. South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands (UK)

11. Curacao (Netherlands)

14. The mountain was formed by the subduction of the Pacific plate beneath South American plate.

15. It is the world’s longest and second highest mountain range.

16. The length of the mountain range is 7000 km and the width is 500 km approximately

18. The Andes is divided into three sub regions. They are:

19. Northern – Venezuela, Columbia, & Ecuador

20. Central– Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia (altiplano)

21. Southern– defines the border between Chile & Argentina (South of Santiago the mountains are lower)

23. By volume it is the largest lake of the continent.

24. It is the highest commercially navigable lake of the world.

25. It is situated at an altitude of 3811 m.

26. There are 42 islands in the lake and some if which are densely populated.

28. The highland is also know as Brazilian Plateau.

29. The entire plateau is made up of basaltic lava. However the present landscapes are the product of intense erosional activities.

30. The NE and SW extension of the highland measures 3500 km.

31. The highest point of the plateau is Pico da Bandeira (2891 m)

33. Atlantic Plateau: The most densely populated area of the highland.

34. Southern Plateau: the region is covered with tropical rainforest. Part of it consists of fertile soil, which is also knows as purple land.

35. The Central Plateau : Majority of the area is under grassland.

37. The shield is made up of Greenstone, Quartzite, Sandstone, Conglomerate and Shale.

38. The highland is classified into three regional groups. They are:

39. Guiana Highland Proper (Venezuela) Mt. Roraima (2810 m)

40. The Tumuc-Humuc Mountains (Guyana & Suriname) Juliana Top (1280 m)

41. Chiribiquete Plateau

42. The region is very sparely populated.

44. This area is a hot and semi arid region, occupying areas of Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil.

46. It occupies few million square km of Venezuela and Colombia.

47. This region is characterized by seasonal flooding, which can be as high as a meter.

48. The principal river draining this region is R. Orinoco.

49. The people working here as cow boys are locally known as Llaneros.