It remains the next greatest working hydroelectric electrical power era ability on this planet. Brazil would be the co-proprietor with the Itaipu Plant with Paraguay: the dam is located over the Paraná River, Situated around the border concerning international locations. It has an mounted generation capability of 14 GW for 20 building units of 700 MW Every. North Location has substantial hydroelectric crops, for instance Belo Monte Dam and Tucuruí Dam, which make Considerably on the national Electrical power. Brazil's hydroelectric potential has not nonetheless been fully exploited, Hence the nation even now has the ability to construct a number of renewable Electricity vegetation in its territory.[173][174]

Commencing while in the 1530s, the folks and purely natural means of South America have been regularly exploited by foreign conquistadors, very first from Spain and afterwards from Portugal. These competing colonial nations claimed the land and means as their very own and divided it into colonies.

The Amazon River, which flows from west to east throughout the north-central portion of South America, is the world's largest river with regards to discharge quantity. By some definitions, the Amazon River is likewise the longest river on the earth - although the Nile River is usually regarded as being the globe's longest, some reports suggest another source for your Amazon River, which might essentially help it become the planet's longest.

Brazil despatched naval and air forces to combat German and Italian submarines from the continent and throughout the South Atlantic, In combination with sending an expeditionary drive to battle while in the Italian Campaign.[forty one][forty two]

Although the majority of the most important metropolitan areas are within Brazil, Argentina is host to the second largest metropolitan area by populace in South America: the Buenos Aires metropolitan location, that has a here inhabitants in excess of thirteen million.

Vital components while in the willpower of climates are sea currents such as the Humboldt Latest and Falkland Present. The Equatorial Present-day of your South Atlantic strikes the Coastline with the Northeast exactly where is split into two Some others: The existing of Brazil and also a coastal present that flows to your check here northwest to the Antilles from where by it turns northeast forming An important and well known ocean existing on the planet, the Gulf Stream.[70][seventy three]

Currently, South America is flourishing. The continent's magnificent pure landscape appeals to many readers each year, and tourism figures continue to improve as Worldwide flight connections turn into much more available.

A lot of the populace lives close to the continent's western or eastern coasts although the inside along with the significantly south are sparsely populated. The geography of western South America is dominated through the Andes mountains; in distinction, the eastern component includes the two highland locations and broad lowlands where by rivers like the Amazon, Orinoco and Paraná movement.

The historical web sites, read more architectural marvels, as well as pure landscapes in the continent appeal to a lot of travelers yearly from all around the world.

The prevailing climate in locations near the equator is moist and warm. In locations near the South Pole, the local weather is predominantly cold and dry. In mountainous parts, the local weather may differ In keeping with altitude.

South America is found while in the Western Hemisphere, Together with the slim Isthmus of Panama dividing it from its neighbors while in the north. It's a population of around 439 Brazil million persons, with Nearly fifty percent from the inhabitants situated in Brazil, the biggest nation in South America.

The Iguazu Falls have over 250 waterfalls. In terms of hydrography, virtually all the main rivers inside the region are located while in the eastern Element of the continent.

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee matter places where they have comprehensive awareness, irrespective of whether from many years of knowledge attained by working on that content or by way of research for an advanced degree. They write new material and validate and edit articles obtained from contributors.

The European colonies lasted until eventually the early nineteenth century, any time a technique of independence commenced in most South American get more info nations around the world.