Hey there! Did you know that there are two big continents called America? There’s North America and South America. Today, we’re going to learn all about South America. So, get comfy and join us on this exciting journey!
Long before explorers from Europe came to South America, there were people living there. One of the most famous groups was the Incas. They lived near the Andes Mountains and started as a small tribe. By the 13th century, they had grown into a huge empire! The Incan Empire stretched over 2,200 miles and included parts of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Sadly, the empire ended when the Spanish arrived in the 16th century. But you can still visit the ancient city of Machu Picchu, which is one of the Seven New Wonders of the World!
South America is the fourth largest continent in the world, covering about 6.8 million square miles. It’s connected to North America by a small piece of land called Panama. The continent is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on the west, the Atlantic Ocean on the east, and the Southern Ocean to the south. There are 12 countries in South America, and over 400 million people live there!
Most people in South America speak Spanish, but in Brazil, they speak Portuguese. Some people also speak English and many other indigenous languages. Did you know that Bolivia and Paraguay are the only countries in South America that don’t touch the ocean?
Can you guess which country is the largest in South America? It’s Brazil! Brazil is so big that it covers more than half of the continent. Its capital city is Brasília, and São Paulo is the biggest city with almost 15 million people.
The Andes Mountains are the longest mountain range in the world, and their highest peak, Aconcagua, is in Argentina. The Amazon River, one of the longest rivers in the world, flows through South America. And don’t forget Angel Falls in Venezuela, the highest waterfall in the world!
South America is full of amazing wildlife like jaguars, monkeys, and llamas. The Amazon rainforest is the largest in the world and is home to many unique animals and plants. You can find valuable trees and resources like oil and gold there too!
Besides Machu Picchu, there are many other cool places to see in South America. In Brazil, there’s a giant statue called Christ the Redeemer. In Bolivia, you can visit the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, where you might see pink flamingos!
Great job, explorers! South America is a continent full of wonders and history. Maybe one day you’ll get to visit and see all these amazing places yourself!
Thanks for learning with us! We hope you had fun!
Map Exploration: Get a world map or a globe and find South America. Can you locate the Andes Mountains, the Amazon River, and the countries mentioned in the article? Try drawing your own simple map of South America and label these features. This will help you remember where they are!
Incan Culture Craft: The Incas were known for their amazing stonework and textiles. Try creating your own Incan-inspired art! You can use clay to make a small model of a stone building or use colorful paper to weave a simple pattern. Share your creations with your family and explain what you learned about the Incan civilization.
Wildlife Watch: South America is home to many unique animals. Choose one animal mentioned in the article, like a jaguar or a llama, and learn more about it. Draw a picture of the animal and write down three interesting facts about it. You can also watch a short video about the Amazon rainforest to see these animals in action!
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Welcome to our exploration of South America for kids! Did you know that there are two American continents? That’s right! There is North America and South America, which is the continent we are focusing on today. So sit back, relax, and enjoy our virtual trip to the amazing continent of South America.
Just like its neighbor to the north, South America was home to indigenous peoples long before European explorers and settlers arrived. Evidence of human life on the continent dates back to 9000 BC in what is now Peru. The Incan civilization thrived near the Andes mountains, starting as a small tribe and growing into a large, well-organized society during the 13th century. At its height, the Incan Empire stretched about 2,200 miles along the Andes and the Pacific coast, covering most of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and Northwest Argentina.
The Incan civilization lasted around 200 years until the Spanish invaded during the 16th century. The ancient city of Machu Picchu, which means “Old Mountain,” was rediscovered in 1911 and is considered one of the Seven New Wonders of the World.
Today, South America is the fourth largest continent in the world, covering about 6.8 million square miles. It is connected to North America via Panama and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Southern and Arctic Oceans to the south. The continent includes 12 countries and three dependencies, with a total population of over 400 million people, making it the fifth largest in population among the seven continents.
Spanish is the main language in most South American countries, except for Brazil, where Portuguese is spoken. Many people also speak English as a second language, and various indigenous languages are spoken across the continent.
Here’s an interesting fact: there are only two landlocked countries in South America—Bolivia and Paraguay. All other countries have coastlines.
Take a look at this map of South America. Can you guess which country is the largest? If you said Brazil, you’re correct! Brazil covers more than half of the continent’s landmass and is only slightly smaller than the United States. It is the fifth largest country in the world by size and population. Brasília is the capital city, while São Paulo is the most populous city in Brazil and all of South America, with nearly 15 million residents.
Other South American countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Suriname, Chile, and many more. Remember how we mentioned the Incan tribe lived by the Andes Mountains? The Andes are the longest continental mountain range in the world, and its highest peak, Aconcagua, located in Argentina, is the second tallest mountain in the world.
One of the longest rivers in the world, the Amazon, is also in South America. Angel Falls in Venezuela, at 3,212 feet high, is the highest waterfall in the world, towering around 500 feet taller than the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
South America’s climate is mostly tropical, featuring grasslands, savannas, and the largest rainforests in the world, including the Amazon rainforest. This rainforest is home to many valuable trees, such as mahogany, ebony, and rubber, as well as natural resources like oil, iron, gold, and gemstones.
Wildlife such as jaguars, monkeys, anacondas, llamas, piranhas, toucans, cougars, and condors all call South America home. Along with its incredible wildlife and natural resources, South America boasts many exciting attractions that draw tourists from around the globe.
We’ve already mentioned the ancient city of Machu Picchu, the Andes Mountains, the Amazon River and rainforest, and Angel Falls, but there are other fascinating places to visit. In Brazil, there is a massive 125-foot tall statue called Christ the Redeemer, which overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro and is considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. In Bolivia, the Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat, a prehistoric dry lake that spans over 4,000 square miles and is home to many pink flamingos.
Doesn’t that make you want to plan a trip to South America? We have learned a lot of cool facts about this continent! Let’s see what you remember:
– True or False: Brazil is the largest country in South America. (True)
– Fill in the blank: The largest rainforest in the world is called the ______ rainforest. (Amazon)
– What is the name of the ancient empire of indigenous South Americans? (Incan)
– True or False: Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in the world. (False; it is the second tallest.)
– Name one of the oceans that surrounds South America. (Possible answers include Pacific, Atlantic, or Southern/Antarctic.)
Great job, explorers! South America is a unique continent with a rich history, from the ancient Incan Empire to the Amazon rainforest. There is so much to study and learn, and it is home to two of the Seven New Wonders of the World. Maybe one day you will get to visit South America and see all these amazing places in person!
We hope you had fun learning with us! Visit us at learnbrite.org for thousands of free resources and turnkey solutions for teachers and homeschoolers. Thank you!
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