South America
From the terraced ingenuity of the Inca to the deforestation crisis in the Amazon, South America offers a vivid case study in human-environment interaction. Here, you can trace the legacy of colonization in city grids, explore plate tectonics at the spine of the Andes, and witness biodiversity hotspots that stretch textbook definitions of “ecosystem.” Whether you're navigating Quechua markets or mapping biomes, every step across this continent expands both your passport and your perspective.
Geographic Scope – ~17.8 million km², connected to North America via the Isthmus of Panama and stretching from the Caribbean Sea to the icy tip of Tierra del Fuego.
Biomes & Climate Zones – Amazon rainforest, Andean highlands, Atacama Desert, Pampas grasslands, Patagonian steppe. (APES: biome diversity & rain shadow effect.)
Population & Density – ~430 million people; most live along coasts or in mountain valleys. (AP Human Geo: population distribution shaped by physical geography.)
Cultural Snapshot – Predominantly Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking, with Indigenous languages like Quechua, Aymara, and Guaraní widely used.
Fun “Identity” Fact – The continent is home to the highest waterfall in the world, Angel Falls in Venezuela (979 m).
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Meet the next generation of global explorers. In this section, students share their journeys through videos and written stories, bringing real-world experiences to life with curiosity, insight, and creativity.
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