The Land of Central America Central America refers to the southernmost, isthmus region of the North American continent ISTHMUS: a narrow strip of land, with water on both sides, connecting two larger pieces of land LAND BRIDGE Consists of 7 states: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama

It is 202,000 square miles .1% of the earth’s surface The region is bordered by Mexico/US, the Caribbean Sea, the Pacific Ocean, and Colombia

Central America has many mountain ranges in it: Chiapas----southern Mexico just by Guatemala Cordillera Isabelia is in Nicaragua Cordillera de talamanca is just north of Panama (in Costa Rica) Central America has many mountain ranges in it: Sierra Madre de Chiapas (Guatemala/Mexico) Cordillera Isabelia (Nicaragua) Cordillera de Talamanca (Costa Rica/Panama)

Between the ranges are many fertile valleys where large populations exist and farming is done

The region is geologically active, with volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occurring regularly In 1976, Guatemala was hit by a major earthquake (killing 23,000) 1931 and 1972, Managua, Nicaragua was hit by an earthquake (5,000 died in last one) 1986 and 2 in 2001, (3 total) earthquakes devastated El Salvador 2009, an earthquake devastated northern and central Costa Rica in 2009 (killed 34) 2009, a earthquake in Honduras killed 7 Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica erupted in 1968…and killed 87 More than 80 volcanoes are found in the region Arenal is one of the most active (in Costa Rica) At 5,437 feet, the Arenal Volcano looms large and ominous over the pastured green hillsides that surround its base. Although currently in a resting phase, Arenal remained the country’s most active volcano for the past 43 years Arenal’s inactivity – which began in October 2010 – is then simply a part of its ongoing volcanic evolution. It is, however, still seismically active at levels deeper than five kilometers. “That indicates that there is still movement of magma deep inside,” points out Gerardo Soto, a volcanologist with the RSN. “But the most superficial magma is what seems to be very quiet.”

The Land of South America South America has several notable geographic features: 1. The Andes Mountains are the world’s longest single range The Andes are also the second highest range in the world 500 miles wide in someplaces Some peaks more than 20,000 feet After the Himalayas in Asia Rockies are 14,000

2. There are two regions of highlands in the East, which are more gently rolling than the Andes Guiana Highlands and Brazilian Highlands The Guiana Highlands are higher of the two

3. The Amazon River is the largest river in the world Carries more water and has more force than any other river in the world It gushes so much water to the coast that the salty Atlantic waters are stained brown with fresh river water for 200 miles beyond the river’s mouth 15,000 species 5,000 species of trees

4. The Amazon River runs through a large basin containing the largest rainforest in the world—the Amazon Rainforest Single largest and most varied mass of vegetation anywhere on earth Covers 2.7 million square miles 2/3rds the size of the US Temp of at least 80 degrees F. and at least 80 inches of rain a year

5. The Atacama Desert is found in Northern Chile One of the driest regions in the world Winds blow across the area dropping their moisture into the ocean

6. The Pampas of Argentina are one of the largest grasslands in South America Huge grassland… temperate Like Iowa…they have cold weather There is also one called the Gran Chaco

7. The Patagonia in Southern Argentina is an arid/semi-arid plateau of varied landforms that is constantly hit by cold winds from the polar cap Kind of like a tundra

8. There are also two famous waterfalls in South America: Angel Falls in Venezuela is the highest in the world (3,000 ft) It is the world's highest waterfall, with a height of 979 m (3,212 ft) and a plunge of 807 m (2,648 ft).

Iguazu Falls is on the border of two countries and is actually larger and wider than Niagara Falls (275 waterfalls, 200-300 feet tall) Iguazu Falls consists of 275 waterfalls, all located less than 3 km of the Iguazu River. Some reach 80 feet tall waterfalls although most were about 64 meters. Garganta del Diablo or Devil's Throat is the most impressive of all. U-shaped with a width of 150 meters and a length of over 700 rock marks the border between Argentina and Brazil. Surrounded by a tropical forest of bamboo and palm trees, populated by parrots and monkeys that hide the ruins of a 18th century mission, Iguazu Falls seems broken in this time and perhaps in the world. Iguazu Falls is higher than Niagara and even larger than Victoria. But find 275 separated waterfall alone can not compete with the wall of water over 1700 meters of Victoria. Niagra is 167 feet…173 feet wide  While Niagara resides on the border of Canada and the United States near Buffalo, New York.  The Iguazu Falls reside at the border of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina.  Since many people dont know about them Iguazu falls are commonly known as Brazil falls or Argentina falls.  The Iguazu falls are larger than Niagara and even wider as it has a span of falls throughout the area.  The Let’s compare!

9. Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world and also the largest in all of South America Lake Titicaca is a lake located on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It sits 3,811 m (12,500 ft) above sea level, making it the highest commercially navigable lake in the world.[2] By volume of water, it is also the largest lake in South America[3][4] (Lake Maracaibo has a larger surface area, but it is often disregarded as it is directly connected to the sea).

10. Mount Aconcagua is the highest mountain on the continent Mount McKinley (Denali) 6,194 (20,320 ft) North America Alaska Range United States Aconcagua 6,962 (22,841 ft) South America Andes Argentina