Question 1

Question 1Describe the location of South America.

Accepted Answer

South America lies between 13° N latitude to 55° S and 35° W to 81° W longitude. The major part of South America is in Southern Hemisphere and only a small part lies in Northern Hemisphere. Equator and Tropic of Capricorn cross through South America.

Question 2

Question 2Name the major physical divisions of South America.

Accepted Answer

The major physical divisions of South America are:Western Mountains — AndesThe Western Coastal StripThe Central PlainsThe Eastern HighlandsThe Islands

Question 3

Question 4Write a short note on Amazon basin, Gran Chaco and Pampas.

Accepted Answer

Amazon basin — It is drained by Amazon river and its tributaries and is spectacular in size with some 20,800 km of navigable water-ways. Amazon is the largest river system of the world. It rises from the Andes and falls into the Atlantic Ocean. It flows through dense equatorial forest called Selvas.Gran Chaco — The Western part of the central plain is called Gran Chaco. It is an extensive alluvial plain. It is also known as Dry Chaco. It is an arid subtropical region of low forests.Pampas — It is the Grassland of South America. It lies to the south of the Gran Chaco. Pampas is the most productive agricultural region of South America. It is covered with fine grained stoneless deposits similar to loess.

Question 4

Question 5Name the three river basins found in central lowlands. What is meant by Llanos?

Accepted Answer

The three river basins found in central lowlands are:The llanos of the Orinoco BasinThe Amazon BasinParaguay or Plata river basinLlanos refers to the tropical grassland of Orinoco river basin. It lies in the north of Orinoco river basin.

Question 5

Question 6State the characteristic features of Andes mountain range.

Accepted Answer

The characteristic features of Andes mountain range are:It is the longest mountain system of the world. Their average height is about 4000 m above sea level.It is an unbroken stretch of young fold mountains which flank the Pacific coast from Caribbean Sea to Cape Horn.It has two parallel ranges from western and eastern sides.It's highest peak is Mt. Aconcagua.It has majestic volcanic ranges which include Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Ancohuma in Bolivia and Ojas del Salado in Argentina.The western slopes of the Andes give rise to only short streams but many numerous large rivers drain the eastern slopes, flowing into the Amazon river.

Question 6

Question 7Name the two deserts of South America. Give a reason for the scanty rainfall in the deserts

Accepted Answer

The two deserts of South America areAtacama DesertPatagonia DesertThe deserts receive scanty rainfall because they lie in Rain shadow area that is the leeward side of the mountain. The windward side of the mountain receives rainfall while the leeward side remains dry.

Question 7

Question 8What is meant by rain shadow area? Give one example of such an area in South America.

Accepted Answer

The Rain shadow area is an area on the leeward side of the mountain which does not receive rainfall. Atacama desert is one of the examples of rain shadow area.

Question 8

Question 9Name the highest peak in Andes.

Accepted Answer

The highest peak in Andes is Mt. Aconcagua.

Question 9

Question 3La Plata is made up of two rivers.

Accepted Answer

FalseCorrected statement — La Plata is made up of three rivers i.e. the Parana, the Paraguay and the Uruguay.

Question 10

Question 10The largest river system of the world is .............AmazonOrinocoParaguayParana

Accepted Answer

Amazon

Question 11

Question 11Brazilian highland is the source of which river basinParaguayAmazonOrinocoAraguaia

Accepted Answer

Paraguay

Question 12

Question 12Rio de la Plata is an example ofgulfbayestuaryport

Accepted Answer

estuary

Question 13

Question 13Which desert lies to the south of Pampas?La TatacoaPatagoniaAtacamaLa Guajira

Accepted Answer

Patagonia

Question 14

Question 14The ............... highland is the home for the world's highest waterfall.GuianaBrazilianPatagonianAndes

Accepted Answer

Guiana

Question 15

Question 15An island country in the northern edge of South AmericaTrinidad and TobagoFalklandJuan FernandezWellington

Accepted Answer

Trinidad and Tobago

Study of Continents — South America

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