Bodies of Water of South America

The Colca Canyon: Peru's Natural Wonder

Nestled amidst the towering peaks of the Andes Mountains lies the enchanting Colca Valley, a place of unparalleled beauty and cultural richness. Deep within this valley, the Colca Canyon stands as a testament to nature's awe-inspiring power, carved over millennia by the relentless force of the Colca River. This magnificent canyon is one of the world's deepest and most breathtaking natural wonders.

The Northern Patagonian Ice Field: A Glacial Legacy of Southern Chile

Nestled amid the scenic vistas of Patagonia in southern Chile, the Northern Patagonian Ice Field serves as a living testament to the enduring glacial history of the Andes Mountains. This grand ice field, the diminutive counterpart of the expansive Patagonian Ice Sheet, is entirely situated within the confines of the Laguna San Rafael National Park.

The Río de la Plata: A Confluence of Majesty

Carving a vast and imposing presence along the southeastern coastline of South America, the Río de la Plata stands as a monumental estuary and drainage basin, a tapering intrusion of the Atlantic Ocean stretching its embrace between Uruguay and Argentina. This immense waterway, often regarded as a gulf, a marginal sea, or even the widest river in the world, is a testament to the continent's awe-inspiring natural grandeur.

The Río Negro: Majestic Heart of the Amazon

Flowing majestically through the heart of the Amazon rainforest, the iconic Río Negro stands as one of the most significant tributaries of the mighty Amazon River. Renowned for its distinctive blackwater and immense size, the Río Negro is not only a vital component of the Amazon basin but also a captivating natural wonder that draws explorers and adventurers from around the globe.

The Scotia Sea and Scotia Arc: A Critical Ocean Gateway and Geological Barrier

Tucked away in the remote waters between South America and Antarctica lies a remarkable ocean region known as the Scotia Sea. This dynamic body of water is critical in global ocean and climate systems, acting as a crucial gateway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Surrounding the Scotia Sea is the Scotia Arc, an arc-shaped submarine ridge and island chain that forms a biogeographic barrier, shaping the distribution of marine life and influencing the flow of ocean currents.

The Southern Patagonian Ice Field: A Glacial Wonderland of Chilean and Argentine Patagonia

Nestled amid the rugged expanse of the Patagonian Andes stretching across Chile and Argentina, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field stands as an immense testament to the glacial history of this region. Holding the distinction of being the world's second-largest contiguous extrapolar ice field, it constitutes the more significant remnant of the once-expansive Patagonian Ice Sheet.