Natural Regions of South America

Amazônia, or "The Amazon," is a vast and awe-inspiring region of South America. Often called the "lungs of the Earth," this immense lush green forest, stretching across nine countries, is home to unparalleled plant and animal life, making it one of the Earth's most biodiverse ecosystems. Comprising the Amazon rainforest, the Amazon biome, the Amazon basin, and the Amazon River, Amazônia plays a crucial role in regulating the planet's climate and producing oxygen.

The Altiplano-Puna plateau is a vast, high-altitude region in west-central South America, where the Andes Mountains reach their greatest width. It spans Bolivia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina and is often referred to as the "Altiplano." This plateau is the most extensive high plateau outside of the Tibetan Plateau. The Altiplano Basin lies between the Cordillera Occidental and Cordillera Oriental mountain ranges, a vast sedimentary basin that has evolved over geological time.

Resting amidst the rugged slopes on both flanks of the Andes Mountains in southern South America, the Andean Patagonian Forest, known as Bosque Andino Patagónico, serves as a testament to the remarkable beauty and ecological abundance present in this distinctive temperate woodland. Spanning areas in southern Chile and Argentina, it claims the title of the southernmost forest on our planet.

The Atacama Desert region, stretching over a formidable 1,600 km along the Pacific coast of Chile, is not merely a geographical marvel but an intricate mosaic of history, ecology, and adaptation. Beyond its arid expanses lies the Atacama Desert Ecoregion—an ecological classification that extends its influence across adjacent areas.

The Atlantic Forest, known as Mata Atlântica, is a verdant treasure trove of biodiversity stretching along Brazil's eastern and southeastern coast and into Argentina and Paraguay. Although reduced from its original expanse, this sprawling natural region remains one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, second only to the Amazon Rainforest. Home to major cities like Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, the Atlantic Forest also provides a habitat for over 148 million people.

The Caatinga is a vast and unique semiarid biome that covers northeast Brazil and is home to various ecosystems, making it the largest dry forest region in South America. This region is characterized by its arid, thorny, and seasonal vegetation, which provides habitats for more than 2,000 species. Recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, the Caatinga faces significant threats, primarily due to land conversion for agriculture and cattle ranching.

The Cerrado, South America's largest savanna region and the most extensive ecoregion in the Americas unfolds across central Brazil, extending its natural wonders into northeastern Paraguay and eastern Bolivia. This savanna, boasting unparalleled biological richness, is a global treasure, home to 5% of the planet's animals and plants and harboring an extraordinary menagerie of life.

The Gran Chaco, or simply Chaco, is a large and intriguing region in eastern Bolivia, western Paraguay, northern Argentina, and a small section of Brazil. It is an alluvial plain with diverse ecosystems, including South America's second-largest forest after the Amazon. There are two main ecoregions, the Humid Chaco and the Dry Chaco, which differ in climate, vegetation, and ecology.

The Pampas, a vast and fertile lowland plain region in South America, unfolds like a natural canvas from the Atlantic Ocean to the Andes Mountains. This flat, fertile grassland region is of ecological diversity and cultural significance. It can be divided into three distinct ecoregions: the Uruguayan Savanna, the Humid Pampas and the Semiarid Pampas.

The Pantanal is the world's largest tropical wetland, predominantly situated in the Center-West Region of Brazil. This vast seasonal floodplain, however, also stretches into northeastern Paraguay and southeastern Bolivia, creating a stunning ecological masterpiece. Its diverse landscapes and vibrant ecosystems are genuinely captivating.

The Puna, a high-elevation grassland region in the Central Andes, spans northern Peru, western Bolivia, and northern Chile and Argentina. It encompasses diverse sub-ecoregions, including the Wet Puna, the Central Andean Puna, and the Dry Puna along the Cordillera Occidental. This high-elevation grassland region faces challenges such as climate change and habitat loss, necessitating conservation efforts for its unique biodiversity.