Altiplano A high plain in western South America. The altiplano is a level, semi-desert region surrounded by the Andes Mountains and grazed by llamas and vicunas.

Amazon The second longest river in the world, flowing about 6451 kilometres (4008 miles) from the Andes, through Peru and Brazil to the Atlantic Ocean. The River Amazon carries more than one fifth of the world’s freshwater.

Amazon Basin A vast lowland area between the Andes and the Brazilian Highlands. The Amazon Basin has a hot, wet climate.

Amazon rainforest The largest area of rainforest in the world, stretching across the Amazon Basin. It is home to more than one-fifth of all the plant and animal species in the world.

Andes Mountains The longest mountain range in the world, running the length of western South America. Its highest peak, Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, is 6960 metres (22,830 feet) high. It is the highest mountain on the continent.

Angel Falls The highest waterfall in the world, located in southeastern Venezuela. The Angel Falls are 979 metres (3212 feet) high.

Atacama Desert A desert in western Chile between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. The Atacama Desert is one of the driest places in the world.

Bogotá The capital of Colombia, sited 2265 metres (7430 feet) above sea level. It has a population of 8.3 million.

Brazilian Highlands A region of hills and mountains in the east of Brazil. They stretch from tropical forests in the north to a drier climate in the south.

Buenos Aires The capital of Argentina and the third largest city in South America, with a population of 13 million. It is the birthplace of tango music and dance.

Galápagos Islands A group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Ecuador. The Galápagos Islands are famous for its unique wildlife, including marine iguanas, penguins and giant tortoises.

Gran Chaco A dry scrubland covering northern Argentina and Paraguay.

Iguaçu Falls A series of waterfalls on the Argentina–Brazil border. Many of the falls are broken by rocky ledges that throw spray into the air and create rainbows.

La Paz The capital of Bolivia and the highest capital city in the world, located at 3650 metres (11,975 feet) above sea level.

Llanos A grassland plain north of the Amazon. During the rainy season, the llanos can flood under up to 1 metre (3 feet) of rainwater.

Machu Picchu An Inca city in the Andes. It was built in the 15th century as a royal retreat or religious site. Lying 2000 metres (6560 feet) above sea level, the ruined city was discovered by explorers only in 1911.

Maracaibo, Lake A bay on the coast of Venezuela, almost entirely surrounded by land. A narrow neck of water opens on to the Caribbean Sea.

Mato Grosso Plateau A high plain of land in central Brazil, between the River Amazon and the River Paraguay.

Orinoco A river in South America, flowing 2140 kilometres (1330 miles) from Venezuela, through the llanos lowlands, to the Atlantic.

Pampas A grassland area of Argentina and Uruguay, used largely for grazing cattle.

Paraná The second longest river in South America. It flows 4880 kilometres (3032 miles) from Brazil, through Paraguay and Argentina, emerging as the Rio de la Plata and flowing into the Atlantic Ocean.

Patagonia A region of dry scrublands and desert in the south of Argentina and Chile. With few inhabitants, it is used mostly for grazing animals.

Rio de Janeiro The second largest city in Brazil, with a population of 12.3 million. Located by a natural harbour, the city is famous for a 40-metre (130-feet) tall statue of Christ the Redeemer, atop Corvocado Mountain.

São Paulo The largest city in Brazil and in South America, with a population of 18.8 million. Around the city, poor people live in crowded shantytowns known as favelas.

South America The continent of South America reaches from the tropical coast of the Caribbean to the icy seas of the Antarctic. Running the length of the continent in the west are the Andes Mountains. To the east lie vast river basins. Most of South America’s farmland and cities are in the east, in southeastern Brazil and northern Argentina.

Titicaca, Lake The largest lake in South America, lying between Peru and Bolivia. Lake Titicaca is 3811 metres (12,500 feet) above sea level, and is the highest lake in the world that can be navigated by large ships.

Consultant: Lloyd Jenkins