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Discover mapped protected landscapes and browse countries across South America's diverse geography.

South America National Parks and Protected Areas: A Continent-Wide Atlas Explorer

Navigate the vast protected lands of South America through MoriAtlas's continent-level geographic explorer. This atlas interface provides a comprehensive view of national parks and protected areas distributed across the continent's twelve countries, offering insights into regional landscape patterns and mapped natural terrain. Understand the geographic context and explore the distribution of conservation landscapes from the Andes to the Amazon.

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continentsouth americalatin americaandesian regionamazon basin
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Trace the mapped distribution of South America's national parks, spanning the Andes mountains, Amazon rainforest, and Patagonian plains.

South America National Parks and Protected Areas: Continental Geographic Atlas
Explore the national parks and protected areas of South America, a continent rich with diverse conservation landscapes across twelve independent nations. This continental view provides essential geographic context, allowing you to compare park distribution and plan your regional exploration from a high-level atlas perspective.

South America is a continent in the Western Hemisphere, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and east, and the Drake Passage to the south. It encompasses twelve independent nations including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela, along with several dependent territories. The continent features diverse geography ranging from the Andes mountain range to the Amazon rainforest and Patagonian plains.

South America is one of Earth's seven continents, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere with the majority of its landmass in the Southern Hemisphere. The continent contains twelve sovereign states and several dependent territories. It is characterized by significant geographic diversity including the Andes Mountains, the Amazon River basin, coastal plains, and arid regions. The continent plays a major role in global agriculture, mining, and energy production, with economies ranging from emerging markets to developed nations.

Official name:South America
Native name:América del Sur
Continent code:019
Countries
12
Parks count
211
Area
17,840,000 km²
Population
434,254,119 (2,021)
Park atlas211 parks

Trace the mapped geography and protected landscapes across the diverse South American continent.

Explore South America's National Parks and Protected Areas Atlas
Browse an extensive list of national parks and other protected areas found throughout South America, spanning from the Andes mountains to the Amazon rainforest. This continent-level park atlas provides essential geographic context for exploring South America's rich conservation landscapes and diverse ecosystems.
Watercolor painting showing a lake surrounded by mountains and green hills under a soft pastel sky
National parkGalápagos Islands

Galápagos National Park: A Protected Volcanic Archipelago for Evolutionary Discovery

Explore unique endemic species and mapped landscapes of the Galápagos Islands.

Galápagos National Park stands as a beacon of conservation, protecting the majority of the remote Galápagos Islands archipelago. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a pivotal location for understanding evolution, featuring dramatic volcanic terrain and an extraordinary array of endemic wildlife, including giant tortoises and marine iguanas. Users can explore the park's protected boundaries, distinct ecosystems, and its significance as a global natural laboratory, offering rich context for landscape and geographic discovery.

Area
7,995.4 km²
Established
1959
IUCN
II
Relief
Mixed relief
Galápagos National Park Protected Landscape
National parkMagallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region

Diego Ramírez Islands and Drake Passage National Park: A Southern Ocean Protected Landscape

Explore its remote island geography and vital Drake Passage marine ecosystems.

This national park protects one of the world's most remote and ecologically significant subantarctic environments, safeguarding the Diego Ramírez Islands and the legendary Drake Passage. It covers over 14 million hectares, representing Chile's southernmost contribution to global marine conservation and protecting unique pelagic bird habitats, marine mammal feeding grounds, and distinctive submarine geomorphology including Sars Seamount. The park's landscape is characterized by harsh subantarctic conditions, with vegetation adapted to cold, windy environments, and unique seafloor terrain beneath the powerful Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

Area
144,391 km²
Established
2025
IUCN
II
Climate
Subpolar
Diego Ramírez Islands and Drake Passage National Park Atlas
National parkAysén del General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Region

Bernardo O'Higgins National Park: Southern Patagonian Ice Field & Glacial Terrain

Chile's largest protected area: a map of vast ice caps and fjords.

Bernardo O'Higgins National Park is a colossal protected landscape in Chile, safeguarding much of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and its colossal glacial features like the Pío XI Glacier. Explore the dramatic terrain of towering granite peaks and intricate fjord systems that define this remote national park. This page provides essential context for understanding its geography, mapped boundaries, and significance as a vast wilderness preservation.

Area
35,259 km²
Established
1969
IUCN
II
Visitors
36K annual
Bernardo O'Higgins National Park Atlas
Watercolor illustration of a lake with mountains and greenery under a pink-hued sky
National park

Tierra del Fuego National Park: Southernmost Argentinian National Park and Protected Landscape

Explore the mapped terrain and subantarctic geography of this vital protected area.

Tierra del Fuego National Park, located at the southern tip of South America, provides a crucial atlas perspective on subantarctic ecosystems. This protected national park encompasses dramatic glacial valleys, rugged mountain ranges, ancient beech forests, and a significant coastal area along the Beagle Channel. Its unique landscape, accessible from Ushuaia, offers rich opportunities for understanding regional geography and the distribution of protected lands at the continent's edge.

Area
630 km²
Established
1960
IUCN
II
Relief
Mountain
Tierra del Fuego National Park Atlas
National park

Perito Moreno National Park: Argentina's Expansive Patagonian Protected Landscape

Explore its mapped terrain and significant protected area geography.

Perito Moreno National Park stands as a cornerstone of Argentinian conservation, safeguarding over 126,000 hectares of striking Patagonian mountain wilderness. This national park protects a rare ecological transition zone, blending wet Andean forests with dry steppe environments across its dramatic amphitheater-like terrain and dual-watershed hydrography. Its mapped boundaries encompass significant natural geography, offering a clear atlas view of protected Patagonian landscapes.

Area
1,268.3 km²
Established
1937
IUCN
II
Relief
Mountain
Perito Moreno National Park Protected Area
National parkLa Rioja Province

Talampaya National Park: Argentinian National Park with Dramatic Desert Canyons

Explore protected landscape and mapped geography in La Rioja Province.

Talampaya National Park, a significant national park in Argentina's La Rioja Province, offers a profound exploration of a dramatic desert canyon environment. This protected area is renowned for its rich paleontological sites, yielding crucial dinosaur fossils, and for its well-preserved indigenous petroglyphs carved into ancient rock formations. Understanding Talampaya National Park provides vital context for the region's geography and its place within Argentinian protected lands and mapped natural landscapes.

Area
2,150 km²
Established
1997
IUCN
II
Relief
Mountain
Talampaya National Park: Argentinian Protected Area
National parkPotaro-Siparuni

Kaieteur National Park: Iconic South American Waterfall and Protected Forest Landscape

Discover the unique geography and mapped boundaries of this Guiana Shield natural wonder.

Kaieteur National Park is a significant protected area in Guyana, celebrated globally for Kaieteur Falls, the world's largest single-drop waterfall by volume. This national park preserves over 242 square miles of untouched tropical rainforest, offering critical habitat for endemic species and a profound example of the Guiana Shield's ancient geological formations and diverse ecosystems. Its location deep within the Potaro-Siparuni Region underscores its role as a vital bastion of wilderness and a landmark in South American protected landscapes.

Area
630 km²
Established
1929
IUCN
II
Relief
Mixed relief
Kaieteur National Park Protected Landscape
Watercolor painting showing mountain range with green forests and colorful landforms
National parkColombia

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park: Colombia's Iconic Coastal Mountain Geography

Witness dramatic elevation changes and unique protected ecosystems.

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park is a distinctive protected landscape located in northern Colombia. This isolated mountain range, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, features an unparalleled elevational gradient from sea level to nearly 5,700 meters. The park's geography encompasses a stunning diversity of ecosystems, including tropical dry forests, Andean cloud forests, unique páramo habitats, and glacial peaks, making it a vital area for atlas-based geographic discovery and conservation.

Area
3,830 km²
Established
1964
IUCN
II
Relief
Mountain
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park Atlas
National parkNeuquén Province

Lanín National Park: Volcanic Landscapes and Ancient Forests in Neuquén Province

Explore the protected area's mapped terrain and glacial lakes.

Lanín National Park offers a deep dive into the dramatic geography of Argentine Patagonia, centered around the prominent Lanín volcano. This national park preserves ancient araucaria forests, diverse ecosystems, and breathtaking glacial lakes like Huechulafquen and Lácar. Its extensive protected landscape provides critical habitat and opportunities to explore unique Andean terrain through map-driven discovery.

Area
3,790 km²
Established
1937
IUCN
II
Relief
Mountain
Lanín National Park protected area
National parkVenezuela

Morrocoy National Park: Venezuela's Coastal National Park with Distinct Protected Geography

Explore the mapped protected landscape and regional context.

Morrocoy National Park stands as a key protected area within Venezuela, offering a distinct focus for geographic exploration. As a national park, its mapped boundaries delineate a significant natural landscape critical for understanding regional conservation and the country's broader atlas of protected lands. Discover the unique geographic characteristics and the atlas-driven context of this important Venezuelan protected area.

Area
320.9 km²
Established
1974
IUCN
II
Relief
Mixed relief
Morrocoy National Park Protected Area
National parkArica-Parinacota Region

Lauca National Park: Mapped Volcanic Terrain and High-Altitude Protected Landscapes

Explore the geography of this Arica-Parinacota Region national park.

Lauca National Park is a significant protected area in Chile's Arica-Parinacota Region, offering a unique glimpse into the dramatic geography of the high Andes. Its landscape is characterized by imposing volcanic formations, including Parinacota Volcano, and expansive altiplano terrain. This national park serves as a vital protected landscape, inviting detailed exploration of its mapped boundaries, diverse ecosystems, and remarkable natural features for those interested in geographic context and conservation.

Area
1,379 km²
Established
1970
IUCN
II
Visitors
12.1K annual
Lauca National Park Protected Landscape
National parkAmazonas

Parima Tapirapecó National Park: Venezuela's Largest Protected Area within the Guayanan Highlands

Explore its vast geographic extent and critical Orinoco River basin landscape.

Parima Tapirapecó National Park is an expansive protected territory in Venezuela's Amazonas region, holding the title of the country's largest national park and ranking among the world's most significant protected lands. Its geography is defined by the ancient Guayanan Highlands, protecting the vital headwaters of the Orinoco River and a mosaic of tropical forests and savannas. This park offers deep insights into landscape preservation on a grand scale, crucial for understanding regional geography and protected area distribution.

Area
38,290 km²
Established
1991
IUCN
II
Scope
Terrestrial
Parima Tapirapecó National Park Atlas
View All South America Parks
Landscape and environment

Understand how South America is shaped by terrain, ecosystems, and seasonal conditions

South America geography, nature, climate, and landscape context for park-focused travel research
Explore the physical geography, natural setting, and climate patterns of South America through a location-first overview built for travel research, national park discovery, and broader regional context. This section helps explain how landscapes, habitats, and environmental conditions shape what people search for, where they travel, and how they experience protected areas in South America.

South America geography and landscape

South America occupies the southern portion of the Americas, bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west, the Atlantic Ocean on the north and east, and the Drake Passage to the south. The continent spans from the Caribbean region in the north to the southern tip near Antarctica. Major geographic features include the Andes mountain range along the western coast, the Amazon River basin in the north, the Gran Chaco region in the center, and the Patagonian plains in the south.

South America nature and environment

South America contains remarkable ecological diversity with the Amazon rainforest being the world's largest tropical rainforest, representing about half of the planet's remaining rainforests. The continent spans multiple biomes including tropical rainforests, savannas, deserts, alpine tundra, and temperate forests. Major ecosystems include the Pantanal wetlands, the Atacama Desert, and the Magellanic forests of the southern tip.

South America climate and seasonal conditions

South America exhibits diverse climate patterns due to its vast size and varied topography. The equatorial region experiences tropical rainforest climate, while the southern regions feature temperate conditions. The Andes create stark climate differences between the Pacific coast and interior regions. The continent experiences monsoonal patterns in the Amazon basin and arid conditions in the Leeward side of the Andes.

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Useful phrases, related topics, and discovery prompts connected to South America.
where is south america locatedwhat countries are in south americasouth america population and areasouth america languages spokenlargest countries in south americasouth america geography featuresamazon river basin locationsouth america time zonessouth america continentsouth american countriessouth america geographysouth america populationsouth america languagesamazon rainforestandes mountainslatin americasouth america gdpsouth america capitals
Countries

Trace protected landscapes and significant natural areas across South America's diverse nations, mapped by country.

Countries with National Parks in South America: An Atlas of Protected Geography
Explore national parks and protected areas, organized by country, across the entire South American continent, from its Atlantic coastlines to the high Andean ranges. This continent-level country atlas provides a structured geographic overview for discovering diverse regional protected area networks and their unique conservation landscapes.
Chile

Chile National Parks and Protected Areas: Geographic Atlas Explorer

Access a structured atlas view of Chile's national parks and protected natural areas. This geography-centric resource details the distribution and mapped boundaries of conservation landscapes, providing essential context for understanding the country's diverse terrain. Navigate through the protected areas to uncover their geographic significance and regional patterns within South America.

43 parks
Chile National Parks and Protected Areas
Venezuela

Venezuela National Parks and Protected Areas: A Geographic Overview

Explore Venezuela through its network of national parks and protected areas. This section provides a structured view of the country's conserved natural landscapes, highlighting their geographic distribution and mapped boundaries. Understand how these protected areas contribute to the regional geography and offer diverse terrain for atlas-based discovery.

43 parks
Venezuela National Parks and Protected Areas
Colombia

Colombia National Parks and Protected Areas: Mapped Landscape Explorer

Navigate the diverse protected areas and national parks within Colombia using a structured geographic atlas. This resource highlights the mapped distribution of conservation lands, offering insights into the natural terrain and regional landscape context across the country. Understand where Colombia's key protected areas are located and their significance within the broader South American geography.

42 parks
Colombia National Parks and Protected Areas
Argentina

Argentina National Parks and Protected Areas: A Comprehensive Geographic Atlas

Gain a structured overview of Argentina's national parks and protected areas. This atlas view details the geographic spread and placement of conservation landscapes throughout the country, offering a clear understanding of the nation's commitment to preserving its diverse natural environments. Facilitates exploration from a continental perspective down to individual park boundaries.

38 parks
Argentina National Parks and Protected Areas
Peru

Peru National Parks and Protected Areas: Browse the Geographic Atlas and Mapped Landscapes

Access a structured overview of Peru's national parks and protected areas, designed for geographic exploration and atlas-style discovery. Understand the distribution of conservation landscapes from the coast to the Amazon, examining their mapped boundaries and regional significance. This resource facilitates a deeper appreciation of Peru's natural terrain and its role in preserving biodiversity across diverse ecosystems.

19 parks
Peru National Parks and Protected Areas
Bolivia

Bolivia National Parks and Protected Areas: Geographic Atlas and Landscape Explorer

Access a structured atlas to explore Bolivia's national parks and protected areas. Understand the geographic distribution and mapped boundaries of conservation landscapes, from the high Andes to the Gran Chaco and Amazonian plains. This resource details Bolivia's regional geography, providing essential context for its natural protected areas.

14 parks
Bolivia National Parks Atlas
Ecuador

Ecuador's National Parks and Protected Areas: A Geographic Exploration

Navigate Ecuador's protected areas and national parks to understand their geographic context and distribution. This atlas offers a structured view of the country's conservation landscapes, highlighting diverse terrains from Andean paramo to endemic Galápagos ecosystems. Explore the mapped boundaries and regional geography to appreciate the scope of natural preservation efforts.

10 parks
Ecuador National Parks and Protected Areas
Brazil

Brazil National Parks and Protected Areas: Browse Mapped Geographic Distributions

Navigate the extensive network of national parks and protected areas within Brazil. This section provides a structured overview of their geographic distribution, enabling detailed map-based exploration of natural landscapes and conservation territories across the country. Understand how protected lands are situated within Brazil's diverse geography and regional context.

5 parks
Brazil National Parks and Protected Areas
Paraguay

Paraguay National Parks and Protected Areas: An Atlas for Geographic Discovery

Delve into the structured geography of Paraguay's protected areas and national parks. This atlas-style entry point offers a comprehensive overview of natural landscapes, allowing for detailed exploration of park boundaries and their distribution. Understand the unique regional context and mapped terrain across the country, providing a foundation for discovering Paraguay's conservation areas through geographic data.

5 parks
Paraguay National Parks and Protected Areas
Guyana

Guyana National Parks and Protected Areas: An Atlas of Natural Landscapes

Navigate Guyana's protected natural landscapes with this geographic atlas. Understand the distribution of national parks and conservation areas, and discover the mapped boundaries that define these vital regions. This resource serves as a foundational atlas for exploring the country's natural terrain and protected land coverage, offering a clear view of its conservation geography.

2 parks
Guyana National Parks and Protected Areas
Suriname

Suriname National Parks and Protected Areas: Browse Geographic Atlas

Access a structured view of Suriname's national parks and protected areas, focusing on their geographic placement and landscape context. This atlas entry helps you understand the distribution of conservation lands within the country's vast rainforest territory, facilitating exploration of its unique natural terrain and protected regions.

2 parks
Suriname National Parks Atlas
Uruguay

Uruguay National Parks and Protected Areas: Mapped Landscapes and Geographic Overview

Dive into the structured geography of Uruguay's protected areas. This atlas provides a unique lens to view national parks and natural reserves, highlighting their distribution and relationship to the surrounding landscape. Understand the geographic spread and context of conservation efforts across Uruguay, from coastal parks to inland natural reserves, all within a framework designed for deep exploration.

2 parks
Uruguay National Parks and Protected Areas
Browse South America Countries

Explore key insights into the geographic distribution and cross-country context of South America's diverse conservation landscapes.

Frequently Asked Questions About National Parks and Protected Areas in South America
Browse common questions regarding the national parks and extensive protected areas spanning South America, from the Andes mountains to the vast Amazon rainforest. These atlas-style answers provide essential geographic understanding of how natural landscapes and conservation efforts are distributed across its twelve diverse nations.

Protected area types

Continue Exploring Protected Area Designations by Classification and Geography

Deepen your understanding of global protected landscapes by continuing to explore classification types and their geographic distribution. Moving from broad designation families to specific park pages offers a structured way to navigate the world's natural heritage and understand its mapped conservation areas.

Global Protected Area Designations Atlas
MoriAtlas Explorer

Continue Your Global Geographic Exploration with MoriAtlas Park Discovery

Dive deeper into the world's protected landscapes and national parks through MoriAtlas's structured atlas interface. Discover how continents and countries are organized, and how individual park geography fits into the broader map. Our platform is built for understanding the distribution and context of protected areas worldwide, facilitating your journey through global natural geography.

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