How large and how populated is South America?

South America covers approximately 17,840,000 square kilometers and has an available population figure of 434,254,119, recorded for 2,021. Taken together, these numbers give a much better sense of the location’s real scale than either figure would on its own.

What are the official and native names of South America?

The official name of South America is South America, and its native name is América del Sur. These naming forms add useful legal, linguistic, and local context beyond the shorter common name used in English interfaces.

Continents

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

Park system

South America Protected-Area Profile and National Park System Snapshot

Trace variations in reserve size, establishment history, designations, and climate zones

Factual records of protected areas across South American nations allow for direct comparisons of park sizes, legal designations, and climate zones. Reviewing currently compiled data reveals how different countries manage and preserve their shares of Andean peaks, Amazonian rainforests, and coastal habitats.

Known protected area

1,183,224 km²

Area data available for 350 of 372 parks.

Median park size

593 km²

Median across 350 parks with known area.

Oldest known park

Parque Nacional Aarón de Anchorena

Established in 1908.

Largest known park

Diego Ramírez Islands and Drake Passage National Park

Recorded area: 144,391 km².

Designation distribution

National park221

Wildlife reserve39

Nature reserve36

Protected area34

Natural monument15

5 more categories represented

Habitat distribution

Tropical forest144

Riverine habitat136

Wetland129

Montane forest126

Grassland76

17 more categories represented

Climate distribution

Tropical130

Subtropical50

Alpine41

Temperate35

Arid31

2 more categories represented

About

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

Parks count

372

Area

17,840,000 km²

Population

434,254,119 (2,021)

Park atlas372 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 Region

Torres del Paine National Park: National Park Protected Area Geography

Explore mapped protected landscapes and regional context.

Torres del Paine National Park represents a distinct protected landscape within Chile's Magallanes Region, offering valuable insights for geographic discovery and atlas exploration. This national park's mapped boundaries and unique terrain contribute to a comprehensive understanding of its protected status and environmental context. MoriAtlas provides structured data to explore the park's geography, landscape features, and its role as a vital protected natural area for detailed study.

Area: 1,814.14 km²
Established: 1959
IUCN: II
Visitors: 304.9K annual

Torres del Paine National Park Protected Area

National parkMisiones Province

Iguazú National Park: Argentina's Misiones Province Protected Landscape Atlas

Explore mapped boundaries and regional geography.

Iguazú National Park serves as a key protected natural area situated within Misiones Province. This MoriAtlas entry details its mapped geographic boundaries, contributing essential context for understanding its landscape identity. Users can explore how this national park fits into the regional geography, providing a factual basis for detailed atlas-based study of protected lands and their unique terrain.

Area: 677 km²
Established: 1934
IUCN: II
Relief: Lowland

Iguazú National Park Protected Area

National parkArgentina

Los Glaciares National Park: Argentinian National Park with Patagonian Ice Fields

Explore glacial terrain and iconic Andes peaks.

Los Glaciares National Park is a vast protected area in Argentina, dominated by a massive Patagonian ice cap and numerous descending glaciers, including the renowned Perito Moreno Glacier. Its dramatic landscape of ice fields, glacial lakes, and towering granite spires like Mount Fitz Roy provides critical context for understanding regional geography and the formation of glacial terrain. This park exemplifies the unique protected ecosystems of the southern Andes, offering rich detail for atlas-based discovery.

Area: 7,269.27 km²
Established: 1937
IUCN: II
Visitors: 688.8K annual

Los Glaciares National Park Protected Area

National parkBolívar State

Canaima National Park: Detailed Geographic Atlas and Protected Landscape Overview

Explore mapped boundaries and natural terrain in Bolívar State.

Delve into the protected landscape of Canaima National Park, a significant natural area located in the expansive Bolívar State of Venezuela. This page provides a focused view on the park's geography, mapped terrain, and its position within the Guiana Highlands, offering critical context for understanding protected areas. Users can investigate the park's boundaries and its contribution to the regional geographic atlas, appreciating its distinct natural characteristics.

Area: 30,000 km²
Established: 1962
IUCN: II
Visitors: 100K annual

Canaima National Park protected area atlas

National parkMadre de Dios Region

Manu National Park: A National Park with Mapped Boundaries in Madre de Dios Region

Explore its protected landscape and regional geography.

Gain a detailed understanding of Manu National Park, a key protected area situated in Peru's Madre de Dios Region. This page offers in-depth information on its geographic context, allowing for focused exploration of its mapped terrain and its identity as a national park. Understand how this protected landscape contributes to the regional geography and provides a solid anchor for atlas-based research and discovery.

Area: 17,162.9 km²
Established: 1973
IUCN: II
Relief: Mixed relief

Manu National Park Protected Area

National parkEaster Island

Rapa Nui National Park: Easter Island's Volcanic Protected Landscape Atlas

Explore mapped park boundaries and regional geography.

Rapa Nui National Park is a critical protected landscape centered on Easter Island, offering a unique opportunity for atlas-based exploration of its volcanic terrain and geographic context. This national park's detailed mapped boundaries and its isolation within the vast Pacific region provide significant value for understanding protected areas and regional geography. Discover the structured facts and landscape identity that define Rapa Nui National Park.

Area: 68 km²
Established: 1935
IUCN: II
Visitors: 60.9K annual

Rapa Nui National Park Atlas

National parkAncash

Huascarán National Park: Protected Landscape and Regional Geography in Ancash, Peru

Explore the mapped boundaries of this significant national park.

Huascarán National Park is a protected national park located in the Ancash region of Peru, offering valuable insights for geographic and atlas exploration. This destination provides detailed information on the park's mapped boundaries, its designation as a national park, and its integration into the regional geography. Understanding Huascarán National Park helps contextualize protected land distribution and landscape features within Peru for those interested in structured geographic discovery and atlas-style mapping.

Area: 3,400 km²
Established: 1975
IUCN: II
Relief: Mountain

Huascarán National Park Protected Area Atlas

National parkColombia

Tayrona National Natural Park: Protected Landscape and Biodiversity Atlas

Explore its unique geography, mapped terrain, and vital ecosystems.

Tayrona National Natural Park serves as a prime example of a protected natural landscape at the confluence of major geographic features. Situated in Colombia's Caribbean coast, it is defined by the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta rising towards the sea, creating a distinct regional geography. Users can explore its mapped boundaries, understand its ecological gradient from coastal zones to montane forests, and appreciate its significance as a vital conservation area with rich biodiversity.

Area: 180 km²
Established: 1964
IUCN: II
Visitors: 545.8K annual

Tayrona National Natural 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 parkSanta Cruz Department

Noel Kempff Mercado National Park: Detailed Protected Landscape Map and Geography

Explore national park boundaries and regional landscape context in Santa Cruz.

Noel Kempff Mercado National Park is a crucial protected area offering deep insights into Bolivia's natural geography. This entry provides specific details on its mapped landscape and geographic position within the Santa Cruz Department, enabling users to explore its protected boundaries and understand its regional context for atlas-based discovery. Dive into the mapped terrain and natural features that define this significant national park.

Area: 15,523 km²
Established: 1979
IUCN: II
Relief: Mixed relief

Noel Kempff Mercado National Park Atlas

Watercolor painting depicting mountains, a lake, and grassy shoreline

National parkArgentina

Los Alerces National Park: Ancient Alerce Forests and Glacial Terrain in Argentina

Discover the park's protected landscape and regional geography.

Los Alerces National Park in Argentina is a globally significant protected area, celebrated for its ancient alerce forests, some of the longest-living trees on Earth. This national park showcases a dramatic landscape shaped by glaciers, featuring a series of interconnected lakes and rugged Andean terrain. Explore the unique ecosystem and mapped geography of this UNESCO World Heritage site to understand its profound natural and conservation value.

Area: 2,599 km²
Established: 1937
IUCN: II
Relief: Mountain

Los Alerces National Park Protected Landscape

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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Ways to explore South America

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.

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.

69 parks

Venezuela National Parks and Protected Areas

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.

54 parks

Bolivia National Parks Atlas

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.

44 parks

Ecuador National Parks and Protected Areas

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.

43 parks

Argentina National Parks and Protected Areas

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

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.

40 parks

Colombia National Parks and Protected Areas

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.

40 parks

Peru National Parks and Protected Areas

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.

24 parks

Uruguay National Parks and Protected Areas

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.

11 parks

Paraguay National Parks and Protected Areas

French Guiana Protected Areas and National Park Geographic Atlas

Access a structured inventory of protected areas across French Guiana, including major reserves and national park boundaries. The platform offers precise mapping of ecological terrain, from dense Amazonian rainforests to coastal wetlands and maritime sanctuaries, for effective geographic study.

8 parks

French Guiana National Parks Atlas

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.

3 parks

Guyana National Parks and Protected Areas

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

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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