Welcome to the Americas: Locational Knowledge!
Welcome to our geography study guide! Today, we are packing our imaginary bags and setting off on an exciting journey across two huge continents: North America and South America. We will discover the amazing countries, bustling capital cities, and famous megacities that make these parts of our world so special.
Don't worry if map skills feel tricky at first. We will break everything down step-by-step with handy tips, easy tricks, and clear examples to help you become a world map expert!
1. Getting Our Bearings: Hemispheres and Continents
Before we look at individual countries, let's understand where these continents sit on our planet Earth.
North America and South America are two completely separate continents located in the Western Hemisphere. They meet at a narrow strip of land called the Isthmus of Panama.
North America
North America is located entirely in two hemispheres: the Northern Hemisphere (north of the Equator) and the Western Hemisphere (west of the Prime Meridian).
South America
South America is crossed by the Equator at \(0^\circ\) latitude. This means:
• The vast majority of South America sits in the Southern Hemisphere.
• A small northern part sits in the Northern Hemisphere.
• The entire continent is in the Western Hemisphere.
Top Tip & Common Mistake to Avoid: Many people think all of South America is in the Southern Hemisphere. Remember, the Equator passes right through countries like Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil!
Key Takeaway: North America and South America are two distinct continents in the Western Hemisphere, joined at the Isthmus of Panama.
2. North America: Countries and Major Cities
When people say "America", they often mean the United States. But did you know that North America is a huge continent made up of Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean islands? Central America is not a separate continent—it is part of North America!
Canada
Canada is the second-largest country by total area in the entire world! It borders three oceans: the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific.
• Capital City: Ottawa
• Major Cities: Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
The United States of America (USA)
The USA is made up of 50 states plus a special federal district for its government.
• Capital City: Washington, D.C.
• Major Megacities and Urban Hubs: New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
Mexico
Mexico sits south of the United States and has rich traditions, ancient history, and vibrant modern cities.
• Capital City: Mexico City (a massive megacity!)
• Major Cities: Guadalajara and Monterrey.
Central America and the Caribbean
To the south and east of Mexico lie Central America and the Caribbean island nations:
• Jamaica: Capital is Kingston.
• Cuba: Capital is Havana.
• Costa Rica: Capital is San José.
• Panama: Capital is Panama City (famous for the Panama Canal, a waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans).
Landscape and Environmental Regions of North America
• Mountain Ranges: The mighty Rocky Mountains (the Rockies) in the west and the Appalachian Mountains in the east.
• Major Rivers: The great Mississippi–Missouri River system and the St. Lawrence River.
• Biomes & Climates: Cold Arctic tundra and taiga in northern Canada and Alaska, wide temperate plains and prairies in the centre, and dry, arid deserts in the southwest USA and Mexico.
Key Takeaway: North America includes Canada (capital: Ottawa), the USA (capital: Washington, D.C.), Mexico (capital: Mexico City), and the nations of Central America and the Caribbean.
3. South America: Countries and Major Cities
South America contains 12 sovereign countries and 1 overseas territory (French Guiana). Let's explore the key countries and cities you need to know for your geography studies.
Brazil
Brazil is the largest country in South America by both land area and population. It covers much of the famous Amazon Basin.
• Capital City: Brasília (a specially planned capital city built in 1960).
• Major Megacities: São Paulo (the largest city in the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere) and Rio de Janeiro.
Argentina
Located in the southern part of the continent, Argentina is known for its sweeping plains and rich culture.
• Capital City: Buenos Aires (a major port city).
• Major Cities: Córdoba and Rosario.
Peru
Peru sits on the western coast of South America along the Pacific Ocean.
• Capital City: Lima.
• Historic City: Cusco (the famous gateway city to the Andes mountains and ancient Machu Picchu).
Colombia
Colombia sits at the northern tip of South America, connecting the continent to Central America.
• Capital City: Bogotá.
• Major Cities: Medellín and Cali.
Chile
Chile is an unusually long, narrow country squeezed between the towering Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
• Capital City: Santiago.
• Major Port City: Valparaíso.
Other Important South American Capitals
• Ecuador: Quito
• Venezuela: Caracas
• Bolivia: Sucre (constitutional capital) and La Paz (seat of government)
Landscape and Environmental Regions of South America
• Mountain Ranges: The Andes, which form the longest continental mountain range in the world!
• Major Rivers: The mighty Amazon River, the largest river in the world by the amount of water it pours out.
• Biomes & Climates: The lush, tropical Amazon Rainforest, the extremely dry Atacama Desert in Chile, and the fertile, grassy lowlands called the Pampas in Argentina.
Key Takeaway: South America features large countries like Brazil (capital: Brasília) and Argentina (capital: Buenos Aires), alongside natural wonders like the Andes mountains and the Amazon Rainforest.
4. Watch Out! The "Capital City Trap"
A very common mistake in geography tests is confusing a country's largest or most famous city with its official capital city. Here is a quick cheat-sheet to make sure you never get caught out:
• USA: The capital is Washington, D.C. (not New York City or Los Angeles!)
• Canada: The capital is Ottawa (not Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver!)
• Brazil: The capital is Brasília (not Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo!)
5. Quick Summary Match-Up
Use this handy review list to test your memory:
• Canada: Ottawa
• USA: Washington, D.C.
• Mexico: Mexico City
• Jamaica: Kingston
• Cuba: Havana
• Panama: Panama City
• Costa Rica: San José
• Brazil: Brasília
• Argentina: Buenos Aires
• Peru: Lima
• Colombia: Bogotá
• Chile: Santiago
• Ecuador: Quito
• Venezuela: Caracas
• Bolivia: Sucre / La Paz
Well done on working through these study notes! Keep practising locating these countries and cities on a blank world map, and you will master the geography of the Americas in no time.