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With the very high and geologically young Cordilleras in the west, the vast plains with their enormous inland power systems and the lower, geologically ancient mountains in the east (Amazonian shield, Guyana Shield) are very similar to North America in their South American geological structure and relief. However, climate and vegetation are different, which is entirely due to the location in the tropics (with the exception of the south). The Andes despite their high altitude are the oldest settlement region and the preference to settle there remains to this day (see Colombia). Settlements in most states are otherwise focused on the coasts (see Brazil).
M. Felsch; Ü: C. Fleming