Both South America and Africa are two parts of one ancient provocation called Pangea: if you pay attention, then the boundaries of Africa fit perfectly into the size of South America.
But South America is located in the western hemisphere on both sides of the equator, and its shores are washed by the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Just like Africa, it is narrowed to the south in the form, and is also divided by the equator in the northern part. It is in connection with this feature that some climatic zones of the southern hemisphere and its natural zones are duplicated in the north but only their limited part.
South America in the same way as Africa is characterized by a simple pattern of the coastline and a limited number of islands and bays. At the same time, its southern end has an archipelago (fiery land) through which the expedition of Magellan (the first roundtheworld!) and was able to go to the Pacific Ocean.
It is worth noting that, unlike Africa, America is much more isolated from all other continents. With North America, she has only one point of contact the Panama Isthmus, and between it and Antarctica there is the widest strait throughout the earth the Drake Strait.
This is due to the fact that South America, like Africa, intersects with the equator but, in contrast to Africa, it is more “shifted” towards the south, and in this regard is more isolated.
The similarity of the continents
The similarity of these two continents lie in four belts: equatorial and subequatorial, as well as in tropical and subtropical. Moreover, in Africa it is repeated twice.
These continents are under the influence of southeastern passats that determine the presence of a large amount of precipitation. And in the eastern parts of these continents, warm currents have a great influence.
Thus, the following similarities can be distinguished:
It is worth noting that the essential territorial regions of both Africa and America are located in the area of the southern latitudes, and this was the reason for obtaining a significant amount of heat. These continents are even called southern tropical continents.
The difference in continents
If we consider the differences, then they, first of all, depend on the geographical location: America is washed by Atlantic and Pacific, and the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean washed Africa. In this regard, Africa can be called a warmer continent, but America is more saturated with moisture.
Western coasts (if we talk about the southern parts of these continents) are influenced by cold movements. However, in America, their impact is minimal, because on the way there is a mountain range of. Africa is available to winds.
The following obvious differences can be determined:
If we consider in detail, then there are differences in the size and configuration of these two continents, as well as in the economic structure of their territories. This is predetermined by the closest position of Africa to the main trade regions and the main transport arteries.
The discrepancy between the natural zones of these continents is due to the differences in their climatic conditions. For example, in Africa and America there are savannahs, then in America they are so common. Within the boundaries of each climatic belt, completely special natural zones are formed and this is clearly visible in the differences of these continents.
Similarities and differences table
Features of the relief of South America and Africa.
| The geological basis of both continents is platforms. | The mining system of South America is concentrated in the west of the mainland (Andes), while in Africa the mountains are scattered through various parts of the mainland. |
| Geosincinal belts (collisions of lithospheric plates) run through both continents) through both continents). | In the whole area in South America, flat forms of relief (lowlands and hills) predominate, and in Africa elevations, plateau, and highlands. |
| Both continents have very diverse forms of relief, ranging from lowlands to the mountains. | In South America, mountains are much higher than in Africa. |
| The largest plains are located in the north of both continents. | In the central part of Africa there is an extensive rift zone (in the yu. America is in the area of the Galapagos Islands, but this is no longer a continent). |
| The deflection in the platforms are represented by lowlands (Amazon and lowlands in northern Africa). | In Africa, existing volcanoes (and generally volcanoes) are less than in the. America. |
| The largest heights in the yu. America in the west of the mainland, in Africa in the southeast. |
