Relative Location of South America

Where Is South America? Relative Location

South America lies mostly in the Southern Hemisphere (small parts of Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil cross the Equator).

Bordering Bodies of Water & Land

• East: Atlantic Ocean
• West: Pacific Ocean
• Northwest: North America (connected via Isthmus of Panama)
• North: Central America & Caribbean Sea
• South: Drake Passage → Antarctica

Key Relative Positions

1. South of North America – connected by the Isthmus of Panama.
2. Across Atlantic from Europe & Africa – Brazil roughly equidistant.
3. Borders Caribbean & Central America to the north.
4. Pacific coast paralleled by Andes – longest continental mountain range.
5. Close to Antarctica – Drake Passage (Cape Horn to Antarctic Peninsula) is ~1,000 km.

This position shapes its climate, biodiversity, trade routes, and geopolitical relationships.