436 



SOUTH AMERICA. 



rate countries ; and in Bolivia, they reach the enormous height of from 24,000 to 25,000 feet 

 Their general course is along the shore of the Pacific Ocean, about 150 miles inland. The 

 whole chain of the Andes is subject to violent earthquakes, and from Cotopaxi to the Southern 

 Ocean, there are no less than 40 volcanoes in constant activity, some of which are the loftiest 

 in the world. The other mountainous systems are the Parima Jllountains, constituting several 

 chains in Venezuela and Guiana, and the mountains of Brazil, also consisting of several chains 

 of no great elevation.* 



3. Plains. The great chains of the Andes divide South America, from lat. 9° N. to 52" 

 S., into three immense plains, shut up on the west by a huge rampart of mountains, but open 

 towards the Atlantic Ocean on the east. The most northern is the plain of the Orinoco, con 

 sisting of level tracts or llanos, covered with reody plants and a few scattered palms. Further 

 south is the great woody plain of the Amazon, to which succeeds the vast flat of the pampas, 

 presenting a prodigious expanse, covered wiih coarse herbage, and thronged with countless 

 herds of cattle. 



4. Rivers. The great breadth of the eastern slope of the Andes, caused by their distance 

 from the Atlantic shore, has its natural effect upon the size of the rivers. Gathering the accu- 

 mulated waters of the extensive regions which they drain in their long courses, the Orinoco., the 

 Jlmazon, and the Plata., seem to bring no tribute tide to tlie ocean ; but, in the depth and 



Comparative Elevation of Mountains in Sou 



ih .America. 



Brazil. 



Feet. 



1. Tingua . . 3,600 



2. Arasoiaba . . 4,160 



3. Serrado Frio . 6,000 



4. Itacolumi . . 6,175 



• Venezuela. 



5. Mount Duida . S'jOOO 



6. Silla of Caraccas 8,750 

 15. Chimborazo . . 21,730 



Republic of the Equator. 



11. Cotopaxi (volcanic) 

 7. Pichincha (do.) 

 13. Antisana (do.) 



Peru. 



8. Arequipa 



19,000 

 16,000 

 19,400 



17,750 



JVea; Grenada. 



10. Quindiu . . 18,000 



12. Sierra of Santa Martlia 19,000 



Chili. 



14. Chilian Range . . 20,000 

 Bolivia. 



16. lllimani . . . 24,250 



17. Sorata . 85,400 



