South America has some of the most fertile and productive grasslands in the world. These regions are known for cattle rearing, agriculture, and biodiversity. Broadly, they are classified into temperate and tropical savanna-type grasslands.

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🌎 5.1 Pampas (Argentina, Uruguay, South Brazil)

• Location: Central Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil.
• Climate: Temperate, moderate rainfall.
• Vegetation: Short grasses, fertile mollisol soils (black earth).
• Economic Importance:
  • Called the “Granary of South America”.
  • Wheat, maize, soybean farming.
  • Famous for Argentine beef and cattle ranching.
  • Modern mechanized agriculture.
• Cities: Buenos Aires (Argentina), Montevideo (Uruguay).

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🌎 5.2 Llanos (Venezuela & Colombia)

• Location: Orinoco River basin.
• Climate: Tropical savanna → wet and dry seasons.
• Vegetation: Tall grasses, scattered trees.
• Economic Importance:
  • Seasonal cattle grazing (during dry season).
  • Increasing petroleum development (Venezuela).
  • Rich biodiversity: capybaras, anacondas, jaguars.

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🌎 5.3 Campos (Brazil, Paraguay)

• Location: Southern Brazil (especially Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás), parts of Paraguay.
• Climate: Subtropical, moderate rainfall.
• Vegetation: Mixed grasslands & scrub.
• Economic Importance:
  • Cattle ranching.
  • Soybean cultivation.
  • Sugarcane & coffee plantations nearby.

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🌎 5.4 Other Grasslands in South America

• Cerrado (Brazil): Woodland–savanna region in central Brazil, important for soy cultivation.
• Gran Chaco (Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia): Semi-arid plain, thorny vegetation, cattle ranching.

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🌱 5.5 Grasslands & Economy

• Pampas → Mechanized farming (wheat, maize, beef exports).
• Llanos → Extensive cattle grazing, oil exploration.
• Campos → Soybean & sugarcane farming.
• Cerrado & Chaco → Expanding agriculture, deforestation issues.

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📌 UPSC Key Pointers

1. Pampas → “Granary of South America” (Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil).
2. Llanos → Orinoco Basin, Venezuela & Colombia; cattle & oil.
3. Campos → Brazil & Paraguay; soybeans, sugarcane.
4. Gran Chaco → semi-arid plain (Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia).
5. Grasslands are threatened by overgrazing & agricultural expansion.
6. Pampas = wheat + beef; Llanos = grazing + oil; Campos = soy + cattle.