Chapter 13: UPSC Examination Pointers & Quick Revision

South America is a map-heavy and resource-focused topic for UPSC. Questions usually test your knowledge of physical features, resources, political facts, and environment.

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🗺️ 13.1 Mapping Essentials

• Mountains: Andes, Guiana Highlands, Brazilian Highlands, Patagonia.
• Peaks: Aconcagua (highest outside Asia), Chimborazo (farthest from Earth’s center).
• Rivers: Amazon, Orinoco, Paraná–Paraguay–Uruguay (La Plata Basin).
• Lakes: Titicaca (highest navigable), Maracaibo (oil), Poopó (shrinking).
• Grasslands: Pampas, Llanos, Campos, Cerrado, Gran Chaco.
• Deserts: Atacama (driest), Patagonian (cold), Sechura, Monte.
• Forests/Wetlands: Amazon, Atlantic Forest, Valdivian, Pantanal.
• Islands: Galápagos (Darwin), Easter (Moai), Falklands (dispute).
• Currents: Humboldt (cold), Brazil (warm), Falkland (cold).

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📊 13.2 Quick Country–Capital List

Country	Capital
Argentina	Buenos Aires
Bolivia	Sucre / La Paz
Brazil	Brasília
Chile	Santiago
Colombia	Bogotá
Ecuador	Quito
Guyana	Georgetown
Paraguay	Asunción
Peru	Lima
Suriname	Paramaribo
Uruguay	Montevideo
Venezuela	Caracas

Territories:

• French Guiana → Cayenne.
• Falkland Islands (UK) → Stanley.

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🧠 13.3 Mnemonics & Tricks

• Countries Anti-Clockwise (starting French Guiana):
  French Guiana → Suriname → Guyana → Venezuela → Colombia → Ecuador → Peru → Chile → Argentina → Uruguay → Paraguay → Brazil → Bolivia.

👉 Mnemonic: “Funny Small Green Vultures Can Eat Pretty Cute Animals Using Proper Big Bones.”

• Grasslands:
  • Pampas → Argentina, Uruguay (wheat + beef).
  • Llanos → Venezuela, Colombia (cattle + oil).
  • Campos → Brazil, Paraguay (soy + sugarcane).
• Deserts:
  • Atacama → driest, Chile.
  • Patagonia → cold, Argentina.
  • Sechura → coastal, Peru.
• Currents:
  • Humboldt → Cold (Peru, Chile).
  • Brazil → Warm (east coast).
  • Falkland → Cold (meets Brazil Current).

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📝 13.4 Previous Year Question Patterns

• Prelims:
  • Match desert/grassland with location.
  • Identify rivers/lakes on the map.
  • “Which current causes aridity of Atacama?” (Ans: Humboldt).
• Mains:
  • “Andes are the backbone of South America – explain.”
  • “Discuss the economic significance of South American grasslands.”
  • “How do ocean currents influence South America’s climate and economy?”

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❓ 13.5 Practice Questions

1. Which South American desert is the driest place on Earth?
2. Name the highest navigable lake in the world and the two countries it borders.
3. What is the Lithium Triangle, and why is it geopolitically significant?
4. Which ocean current is responsible for rich fisheries along the coast of Peru and Chile?
5. Explain the role of Pampas in South America’s agricultural economy.

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⚡ 13.6 Key Takeaways

1. South America = Continent of Superlatives (Amazon, Andes, Atacama).
2. Brazil = Largest country, borders 10 nations.
3. Amazon Rainforest = “Lungs of the Earth.”
4. Lithium Triangle = Argentina, Bolivia, Chile.
5. MERCOSUR = Major trade bloc.
6. Falkland Islands = Disputed UK–Argentina territory.
7. Climate shaped by Andes + Humboldt Current + El Niño.