If disregarding Antarctica, the southern American landmass was the last continent to be inhabited by humans, a consequence of the Bering Land Bridge, by which humans originally entered the Americas, being located at the extreme opposite end of North America to South America. Despite this late entrance into human history, the people which came to populate this land encountered a world as diverse as any.

The Caribbean shores of the north are wedged between sea and jungle, a jungle which spreads across nearly half the entire continent with the Amazon rainforest at its heart. Like a great spine supporting the length and girth of South America, the Andes mountain range dominates the west, as well as supporting all three of the major South American civilization regions: Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. As the rainforests recede in the approach of the continent's south spralling grasslands and plains emerge, eventually forming the Patagonia region. The soaring Andes and Patagonian steppes merge at Tierra del Fuego and Cape Horn, the frigid southern extreme of South America.

Places to Go Presently the South America neighborhood focuses on the Andes region. Organized around the Incan Empire, one may visit each of the five regions by clicking on its name on the map. Each region features any number of Andean societies and settlements to explore. Looking for a specific South American culture? See Who's where in South America.

A group brings together members who share a common interest or desire for a particular topic. The groups listed below relate to all South America. Note that South American groups with more specific topics are listed in the hoods which relate to them more directly.

• Library of the Americas Cyber wizard Bryce Yupanqui's database which provides an onsite catalog of ancient American civilizations.
• Museum of the Americas The MOTA compiles artwork of the indigenous American cultures.

Research and discussion abound at AncientWorlds and individual authorship via articles enables one's work to reach the site membership. Below is a list of the Articles of South America, as well as a link to add new articles.

Don't forget to check the South America boards which may be found below under The Discussions of South America. Learn what's new, what's happening, and maybe something more.

Sources: La historia de los Incas Wikipedia: South America

Credit: Frog by Max Hawkida, used and altered with permission. Pyranha Pygocentrus from Wikipedia.