La Plata Lowland: description, photo

The Low Platte Lowland lies on the mainland of South America. On this continent, it is the second largest, behind the Amazon. Its area is more than 3 million square meters. Km. The lowland is densely rugged by rivers, which makes its soils suitable for use in agriculture. Basically, this is the southeastern section. But in the north the area is too boggy. The lowland is the valley of the La Plata River.

Geographical position

The lowland is extended in the meridional direction by 2,400 km. It starts from the central part of the continent and descends to the south. In the north and partly in the west it borders on the semi-desert region of Gran Chaco, in the northeast it collides with the Brazilian upland. In the south and the southeast, the La Plata lowland reaches the borders of the South American steppes - the Pampas. In the west, it borders the Precardillier region.

Characteristic

The lowlands are occupied by the following countries: Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and Argentina. This area lies on the southern deflection of the South American platform, which provides a relatively flat nature of the relief. The predominant height of the La Plata lowland is 0-200 m above sea level. Only in the northeast, the relief rises somewhat, forming small solitary hills and uplands. The local name for these crystalline rocks, emerging on the surface, is the Kuchillas.

On the lowland, there are large rivers - Uruguay, Iguazu and Parana. They flow into the estuary of La Plata. The territory, which is confined to rivers, is called the Argentine Mesopotamia. Water streams passing through the local territory form deep valleys, waterfalls and rapids.

Climatic features

This lowland lies within the subtropical and tropical climatic zones. Weather and air humidity are greatly influenced by air masses coming from the Atlantic. The amount of precipitation decreases from east to west. The average annual index in this territory is 1,000-1,200 mm / year. Average air temperatures range from +22 ... +24 ° C in January (summer of the Southern Hemisphere) and +10 ... +15 ° C in July (winter of the Southern Hemisphere).

In summer, hot winds blow from the north. It is they who bring scorching heat and maximum air temperatures, which sometimes can reach +45 ° C. From time to time from the southern Antarctic side, local storm winds-pampero-penetrate the area, which bring frosts (down to -5 ° C). These air masses are of a short-term nature. What is unique is that it is during this period of frost that the Low Plain Lowland is covered. What's so surprising about this? But just imagine that in these territories, unlike Russia, there are practically no cold weather!

Natural Areas

The natural zone of the Low Plain Lowland is similar to the steppe. Vegetation is rampant throughout the year, as long frosty periods do not occur on the territory. In the south, prairies predominate. In the north of the lowlands is the most swampy territory of the planet - the pantanal. It is a tectonic hollow, with a total area of 150 thousand square meters. Km and a height of 50 m above sea level. The marshy terrain was formed due to the constant deposits of the largest rivers, by which the Laplatian lowland is cut. On the map below you can examine in detail the peculiarities of the geographical location of this territory.

On the northeastern borders of the lowland, there is a natural zone of forests and woodlands. It is represented mainly by evergreen trees, various lianas, bamboos and shrubs (the most common shrub in the region is Paraguayan tea). Further to the south, the forest vegetation is completely replaced by cereals.

Pampas

The most favorable region of the Low Plain Lowland is the southeast. This territory is occupied by steppe spaces - pampas. Here fertile gray-brown soils are common. The earth is actively used for sowing fodder and cereal crops (wheat), as well as corn. In this territory are the largest pastures.

Due to anthropogenic interference in this zone, the animal world has completely changed. Many species of hoofed representatives, birds, who had previously lived on the local territory, disappeared. Of the animals in the region, only rodents remained.

Use of territories

The Laplatian lowland has been plowed up for many centuries, so there is no indigenous vegetation here. The landscape of the territory is completely modified.

The transition from summer to winter in this area is insignificant. This favorable moment makes it possible to use the land for agriculture throughout the year. The eastern part of the region is considered to be the most naturally irrigated. This is facilitated by the rivers Parana, Uruguay and their numerous tributaries. In the west, the lowlands of La Plata are more dry. The number of water streams here is much less, and they are seasonal in nature.