Laplatskaya lowland is located 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 heavily indented by rivers, making its soil suitable for agricultural use. These are mainly southeastern areas. But in the north, the area is too swampy. The lowland is the valley of the La Plata River.
Geographic location
The lowland is extended in the meridional direction for 2,400 km. It starts from the central part of the mainland and descends to the south. In the north and partly in the west it borders on the semi-desert region of the Gran Chaco, in the northeast it faces the Brazilian Highlands. In the south and southeast, the Laplata lowland reaches the borders of the South American steppes - the pampas. To the west it borders the Precordillera region.
Characteristic
The lowlands are occupied by the following countries: Brazil, Paraguay,Uruguay, Bolivia and Argentina. This area lies on the southern trough of the South American Platform, which provides a relatively flat relief. The prevailing height of the Laplat lowland is 0-200 m above sea level. Only in the northeast does the relief rise slightly, forming small solitary hills and uplands. The local name for these crystalline rocks that come to the surface is cuchillas.
Large rivers flow through the lowlands - Uruguay, Iguazu and Parana. They flow into the La Plata estuary. The territory, which is limited by 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. The weather and air humidity are greatly influenced by air masses coming from the Atlantic. Precipitation decreases from east to west. The average annual indicator in this area is 1,000-1,200 mm/year. Average air temperatures fluctuate within +22…+24 °С in January (Southern Hemisphere summer) and +10…+15 °С in July (Southern Hemisphere winter).
In summer, hot winds blow from the north. It is they who bring scorching heat and maximum air temperatures, which can sometimes reach +45 ° C. Periodically, local storm winds, pampero, penetrate the territory from the southern Antarctic side, bringing frosts (down to -5 °С). These air masses are of short duration. It is unique that it is during such a period that the Laplat lowland is covered with hoarfrost. What's amazing about this? But just imagine that in these territories, unlike Russia, there are practically no cold weather!
Natural areas
The natural zone of the Laplat lowland is similar to the steppe. Vegetation rages throughout the year, as there are no long frosty periods in the territory. The south is dominated by prairies. In the north of the lowland is the most swampy area of \u200b\u200bthe planet - the pantanal. It is a tectonic depression with a total area of 150 thousand square meters. km and a height of 50 m above sea level. The swampy area was formed due to the constant sedimentation of the largest rivers, which cut the Laplata lowland. On the map below, you can see in detail the features of the geographical location of this territory.
A natural zone of forests and light forests runs along the northeastern borders of the lowland. It is represented mainly by evergreen trees, various vines, bamboos and shrubs (the most common shrub in the region is Paraguayan tea). Further south, forest vegetation is completely replaced by cereals.
Pampas
The southeast is considered the most favorable region of the Laplata lowland. This territory is occupied by steppe spaces - pampas. Fertile gray-brown soils are common here. The land is actively used for crops of fodder and cereal crops (wheat), as well as corn. This area contains the largestpasture.
Because of anthropogenic intervention in this zone, the animal world has completely changed. Many species of ungulates and birds that previously lived in this area have disappeared. Of the animal inhabitants in the region, only rodents remained.
Use of territories
The Laplata lowland has been plowed up for many centuries, so there is no native vegetation left here. The landscape of the territory has been completely modified.
The transition from summer to winter in this area is negligible. 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 Laplata lowland is drier. The number of water flows here is much less and they are seasonal.
