Laplat Lowland is located on mainland South America. On this continent, it is the second largest, inferior to the Amazonian. Its area is more than 3 million square meters. km The lowland is densely indented by rivers, which makes its soil suitable for use in agriculture. These are mainly southeastern sites. But in the north, the area is too swampy. The lowland is the valley of the La Plata.
Geographical position
The lowland stretches 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 partially in the west it borders on the semi-desert region of 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 - pampas. In the west, it borders the Precordillera region.
Characteristic
The following countries occupy the lowlands: Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and Argentina. This area lies on the southern trough of the South American platform, which ensures the relatively flat nature of the relief. The prevailing height of the Laplat Lowland is 0-200 m above sea level. Only in the northeast does the relief slightly increase, forming small solitary hills and hills. The local name for these crystalline rocks that come to the surface is couchillas.
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 Interfluve. Water flows 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. Rainfall decreases from east to west. The average annual indicator in this territory is 1,000-1,200 mm / g. Average air temperatures range from + 22 ... + 24 ° - in January (summer of the Southern Hemisphere) and + 10 ... + 15 ° - in July (winter of the Southern Hemisphere).
In the summer, hot winds blow from the north. They bring the scorching heat and maximum air temperatures, which sometimes can reach +45 ° C. From time to time, from the southern Antarctic side, local storm winds penetrate the territory - diapers, which bring frost (up to -5 ° ). These air masses are of short duration. What is unique is that it is precisely in such a period that the Laplat Lowland is covered with hoarfrost. What is so surprising about this? But just imagine that in these territories, unlike Russia, there is practically no cold!
Natural areas
The natural zone of the Laplat lowland is similar to the steppe. Vegetation is rampant throughout the year, since there are no long frosty periods in the territory. Prairies prevail in the south. In the north of the lowland is the most marshy territory of the planet - pantanal. It is a tectonic depression with a total area of ââ150 thousand square meters. km and a height of 50 m above sea level. The marshland was formed due to the constant sediment of the largest rivers, which cut the Laplat Lowland. On the map below, you can consider in detail the features of the geographical location of this territory.
Along the northeastern borders of the lowland runs the natural zone of forests and woodlands. It is represented mainly by evergreen trees, a variety of vines, bamboos and shrubs (the most common shrub in the region is Paraguayan tea). Further south, the forest vegetation is completely replaced by cereal.
Pampas
The most favorable region of the Laplat Lowland is considered the southeast. 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. The largest pastures are located on this territory.
Due to anthropogenic interference in this area, the animal world has completely changed. Many species of ungulates, birds that previously lived in the local area disappeared. Of the animal inhabitants in the region, only rodents remained.
Use of territories
The Laplata lowland has been plowed for many centuries, so there is no native vegetation cover here. The landscape of the territory is completely modified.
The transition from summer to winter in the area is negligible. This favorable moment makes it possible to use the land for agriculture throughout the year. The most naturally irrigated is the eastern part of the region. The rivers Parana, Uruguay and their numerous tributaries contribute to this. In the west, the Laplat Lowland is drier. The number of water flows here is much smaller, and they are seasonal in nature.