Question

Explain about the Transport of South America.

Answer 1

Transport:
Unlike North America, South America still does not have an adequately integrated transportation network. Significant efforts have been made to improve both the connection within the countries and the linkages between them.

1. Roadways:

1. South America has an extensive and rapidly expanding network of roads.
2. A Road linking Venezuela and Brazil allows north to south movement through the Amazon Basin.
3. Brazil continues to have the largest network of roads belonging to the Pan American Highway System which extends throughout the Americas.

2. Railways:

1. In most South American countries, railways have lost their dominant position as the major mode of transportation and have been replaced by road networks that have developed rapidly since the 1960 s.
2. Moreover, rail transport is plagued by operational problems as well as obsolete equipment.
3. Many countries have two or more track gauges that impede the efficient integration of the rails system.

3. Waterways:

1. Seaways have long been a vital component of the transport systems of South American countries.
2. The majority of imports and exports to and from the continent are moved by ship. South America has a number of outstanding natural harbors.
3. There are two inland waterways systems of international importance. They are
   1. The Paraguay – Uruguay basin includes territory in four countries and
   2. The Amazon basin which includes six countries. Each has several thousand miles of navigable waterways.

4. Airways:

1. Airways have developed rapidly since World War II.
2. The increase is particularly significant with respect to passenger traffic and also the handling of bulky freights.
3. All the South American capitals and most of the large cities are linked by direct air services to the major traffic centers of the United States and Europe.