900 million years ago South America, part of the super continent of Rodina, was finally compete and remains together today. After separating from Rodinia it collided with Africa joining Gandwana and forming a mountain range that has now nearly eroded away. But remnants of the mountains sill remain on both continents as small peaks such as the famous Sugarloaf in Rio de Janeiro. As South America broke away from Africa is underwent an unusual collision with the Pacific Tectonic Plate building the longest mountain range in the world, the Andes, and the uniquely biologically diverse Amazon basin.
—David Foss