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Home > Travel South America > South America Destinations > Natal
Natal
South America is the fourth largest continent of the Western Hemisphere. It is divided politically into 12 independent countries namely Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela and the overseas department of French Guiana. The continent extends to 7,640 kilometers from Punta Gallinas, Colombia, in the north to Cape Horn, Chile, in the south.
At its broadest point, near where it is crossed by the equator, the continent extends to 5,300 kilometers from east to west. South America is connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama. It is washed on the north by the Caribbean Sea, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. Topographically the continent is divided into three sections namely the South American cordillera, the interior lowlands, and the continental shield. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion and Portuguese and Spanish are the primary languages of the continent.
Natal is the capital city of Rio Grande do Norte, a north eastern state in Brazil. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 712317 inhabitants. Natal is located at about 5 degrees 46 minutes South and 35 degrees 12 minutes, in the far east of South America. The city has a total area of 170 square kilometers. Natal lies on the Atlantic Ocean, at the mouth of the Potengi River. Natal is one of the cities in Brazil nearest to Western Europe and Africa, especially Dakar, Senegal.
The northeastern tip of South America, cape Sao Roque, 20 miles to the north of Natal, was first visited by European navigators in 1501, in the 1501 to 1502 Portuguese expedition led by Amerigo Vespucci, who named the spot after the saint of the day. With its dozens of sandy, white beaches, such as Ponta Negra and its famous Morro do Careca, Tabatinga the cliff of dolphins, Pirangi, Redinha and Genipabu with its famous fixed sand dunes and camels imported from Spain, tourism is the most important industry of Natal, attracting Brazilians, Europeans and Americans alike.
Natal is also known as the town of best geographical environment and has traced its origins back to prehistoric times. Today, one can also learn about its history, from its earliest times and can also enjoy its natural beauty concealed by the beautiful landscapes.
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