<span>The equator crosses the northern portion of South America, as it is located at the center line of the Earth. South America sits primarily in the West and Southern hemispheres.</span>
- Northern part; the equator passes through the northern part of South America, most of the continent lies on the Southern Hemisphere so the equator ''cuts'' the northern part of the continent. It passes through the countries of Ecuador, southern part of Colombia, and northern part of Brazil.
- Southern and Western Hemisphere; most of South America lies on the Southern Hemisphere, but take note that the continent is divided and it's northern part lies on the Northern Hemisphere, but predominantly or close to 85% of the continent is on the Southern Hemisphere. Unlike the situation with the dividing of the continent on the Southern and Northern Hemisphere, South America is 100% on the Western Hemisphere, and is situated approximately in the middle of it.
Based on ages of the oldest rocks in the North and South Atlantic, describe how and when the Atlantic Ocean formed, and how its shape has changed through time.