Why is South America warmer than North America?

South America is closer to the equator than North America, which means it receives more direct sunlight and therefore has a warmer climate. Additionally, South America has a more varied topography than North America, with higher elevations in the Andes Mountains and lower elevations in the Amazon Basin. This topography creates a variety of climates, from tropical to temperate, which further contributes to the overall warmer climate of South America.