The continent lies mainly in the Southern and Western hemispheres. The continent is broader in the north and tapers towards the south. Latitudinal extent is 12°N to 56°S. Longitudinal extent is 35°W to 81 °W. In the north, the Panama canal separates South America from North America. The Caribbean sea borders the north, the Atlantic ocean in the east and north-east, the pacific ocean lies in the West and the south is bordered by the icy waters of Antarctica.