Final answer:
Expansion of the Chavín civilization across South America may have been hindered by the Andes Mountains and the Amazon River system, as well as other harsh environments like the Atacama Desert. These geographic features posed significant challenges to movement, agriculture, and the transfer of goods and culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Chavín civilization saw its cultural and religious influence spread throughout the Andes during its height from 900 BCE to 200 BCE. However, their expansion across South America may have been limited by several formidable physical features. Of these, the Andes Mountains and the Amazon River system are particularly significant.
The vast Andes, being the longest mountain chain on Earth, posed a significant barrier to movement and settlement. With many peaks exceeding 20,000 feet and a number of active volcanoes, these mountains created both physical and logistical challenges. Meanwhile, the massive Amazon River system presented challenges in navigating its extensive network of waterways. The combination of these extreme geographical features would have made widespread expansion difficult.
Furthermore, regions such as the inhospitable Atacama Desert in Chile, with its harsh climate and extreme conditions, would also have impeded the movement of people and the transfer of goods and culture. As a civilization that was fundamentally centered around agriculture, such as farming maize, potatoes, and quinoa, and with reliance on developed irrigation systems, the Chavín were likely less inclined or able to relocate to areas with drastically different climates and topographies.