geography
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 10Section 1 Physical Geography
Physical Features4 Countries
Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, & ParaguayRegion covers 2/3 of South AmericaMost of the physical features found in South
America are found in these four countries
Major River SystemsWorld’s largest river system
Amazon: 4,000 miles long; extends from Andes Mts. to Atlantic Ocean; hundreds of tributaries; carries more water than any other river; freshwater flowing into Atlantic Ocean lowers the salt level of Atlantic waters for more than 100 miles out
Parana River system: drains much of the central part of the region; 3,030 miles long; forms Paraguay’s border with Brazil & Argentina; flows into Paraguay River & continues to Rio de la Plata (an estuary) Estuary: is a partially enclosed body of water where
freshwater mixes w/ salty seawater
Plains & PlateausPlains & Plateaus
Amazon River basin: giant, flat flood plain in northern Brazil
Brazilian Highlands: region of old, eroded mts. in southeast Brazil
Gran Chaco: area of flat, low plains covered with low trees, shrubs, & savannas
Pampas: wide, grassy plains in central ArgentinaPatagonia: desert region of dry plains & plateaus in
southern ArgentinaAll southern plains rise in the west to form the
high Andes Mts.
Climate & VegetationMany climates
The North: coastal region covered with tropical rain forests & savannas Highlands: humid subtropical climate like the southeastern U.S.; major
agricultural areas Gran Chaco: humid tropical climate; water drains slowly & turns areas
into marshlands; armadillos, pumas, red wolves, & 60 snake species Pampas: temperate grasslands; stretches for 400 miles; rich soils &
humid subtropical climate make area a major farming region Patagonia desert: cool, desert climate Andes: block the Pacific Ocean’s rain-bearing storms
Tropical, moist climates in northern & coastal areas; cooler climates in southern & highland areas
Rain Forest: Amazon River basin supports world’s largest tropical rain forest; rain falls every day; world’s greatest variety of plant and animal life; piranhas, jaguars, anacondas, sloth, anteaters are some of the animals found here
Natural ResourcesGreatest Resource: Amazon Rain Forest
Food, wood, rubber, natural plants, medical plants, & other products
Forests cleared for mining, ranching, & farming
Commercial agriculturalSoil exhaustion is a problem (soil has lost
nutrients)Minerals: gold, silver, copper, & ironOil depositsHydroelectric power from rivers
Section 2Brazil
HistoryDescended from 3 GroupsColonial Brazil
First people were American Indians Arrived 1,000’s years ago Life based on hunting, fishing, & small-scale farming
1500Portuguese settlers cameClimate & soil made Brazil a large sugar growing
colonySlaves were brought in & worked alongside
Brazilian Indians on plantations Plantation replaced forests on the Atlantic coast
Cattle RanchesSet up further inland by Portuguese
1600s & early 1700sGold & precious gems were discovered in
southeast1800s
Southeastern Brazil became major coffee producer
Brazil Since Independence1822
Independence gained from Portugal w/o a fightEconomy did not change much w/
Independence Last country in Americas to end slavery
Dictators & elected gov’t have ruled country sinceToday has elected president & legislature
Citizens can vote & do other political activities
People & CulturePeople who came to Brazil over the years
brought their own traditionsTraditions blended to create unique culture
40% of people are mixed African and European descent
½ of Brazilians are ethnic EuropeanDescendants of Portuguese, Spaniards,
Germans, Italians, & PolesPortuguese is official language
Also speak Spanish, English, French, Japanese, & Indian languages
ReligionWorld’s largest Roman Catholic population
75%Protestantism is growing popular among the
urban poorSome practice Macumba
African, Indian, & Catholic religious ideas and practices
Festivals & FoodCelebrated before LentMixture of traditions from Africa, Brazil, &
EuropeSamba is danced during this time
FoodImmigrant influencesEastern Brazil
Vatapa is popular: mixes seafood, sauces, and red peppers
Feijoada: stew of black beans and meat
Brazil TodayLarge size creates opportunities & challenges
Region’s largest economy Many are poor
Does have modern & prosperous areasDivided into 4 areas based on their people,
economies, & landscapeThe Southeast:
Most people live here; Sao Paulo = city of 17 million (megacity) & Ro De Janeiro = city of 11 million; richest region (natural resources & most of countries industries and productive farmland); also has poverty w/ huge slums called favelas
The Northeast:Area of many immigrants; poorest region; many
unable to read & health care is poor; region suffers from droughts making farming & ranching difficult; difficult to attract industry; tourism is important
The Interior:Frontier land; could be important agricultural site
someday; capital of Brasilia located hereThe Amazon:
People rely on river for transportation & communication; isolated Indian villages; logging, mining & new roads are bringing more people to region (provides needed income, but destroys large areas of rain forest, & creates tensions among Indians, new settlers, miners, & gov’t)
Section 3Argentina, Uruguay, & Paraguay
HistoryOriginally home to groups of Indians
Groups living in the Pampas hunted wild game & other Indians further north farmed & built irrigation systems
Spanish conquerorsLooking for riches
Spanish monarch gave land to colonists & granted the right to force Indians living there to work the land
Pampas became an important agricultural regionGauchos (cowboys) herded cattle & horses on open
grasslands1800s
independence from SpainPeriod of instability & violence followedMany Indians were killed
Modern ArgentinaNew immigrants came
Italians, Germans, & SpaniardsBritish built railroads across the country
Exports of meat & other farm products help make country richer
1900s Struggled under dictators & military governments
Abused human rights Economy & people suffered
1980slast military government gave up power to an
elected government
People & CultureEuropean ties affect cultureDescended from Spanish, Italian, or other
European settlersArgentine Indians & mestizos make up 3% of
populationMost are Roman CatholicBeef is important agricultural product & big
part of diet
Argentina Today Industry located in & around capital city of Buenos Aires
2nd largest urban area in South America Home to 1/3 of all Argentines
Pampas: most developed agricultural region11% of labor force works in agricultureLarge ranches & farms produce beef, wheat, & corn for export1990
Joined Mercosur (an organization that promotes trade and economic cooperation among the southern & eastern countries of South America)
Late 1990s & 2000s Debt & heavy gov’t spending caused economic crisis Also caused a political crisis
Gov’t changed hands 4 times in 2001
2003 Economy stabilized, but people lives changed Some people w/ professional careers lost jobs & joined informal
economy A part of the economy based on odd jobs that people perform w/o gov’t
regulation through taxes
UruguayAlong Rio de la PlataBeen influenced by larger neighborsHistory
Claimed by Portugal during colonial era1770s was taken over by Spain
Few Indians remained independent in 1825Military gov’t have ruled off and onHas strong tradition of respect for political
freedomToday it is a democracy
The People88% European descent12% are mestizo, African, or IndianRoman Catholicism is main religionSpanish is official language, but many speak
Portuguese90% live in urban areasHigh literacy rateMany have good jobs & can afford a wide
range of consumer goods
EconomyTied to economies of Brazil & Argentina
½ of foreign tradeMany vacation on beach resorts in Uruguay
Climate & soil make agriculture importantBeef is an important exportFew mineral resourcesHydroelectric power is importantBig Challenge
Developing the poor rural areas of the interior
ParaguayLandlocked countryShares borders with Bolivia, Brazil, & ArgentinaParaguay River divides the country into two
regionsEast of River: most productive agricultural landWest of River: part of the Gran Chaco; low trees &
thorny shrubs; livestock grazes hereClaimed by Spain in 1500sIndependent from Spain in 1811Ruled by dictators off and on until 1989Today has elected government
The People95% are mestizos
European descendants & Paraguayan Indians make up rest
Spanish is official languageMost also speak an Indian language Guarani
Most are Roman Catholic
EconomyWealth controlled by a few rich families & companies
Influence the government as wellAgriculture is important2 types of economy
Traditional Many subsistence farmers ½ of workers in Paraguay are farmers Grow corn, cotton, soybeans, & sugarcane for profit
Market Thousands of small businesses but not much industry
Future may be brightLearn how to use its resources effectively
Hydroelectric dams & sell surplus electricity to Brazil & Argentina