South America Geography

South America is the fourth largest continent in size and the fifth largest in population .

The geography of South America is dominated by the Andes Mountain Range and the Amazon River (second longest river in the world).

South America

Columbia Ecuador Peru Chile Argentina Uruguay Brazil Venezuela Argentina Bolivia Paraguay Panama Falkland Amazon Andes

Beginning of Civilization of South American

Prior to European colonization, the Incan Civilization was a dominant force in South America. In the 1500's, Spain and Portugal colonized much of South America.

It is politically divided into twelve sovereign states: Argentina , Bolivia , Brazil , Chile , Colombia, Ecuador , Guyana, Paraguay , Peru , Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela , plus the overseas administration of French Guiana.

Oldest Civilizations of South America

One of the oldest civilizations of South America is the Inca civilization . The capital of the Inca civilization was the city of Cusco in the Andes .

The ruins of the Inca civilization suggest that cities were built with unmatched stonework and constructed with great precision .

The Three Native Civilizations found in South America

Maya Inca Aztec

Of the three Native civilizations found in South America (Mayas, Incas, and Aztecs), the Incas were the least warlike . They have retained their culture , their lifestyle , and their artistic pursuits to this very day.

Homework “A Place of Three Cultures” Mexico Read pages 227- 231 Answer questions 1 to 4 on 231.

South America

The colonies gained independence in the 1800's with the help of leaders such as Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin . Like the Latino George Washington.

As a result, much of South America still speaks Spanish .

Portuguese is the primary language of Brazil.

Freedom Fighters Jose de San Martin Simon Bolivar

Amazon Rainforest

Amazon rainforest is home to many strangest looking , largest and smallest, most dangerous and least frightening, loudest and quietest animals on Earth. Visit Amazon Rainforest Animals to know more about it.

Anaconda The Unique Animals of South America Andean Condor Giant Tortoise Piranha

Amazon River

Amazon river is the lifeline of the rainforest and most of its water comes from the snow melt in the Andes of Peru originates high up in the - it mountains and formed by the joint efforts of the Ucayali and Marañon rivers .

Deforestation major issue is a

Climate

1. The higher elevations in the Andes have cold weather with mixed sun and snow. 3. The Amazon rainforest has a tropical climate. It is rainy all year long 2. The center of the continent has mild winters, warm summers, and a rainy season.

Argentina – 278-281 Questions 1,2,4 Colombia – 267-271 Questions 1,3,4 Bolivia –272-276 Questions 2,3,4 Ecuador –272-276 Questions 2,3,4 Brazil – 255-258 Questions 3,4,5 Mexico – 221-225 Questions 2,3,4 Chile – 272-276 Questions 2,3,4 Peru –272-276 Questions 2,3,4 Venezuela – 267-271 Questions 1,3,4

Get out your books.

• Dominated by mountains • Sierra Madre on both west and east coast. • Central plateau in the middle of the mountains.

• Baja Peninsula • Yucatan Peninsula – sticks into Gulf of Mexico • Central Mexico at intersection of four tectonic plates • Climate on plateau is temperate because of elevation • Greater Mexico City population > 20,000,000 • Aztecs conquered by Cortes and Spanish • NAFTA has resulted in more industry • Native America, Mestizo and Spanish heritages • Two thousand maquiladoras along US border

Landforms of South America

•

Atacama Desert The Atacama Desert is located in the northern part of Chile.

The Atacama Desert is one of the driest places in the world.

In some places rain has not fallen for centuries .

Pampas The Pampas of South America is home to a number of rodents, many unique to the region, from grasslands to sparse vegetation. Waterfowl and waders make their home in cool rivers or coastal lagoons. The Pampas are located in the center of the northern part of Argentina.

The Pampas are a fertile plain .

Natural Resources of South America

Natural resources of South America are coffee beans, cocoa beans, bananas, timber, rubber, gold, bauxite, spices, and salt.

Summary

South America has Earth’s longest mountain range, driest desert, biggest rain forest, and river with the most water. South America has three main climates and valuable natural resource.