Chapter 9Caribbean South America

Map

Vocabulary Cordillera, is a mountain system made up

of roughly parallel ranges Tepuis, is an unusual flat-topped formation Gurrillas, or members of an irregular

military force Llaneros, or Venezuelan cowboys Strike, a group of workers stopping until

their demands are met Referendum, or recall vote

Section 1Physical Geography

Further ResearchOrinoco River

Flows for 1,700 miles Flows through Venezuela and

between Venezuela and Colombia

Hydro-electric plants are built on the river Computers help direct electricity

to steel mills and aluminum plants and distinct cities

Home to Indians Home to the world’s largest

rodent

Angel Falls World’s largest waterfall Is named after Jimmy Angel

who was a pilot and saw the waterfall for the first time in 1933

Drops more than 3,200 feet Since the height is so high

the water turns into fog before it hits the bottom

Physical Features and WildlifeMountains and Highlands

Highest point in Colombia The Andes reach 8,000 ft

and form a cordillera Venezuela’s highest point

is the Guiana Highlands, resists erosion

The tepuis rises about 6,000 ft, about the plains.

Plains, Rivers, and Wildlife

Llanos, grassland without many trees

Orinoco flows about 1,600 miles Caucat and Magalena are two

other important rivers Lots of wildlife; 100’s of bird

species, piranhas, and crocodiles One of world’s highest

concentrations of plants and animal species

Jagurs, ocelots, and species of monhies

Climate and Vegetation Most of the region has warm temperatures

year-round because it’s near the equator Temperature varies with elevation The Llanos region has a tropical savanna

climate. Rainforests thrive in southern Colombia Southern Colombia is part of the Amazon

Basin. Here rain falls throughout the year.

Resources Caribbean South America is a rich agricultural region

because of its soil and moderate climates. Major crops- rice, coffee, bananas, and sugarcane. Resources- oil, iron ore, and coal. Forests throughout the region provide timber. The seas provide fish and shrimp. The region’s major rivers are used to generate

hydroelectric power. Venezuela’s Canaima National Park covers about 3 million

acres of eastern Venezuela. One of the world’s largest national parks. Angel falls is the world’s highest waterfalls (drops 3,200ft.).

Assessment Questions1a) Where are the Andes located?

The Andes are located on the west side of Colombia.

1b) How are the rock formations called tepuis unusual?

The tepuis are unusual because they are sandstone layers that have resisted erosion; thus making the landscape unusual and different.

1c) Why do the Llanos in Columbia and Venezuela flood easily?

The Llanos in Colombia and Venezuela flood easily because they are mostly grassland and have a low elevation.

2a) In the Andes, how does the temperature change with elevation?

The temperature in the Andes changes with elevation. The higher you go the colder it gets. The snow-capped peaks are also active volcanos.

2b) How does the region’s location near the equator affect it’s climate?

Being closer to the equator would make the temperature warm all year long and not really have seasons.

3a) What is the major resource in both Venezuela and Columbia?

Venezuela and Colombia both have large oil-rich areas.

3b) Which resource provides hydroelectric power?

The areas major rivers provide them with hydroelectric power.

Section 2Colombia

Further Research Giants mounds of Earth, mysterious

statues, and tombs are the marks of ancient people

Important cities are Cali Bogota Medellin Barranquilla

Graphic OrganizerGovernment

Having trouble with guerilla rebels

Enforcing laws against them

Holidays New Years Epiphani St. Josephs Day Easter Labor Day Ascension of Jesus Corpus Christ Declaration of

Independence

Current Events 14 rebels killed in

military raid Colombia

president deploys 50,000 troops after protest

9 die in bomb blast

Sports Main sport is

soccer Tejo, a Colombian

original sport

Resources Gold Coffee Bananas Cotton Sugarcane

Colombia’s HistoryThe Chibcha

The Chibcha were metal workers, potters, and weavers.

Chibcha made the legend of El Dorado

The Chibcha made the drug called Cocaine

Spanish Conquest

In the 1500s the Spanish arrived in South America

The Spanish conquered the Chibcha and found treasure

Spain founded colonies in the Caribbean Coast

Carta Gena was a major naval base and commercial port

Spanish set up large estates in Colombia

South Americans and Africans worked there

Independence In the 1700s people began

struggling for independence After they claimed

independence, they formed the Gran Columbia

The Republic of Gran Colombia included Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, and Venezuela.

In 1830 the republic dissolved

After the republic resolved, New Granada formed

They debated if the Roman Catholic Church should participate in government and education

Outbreaks of violence occurred throughout the 1800s and 1900s killed thousands

Colombia TodayColombia Today

Bogota is Colombia’s capitol

More than 40 years of civil war have been destructive to it’s economy

People and Culture Most Colombians

live in fertile valleys and river basins among the mountain ranges

The geography of Colombia isolates people

Economy Major exports include

bananas, sugarcane, and cotton

Many farms produce flour Columbia’s major export is

oil More exports are iron ore,

gold, and coal Most emeralds come from

Columbia

Civil War Guerrillas forced farmers off their

land Thousands flee the country

because of the war Guerrillas use the coca plant to

make cocaine The United States provides

assistance to Columbia Columbia is the recipients of US aid The fighting has lasted 40 years Columbia is the number one country

in the world to produce and traffic cocaine

Assessment Questions1a) Who were the Chibcha?

The Chibcha were a Native American tribe before the Spanish killed them.

1b) Why did Spain want land in Colombia?

The Spanish wanted land in Colombia because they wanted to expand their new empire.

2a) What factors make Colombia ideal for growing coffee?

Factors that make Colombia good for growing coffee are it’s rich soils, steep slopes, and tall shade trees.

2b) In what part of the country do most Colombians live?

Most Colombians live in the fertile valleys and river basins at the ridges of mountains. The climate is moderate which is good for farming.

2c) How might Colombia solve the problem of guerrillas trying to control the country?

They could continue to make more laws against them, or start arresting them. The U.S. could help out some more.

Section 3Venezuela and the Guianas

Further Research Fiesta De Las Cruces – Honors the Holy Cross of May in the states of Mirands and Aragua as it’s patriots Federation Day – Marks the start of the 4 year long federal war Current president: Nicolas Maduro Federal Republic Presidential system Federation and socialist state Exports are:

Petroleum Steel Agricultural products

Sports are soccer and baseball Venezuela won 7th Miss Universe contest New national holiday celebrating Hugo Chaves Caracas is the capitol Maracaibo is the largest populated city Other key cities are

Valencia Barquisimeto

VenezuelaSpanish Settlement and Colonial Rules

Conquered by Spanish in early 1500’s

Forced Indians to work hard; many died

Spanish brought Africans to the Indians places

People and Culture

Venezuela people descended from Native Indians, Europeans, and Africans

Indians make up 2% of population

Most people are Spanish speaking Roman Catholics

Independence and Self Rule

Bolivar helped win Venezuela’s independence from Spain in 1821

Through 1800’s Venezuela suffered from dictatorship and civil wars

Leaders kept the county’s oil money for themselves

Economy and Natural Resources

1960 Venezuela began earing huge sums of money from oil production

Big population still lives in poverty

Economy is based on oil production

Government Suffered years of

dictatorship; finally got president in 1959

Since then, government has dealt with economic turmoil and political protests

People wanted president to resign, he returned

Guianas The countries of Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana are

together known as the Guianas. Tropical rain forests cover much of this region. Guyana comes from a South American Indian word that

means “land of waters.” About one-third of the country’s population lives in

Georgetown. Guyana’s lands are flat, fertile plains along the coast. Immigrants came to work on the sugar plantations. Today, they have small plots of land for small businesses. About 1/3 of the population are decedents from former

African slaves.

Suriname has similar resources and economy of Guyana. They have a diverse population. Population is made up of South Asians, Africans, Chinese,

Indonesians, and Creoles. Capitol is Paramaribo, it is half the population. French Guiana is a French territory. It’s population is about 200,000 people. Two-thirds of the population is African. Other types of people are Europeans, Asians, and South

American Indians. They depend heavily on imports.

Assessment Questions1a) What did Spanish settlers hope to find in Venezuela?

Spanish came hoping to find gold and pearls.

1b) Who led Venezuela’s revolt against Spain?

Simon Bolivar led Venezuela’s revolt against Spain.

2a) What does the landscape of Caracas include?

Caracas consists of modern subway systems, busy expressways, and tall office buildings.

2b) How is oil important to Venezuela’s economy?

They earn huge sums of money through oil production.

2c) Why did some Venezuelans go on strike?

They went on strike because they wanted the president to resign.

3a) What are Guyana’s agricultural lands and products like?

They are located on flat, fertile plains.

3b) How is population of the Guianas different from that of Columbia and Venezuela?

Guiana’s population is diverse and Columbia and Venezuela are not diverse