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