South America: Physical Geography
Chapter 6
Section 1: Land & Water
Vocabulary
A large raised area of mostly level land
A long river in Northern South America
A dense evergreen forest that has abundant rainfall year-round
Flat grasslands in South America
River or stream that flows into a larger river
Plateau
Amazon River
Rain Forest
Pampas
Tributary
Part of a larger region called Latin AmericaRegion includes Mexico, Central America &
the CaribbeanMost is located below the EquatorJoined to Central America by Isthmus of PanamaIncludes 12 independent countriesDivided into 3 land regions
Andes MountainsEastern HighlandsCentral Plains
Continent of variety & contrastMountains, Plains & Beaches
Where is South
America?
Regions of South America
Stretch 5,500 miles along Western CoastRise to heights of over 20,000 feet
Mount Aconcagua is tallest mtn in W. HemispherePeople live & farm in the valleys of the Andes
Raise animals for wool & meatGrow crops
NW portion is dry desertLiving can be dangerous
part of a volcanic chain located in the Ring of Firemany volcanoes & earthquakes common
Begin at eastern edge of Andes & extend through middle of continentContains Amazon River basin in Northern partRain Forest covers 1/3 of the continent
holds many species of plants & animalsSouthern part includes the pampas
Fertile soil ideal for growing crops and raising cattle
Andes Mountains
The Central Plains
Mostly rounded hills & plateausNorth & Southeast of the Amazon River BasinNorthern part has small population & not very developedSouthern section contains farms & cattle ranchesS. America’s largest cities found here
Ex. Rio de Janeiro in Brazil
Largest & longest bodies of water in the worldRivers serve as natural highwaysAmazon River is 2nd longest in world
4,000 miles longCarries more water than any other river in the world20% of Earth’s fresh water is the Amazon
Waterways are an important natural resource
The Eastern Highlands
South America’s Waterways
SECTION 2: Climate & Vegetation
Areas that have dry weather get heavy rainFloods & drought happening at same time
Influences global weather patternsSpanish for “little boy”
El Nino
The Climates of South America
Hot & Rainy (80 in. each year)
Rains 300 Days out of the year
Hot & Dry1 of driest places on Earth
Thick clouds and fog cover the area from May to November
Parts have below 0 temperaturesGlaciers present
Amazon River Basin
Pacific Coast of Colombia
Atacama Desert
Coast of Peru
Andes Mountains
Humid, hot, and rainy weather year round
Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia
Argentina, Uruguay, and ParaguaySummers are hot & wetWinters are cool & dry
Colder, drier area of Argentina
Tropical Wet Climate
Tropical Wet & Dry Climate
Humid Subtropical Climate
Patagonia
What Factors Affect Climate?1. Elevation
1. Higher the elevation the colder the temperature2. Location
1. Regions close to the Equator are warmer3. Wind Patterns
1. Wind moves cold air from North & South towards Equator, moves warm air from Equator towards the poles
Climate, Plants & PeopleTropical Rain ForestPampas—grassy plains where cattle are raised in Argentina & UruguayAndes Mountains—grasslands where herding llamas are a big deal
Temperature & Rainfall affect types of crop grownWarm weather & lots of rain
Sugar cane, coffee, rice & bananas Northern part of the country
Elevation affects vegetationHigher Elevation
Cooler temperatures, strong winds and irregular rainfallWhat might grow here vs. lower down
Vegetation Regions
Crops & Climates
Elevation & Vegetation
Section 3: Resources & Land Use
Vocabulary
Things found in nature that people can use to meet their needs
Electric power produced by rushing water
A country’s economy based largely on one resource or crop
To add variety
Natural Resources
Hydro-electricity
One-resource economy
diversify
South America’s ResourcesFish, petroleum, water, silver, forests
Rich in mineralsGold, copper, iron ore, tinFound along coasts of Andes & Eastern Highland regionsMinerals are mined for manufacturingMany South American countries have built dams to harness the power of water for energy
Plants and fish are natural resourcesForests cover ½ of South AmericaVariety of vegetation found in rain forest regionsHarvest many kinds of fish for eating and selling
Minerals & Energy Sources
Plants & Fish
Many parts of South America has rich soilSugar, corn, wheat, bananas, coffee are all grown hereGrasslands are used to raise livestock such as cattle & sheepAlpacas and llamas are raised for their wool
Agriculture
Resources & the EconomyNot all South American countries have a lot of resources
Money plays a factor in developing the resources
Having a large amount of 1 resource can lead to problemsDepending on the demand of the product depends on how much it will sell for
Ex. When copper is in demand the prices or up and vice versa for down
Potentially cause the whole economy of a country to suffer
Oil is 1 of most valuable resources in South AmericaFluctuation in oil price has caused economy to suffer
Farming is a big industryPrices fluctuate as well
Problems of a 1-Resource Economy
The World Economy
Weather brings challenges to economyDamage crops, hurt fishing industryOther examples?
Dependence on a particular resource can hurt the economy of the country depending on it
If something unexpected happens then country is left with few other sources of income
Economies became diversified in the 1960’sFactories sprang up to provide jobs Governments of South America continuously looking for ways to protect their nations from hazards of 1-resource economy
Weather Effects
South America Begins to Diversify