Land of the IncasLand of the Incas

South South AmericaAmerica

Discarding its Discarding its colonial heritagecolonial heritage

Land of cultural, Land of cultural, physical, and physical, and ecological ecological diversitydiversity

Simon BolivarSimon Bolivar“The Liberator”“The Liberator”

July 24, 1783 - December 17, 1830

President of President of Colombia (1821-Colombia (1821-30) 30)

and Peru (1823-and Peru (1823-29), Bolívar lead 29), Bolívar lead

the revolutions the revolutions against Spanish against Spanish

rule in New rule in New Grenada.Grenada.

El El LibertadorLibertador

Although called El Libertador, Simon Bolivar’s Although called El Libertador, Simon Bolivar’s authoritative political thinking provoked further authoritative political thinking provoked further civil wars and revolts against his rule, forcing civil wars and revolts against his rule, forcing him to flee to his estate near Santa Marta him to flee to his estate near Santa Marta where he shortly died of tuberculosis.where he shortly died of tuberculosis.

Colombia was one of the three Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830

ColombiaColombia

Map of Colombia and Map of Colombia and VenezuelaVenezuela

Ecuador Ecuador

EcuadorEcuadorEcuador straddles the Equator, Ecuador straddles the Equator, from which it derives its name, from which it derives its name, and there are two distinct and there are two distinct Andean cordilleras, with a fertile Andean cordilleras, with a fertile valley between them called the valley between them called the Avenue of Volcanoes.Avenue of Volcanoes.

QuitoQuito

EcuadorEcuador

Species diversity in Ecuador Species diversity in Ecuador is astonishingly high: Over is astonishingly high: Over 1600 species of birds, about 1600 species of birds, about 17% of the world’s total, 17% of the world’s total, have habitats in Ecuadorhave habitats in Ecuador

Galapagos Galapagos

IslandsIslands

Straddling the equator, Ecuador’s Galápagos Straddling the equator, Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands lie about 600 miles off the coast of Islands lie about 600 miles off the coast of South America.South America.

GalapagosGalapagos

It is believed that It is believed that they were first they were first discovered in the discovered in the early 1500s by the early 1500s by the Bishop of Panama Bishop of Panama when his ship was when his ship was blown off course en blown off course en route to Peru..route to Peru..

Galapagos IslandsGalapagos IslandsGalapagos turtleGalapagos turtle

Venezuela flagVenezuela flag

Lake Maracaibo in western Venezuela is the largest lake Lake Maracaibo in western Venezuela is the largest lake in South America. It is joined to the Caribbean sea by a in South America. It is joined to the Caribbean sea by a narrow body of water, and the waters are partly salty. In narrow body of water, and the waters are partly salty. In 1922, a huge oilfield was discovered near the lake1922, a huge oilfield was discovered near the lake ..

Pollution – Pollution – by-product of industriaizationby-product of industriaization

The LlanosThe Llanos

The Llanos is an extensive system of grasslands, The Llanos is an extensive system of grasslands, seasonally-flooded plains, and forests shared by seasonally-flooded plains, and forests shared by Venezuela and Colombia. It is located to the north and Venezuela and Colombia. It is located to the north and west of the Río Orinoco and borders the Amazonia west of the Río Orinoco and borders the Amazonia

wilderness wilderness along its along its entire entire southern southern edge. edge.

Llanos cattleLlanos cattle

Angel FallsAngel FallsThe highest waterfall in The highest waterfall in the world, at 807 metres, the world, at 807 metres, is Angel Falls in Canaima is Angel Falls in Canaima National Park in southwest National Park in southwest Venezuela. It is named Venezuela. It is named after an American pilot after an American pilot and explorer, Jimmy and explorer, Jimmy Angel, who spotted the Angel, who spotted the falls from an airplane in falls from an airplane in 1935 and later crash-1935 and later crash-landed nearby. landed nearby. 

Coro ... "wind" in Arawak indian dialect ... is also the Coro ... "wind" in Arawak indian dialect ... is also the driest place in Venezuela and the winds have formed driest place in Venezuela and the winds have formed immense shifting dunes, some exceeding 25 meters.immense shifting dunes, some exceeding 25 meters.

Los Medanos de CoroLos Medanos de Coro

SurinameSuriname

The coat of arms of Suriname The coat of arms of Suriname consists of two Indians consists of two Indians holding a shield. Below the holding a shield. Below the Indians and the shield is the Indians and the shield is the motto motto Justitia Pietas FidesJustitia Pietas Fides (Justice Faith Loyalty) The (Justice Faith Loyalty) The sailing boat at the left part of sailing boat at the left part of the shield symbolizes the the shield symbolizes the history of Suriname when history of Suriname when slaves were taken to slaves were taken to Suriname from Africa. The Suriname from Africa. The palm at the right part of the palm at the right part of the shield stands for the present shield stands for the present as well for justice. The as well for justice. The diamond in the middle diamond in the middle symbolises a heart.symbolises a heart.

Paramaribo, SurinameParamaribo, Suriname

Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America. Sandwiched between Venezuela America. Sandwiched between Venezuela and Suriname, the majority of its racially and Suriname, the majority of its racially diverse population resides on the low lying diverse population resides on the low lying coastal zone that faces the Atlantic ocean. coastal zone that faces the Atlantic ocean.

The bodies of 914 people, The bodies of 914 people, including 276 children, were including 276 children, were found in Guyana Nov. 18, found in Guyana Nov. 18, 1978. Most of the dead - 1978. Most of the dead - members of the People's members of the People's Temple Christian Church - Temple Christian Church - had consumed a soft drink had consumed a soft drink laced with cyanide and laced with cyanide and sedatives. The body of the sedatives. The body of the People's Temple charismatic People's Temple charismatic leader, Jim Jones, was said leader, Jim Jones, was said to have a bullet wound in the to have a bullet wound in the right temple, believed to be right temple, believed to be self-inflicted.self-inflicted.

French GuianaFrench GuianaFrench Guiana is the only French-French Guiana is the only French-speaking territory in the continent. And speaking territory in the continent. And also, as a French territory, it is the only also, as a French territory, it is the only non-independent portion of the South non-independent portion of the South American continent. This territory's American continent. This territory's main economic activity is the space main economic activity is the space

exploration.exploration.

The Ariane series of The Ariane series of rockets was one of the rockets was one of the first joint rocket projects first joint rocket projects among European among European countries. The Ariane 4, countries. The Ariane 4, pictured here, first flew in pictured here, first flew in 1988. It is used to launch 1988. It is used to launch

satellites. satellites.

BrazilBrazilAt 3.27 At 3.27 million miles, million miles, Brazil is the Brazil is the largest largest territory in territory in Latin Latin America, just America, just slightly slightly smaller than smaller than the U.S.the U.S.

BRAZIL

On April 22, 1500, the 13-ship fleet under Pedro Álvares Cabral anchored off the mouth of the Rio Buranhém on the Bahian coast. The chronicler of the discovery, wrote that immediately they saw men walking on the beach, and by the time a longboat reached the shore twenty or so had assembled. Entirely naked and dark skinned, they laid down their bows and arrows as a sign of peace, while responding to offers of Portuguese hats by giving over a parrot-feathered headdress and a long string of white seed pearls. Thus did the cultural exchange begin that would evolve over the next five centuries into the distinctive Brazilian culture.

Cabral colonizes for PortugalCabral colonizes for Portugal

Portugese Portugese colonizationcolonization

The Garcia D´Ávila The Garcia D´Ávila Castle was built in Castle was built in the XVI century with the XVI century with medieval medieval characteristics and characteristics and has been used as has been used as residence of residence of Portuguese nobles Portuguese nobles and soldiers.and soldiers. Its ruins have Its ruins have

been recently been recently refurbished and refurbished and archeological archeological research has been research has been done the area.done the area.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (L) gestures to a samba dancer at the Mangueira Samba School during a visit to the school's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, November 5, 2004. Chavez is in Brazil to attend the 18th annual Rio Group summit. REUTERS/Bruno Domingos

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (L) gestures Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (L) gestures to a samba dancer at the during a visit to the to a samba dancer at the during a visit to the Mangueira Samba School's headquarters in Rio Mangueira Samba School's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, 2004. Chavez was in Brazil to attend de Janeiro, 2004. Chavez was in Brazil to attend the 18th annual Rio Group summit.the 18th annual Rio Group summit.

Rio De JaneiroRio De Janeiro

Ipanema beach, Ipanema beach, Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro

North BrazilNorth Brazil

The Amazon drains an area equivalent to more The Amazon drains an area equivalent to more than two thirds of the continental United States. than two thirds of the continental United States. It pours into the Atlantic Ocean about one-fifth It pours into the Atlantic Ocean about one-fifth of the freshwater that flows into all the world's of the freshwater that flows into all the world's oceans, a volume so gigantic that it alters oceans, a volume so gigantic that it alters ocean salt levels 200 miles from its mouth.ocean salt levels 200 miles from its mouth.

Rio NegroRio Negro

Confluence Confluence with Rio with Rio SolimõesSolimões

The second-longest river in the world, the The second-longest river in the world, the Amazon is 3,900 miles long flowing across North Amazon is 3,900 miles long flowing across North Brazil before entering the Atlantic Ocean near Brazil before entering the Atlantic Ocean near Belem. It carries more water than any other river Belem. It carries more water than any other river in the world. The source is the Andes Mountains. in the world. The source is the Andes Mountains.

Amazon RiverAmazon River

A school of sharp-teethed piranha can devour a cow in minutes

Rain forestRain forestTropical rain forests are mainly the product of Tropical rain forests are mainly the product of climatic interactions, particularly temperature and climatic interactions, particularly temperature and rainfall. In general, tropical rain forests occur rainfall. In general, tropical rain forests occur where a mean monthly temperature of between 20 where a mean monthly temperature of between 20 and 28 degrees C is combined with an annual and 28 degrees C is combined with an annual rainfall of between 1.5 and 10m, evenly rainfall of between 1.5 and 10m, evenly distributed throughout the year. This last proviso distributed throughout the year. This last proviso is very important because it is only to those is very important because it is only to those tropical forests which experience little seasonal tropical forests which experience little seasonal variation in terms of rainfall that the term variation in terms of rainfall that the term rainrain forest can legitimately be applied.forest can legitimately be applied.

““Rainforests are the finest celebration Rainforests are the finest celebration of nature ever known on the planet.”of nature ever known on the planet.”

The author of this statement would most likely be The author of this statement would most likely be opposed to which of these projects:opposed to which of these projects:

A. A plan to reforest 200,000 acres of Brazil.A. A plan to reforest 200,000 acres of Brazil.B. A plan by the government of Brazil to allow the B. A plan by the government of Brazil to allow the clearing of 300,000 acres for commercial farming.clearing of 300,000 acres for commercial farming.C. The development of a tourist resort on the coast of C. The development of a tourist resort on the coast of Chile.Chile.D. The building of a hydroelectric dam in southern D. The building of a hydroelectric dam in southern Argentina.Argentina.

“I strongly am proposing a plan to protect the rain forest and the indigenous people of Brazil because there is a direct connection between the rain forest and the local cultures who inhabit it.”

The author of this statement is most likely aThe author of this statement is most likely a

A. World Bank representativeA. World Bank representativeB. Brazilian government officialB. Brazilian government officialC. Oil company executiveC. Oil company executiveD. Environmental activistD. Environmental activist

PeruPeru Ancient Peru was the seat of Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadores in Spanish conquistadores in 1533. Peruvian 1533. Peruvian independence was declared independence was declared in 1821, and remaining in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in Spanish forces defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced 1980, but experienced economic problems and the economic problems and the growth of a violent growth of a violent insurgency.insurgency.

Peruvian peoplePeruvian people

BoliviaBolivia

Bolivia, named after independence fighter Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon Bolivar, broke away from Spanish Simon Bolivar, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups. of a series of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups. Comparatively Comparatively democratic civilian democratic civilian rule was established rule was established in 1982, but leaders in 1982, but leaders have faced difficult have faced difficult problems of deep-problems of deep-seated poverty, seated poverty, social unrest, and social unrest, and illegal drug illegal drug production.production.

BoliviaBolivia

Current goals include attracting Current goals include attracting foreign investment, strengthening the educational foreign investment, strengthening the educational system, resolving disputes with coca growers over system, resolving disputes with coca growers over Bolivia's counterdrug efforts, and waging an Bolivia's counterdrug efforts, and waging an anticorruption campaign.anticorruption campaign.

AltiplanoAltiplano

Paraguay is South America's 'empty quarter', a country little known even to its neighbors. It has taken steps to overcome its political, economic and geographic isolation and now welcomes visitors. The country has a relaxed riverside capital, impressive Jesuit missions, several national parks and the vast, arid Chaco - one of South America's great wilderness areas.

World Cup soccer stadium

Paraguay’s economy depends heavily on agriculture, Paraguay’s economy depends heavily on agriculture, hydroelectricity generation, and trade with its hydroelectricity generation, and trade with its neighboring countries. In 2004, the country’s real GDP is neighboring countries. In 2004, the country’s real GDP is expected to grow 2.9%, but much of the growth will expected to grow 2.9%, but much of the growth will depend on continued regional economic stability in depend on continued regional economic stability in Brazil and Argentina and continued strong agricultural Brazil and Argentina and continued strong agricultural output.output.

Asuncion, ParaguayGauchos

Paraguay Capital: AsuncionCapital: Asuncion

The Itaipu hydroelectric power plant on the Parana The Itaipu hydroelectric power plant on the Parana River is a joint development project with Brazil and River is a joint development project with Brazil and Paraguay. With 18 units of 700 megawatts each, it Paraguay. With 18 units of 700 megawatts each, it is the largest hydroelectric plant currently in is the largest hydroelectric plant currently in operation in the worldoperation in the world

ParaguayParaguay

UruguayUruguay

German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee reaches Montevideo after her battle with British ships, the HMS Ajax and Achilles during the Battle of the River Plate in Dec., 1939. The German pocket battleship was later scuttled.

A violent Marxist urban A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement, the guerrilla movement, the Tupamaros, launched in the Tupamaros, launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to agree to president to agree to military control of his military control of his administration in 1973. By administration in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the been crushed, but the military continued to expand military continued to expand its hold throughout the its hold throughout the government. Civilian rule government. Civilian rule was not restored until 1985. was not restored until 1985. Uruguay's political and Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.the freest on the continent.

ChileChile

Chile is a 2500 long Chile is a 2500 long ribbon of land on South ribbon of land on South America's Pacific coast. Its America's Pacific coast. Its northern border is in the northern border is in the tropics while its southern tip tropics while its southern tip reaches the Antarctic Circle. reaches the Antarctic Circle.

Chile National ParkChile National Park

ArgentinaArgentina

ArgentinaArgentinaComprising almost Comprising almost the entire southern the entire southern half of South half of South America, Argentina is America, Argentina is the world's eighth the world's eighth largest country, largest country, covering an area of covering an area of 2.8 million square 2.8 million square km.km.

Buenos Aires

Mostly in Mostly in Argentina, Argentina, the Pampas the Pampas are a are a grassland biome. They are They are flat, fertile plains that cover an area of flat, fertile plains that cover an area of 300,000 sq. miles from the Atlantic Ocean 300,000 sq. miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Andes Mountains. to the Andes Mountains.

PampaPampass

Argentina possesses some Argentina possesses some of the world's tallest of the world's tallest mountains, expansive mountains, expansive deserts, and impressive deserts, and impressive waterfalls.waterfalls.

Iguassu FallsIguassu Falls

TangoTangoTangoTango developed developed around 1850 and 1880 around 1850 and 1880 on both shores of Rio on both shores of Rio de La Plata. In the city de La Plata. In the city of Buenos Aires, of Buenos Aires, specifically in a specifically in a neighborhood called neighborhood called Monserrat, crowds Monserrat, crowds would gather at night would gather at night for the practice of for the practice of dances such as dances such as TangoTango, , Candombe and Candombe and Fandango, all of which Fandango, all of which had a bad reputation had a bad reputation among the higher among the higher classes ruling classes ruling Argentinean society at Argentinean society at the time.the time.

Following Following independence independence from Spain in from Spain in 1816, Argentina 1816, Argentina experienced experienced periods of internal periods of internal political conflict political conflict between between conservatives and conservatives and liberals and liberals and between civilian between civilian and military and military factions.factions.

DictatorshipDictatorship

After World War II, a long period After World War II, a long period of Peronist authoritarian rule and of Peronist authoritarian rule and interference in subsequent interference in subsequent governments was followed by a governments was followed by a military junta that took power in military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983, and numerous elections 1983, and numerous elections since then have underscored since then have underscored Argentina's progress in Argentina's progress in democratic consolidation.democratic consolidation.

Juan Peron was Juan Peron was a dictator who a dictator who ruled Argentina ruled Argentina in the 1940s in the 1940s and 1950s and and 1950s and again briefly again briefly before his before his death in 1973.death in 1973. 

The Land of Fire is The Land of Fire is actually an actually an archipelago including archipelago including the Isla Grande de the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego and Tierra del Fuego and numerous smaller numerous smaller islands.islands.

Tierra del FTierra del Fuegouego

The Falkland Islands are a group of islands in The Falkland Islands are a group of islands in the south Atlantic. The two main islands, East the south Atlantic. The two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, lie 300 miles east of Falkland and West Falkland, lie 300 miles east of the Argentina coast. About 200 smaller islands the Argentina coast. About 200 smaller islands form a total land area of approximately 4,700 form a total land area of approximately 4,700 square miles. The capital and only town is (Port) square miles. The capital and only town is (Port) Stanley. Stanley.

Falkland IslandsFalkland Islands

The government The government of the Falkland of the Falkland Islands administers Islands administers the British dependent the British dependent territories of South territories of South Georgia, the South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, Sandwich Islands, and the Shag and and the Shag and Clerke rocks, lying Clerke rocks, lying from 700 to 2,000 from 700 to 2,000 miles to the east miles to the east and southeast of the Falklands. The total population of and southeast of the Falklands. The total population of the islands in 1991 was estimated at 2100.the islands in 1991 was estimated at 2100.

The Falklands War started after Argentina invaded and took control of the islands in April 1982. During the war, the British captured about 10,000 Argentine prisoners, all of whom were whom were released released afterwards. afterwards. Argentina Argentina sustained 655 sustained 655 men killed, while men killed, while Britain lost 236.Britain lost 236.

War in The FalklandsWar in The Falklands

Argentina's ignominious Argentina's ignominious defeat severely discredited defeat severely discredited the military government the military government and led to the restoration of and led to the restoration of civilian rule in Argentina in civilian rule in Argentina in 1983.1983.

Leopoldo Fortunato Leopoldo Fortunato Galtieri Castelli (1926 - Galtieri Castelli (1926 - 2003) was an Argentinian 2003) was an Argentinian general and dictator. He general and dictator. He was was de factode facto President of President of Argentina from 22 Argentina from 22 December 1981 to 18 December 1981 to 18 June 1982.June 1982.

Falklands WarFalklands War

.

Depicted by painter Fritz Depicted by painter Fritz Wagner is the British Wagner is the British

submarine which sank the submarine which sank the Argentine light cruiser, Argentine light cruiser, General General Belgrano Belgrano which had once been which had once been

the the USS PhoenixUSS Phoenix

LinksLinks“The Columbian Exchange” from the series Columbus & the Age of Discovery

http://www.nhc.rtp.nc.us:8080/tserve/nattrans/ntecoindian/essays/columbian.htm"The Great Disease Migration," by Geoffrey Cowley

http://muweb.millersville.edu/~columbus/data/his/COWLEY01.HIS

http://www.ddbstock.com/index.html

http://community.webshots.com/album/103318559IkAyZv

http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=21901

http://www.jouvay.com/guyana/guyana/South American experience: Guyana

http://www.southamericanexperience.co.uk/guyana/guyana_rainforestandfalls.htmlGrassland bione: The Pampas

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/pampas.htmEcuador: frigate bird

http://www.shunya.net/Pictures/Ecuador/Galapagos/FrigateBird/FrigateBirds.htmEcuador: hoatzin

http://www.photobirder.com/Bird_Photos/hoatzin.jpgPics4Learning

http://www.pics4learning.com/Alpaca wool throw

http://www.novica.com/itemdetail/index.cfm?pid=83812South American biodiversity

http://www.ecuador-travel.net/biodiversity.birds.egret.htm