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

VocabularyThings 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