Download Geography of the Andes

CHAPTER 9 • LESSON 1
Climates of North and South America
A Variety of Climates The
In-Depth Resources: Unit 4
• Reading Skill: Comparing and
Contrasting, p. 43
History from Visuals
Interpreting Maps
Direct students’ attention to the map on page
290. Explain that the climates of the Americas
were a significant factor in the development of
early civilizations.
• What type of climate characterizes most
of South America and Central America?
(tropical)
GEOGRAPHY SKILLBUILDER ANSWER
continental, polar
Teach
Geography of the Andes
7.7, 7.7.1, CST 3
Talk About It
locations of the two continents
has an impact on their seasons.
As you can see on the map on
this page, North America lies
north of the equator. Most of
South America lies south of
it. As a result, the seasons are
Climate Zones
Tropical
reversed. When it is summer in
Dry
North America, it is winter in
Mild
South America—and vice versa.
Continental
The locations of the
Polar
continents also affect their
Highland
PACIFIC
OCEAN
climates. Much of North America
0
1000
2000 miles
has a mild or dry climate, with
0 1000 2000 kilometers
four distinct seasons. Most
people live in these climates.
GEOGRAPHY SKILLBUILDER
INTERPRETING MAPS
Few people live in the northern
Region What climate zones are
regions of Canada, where the
found in North America but not in
climate is very cold.
South America?
South America also has
150°W
120°W
90°W
a wide range of climates. In
addition, much of the continent
receives a great deal of rainfall.
In fact, about half of South America is warm and rainy. These
warm and rainy areas are called tropical zones. Some areas of
North America are also tropical. These areas lie mostly in Central
America. The people who built ancient civilizations in this Central
American area learned to live and thrive in its tropical climate.
• Where did early civilizations emerge in South
America? (in the Andes Mountains)
• What factors made agriculture difficult in the
Andes? (The soil could be stony; the climate
was harsh, with unpredictable rainfall.)
• How did farmers in the Andes overcome
geographical obstacles? (They developed
irrigation canals and planted crops that were
suited to the environment.)
• Critical Thinking: Framing Historical
Questions Based on what you have read,
what questions do you have about early
civilizations in the Andes? (Possible answers:
Why did early people choose to settle in the
Andes, where farming was difficult? What
kinds of animals lived in the mountains?)
290 • Chapter 9
Arctic Circle
60°N
N
E
W
S
30°N
Tropic of Cancer
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Equator 0°
Tropic of Capricorn
30°S
60°W
What are some major differences between the geographies and
climates of North America and South America? Much of North America lies north of the
equator; much of South America lies south. Much of South America is warm and rainy;
North America has regions that can be very hot and some that can be very cold.
Geography of the Andes
ESSENTIAL QUESTION What geographic features are characteristic of
the Andes? tall peaks, high plateaus, harsh climates
Ancient civilizations developed on both continents. Some arose
high in South America’s Andes Mountains. The Andes extend
about 5,500 miles from Venezuela in the north to Chile at
the southern tip of South America. They consist of very high
plateaus surrounded by even higher peaks.
290 • Chapter 9
DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION
English Learners
Inclusion
Locate Key Words
Help students locate text that includes
comparison words such as both, each, like,
as, and similarly and contrast words such
as but, by contrast, however, except and
yet. Direct students to the section “Physical
Geography of the Americas.” Say to them,
“North America and South America are
both continents connected by an isthmus.
However, the geography and the climate of
the two continents are very different.” Note
these details in a Venn diagram.
Take Audio Notes
Have students who are visually impaired use
a tape recorder to take audio notes about
the main points of the lesson. Then have
pairs listen to the recordings and discuss
important ideas from the lesson.
CHAPTER 9 • LESSON 1
Tall Peaks The peaks of the Andes are the highest in the
Americas. Many are over 20,000 feet, or almost four miles high.
The highest elevations are covered only by a thin, stony soil.
Lower down, the soil is a little richer.
The Andes’ location along two colliding plates also makes
life there hard. The plate movement causes volcanic activity and
earthquakes in the Andes. The climate is severe too. At high
altitudes it freezes, and in many places rainfall is unpredictable.
High Plateaus Over a long stretch of the Andes, the
mountains split into two ranges. A large group of high plateaus
lies between them. This area is filled with hills, valleys, plains,
and deserts. A few large rivers water the area. But in the high
desert regions, rain almost never falls.
As you might imagine, farming presents a challenge in
the Andes. To grow their food, farmers in ancient Andean
civilizations developed irrigation canals. These carried water to
crops the farmers developed, such as potatoes.
What makes the Andes a harsh environment?
poor soil, threat of volcanoes and earthquakes, temperature extremes, unpredictable or no rainfall
History from Visuals
Interpreting Maps
Ask students to review the map on page
291. Point out the mountain range that runs
along the west coast of South America. Have
students compare this map with the climate
map that appears on the opposite page of the
spread.
• What climate zones are found along South
America’s west coast? (tropical, dry, mild)
• Do you think the mountains would be the
most likely place for the development of
an early civilization? (Possible answer: no,
because their environment does not have
features ideally suited for agriculture)
GEOGRAPHY SKILLBUILDER ANSWER
The mountains provided natural protection
from enemies.
Andes Mountains
VENEZUELA
GUYANA
SURINAME
FRENCH GUIANA
COLOMBIA
Map Transparencies
• MT17 Geographic Regions of South
America
ECUADOR
SOUTH
AMERICA
BRAZIL
PERU
BOLIVIA
CHILE
PARAGUAY
Andes The Andes are the longest mountain range in the
world. The top photograph shows a high plateau region.
The bottom one shows the more fertile valley region.
Mt. Aconcagua
22,834 ft.
(6,960 m)
URUGUAY
ARGENTINA
GEOGRAPHY SKILLBUILDER
INTERPRETING MAPS
Human-Environment Interaction
What advantage might the Andes
have provided against invaders?
Ancient America • 291
DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION
Gifted and Talented Students
Struggling Readers
Create an Andes Fact Book
Have students use library or Internet
resources to research the Andes Mountains
and create a “fact book” about this region.
The book should contain illustrations and
information about the physical environment
of the Andes—average temperatures, and
so on.
Outline the Section
Have students work in pairs to outline
the content of the section “Geography of
the Andes.” Each student should assume
responsibility for one subsection, identifying
its main point and two supporting details.
Once a pair have completed their portions,
they should combine them and outline the
entire section together.
Ancient America • 291