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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