Download PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY of South America

Ch. 9 South America
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY of South America
Landforms
•South America’s diverse landscape is marked in
the west by the high peaks of the Andes and in
the east by broad plateaus and valleys.
•The cordillera established natural barriers that
resulted in the development of isolated groups.
•Narrow, coastal lowlands rim the Atlantic and
Pacific coasts.
•Inland grasslands like the llanos and the
pampas provide fertile soil and plains for cattle to
graze.
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY of South America
Water Systems
•The Amazon flows 4,000 miles through the
heart of South America and is its longest river.
•Hundreds of smaller rivers join the Amazon to
form the Amazon Basin.
•The Paraná, Paraguay, and Uruguay Rivers
drain the rainy eastern half of South America.
•The Pantanal is one of the world’s largest
tropical wetlands.
•Lake Maracaibo and Lake Titicaca are South
America’s largest lakes.
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY of South America
Climate, Biomes, & Resources
•Diverse climates make South America a region
of contrasts.
•El Niño affects the climate in South America by
creating unusually warm ocean currents, and can
have negative effects on coastal weather, fishing,
and agriculture.
•The Amazon rain forest shelters more species
of plants and animals than anywhere else on
Earth.
•The physical geography dictates each country’s
access to natural resources.
Video on Chile
What major part of South America's geography is not
represented in Chile?
Why does the video show an airplane when
discussing travel from one part of Chile to another?
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY of South America
History and Government
•The Inca Empire’s wealth and highly developed
infrastructure attracted Spanish conquistadors.
•Portuguese, British, French, and Dutch settlers
also established colonies, which drastically
reduced indigenous populations.
•In the 1800s, independence movements led by
Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín
emerged.
•Dictatorships dominated the postcolonial period.
•Today, democratically elected governments
struggle with economic and social justice issues.
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY of South America
Population Patterns
•The once-high population growth has
moderated.
•Most people live in cities in the coastal regions
where there is a favorable climate, fertile land,
and access to transportation.
•Highly populated urban areas make finding jobs
and affordable housing difficult for migrants.
•South America is experiencing brain drain to
North America and Europe, which is the loss of
many highly educated and skilled workers.
Human Geography of South America
Society and Culture Today
•South America is a blend of native, European,
Asian, and African languages and traditions.
•The majority of people are Roman Catholic,
though less common religions include
Protestantism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism,
Shinto, Islam, and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
•The quality of education and health care varies
greatly from country to country and from urban to
rural areas.
•Indigenous crafts, art, and architecture reflect the
history of the native cultures.
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY of South America
Economic Activities
•Oil resources, agriculture, and mining of the
abundant natural resources all contribute to South
America’s economic development.
•Manufacturing is growing rapidly, but physical
geography influences commercial activity.
•Many countries in the region are still considered
developing countries.
•Increased cooperation between countries
through trade partnerships and infrastructure is
improving economic growth.
PEOPLE & Their ENVIRONMENT: South America
Managing Resources
•While the use of natural resources has
advanced economic growth and increased stability,
it has also damaged the environment and the
biodiversity of South America.
•Deforestation has destroyed almost 20 percent
of the Amazon rain forest, threatening nearly half
of all animal and plant species on Earth.
•Monoculture and soil erosion contribute to
decreased soil fertility and desertification, which
reduces the area of nutrient-rich soils and grasses
needed to grow crops or to feed livestock.
PEOPLE & Their ENVIRONMENT: South America
Human Impact
•Urban growth and industrialization have
created environmental pollution.
•A lack of funding and organization often results
in a city’s lack of adequate plumbing infrastructure
necessary to deliver clean water and remove
sewage.
•Illegal mining activity has grown as the value
of precious metals and raw materials has
increased, exacerbating the pollution problem.
Food for Thought
What are some of the serious problems cities like São
Paulo are experiencing because of an influx of millions of
poor migrants?
Why might migrants choose to move to the slums
despite these conditions?
PEOPLE & Their ENVIRONMENT: South America
Addressing the Issues
•Reducing the human impact on the environment
is critical to protecting biodiversity and preserving
the livelihood of the population.
•Implementation of anti-deforestation laws and
farming management practices are among the
efforts underway to reduce drought and soil
erosion.
•South America’s countries are working together to
address the problems related to urbanization, to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to develop
public transport systems, and to regulate the
exportation of natural resources.