Download Atlantic South America

Atlantic South America
Physical Geography
Major River Systems

Atlantic South America
includes the countries
of Brazil, Paraguay,
Uruguay and Argentina.
The worlds largest river
system is the Amazon.
It is about 4,000 miles
long and extends from
the Andes to the
Atlantic. Hundreds of
tributaries flow into the
Amazon.
Major River Systems

The huge drainage
area helps make the
Amazon the river that
carries the most water
in the world. About
20% of the water that
runs of the earths
surface travels down
the Amazon. Its flow
hitting the Atlantic
decreases salt levels
for 100 miles.
Major River Systems

The Parana River
drains much of the
water from central
South America and
much of it flows into the
Rio de la Plata and on
to the Atlantic. The Rio
de la Plata is an
estuary – an enclosed
body of water fresh
water and salty sea
water meets and mixes.
Plains and Plateaus

The Amazon Basin is a
large, flat flood plain in
northern Brazil. South of
the Basin are the Brazilian
Highlands, a rugged region
of old, eroded mountains.
Matto Grasso Plateau is
another high plains. Farther
south is Gran Chaco plain
that runs through Paraguay
and northern Argentina.
Plains and Plateaus

In Argentina, there is a
wide grassy plain – the
Pampas in the central
region. South of the
Pampas you find
Patagonia an area of
dry plains and plateaus.
All of these begin in the
high Andes mountains
to the west.
Climate and Vegetation

Atlantic South America has many climates. The southern
highlands are cool, while the northern and coastal regions are
tropical and moist. In southern Argentina, the Patagonia has
a cool desert climate. North of Patagonia, the rich soil and
subtropical climate make part of the Pampas good for farming
Climate and Vegetation

The Gran Chaco in northern Argentina has a humid
tropical climate where heavy summer rains can
sometimes turn the plains into a marshland. A large
section of central Brazil has a tropical savanna
climate with warm grasslands
Climate and Vegetation

The northeast part of Brazil
has a hot dry climate and
the southeast is cooler and
more humid. In northern
Brazil the humid tropical
climate of the Amazon
creates the rainforest and
all of its life. Rain falls
almost every day and it has
the worlds greatest variety
of plant and animal life.
Natural Resources

The rainforest is one of the worlds greatest natural
resources. It provides wood, rubber, food, plants for
medicines and many other products. Deforestation
has become an issue in the region.
Natural Resources

Soil exhaustion is another problem. Commercial farming in
coastal areas, have grown the same crops over and over,
stripping nutrients from the soil. Minerals are a big resource
with deposits of gold, silver, copper, iron and oil.
Hydroelectric power from dams on the big rivers is also an
important resource.
And so …

Exit: What can we do
to preserve the
rainforest and still use
its resources?

Stay tuned nest time for
Brazil. I know that
place!