South America Ch 9 sec 3

 The native populations first used agriculture to change the landscape. They would clear forest areas, diverted streams, created terraces on hillsides, and filled in swamps.  The slash-and-burn method consisted of cutting down trees and plants, then burning them to use the ashes as fertilizer for the soil. The fields would be used for 1 or 2 years before the farmers moved on.

 Terraced farming requires the building of step-like structures on hillsides and mountain slopes. Then the crops are grown on the steps, which also helps reduce soil erosion.  While this practice is being used today, the Incas and Aztecs also used terrace farming.

 People throughout Latin America are leaving the farming life and communities they grew up in and moving to the cities for jobs and a better life.  Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay are the most urbanized countries in South America. Over 85% of their population lives in cities.

 Life as a poor farmer is one of just survival. They barely grow enough food to feed their families, and they never grow enough to make a profit.  The lack of opportunity, poor education, poor healthcare, and renting the land they farm pushes the families to move to the cities for a better life.

 The problem for the cities is there is not enough housing or services to provide for everyone moving to the city.  Slums continue to grow, unemployment and crime continue to grow, health problems from overcrowding and pollution, and just providing clean water to everyone become too much for city governments to combat.

 Many areas in Latin America are tourist destinations. Especially in Mexico and the Caribbean, but also in South American countries as well.  Even though tourism brings in money, there are also problems that tourism brings that these countries must deal with.

 Jobs are created at resorts, restaurants, shops, and other businesses. Port cities cater to tourists with money, and the activities available to the people create industries that employ the locals and give them an income.  Resorts are built on areas where no one was, creating pollution and damaging the ecosystem. There is still an income gap between rich and poor, with rich tourists clashing with poor residents.

 Local governments may spend more money attracting tourists than providing for their own people. Building sewer systems and providing utilities to the resorts rather than the neighborhoods surrounding the resort.  The owners of the resorts are often from other countries, and the profits are not reinvested in the country where the resort is located.

 Answer questions 1,2, and 3 from the section questions.