South America Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Peru

Colombia Physical Geography Only S. American country to have coastlines on both Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean Two major landform regions-Andes Mountains and plains of the llanos

Economic Geography Colombian coffee is world famous –Second only to Brazil in production Exports large amounts of cut flowers Other commercial crops include rice, corn, sugarcane, tobacco, bananas, and cotton Mountains are rich in minerals –90% of world’s emeralds come from Columbia Plentiful natural resources give Colombia potential to prosper Colombian coffee plantation

Colombian coffee is world famous –Second only to Brazil in production Exports large amounts of cut flowers Other commercial crops include rice, corn, sugarcane, tobacco, bananas, and cotton Mountains are rich in minerals –90% of world’s emeralds come from Columbia Plentiful natural resources give Colombia potential to prosper Colombian Lily

Colombian coffee is world famous –Second only to Brazil in production Exports large amounts of cut flowers Other commercial crops include rice, corn, sugarcane, tobacco, bananas, and cotton Mountains are rich in minerals –90% of world’s emeralds come from Columbia Plentiful natural resources give Colombia potential to prosper Colombian emeralds.

Issues History of civil war and corrupt governments Much of Colombia is ruled more on violence and intimidations than by laws Most of the recent violence is related to a large illegal drug trade Kidnapping- about 16 per 48 hours People paid more to grow coca then any other commodity Oil pipeline attacked regularly- at least 2.9 million barrels of crude oil leaked into the ocean Regular assassination attempts on political figures

History of civil war and corrupt governments Much of Colombia is ruled more on violence and intimidations than by laws Most of the recent violence is related to a large illegal drug trade Kidnapping- about 16 per 48 hours People paid more to grow coca then any other commodity Oil pipeline attacked regularly- at least 2.9 million barrels of crude oil leaked into the ocean Regular assassination attempts on political figures The pipeline after an attack.

Venezuela Physical Geography Divided into 4 landform regions –Northern mountains –Tropical lowland coast –The llanos –Guiana highlands in the Southeast Most people live along the Caribbean coast and valleys

Divided into 4 landform regions –Northern mountains –Tropical lowland coast –The llanos –Guiana highlands in the Southeast Most people live along the Caribbean coast and valleys

Economic Geography Mineral wealth is Venezuela’s chief source of income Leading oil exporter with oil profits the gov’t has: built schools, improved living conditions, and expanded medical care Small family farms and commercial farms are spread throughout the country Llanos is a land of large cattle ranches Guiana highlands are nearly empty of people Venezuela’s oil belt.

Mineral wealth is Venezuela’s chief source of income Leading oil exporter with oil profits the gov’t has: built schools, improved living conditions, and expanded medical care Small family farms and commercial farms are spread throughout the country Llanos is a land of large cattle ranches Guiana highlands are nearly empty of people A view of the llanos.

Mineral wealth is Venezuela’s chief source of income Leading oil exporter with oil profits the gov’t has: built schools, improved living conditions, and expanded medical care Small family farms and commercial farms are spread throughout the country Llanos is a land of large cattle ranches Guiana highlands are nearly empty of people Angel Falls in Guiana Highlands.

Issues Rural poverty is widespread

Brazil Physical Geography Largest country in South America Three regions –Amazon Rainforest –Brazilian Highlands –Brazilian Plateau A view of the Amazon.

Largest country in South America Three regions –Amazon –Brazilian Highlands –Brazilian Plateau

Historical Geography The name Brazil comes from the “pau-brasil” tree that provides a purple-red dye. –First Portuguese colonist were very attracted to the dye. America’s first sugar colony. Precious gems and gold were found in 1690’s. Pau-brasil tree.

By 1822, Brazil’s population was about 4 million people, twice that of Portugal Became famous for its coffee 1970’s/80’s Brazil began to amass a huge foreign debt –Debt continues to weaken Brazilian economy

Issues Most of Brazil is underdeveloped. Unemployment is high Most cities have huge slum areas, favelas, right outside Many do not have enough to eat However, Brazil does have the economic potential-resources

Most of Brazil is underdeveloped. Unemployment is high Most cities have huge slum areas, favelas, right outside Many do not have enough to eat However, Brazil does have the economic potential-resources View from the favelas.

Argentina Physical Geography Second largest country in South America Four landform and climate regions –Andes Mountains –Chaco (low plains covered with dry forests) –Pampas (plains with grasslands) –Patagonia (arid/semi- arid climate)

Four landform and climate regions –Andes Mountains –Chaco (low plains covered with dry forests) –Pampas (plains with grasslands) –Patagonia (arid/semi- arid climate)

Four landform and climate regions –Andes Mountains –Chaco (low plains covered with dry forests) –Pampas (plains with grasslands) –Patagonia (arid/semi- arid climate) Chaco region of Argentina. A guacho in the pampas.

Economic Geography Guachos, Argentine cowboys, used to manage cattle on the Pampas Pampas today are a large source of beef, wheat, and vegetable oils- competes with U.S., Canada, and Australia in selling beef Most people employed in manufacturing-consumer goods and food processing

Issues In the past has had ineffective governments run by dictatorships and military Democratic government returned to country after defeat of Falkland Islands War. When economy collapsed in 2001, Argentina went through 5 presidents in one week! Huge debt Today pushing for free markets and improved economy. A deep recession foreshadowed economic collapse in This left more than half the population living in poverty and triggered unrest. The country struggled with record debt defaults and currency devaluation.

Peru Physical Geography Oriente-dense rainforests Andes Highlands Coastal region –Every 5-10 years Peru and Ecuador are visited by El Nino (unusual weather pattern, floods, heavy rains) Still have very large Amerindian population

Issues Coca plant is grown in Oriente region –Drug smugglers encourage farmers to grow coca Underdeveloped Poor governing Large amounts of food must be imported A large foreign debt caused inflation Peru is the world's largest single source of coca leaves, providing about two-thirds of the total cocaine produced in the world. Coca cultivation is a centuries-old tradition practiced by the ancient Andean Inca Empire. The Incas used coca for religious and medicinal purposes. The coveted coca plant.