The impact of south America’s geography By: Danielle Swanson

South America’s Physical geography Climate Map Click on link for video! South America Climate Map Commons.wikimedia.org YouTube Countries of South America

There are 12 independent countries in South America. French Guyana is a dependent country. There are a total of 13 countries.

How many independent countries are in South America? 10 12 13

10 12 13 Incorrect Answer. Try Again. How many independent countries are in South America? 10 12 13

Congratulations! Correct Answer! There are 12 independent countries in South America!

South America: Physical Geography South America is the 4th largest continent Variety of Biomes Rich Biodiversity There are 3 physical regions: Mountains & Highlands River Basins Coastal Plains

The Amazon Orinoco Paraguay Three river Basins The Amazon Orinoco Paraguay The Llanos is a large grassland region that is the primary biome of the Orinoco River basin. It is the habitat for many bird and river species. The Orinoco flows north of the Amazon. It begins in northern Brazil and empties into the Atlantic Ocean in Venezuela.

Supplies water to the plains biome (or Pampas) of South America. Paraguay/ParanÁ Covers much of Southeastern Brazil and Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. Empties into the Rio de la Plata (most populous region of both Argentina and Uruguay. Supplies water to the plains biome (or Pampas) of South America. The Pampas plains region has rich soil, consistent rainfall, and is the most important grazing and cropland area in South America.

Amazonia Amazon River Rainforest Biodiversity The Amazon River is the world’s largest river.; it carries the most water. (The Nile is the longest.)

The basin is fed from rivers and streams from glaciers in the Andes. The Amazon river basin The basin is 2.7 millions square miles. It covers most of northern South America. The basin is fed from rivers and streams from glaciers in the Andes. The Amazon Rainforest makes up about half of Earth’s rainforests. The numerous tree species of the rainforest and vines called lianas create its dense canopy. The Amazon Rainforest has a diverse wildlife full of primates, two million species of insects, and thousands of native species of birds.

Image: en.wikipedia.org Mountains & Highlands PATAGONIA Patagonia is a region in the southern section of the Andes Mountains shared by Chile and Argentina. This region has plateaus and glaciers as well. Image: en.wikipedia.org

Mountains & highlands The Andes Mountain Range is South America’s largest and most primary mountain range; it is also the world’s longest mountain range. (4,350 miles long) The highest peak is Aconcagua, (22,841 ft. high) and it straddles the border of Argentina and Chile. It is the tallest mountain outside of Asia. The Andes region has high plateaus, such as the Altiplano Plateau region of Peru and Bolivia. Outside of the Andes are the Brazilian Highlands and the Guiana Highlands.

Resource: travel.nationalgeographic.com Coastal plains Atacama Desert Resource: travel.nationalgeographic.com

Coastal Plain: An area of low flat land next to a seacoast. Coastal plains Coastal Plain: An area of low flat land next to a seacoast. The coastal plains in South America are found on the northeastern coast of Brazil, on the coast of the Atlantic ocean, and on the western, Pacific coast of Peru and Chile. They are extremely dry. The Atacama Desert is part of the western coastal plain and is considered the driest region of the world. The average rainfall is 0.04 inches a year. The desert lacks plants, bacteria, fungi, and animals. A rich source of copper is found in this region and it is a source of revenue for the Chilean economy.

Human geography of south America The Americas were named after Italian navigator, Amerigo Vespucci, the first European to suggest that the Americas were not a part of the East Indies. South America’s human landscape is strongly influenced by indigenous groups of people. The Incan Empire is the most known indigenous culture of South America. Most African slaves were brought to Brazil. Africans, indigenous groups, and European groups were all cultures that combined in South America. Mestizos are people of European and indigenous/Indian heritage. They were the center of the revolutionary movements in South America. The gaucho, or “cowboy” culture developed in the Pampas of South America.

Machu picchu incan empire ruins Commons.wikimedia.org

Human geography of south America Catholicism is the dominant religion. The annual Carnival of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is a religious celebration that has grown into the secular culture. Portugal and Spain colonized South America. Portugal colonized what is now Brazil, and Spain colonized the rest. Portuguese is the national language in Brazil, and the rest of South America’s primary language in Spanish. Nationalization vs. Privatization is a current popular political issue.

Amazon rainforest deforestation Environmental issues such as deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest, carbon emissions, pollution, urbanization, industrialization, and global warming are all current issues South America is facing today. Image: en.wikipedia.org

What country colonized the land that is now Brazil? Spain Portugal Italy

What country colonized the land that is now Brazil? INCORRECT. TRY AGAIN. What country colonized the land that is now Brazil? Spain Portugal Italy

CONGRATULATIONS! CORRECT ANSWER! Portugal colonized what is now Brazil. Also, Portuguese is the national language of Brazil.

Resources National Geographic: South America http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/south-america-physical-geography/?ar_a=1 http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/south-america-human-geography/?ar_a=1 Images Commons.wikimedia.org en.wikipedia.org