South America Physical Geography

Land - Desert Atacama Desert Driest non-Arctic desert in the world 1 mm of rain per year Average daily temperature is from 32º-68º F Similar to the surface of Mars

Land – Andes Mountains Andes Mountains Run along the Pacific Coast Longest mountain chain in the world (4,500 miles) 2nd highest mountain ranges in the world (Himalayas are #1) Soil is extremely rich and fertile, good for farming

Land – Amazon Basin Amazon River Basin A large area completely surrounded by higher ground (similar to a valley) Contains the largest tropical rainforest in the world

Land - Highlands Brazilian Highlands Largest highland area in South America

Land - Patagonia Patagonia Large area of plains located in southern Argentina

Land South America has two countries that are landlocked Bolivia and Paraguay Landlocked Surrounded on all sides by land with no access to the ocean How does this affect trade in these countries?

Water - Borders East – Atlantic Ocean West – Pacific Ocean North – Caribbean Sea

Water - Lakes Lake Titicaca Highest commercially navigable lake in the world

Water - Rivers Amazon River 2nd largest river in the world Carries more water than any other river in the world Contains 20% of all fresh water in the world Serves as a major trade route inland and creates fertile land

Water - Rivers Negro River Tributary of the Amazon Largest black water river in the world Deep, slow-moving channel that flows through forested swamps and wetlands. The color results from the leaching of tannins from the decaying leaves of adjoining vegetation.

Climate Varies greatly because of the size of the continent (8 zones) Most of South America has a tropical climate Varies greatly because of the size of the continent (8 zones) Below 0º in the Andes and over 80º in the Amazon Basin Receives over 118” of rain in the Amazon Basin each year

Vegetation Most of South America is covered by dense rainforests and grasslands

Natural Resources Lumber from the rainforests Medicines are created from the rainforest Fish Cattle ranches Soil is rich for farming Coffee Wheat, sugar cane, cotton and rice

Population Distribution & Trade

Valuable Venezuela Location, climate and natural resources affect where people live and work. Physical Features . . . Coastline gives them easy access to trade w Mountains, grassy plains & tropical jungles Climate in Venezuela . . . Hot and humid – just north of the equator Cooler in the Andes Mountains Rainy Major natural resource . . . Oil

Where do people choose to live? Along the coast of the Caribbean Sea and nearby mountain valleys Mostly urban areas – 88% Many people work in the rich oil industry. Large middle class – but also large amounts of poverty

Environmental Issues Oil-related pollution – Venezuela Water pollution along both coasts and Lake Maracaibo Severe deforestation, oil spills and air pollution Oil spills have hurt the fishing industry and closed tourist resorts Oil is main source of income, so people are motivated to keep drilling, producing, and burning oil…and polluting.

I’ll Trade with You! Venezuela . . . . Oil products are the government’s main source of revenue Major trading partners are its neighbors USA, Brazil and Colombia USA provides much of Venezuela’s food imports since agriculture isn’t a strong industry there.

Where do people choose to live? Most live near the Atlantic coast in urban areas . . . Amazon Rainforest used to be sparsely populated, BUT . . . Government built the Trans-Amazon Highway to connect the coast to Peru. New capital – Brasilia – was established just south of the Amazon Basin Tourism to the Amazon Rainforest has also increased Development in the Amazon is controversial . . . . WHY?

Environmental Issues Destruction of rainforests in Brazil…

Trade in Brazil? Brazil is the largest country on South America . . . Highest population . . . Healthiest economy Key location along the Atlantic Ocean . . . Allows shipment of goods around the world Top 2 trading partners . . . USA and Argentina Agricultural Products . . . Sugarcane and oranges Coffee – world’s largest producer