7th Grade UBD - Unit 7 – The Americas South America

Preview South America- South America has Earth’s longest mountain range, large rain forests, and is the home to the second longest river in the world. Brazil- Brazil has the greatest variety of animals of any country in the world. It is most well known for its dense forests and the Amazon, the world's largest jungle.

Key Ideas- South America South America is the fourth largest continent in size and the fifth largest in population. Almost half of South America’s area as well as its population are located in Brazil. Rapid urban growth continues to mark much of South America. People looking for better wages and living conditions are leaving South America. Countries such as Guyana, Ecuador, and Columbia are experiencing a large brain drain.

Key Term South America – A continent that comprises the southern half of the American landmass, connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama.

South America Geography South America is the fourth largest continent in size and the fifth largest in population. It is located primarily in the southern hemisphere, is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the East and the Pacific Ocean to the West. The geography of South America is dominated by the Andes Mountain Range and the Amazon River.

Key Term Andes Mountains- The Andes are the world's longest continental mountain range, located in South America.

Key Term Amazon River- The second-longest river in the world and is located in South America.

Beginning of Civilization of South American Prior to European colonization, the Incan Civilization was a dominant force in South America. In the 1500's, Spain and Portugal colonized much of South America.

Oldest Civilizations of South America One of the oldest civilizations of South America is the Inca civilization. The capital of the Inca civilization was the city of Cusco in the Andes. The Incas were known for their distinct and developed culture. The ruins of the Inca civilization suggest that cities were built with unmatched stonework and constructed with great precision.

Native Civilizations found in South America Maya Incas Aztecs Of the three native civilizations found in South America (Mayas, Incas, and Aztecs) the Incas were the least warlike. Their outstanding accomplishments in art and agriculture have endured throughout the centuries as their knowledge and expertise has been passed down from generation to generation.

Freedom Fighter The colonies gained independence in the 1800's with the help of leaders like Simon Bolivar. South America’s primary languages are Spanish and Portuguese.

Amazon Rainforest Amazon rainforest is home to many of the strangest looking, largest and smallest, most dangerous and least frightening, loudest and quietest animals on Earth.

Unique Animals of South America Anaconda Andean Condor Piranha Giant Tortoise Capybara Jaguar

Natural Resources of South America Some of the natural resources of South America are coffee beans, cocoa beans, bananas, timber, rubber, gold, spices, and salt.

Brain Darin People looking for better wages and living conditions are leaving South America. Countries such as Guyana, Ecuador, and Columbia are experiencing a large brain drain.

Key Term Brain Drain- The loss of highly educated and skilled workers to other countries.

America's Brain Drain Video- America's Brain Drain

Questions Countries such as Guyana, Ecuador, and Columbia are experiencing what as people are looking for better wages and living conditions? The colonies of South America gained independence in the 1800's with the help of leaders such as? The geography of South America is dominated by what two geographic features?

Answers Countries such as Guyana, Ecuador, and Columbia are experiencing what as people are looking for better wages and living conditions? Countries such as Guyana, Ecuador, and Columbia are experiencing a “Brain Drain”. The colonies gained independence in the 1800's with the help of leaders such as? The colonies gained independence with the help of leaders like Simon Bolivar. The geography of South America is dominated by what two geographic features? The geography of South America is dominated by the Andes Mountain Range and the Amazon River.

Key Ideas- Brazil Brazil forms an enormous triangle on the eastern side of the continent. It has borders with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador. Today, Brazil's politics and economy have become fairly stable allowing Brazil to become an economic giant. Brazil has many different soils and climates, so it can produce a great variety of crops. Brazil is also South America's most industrial nation, producing many types of chemicals, steel, aircraft, and cars.

Brazil- National Geographic Traveler Video- Brazil- National Geographic Traveler

Key Term Brasília- The capital city of Brazil.

Introduction Brazil has the greatest variety of animals of any country in the world. It is home to 600 mammal species, 1,500 fish species, 1,600 bird species, and an amazing 100,000 different types of insects. The Brazilian landscape is varied. It is most well known for its dense forests and the Amazon, the world's largest jungle.

Geography Brazil is the largest country in South America. It forms an enormous triangle on the eastern side of the continent with a 4,500-mile coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. It has borders with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador.

Geography Brazil is most well known for the Amazon, the world's largest jungle. It also has dry grasslands, rugged hills, pine forests, sprawling wetlands, immense plateaus, and a long coastal plain.

Geography The Amazon is not one river but a network of many hundreds of waterways. Its total length stretches 4,250 miles, making it the second longest river on Earth. Thousands of species live in the river, including the infamous piranha and the boto, or pink river dolphin.

Geography Southeastern Brazil was once completely covered with dense forest. Now it is the country's industrial capital, home to Brazil's biggest cities: São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. It covers only 11 percent of the country but houses 43 percent of its population.

Nature In the central-western part of Brazil sits a flat, swampy area called the Pantanal. This patchwork of flooded lagoons and small islands is the world's largest wetland. Here live giant anacondas, huge guinea pig relatives called capybaras, and fierce alligators.

Key Term Lagoon- A stretch of salt water separated from the sea by a low sandbank or coral reef.

Nature For thousands of years, people have been exploiting the jungles of Brazil. But since Europeans arrived about five centuries ago, forest destruction has been rampant. Huge areas of the Amazon are disappearing every year. The government has established many national parks and refuges, but they only cover about 7 percent of the country.

Eyewitness To History Reading Activity- Eyewitness To History 22

History Brazil was added to the map of the world during the great European explorations in the late 15th century led by Portugal and Spain. When Europeans first reached the coast of Brazil, the country was home to about 30 million indigenous people, or Amerindians. Today, only about 300,000 remain, living primarily in Brazil's remotest places.

History Portugal established its first colony in Brazil in 1530. Colonists created sugarcane plantations along the coast and sent diamonds and gold back to Europe. Soon, people from West Africa were brought to Brazil to work as slaves. The discovery of large inland gold reserves brought thousands of people from the coasts and as far away as Europe to the interior of the country.

History In 1789, Brazilians tried to kick out their Portuguese rulers. The rebellion was soon put down, but it started a movement toward independence. By 1822, Brazil was a sovereign nation.

People and Culture Brazil has produced some of the best soccer players of all time. The most famous of all is Pelé. Brazil has won the World Cup soccer finals five times, more than any other nation.

Government and Economy From 1888 until recently, Brazil has struggled with democracy. But in 1985, the military government was peacefully removed, and by 1995, Brazil's politics and economy had become fairly stable.

Government and Economy Brazil has many different soils and climates, so it can produce a great variety of crops. Its agricultural exports include sugarcane, latex, coffee, cocoa beans, cotton, soybeans, rice, and tropical fruits. Brazil is also South America's most industrial nation, producing chemicals, steel, aircraft, and cars.

Doing Business in Brazil Video- Doing Business in Brazil

Questions What are Brazil's two biggest cities? Brazil’s agricultural exports include things such as what? Brazil is South America's most industrial nation and makes products such as?

Answers What are Brazil's two biggest cities? Brazil biggest cities are São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Brazil’s agricultural exports include things such as what? Brazil’s agricultural exports include crops such as sugarcane, latex, coffee, cocoa beans, cotton, soybeans, rice, and tropical fruits. Brazil is South America's most industrial nation and makes products such as? Brazil’s industry main exports include chemicals, steel, aircrafts, and cars.

Independent Activity The world is full of problems, and a person who dedicates themselves to addressing and finding solutions to a big problem is called an "activist".  Studying the life and work of an activist can help us understand how many of the rights, conditions, and privileges we now take for granted are actually the result of hard-work and sacrifice.  Research the life of Simon Bolivar then write a 150 word summary of his life.

Independent Activity What has been the “muddiest” point so far in this lesson? That is, what topic remains the least clear to you? (4 minutes)

Partner Activity Work with a neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)