1. SPANISH SPEAKING SOUTH AMERICA

2. HISTORY 1. The Andes Mountains is the cultural hearth for the Incas 2. Pizarro, a Spanish Conquistador conquered the Incan Empire and forced them to work on plantations. 3. Part of the Spanish Empire for 300 years

3. 4. Independence movement leaders a. In 1820s, Simon Bolivar liberated many Northern South American countries, such as Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Bolivia. b. In early 1800s Jose de San Martin helped to free Argentina, Chile, and Peru from Spanish rule.

4. CULTURE AND EDUCATION 1. Music combines Indian, African, and European influences 2. Beautiful craftwork and handmade items 3. Higher literacy rates than the rest of Latin America

5. ECONOMY 1. Based on agriculture, mining, and extraction of resources a. Oil b. Fish c. Llanos is great for farming 2. Mercosur is an economic common market in the southern cone of South America that has increased trade within the region.

6. BOLIVIA  La Paz

7. CHILE  Santiago  Atacama Desert

8. ARGENTINA