1. South America

2. Physical Geography Physically dominated by the Andes Mountains – worlds longest unbroken mountain chain The Amazon Basin – the largest rainforest in the world The Amazon River – the 2 nd longest but largest in terms of volume in the world Atacama Desert – the worlds driest

3. Machu Pichu in Peru

5. Iguacu Falls on the border of Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina

6. Agricultural Societies Large scale Plantations of coffee Cattle ranching in grassland regions such as the Pampas of Argentina, Gran Chaco in Argentina & Paraguay, and Mato Grosso Plateau of Brazil. Fruit and vegetable farming in Chile Indigenous populations raising potatoes Huge sugar cane production in Brazil. Used for ethanol production

7. “Gauchos” and cattle on the Pampas

8. Ethanol plant and sugar cane in Brazil

9. Political Geography 12 countries and 1 Territory Brazil being the largest in land size and population. 5 th largest in land size, 5 th in population at 190 million Multi-ethnic, yet dominated by an East-West, Portuguese/Spanish line of control.

10. Ethnic Breakdown Spanish –Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela –Many mestizos Portuguese –Brazil, Paraguay (minority) –Large mulatto population in Brazil (black-white)

11. Dutch –Suriname French –French Guiana (French territory)

12. Significant ethnic minorities German –Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay Italian –Argentina Arab –Paraguay Jew –Argentina Native Americans –Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador Indian (South Asia) –Guyana

13. Argentineans, like most South Americans are massive futbol fans!

14. Human Geography Unequal distribution of wealth 20% of the realms inhabitants control 70% of the wealth The poorest 20% only control 2% of the wealth Population is largely on the periphery (coastal) Rapid urban growth is a problem

15. Large Cities Sao Paulo, Brazil 25.8 million Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 12 million Buenos Aires, Argentina 12.9 million Bogota, Colombia 8.2 million Lima, Peru 7.5 million Many cities surrounded by large slums such as the “favelas” of Rio and Sao Paolo or “barrios” of Lima and Bogota

16. Buenos Aires, Argentina

17. Crime-ridden, impoverished “favelas” of Rio de Janeiro

18. Economic Development Major oil and gas reserves particularly in Venezuela. Also, found in Colombia, the Guianas, and Brazil Economic agreements: –Mercosur (“market south”) –Andean Community –South American Community of Nations –Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (hasn’t happened as of yet) –Trans-Oceanic Highway

19. Political situation History of leftist (socialist populist) governments Former leader Hugo Chavez of Venezuela stirred up anti-American rhetoric throughout the region. Nicholas Maduro now the leader. Rebel groups are found in many countries such as Colombia. A group that goes by FARC is a major threat and controls large areas of the country.

20. Hugo Chavez

21. Cocaine production and FARC

22. Serious issues Poverty (unequal distribution of wealth) Kidnapping and murders Cocaine production and trafficking Corrupt governments and unstable leaders Destruction of the environment, particularly the Amazon rainforest

23. Improvements and signs of hope Economic and trade agreements Brazil becoming more stable and productive Argentina and Chile most advanced Potential for oil, gas, (Mexico, Venezuela) and ethanol (Brazil) wealth Fewer coups and more democratically elected governments