1. South America

2. Physical Geography
Physically dominated by the Andes Mountains – world’s longest unbroken mountain chain
The Amazon Basin – the largest rainforest in the world
The Amazon River – the 2nd longest but largest in terms of volume in the world
Atacama Desert – the world’s 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 grow potatoes
Huge sugar cane production in Brazil. Used for ethanol production

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

8. 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)

9. Dutch
Suriname
French
French Guiana (French territory)

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

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

12. Human Geography Unequal distribution of wealth
20% of the realm’s 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

13. 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 Paulo or “barrios” of Lima and Bogota

14. Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

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

17. Political situation
History of leftist (socialist populist) governments
Former leaders such as Hugo Chavez of Venezuela attempted to stir up anti-American rhetoric throughout the region.
Rebel groups are found in many countries such as Colombia. A group called FARC is a major threat and controls some areas of the country.

18. Hugo Chavez Nicholas Maduro

19. 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

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