South America South America Physical GeographyPhysical Geography

Land - DesertLand - Desert Atacama DesertAtacama Desert

Located in northern Chile Located in northern Chile

4,000 feet above sea level4,000 feet above sea level Driest non-Arctic desert Driest non-Arctic desert

in the worldin the world 1 mm of rain per year1 mm of rain per year

Average daily temperature is Average daily temperature is from 32º-68º Ffrom 32º-68º F

Similar to the surface of Mars – Similar to the surface of Mars – NASA uses the Atacama to test NASA uses the Atacama to test instruments for future Mars instruments for future Mars missionsmissions

Land – Andes MountainsLand – Andes Mountains Andes MountainsAndes Mountains

Run along the Pacific Run along the Pacific Coast – located primarily Coast – located primarily in Chilein Chile

Longest mountain chain Longest mountain chain in the world (4,500 miles)in the world (4,500 miles)

2nd highest mountain 2nd highest mountain ranges in the world ranges in the world (Himalayas are #1)(Himalayas are #1)

Soil is extremely rich and Soil is extremely rich and fertilefertile, good for farming, good for farming

Land – Amazon BasinLand – Amazon Basin Amazon River BasinAmazon River Basin

Contains the largest Contains the largest tropical rainforest in the tropical rainforest in the worldworld

Located mostly in BrazilLocated mostly in Brazil Framed by other Framed by other

landformslandforms

BasinBasin A large area completely A large area completely

surrounded by higher surrounded by higher ground (similar to a ground (similar to a valley)valley)

SelvaSelva The Brazilian term for the The Brazilian term for the

Amazon Basin (covered in Amazon Basin (covered in thick tropical forests)thick tropical forests)

Land - HighlandsLand - Highlands Rolling lands east of the Andes Rolling lands east of the Andes

MountainsMountains Guiana and Brazilian HighlandsGuiana and Brazilian Highlands

Brazilian HighlandsBrazilian Highlands Largest highland area in Largest highland area in

South AmericaSouth America (tropical savanna) (tropical savanna) South of the Amazon River Basin South of the Amazon River Basin

and extends east into Central Braziland extends east into Central Brazil

EscarpmentEscarpment A steep cliff between a higher A steep cliff between a higher

and lower surfaceand lower surface

Land - Land - PatagoniaPatagonia

PatagoniaPatagonia Large area of Large area of

plains located in plains located in southern southern ArgentinaArgentina

Northern region Northern region dry and mild, dry and mild, southern region southern region dry & colddry & cold

LandLand

South America has South America has two countries that two countries that are landlockedare landlocked Bolivia and ParaguayBolivia and Paraguay

LandlockedLandlocked Surrounded on all Surrounded on all

sides by land with no sides by land with no access to the oceanaccess to the ocean

How does this affect How does this affect trade in these trade in these countries?countries?

Water - BordersWater - Borders

East – Atlantic OceanEast – Atlantic Ocean West – Pacific OceanWest – Pacific Ocean North – Caribbean SeaNorth – Caribbean Sea

Water - LakesWater - Lakes Lake Titicaca = Andes MountainsLake Titicaca = Andes Mountains

Border of Bolivia and PeruBorder of Bolivia and Peru Highest commercially navigable lake in Highest commercially navigable lake in

the world the world

Water - RiversWater - Rivers Amazon RiverAmazon River

2nd longest river in the world2nd longest river in the world (largest in volume) (largest in volume) (4,000 miles long) – (Nile River is #1)(4,000 miles long) – (Nile River is #1)

Carries more water than any other river in the Carries more water than any other river in the worldworld

Extends from the Andes Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean Extends from the Andes Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean (across the entire continent)(across the entire continent)

Contains 20% of all fresh water in the worldContains 20% of all fresh water in the world More than 1,000 tributaries extend from the Amazon More than 1,000 tributaries extend from the Amazon

RiverRiver Tributaries – smaller river that flow into a larger riverTributaries – smaller river that flow into a larger river

Located primarily in BrazilLocated primarily in Brazil

Serves as a major trade route inland and creates Serves as a major trade route inland and creates fertile landfertile land

Water - Water - RiversRivers Negro River (Rio Negro)Negro River (Rio Negro)

Largest left tributary of the Largest left tributary of the AmazonAmazon

Largest black water river in Largest black water river in the worldthe world

Deep, slow-moving channel Deep, slow-moving channel that flows through forested that flows through forested swamps and wetlands. The swamps and wetlands. The color results from the color results from the leaching of tannins from leaching of tannins from the decaying leaves of the decaying leaves of adjoining vegetation. adjoining vegetation.

Has its sources along the Has its sources along the watershed between the watershed between the Orinoco and the Amazon Orinoco and the Amazon basins basins

ClimateClimate Varies greatly Varies greatly

because of the size because of the size of the continentof the continent (8 (8 zones)zones) Below 0º in the Below 0º in the

Andes and over 80º Andes and over 80º in the Amazon Basinin the Amazon Basin

Receives over 118” Receives over 118” of rain in the of rain in the Amazon Basin each Amazon Basin each yearyear

Climate based on regionClimate based on region Most of South Most of South

America has a America has a tropical climatetropical climate

Highlands in the Highlands in the mountainsmountains

Arid and semiarid in Arid and semiarid in the desertsthe deserts

Elevation is important Elevation is important in the mountainsin the mountains

Vertical climateVertical climate

VegetationVegetation

Most of South Most of South America is covered America is covered by dense by dense rainforests and rainforests and grasslandsgrasslands

Vegetation in the Vegetation in the mountains mountains depends on depends on elevationelevation

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources Lumber from the Lumber from the

rainforestsrainforests Medicines are created from Medicines are created from

the rainforestthe rainforest

Fish Fish extensive coastlinesextensive coastlines

Cattle ranchesCattle ranches

Soil is rich for farmingSoil is rich for farming Coffee Coffee

Brazil is the leading exporterBrazil is the leading exporter

Wheat, sugar cane, cotton Wheat, sugar cane, cotton and riceand rice

Agricultural ResourcesAgricultural Resources Most people practice Most people practice

subsistence farmingsubsistence farming

Large farms are able Large farms are able to produce goods for to produce goods for exportexport Beef, grain, sugar, wool, Beef, grain, sugar, wool,

bananas and coffeebananas and coffee

Brazil – largest produce Brazil – largest produce of coffee in the worldof coffee in the world

Population DistributionPopulation Distribution& &

TradeTrade

Valuable VenezuelaValuable Venezuela Location, climate and natural resources affect where people live Location, climate and natural resources affect where people live

and work. and work. Physical Features . . . Physical Features . . .

Coastline gives them easy access to trade with othersCoastline gives them easy access to trade with others 4 major port cities4 major port cities

Mountains, grassy plains & tropical junglesMountains, grassy plains & tropical jungles

Climate in Venezuela . . . Climate in Venezuela . . . Hot and humid – just north of the equatorHot and humid – just north of the equator Cooler in the Andes MountainsCooler in the Andes Mountains Rainy season from May to NovemberRainy season from May to November

Along the coastline . . . 16 in per yearAlong the coastline . . . 16 in per year Higher elevations . . . Over 100 in per yearHigher elevations . . . Over 100 in per year

Major natural resource . . . OilMajor natural resource . . . Oil

Where do people choose to live?Where do people choose to live? Along the coast of the Caribbean Sea and Along the coast of the Caribbean Sea and

nearby mountain valleysnearby mountain valleys Mostly urban areas – 88%Mostly urban areas – 88%

The best farmland is controlled by large The best farmland is controlled by large landowners . . landowners . .

Prevents many people from farming . . Prevents many people from farming . . . have to move to the cities to find . have to move to the cities to find work.work.

Many people work in the rich oil industry.Many people work in the rich oil industry. 90% of government income from exports 90% of government income from exports

comes from oilcomes from oil 50% of all government money comes from 50% of all government money comes from

oiloil Government has used the money to Government has used the money to

improve roads, telephone networks, improve roads, telephone networks, and provide healthcare to the poorand provide healthcare to the poor

Large middle class – but also large amounts Large middle class – but also large amounts of povertyof poverty

75% of population works in the service 75% of population works in the service sectorsector

What’s happening in What’s happening in Brazil?Brazil?

Brazil is the largest country on South America . . . Brazil is the largest country on South America . . . Highest population . . . Healthiest economyHighest population . . . Healthiest economy

Physical FeaturesPhysical Features HUGE coastline . . . 7 major ports increase HUGE coastline . . . 7 major ports increase

tradetrade Mostly low elevation . . . .except for a Mostly low elevation . . . .except for a

mountain range along the eastern coastmountain range along the eastern coast Central area . . . Amazon Rainforest . . . . Central area . . . Amazon Rainforest . . . .

Covers 2/3 of the countryCovers 2/3 of the country

Climate . . . Warm and humidClimate . . . Warm and humid Equator runs through the northern part of Equator runs through the northern part of

the countrythe country Temperatures are mild in the southern part Temperatures are mild in the southern part

of Brazilof Brazil

Where do people choose to live?Where do people choose to live? Most live near the Atlantic coast in urban areas . . . Most live near the Atlantic coast in urban areas . . .

85% in cities like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro85% in cities like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro 80% live within 200 miles of the coast80% live within 200 miles of the coast

Southeastern Brazil also has a large amount of resources . . Southeastern Brazil also has a large amount of resources . . . .

Farmland – coffee, oranges, papayas, soybeansFarmland – coffee, oranges, papayas, soybeans Only the USA exports more farm products than BrazilOnly the USA exports more farm products than Brazil Natural resources – iron oreNatural resources – iron ore

Amazon Rainforest used to be sparsely populated, BUT . . . Amazon Rainforest used to be sparsely populated, BUT . . . Government built the Trans-Amazon Highway to Government built the Trans-Amazon Highway to

connect the coast to Peru.connect the coast to Peru. New capital – Brasilia – was established just south of New capital – Brasilia – was established just south of

the Amazon Basinthe Amazon Basin Tourism to the Amazon Rainforest has also increasedTourism to the Amazon Rainforest has also increased Development in the Amazon is controversial . . . . WHY?Development in the Amazon is controversial . . . . WHY?

Most important trading partner . . . USAMost important trading partner . . . USA

I’ll Trade with You!I’ll Trade with You! Venezuela . . . .Venezuela . . . .

Oil products are the government’s main Oil products are the government’s main source of revenuesource of revenue

Major trading partners are its neighborsMajor trading partners are its neighbors USA, Brazil and ColombiaUSA, Brazil and Colombia USA provides much of Venezuela’s food USA provides much of Venezuela’s food

imports since agriculture isn’t a strong imports since agriculture isn’t a strong industry there.industry there.

Brazil . . . Brazil . . . Key location along the Atlantic Ocean . . . Key location along the Atlantic Ocean . . .

Allows shipment of goods around the worldAllows shipment of goods around the world Top 2 trading partners . . . USA and ArgentinaTop 2 trading partners . . . USA and Argentina

Agricultural Products . . . Agricultural Products . . . Sugarcane and orangesSugarcane and oranges Coffee – world’s largest producerCoffee – world’s largest producer

Natural Resources . . . Natural Resources . . . Iron ore – produces steel to make cars, trucks Iron ore – produces steel to make cars, trucks

and other goods in Brazilian factories near the and other goods in Brazilian factories near the iron ore depositsiron ore deposits

Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues Oil-related pollution – VenezuelaOil-related pollution – Venezuela

Water pollution along both coasts and Lake Water pollution along both coasts and Lake MaracaiboMaracaibo

Severe deforestation, oil spills and air pollutionSevere deforestation, oil spills and air pollution Oil spills have hurt the fishing industry and closed tourist Oil spills have hurt the fishing industry and closed tourist

resortsresorts Contaminated oil pits (collect waste from oil wells) Contaminated oil pits (collect waste from oil wells)

threaten to seep into the water supplythreaten to seep into the water supply Air pollution results from the burning of fossil fuels – Air pollution results from the burning of fossil fuels –

health risks?health risks?

Oil is main source of incomeOil is main source of income, so people are , so people are motivated to keep drilling, producing, and burning motivated to keep drilling, producing, and burning oil…and polluting.oil…and polluting.

55thth largest oil produce in the world - 15% of US oil is from largest oil produce in the world - 15% of US oil is from VenezuelaVenezuela

Venezuelan oil companies are government controlledVenezuelan oil companies are government controlled

Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues

Destruction of rainforests in Destruction of rainforests in Brazil…Brazil…