Atlantic South America

1
Atlantic South America
CHAPTER 11

• Section 1 Physical Geography
• Section 2 Brazil
• Section 3 Argentina
• Section 4 Uruguay and Paraguay

2
Objectives
Section 1Physical Geography

• What landforms and rivers are found in Atlantic
  South America?
• What are the regions climates, vegetation, and
  wildlife like?
• What are some of the regions important resources?

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Atlantic South Americas Landforms
Section 1Physical Geography

• Plains and plateausAmazon River basin, Brazilian
  Highlands, Brazilian plateau, Gran Chaco, Pampas
• Mountainsthe Andes Mount Aconcagua rises 22,834
  feet

4
Atlantic South Americas Rivers
Section 1Physical Geography

• River systemsthe Amazon is the worlds largest
  river system the Parana River system drains the
  central region and forms borders with Paraguay,
  Brazil, and Argentina

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Climate, Vegetation, and Wildlife of Atlantic
South America
Section 1Physical Geography

• Rain foresthumid tropical daily rainfall the
  worlds greatest variety of plant and animal
  life wildlife includes piranhas, jaguars,
  anacondas, sloths
• Plains and plateausclimates vary from tropical
  rain forests to drier grasslands and humid
  subtropical and humid tropical wildlife includes
  armadillos, pumas, red wolves, 60 snake species

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Important Resources
Section 1Physical Geography

• The Amazon rain forestfood, wood, rubber,
  medicine
• Gold, silver, copper, iron, oil
• Hydroelectric power from rivers
• Agriculture soil exhaustion is a problem in the
  region

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Objectives
Section 2 Brazil

• What is the history of Brazil?
• What are important characteristics of Brazils
  people and culture?
• What are Brazils four major regions like today?

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Brazils History
Section 2 Brazil

• Brazils first inhabitants were hunters,
  fishermen and small-scale farmers.
• Portuguese settlers arrived in 1500 and created
  sugar plantations Indians and imported Africans
  used for slave labor sugar plantations replaced
  forests.
• Settlers also developed ranching, mining, and
  coffee industries.

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Brazils History (continued)
Section 2 Brazil

• Brazil gained independence from Portugal in 1822
  series of dictatorships and elected governments
  followed.

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Characteristics of Brazils People and Culture
Section 2Brazil

• Portuguese is the official language other
  languages also spoken.
• 70 percent Catholic Macumba also practiced
• Mixture of African, Brazilian and European
  cultural traditions Carnival celebrated
• Population is of mixed descent varying immigrant
  influences are seen in diet, language, and
  tradition.

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Brazils Four Major Regions
Section 2 Brazil

• The Amazonisolated Indian villages major city
  is Manaus development is threatening rain forest
  and Indian populations
• The Northeastmany old colonial cities Brazils
  poorest region illiteracy high poor health
  care huge favelas

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Brazils Four Major Regions (continued)
Section 2 Brazil

• The Southeastmajor coffee producer rich in
  natural resources most populous region Rio de
  Janeiro and São Paolo
• The Interiorsavannas and dry woodlands Brasília
  founded here to bring development

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Objectives
Section 3Argentina

• What is the history of Argentina?
• What are important characteristics of Argentinas
  people and culture?
• What is Argentina like today?

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Argentinas History
Section 3Argentina

• Early 1500s first Spanish settlement established
  under encomienda system
• Gauchos herded cattle and horses on the Pampas
  huge ranches established
• Argentina gains independence in 1816 instability
  and violence persisted, killing off most native
  Indians
• Wars subsided by the late 1870s

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Argentinas People and Culture
Section 3Argentina

• Majority of the population is of European
  descent 3 percent native Indian descendants
• Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion.
• Spanish is the official language.
• Beef is an important element in diet and
  agriculture.

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Argentina Today
Section 3Argentina

• Has had democratic government since 1983
• Has rich natural resources and a well-educated
  population
• Major cityBuenos Airesis the second largest
  city in South America.
• Member of Mercosur
• Has a large agriculture export industry

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Objectives
Section 4Uruguay and Paraguay

• What are the people and economy of Uruguay like
  today?
• What are the people and economy of Paraguay like
  today?

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Uruguay
Section 4Uruguay and Paraguay

• Strong democratic tradition despite occasional
  military rule
• 88 percent European descent 12 percent mestizo,
  African, or Indian
• Roman Catholicism is dominant.
• 90 percent of the population lives in urban areas.

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Uruguay (continued)
Section 4Uruguay and Paraguay

• Literacy rate is high.
• A Mercosur partner agriculture is an important
  economic element
• Beach resorts support tourism.

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Paraguay
Section 4Uruguay and Paraguay

• Elected government since 1989
• 95 percent mestizo population
• Official language is Spanish most people speak
  Guarani as well.
• Most wealth is controlled by a few families and
  companies.

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Paraguay (continued)
Section 4Uruguay and Paraguay

• Much of the economy is traditional agriculture
  is key element.
• Promising future possible able to sell
  hydroelectric power to Brazil and Argentina