Atlantic South America Holt People, Places, and Changes 4/15/2017 CHAPTER 11 Atlantic South America Section 1: Physical Geography Section 2: Brazil Section 3: Argentina Section 4: Uruguay and Paraguay CHAPTER 11

Objectives: Section 1 Physical Geography What landforms and rivers are found in Atlantic South America? What are the region’s climates, vegetation, and wildlife like? What are some of the region’s important resources?

Atlantic South America’s Landforms Section 1 Physical Geography Atlantic South America’s Landforms Plains and plateaus—Amazon River basin, Brazilian Highlands, Brazilian plateau, Gran Chaco, Pampas Mountains—the Andes; Mount Aconcagua rises 22,834 feet

Atlantic South America’s Rivers Section 1 Physical Geography Atlantic South America’s Rivers River systems—the Amazon is the world’s largest river system; the Parana River system drains the central region and forms borders with Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina

Climate, Vegetation, and Wildlife of Atlantic South America Section 1 Physical Geography Climate, Vegetation, and Wildlife of Atlantic South America Rain forest—humid tropical; daily rainfall; the world’s greatest variety of plant and animal life; wildlife includes piranhas, jaguars, anacondas, sloths Plains and plateaus—climates vary from tropical rain forests to drier grasslands and humid subtropical and humid tropical; wildlife includes armadillos, pumas, red wolves, 60 snake species

Important Resources Section 1 Physical Geography The Amazon rain forest—food, wood, rubber, medicine Gold, silver, copper, iron, oil Hydroelectric power from rivers Agriculture; soil exhaustion is a problem in the region

Objectives: Section 2 Brazil What is the history of Brazil? What are important characteristics of Brazil’s people and culture? What are Brazil’s four major regions like today?

Brazil’s History Section 2 Brazil Brazil’s 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.

Brazil’s History (continued) Section 2 Brazil Brazil’s History (continued) Brazil gained independence from Portugal in 1822; series of dictatorships and elected governments followed.

Characteristics of Brazil’s People and Culture Section 2 Brazil Characteristics of Brazil’s People and Culture 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.

Brazil’s Four Major Regions Section 2 Brazil Brazil’s Four Major Regions The Amazon—isolated Indian villages; major city is Manaus; development is threatening rain forest and Indian populations The Northeast—many old colonial cities; Brazil’s poorest region; illiteracy high; poor health care; huge favelas

Brazil’s Four Major Regions (continued) Section 2 Brazil Brazil’s Four Major Regions (continued) The Southeast—major coffee producer; rich in natural resources; most populous region; Rio de Janeiro and São Paolo The Interior—savannas and dry woodlands; Brasília founded here to bring development

Objectives: Section 3 Argentina What is the history of Argentina? What are important characteristics of Argentina’s people and culture? What is Argentina like today?

Argentina’s History Section 3 Argentina 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

Argentina’s People and Culture Section 3 Argentina Argentina’s People and Culture 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.

Argentina Today Section 3 Argentina Has had democratic government since 1983 Has rich natural resources and a well-educated population Major city—Buenos Aires—is the second largest city in South America. Member of Mercosur Has a large agriculture export industry

Objectives: Section 4 Uruguay and Paraguay What are the people and economy of Uruguay like today? What are the people and economy of Paraguay like today?

Uruguay Section 4 Uruguay 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.

Uruguay (continued) Section 4 Uruguay and Paraguay Literacy rate is high. A Mercosur partner; agriculture is an important economic element Beach resorts support tourism.

Paraguay Section 4 Uruguay 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.

Paraguay (continued) Section 4 Uruguay and Paraguay Much of the economy is traditional; agriculture is key element. Promising future possible; able to sell hydroelectric power to Brazil and Argentina