A Lesson in Geography

Homework Activity: Have the students tell their parents or guardians about the six different regions of Argentina with all the details they learned in class. Then, have them ask their parents which part of Argentina they would most like to visit, and why. Have them write down their answer s to share in class the next day, in order to see which region from the lesson was most appealing.

Warm-up: Where is the US? Where is Argentina?

Argentina vs. the United States Argentina United States Capital: Buenos Aires Official language: Spanish Independence day: July 9 th Population: 40,482,000 Currency: Pesos President: Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner Capital: Washington DC Official language: None Independence day: July 4 th Population: 306,081,000 Currency: Dollars President: Barack Obama

Let’s make 6 groups!

Time to present!

Las pampas, las sierras, and Buenos Aires

Info sheet for the students: Buenos Aires – the capital of Argentina, and the largest city! The Obelisk on Avenida 9 de Julio (July 9th Avenue) – the widest avenue in the world! Gauchos – they are Argentinean cowboys! La Casa Rosada – the Pink House – it is like the White House of Argentina

The Northeast

Info sheet for the students: Iguazu Waterfalls – the longest waterfall in the world! Iguazu is located in a national park, in the heart of the tropical rainforest! Remains of the Jesuit communities in the county of Posadas. A girl of the Mapuche ethnicity, one of the many indigenous groups of Argentina.

The Northwest

Info sheet for the students: Jujuy is the only province in Argentina that borders with both Chile and Bolivia! One of the pictures shows the “mountain of seven colors,” famous for its natural beauty. Llamas in the salt flats of Salta! Everything that you see on the ground is not sand – it’s salt! (But don’t tell your classmates this when you present.. Have them try to guess what it is ;) ) A typical road in the province of Salta.

Mendoza

Info sheet for the students: Mendoza is a small city located in the Andes Mountains of Argentina. A little red truck in one of the vineyards of Mendoza that takes the grapes and turns them into wine! A vineyard in Mendoza, a small city famous for its sunshine and great wine! The mountains of Mendoza – great for hiking in the summertime and skiing in the wintertime!

The Southwest

Info sheet for the students: This region is part of Patagonia, the southernmost part of South America. The mountain town of Bariloche, famous for its skiing slopes and delicious chocolate! The Andes Mountains of Bariloche, with one of its most famous hotels! The lakes and mountains of Patagonia, one of the most beautiful regions of Argentina and the world.

The Southeast

Info sheet for the students: This region is part of Patagonia, the southernmost part of South America. Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world. This is why Argentinean refer to it as “el fin del mundo,” which literally translates to “the end of the world.” Beautiful glaciers surround this region year-round. Penguins really like the region of Ushuaia! Sea lions live in this region as well.