The Southern Grassland Countries Chapter 13, Section 3 The Southern Grassland Countries 7.2.8.A Explain the characteristics of places and regions. Anchor: CC8.5.6-8.D: Determine the meaning of words as they are used in text. OBJECTIVE: Students will categorize the physical characteristics of the southern grassland countries. AGENDA: 4.8.15 Finish Section 2 Assessment Start Section 3 TDD

Introduction Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina make up southern South America. Face economic hardships, but are among the most prosperous South American nations. Large percentage of people of European heritage as well as a mestizo population.

Physical Characteristics Southern South America consists of several physical regions with varying characteristics. Great Rivers Andean Region Tropical Lowlands Grasslands Patagonia

Great Rivers

Great Rivers Continued… Rio de la Plata (River of Silver) is an estuary. A broad river mouth formed where a flooded river valley meets the sea. Four rivers in the Plata estuary system form national boundaries: The Uruguay The Pilcomayo The Paraguay The Parana

Great Rivers Continued… The capitals of Argentina and Uruguay are both located on the Rio de la Plata. Argentina – Buenos Aires Uruguay – Montevideo River system provides cheap and efficient way for people in this functional region to ship goods.

Andean Region The highest peaks of the Andes are in western Argentina. They include the four highest mountains in the Western Hemisphere (High as 22,834 ft. above sea level). Andes gradually give way to a gently rolling piedmont region. Foothills

Tropical Lowlands Gran Chaco (“hunting land”) is an interior lowland region of savanna and dense shrub in parts of Paraguay, Argentina and Bolivia. Temps. are mild rarely change. Rainfall is seasonal. Summer rains turn the area into mud. Winter = soil is dry and windblown.

Grasslands Pampas of Argentina and Uruguay are one of South America’s best-known features. Temperate grasslands, stretch for hundreds of miles, were formerly home to hundreds of guachos. Cowboys who herded cattle there.

Grassland Continued… Today, the pampas are Argentina’s breadbasket, producing about 80% of the nation’s grain and about 70% of its meat. Pampas have warm summers, cold winters. Occasional violent winter thunderstorm known as “pamperos.”

Patagonia South of the pampas lies the windswept plateau of Patagonia. Desolate, dry, cold and sometimes foggy plain is well suited for raising sheep. Natural resources include rich deposits of oil and bauxite.

Paraguay Landlocked but the Plata River system provides an outlet to the sea. Almost all Paraguayans live in the highlands of eastern Paraguay rather than the swampy Chaco. ½ of the people live in urban areas, especially the capital city of Asuncion, on the Paraguay River.

Paraguay Continued… Most Paraguayans are mestizos, who speak Guarani, the local Indian language, also Spanish. Economy based on agriculture, mostly cotton, grains and livestock. For 35 years, General Alfredo Stroessner ruled by military force (1954-1989). Political freedoms were restricted Critics of govt. were prosecuted

Paraguay Today 1989, discontented military leaders replaced him. New leader, General Andres Rodriguez, made the government more responsive to people’s needs. Since 1993, Paraguay has held free democratic elections.

Uruguay Uruguay takes its name from an Indian word meaning “river of the painted bird.” Mostly grasslands. Main economic activities are raising livestock, processing meat, and making products such as wool and leather. 75% of land is devoted to livestock grazing and another 10% to raising feed grains. Must import fuel and consumer goods (expensive).

Uruguay Continued… Most Uruguayans are of European descent, mainly Italian and Spanish. Large middle class, with few slums. Politically, Uruguay has an unstable history. In 1973, the military took power, ruling for 12 yrs. Repression Imprisonment **** Free Elections today, if you don’t vote you’re fined 0.0

OBJECTIVE REVIEW Students will explain the recent changes in political conditions in Paraguay and Uruguay.

Argentina Like Uruguay, most of Argentina’s nearly 37 million people have European ancestors (Italian and Spanish). 88% live in cities. 13 million in Buenos Aires alone. Wealthiest country in Latin America.

Urbanization Buenos Aires is a vibrant capital city that looks to Europe for its fashions, art, food and style. Factories produce goods for export, harbor filled with freighters from all over the world. Causes heavy air pollution. Buenos Aires is a magnet.

Political History From the mid 1940s until 1983 Argentina was ruled by a series of military dictators. Best known was Juan Domingo Peron 1946 to 1955 Wanted to develop Argentina’s industry and to distribute wealth more evenly. His wife, Eva, became a hero to Argentina’s poor.

Political History Continued… Other dictators used government power to help the wealthy, ignoring problems of the poor. However, all of them censored newspapers, closed down universities, and imprisoned political opponents. They tried to give the appearance of progress by borrowing money from foreign banks to build dams, roads, and factories.

Political History Conditions under military rule in the 1970s were particularly bad. People were kidnapped by the military and never seen again, period known as “dirty wars.” 1982, Argentina lost a war against GB over control of the Falkland Islands. Shamed, military held open elections. Deals with period of soaring inflation and enormous debt.