1. South America
Latin America

2. History: Spanish- Speaking South America
It’s believed most natives came from North America and eventually settled in the South
Incas settled the west coast from s
Spanish explorers conquered the area in 1531
Europeans controlled area until 1800s when citizens began fighting for independence.

3. History: Portugal’s Brazil
Portuguese gained control of the East Coast of South America due to the Treaty of Tordesillas
Sugar plantations built around the coast but eventually started spreading west destroying the rainforest
Independence gained for Brazilians in 1822

4. Politics: South America
Several nations have had authoritarian leaders
Brazil and Chile were run by military dictatorships
Colombia and Peru have been run at times by drug cartels
Venezuela was ruled for years by communist leader Hugo Chavez
Most are democratic today

5. Economies: South America
Mercosur
Economic common market focusing on free trade to make nations more stable
Farming
Crops like grain, cotton, sugar
Fishing
Shrimp and fish
Natural Resources
Iron, oil, gold, silver, copper

6. Population and Urbanization
Most people live in cities in South America but are still extremely poor
Favelas- slums that exist in Brazil
Unemployment and crime increase
High levels of air pollution from cars and factories
Governments cannot afford to handle population increases
Infrastructure: Includes things such as sewers, transportation, electricity, and housing

7. Culture: South America Divided
Ethnicity
Native American ancestry in Northern South America
Mestizos- mix of European and Native American descent
Mulattoes- mix of European and African descent
Language
Spanish in most nations
French in French Guiana
English in Guyana
Dutch in Suriname
Portuguese in Brazil

8. Culture: South America United
Catholicism unites the people across the continent