1. Environment and Environmental Factors
South America
Environment and Environmental Factors

2. Continent Facts South America is one of the 7 continents
It is the 4th largest continent in size
There are a total of 13 countries within it
Use this map and the next to fill in the countries, major cities and landmarks on your map sheet.

3. South America is a tropical, wet climate with hot temperatures & heavy rain fall
The tropics temperatures reach over 100 degrees
The mountain regions are cooler with temperatures of around 59 degrees
Since it falls below the equator the seasons are the opposite of ours.
Summer is December through February
Winter is June through August
Winters are milder than those in North America
Climate

4. Water Everywhere!!
Iquazu Falls is the largest & one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world
The worlds 2nd longest river the Amazon River is over 4,000 miles long
South America has the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans surrounding it
Lake Titicaca is one of South America's largest lakes, is the world’s highest navigable body of water

5. Geographic Features Amazon Rainforest Andes Mountains
largest rainforest in the world
5.5 million km2
Converts 20% world carbon dioxide into oxygen
Andes Mountains
Cover 5,500 unbroken miles
Highest peaks in the Western Hemisphere
Highest Peak is Mount Aconcagua 22,831 feet

6. Atacama Dessert Tierra del Fuego 1000-km of land
West of the Andes mountains
The driest nonpolar desert in the world
Tierra del Fuego
Dramatic landscape of snowy mountains, glaciers, tundra and wind-sculpted trees.
Main island, Isla Grande, is home to the Argentine resort town of Ushuaia. Sometimes called “the End of the World,”
Ushuaia is a gateway to the region and Antarctica to the south.

7. Wildlife
South America is home to many unique species of plants & animals
Many not found elsewhere on earth
Amazon Rainforest home to largest diversity of plants & animals on earth
Over 3,000 species of Birds
Over 3,000 species of fish
Over 2 million species of insects

8. Environmental Factors
Illegal Mining
Hydroelectric Dams
Gold and copper mining are contentious & widespread across the region
Environmental Issues such as:
destruction of forests and riverbanks
contamination of rivers, fish and people by mercury and cyanide
19% of the indigenous territories subject to legal or illegal mining,
Illegal gold exports earn approximately $2.6 billion annually
Economic incentives remain an enormous barrier for change.
Hydroelectric dams meet energy & water needs of South America
Some dams do more harm than good, such as poor planning & failure to communicate with indigenous groups
Environmental Issues such as:
endanger species of fish & animals
flood forests & farmlands.
Honduras the 4th most dangerous country for environmental activists
12 recorded deaths in 2014.
Environmental Factors

9. Environmental Factors Continued
Palm oil Production
Cattle Ranching
Cheap edible oil in high global demand
Clearing land & forests for palm oil plantations
Environmental Issues such as:
deforestation,
habitat degradation
animal cruelty
Water pollution resulted in a fish die-off in La Pasión river
Brazil is the 2nd largest producer of meat
Brazil has few health & environmental regulations
Environmental Issues such as:
Rapid deforestation of the Amazon
Endangerment of Native Species
Environmental Factors Continued

10. Unscathed Environment

11. Effects of human advancement:

12. Your Turn
Small Groups
Investigate 2 Environmental Issues of South America
Examples include:
Deforestation
Habitat Degradation
Water Pollution
Climate Change
Endangered Species
Create a Poster Highlighting 2 environmental issues
Include:
Causes
Effects
Conservation Efforts
How they connect to other ESPN factors

13. Works Cited
Humanosphere; “4 Environmental Rights Issues to Follow in Latin America,” September 30, 2016, Lisa Nikolau;
Panoramos; “The Effects of Cattle Ranching in South America,” June 15, 2016, Sophia Winston;