Physical Geography The Big Idea The Andes dominate

Physical Geography The Big Idea The Andes dominate Pacific South America’s physical geography and influence the region’s climate and resources. Main Ideas • The Andes are the main physical feature of Pacific South America. • The region’s climate and vegetation change with elevation. • Key natural resources in the region include lumber, oil, and minerals. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Main Idea 1: The Andes are the main physical feature of Pacific South America. • The countries of Pacific South America stretch along coast from the equator almost to the Arctic Circle. • Chile is so long that it covers about half the coast by itself. • Bolivia is landlocked. • All countries share one major physical feature: the high Andes mountains. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Physical Features Mountains – The Andes Water and Islands • Run through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile • Andean glaciers are source of tributaries for the Amazon River. • Rise more than 20, 000 feet (6, 800 m) above sea level • Few other major rivers • At junction of two tectonic plates • Earthquakes a threat • Landscape differs from rugged ice caps in the south to rounded in the north. • The range splits into two ridges. • An altiplano, or broad, high plateau, lies between the ridges. Holt Mc. Dougal, • Rivers on altiplano drain into two lakes. • At the southern tip, the Strait of Magellan links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. • A strait is a narrow body of water connecting two larger bodies of water. • Chile and Ecuador both control large islands in the Pacific.

Main Idea 2: The region’s climate and vegetation change with elevation. • Five different climates in Andes due to elevation – The lowest hot and humid level supports sugarcane and banana crops and rainforests. – The second moist level supports coffee farms and mountain forests. – The third cooler zone of forests and grasslands supports potatoes and wheat. – The fourth level supports grasslands and meadows and is too cool for trees. – The fifth level is too cold for vegetation and ground is always covered with ice or snow. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Deserts • Atacama Desert in Northern Chile in coastal region – About 600 miles (965 km) long – Rain falls less than five times a century. – Fog and low clouds are common and form when a cold current in the Pacific Ocean chills the warmer air above the ocean’s surface. – Cloud cover keeps the air near the ground from being warmed by the sun. • Coastal Chile is one of the cloudiest—and driest—places on Earth. • In Peru, rivers cut through dry coastal regions. Holt Mc. Dougal,

El Niño • El Niño – Every two to seven years – An ocean and weather pattern that affects the Pacific coast – Cool Pacific water near the coast warms • Causes extreme weather events with global effects – Fish leave warm waters affecting food supply. – Heavy rains and flooding along the coast Holt Mc. Dougal,

Main Idea 3: Key natural resources in the region include lumber, oil, and minerals. • Forests in Chile, Peru, and Ecuador provide lumber. • Coastal waters are rich in fish. • Ecuador: large oil and gas reserves • Bolivia: tin, gold, silver, lead, and zinc • Chile: exports more copper than any other country in the world • Not much good farmland Holt Mc. Dougal,

History and Culture The Big Idea Native cultures and Spanish colonization have shaped the history and culture of Pacific South America. Main Ideas • The countries of Pacific South America share a history influenced by the Inca civilization and Spanish colonization. • The culture of Pacific South America includes American Indian and Spanish influences. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Main Idea 1: The countries of Pacific South America share a history influenced by the Inca civilization and Spanish colonization. • Peru’s first advanced civilization reached its height in about 900 BC in the Andes. • They farmed on mountainsides and in coastal areas. – Built stone terraces into the steep mountainside – Irrigation systems to store water • Agriculture supported large populations. • In the Bolivian highlands, the Tiahuanaco made huge stone carvings. • In a coastal civilization, people drew the Nazca lines so large they can only be recognized from the sky. Holt Mc. Dougal,

The Inca Empire • Early 1500 s: The Inca controlled an area that stretched from northern Ecuador to central Chile. • As many as 12 million people in the empire • Highly organized • Irrigation projects turned deserts into rich farmland. Holt Mc. Dougal, • Thousands of miles of stone-paved roads • Rope suspension bridges • No wheeled vehicles or horses • Relay teams of runners carried messages from one end of the empire to the other. • No written language

Spanish Rule • The Inca Empire did not last long. • The Spanish explorer Francisco Pizarro captured the Inca king. • Despite payment of gold and silver ransom, Pizarro ordered the Inca king killed. • By 1535 Spain had conquered the Inca Empire. • Spanish rulers often dealt harshly with the Indians, forcing them to work in mines or on plantations. • A Spanish viceroy, or governor, was appointed by the king of Spain to make sure the Indians followed the Spanish laws and customs that had replaced native traditions. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Independence • Early 1800 s: People in Pacific South America revolted against Spanish rule. • Creoles, American-born descendants of Europeans, led the revolts. • 1825: Independence for Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia Holt Mc. Dougal,

Main Idea 3: The culture of Pacific South America includes American Indian and Spanish influences. • Most people speak Spanish, but millions speak native languages. • Bolivia’s population has the highest percentage of South American Indians of any country on the continent. • Bolivian Indians follow customs and lifestyles that have existed for many centuries. • They dress in traditional styles—full skirts and derby hats for the women and colorful, striped ponchos for the men. • Most people are Roman Catholic, though some practice ancient religious customs. • Every June people participate in sun worship ceremony where they wear traditional costumes and wooden masks and play traditional instruments, such as flute. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Pacific South America Today The Big Idea The countries of Pacific South America are working to overcome challenges of poverty and political instability. Main Ideas • Ecuador struggles with poverty and political instability. • Bolivia’s government is trying to gain stability and improve the economy. • Peru has made progress against poverty and violence. • Chile has a stable government and a strong economy. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Main Idea 1: Ecuador struggles with poverty and political instability. Government Economic Regions • A democracy with instability because of widespread poverty • The country has had nine different presidents in ten years. • 2005: People forced the president from power after • The coastal lowlands has agriculture and industry and Guayaquil, Ecuador’s major port and commercial city. • The Andean region of Ecuador is poorer, though open-air markets and Spanish colonial buildings attract tourists to Quito, the capital, and other towns. • The Amazon basin has oil, Ecuador’s main export. – he fired the country’s supreme court to gain power – economic reforms had failed to improve housing, medical care, or education in the country Holt Mc. Dougal,

Main Idea 2: Bolivia’s government is trying to gain stability and improve the economy. Government Economy • After years of military rule, Bolivia is a democracy. • Poverty has been a cause of political unrest in recent years. • Two capital cities: • Bolivia is the poorest country in South America. • In the eastern plains, there are few roads and little money for investment. • However, foreign aid helped development. – Sucre where the supreme court meets – La Paz, an industrial center located at 12, 000 feet above sea level, where congress meets • Early 2000 s: People forced presidents to resign after reforms failed to improve housing, medical care, and education. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Main Idea 3: Peru has made progress against poverty and violence. • Peru’s capital, Lima, is the largest city in the region. – Home to nearly one-third of all Peruvians – High-rise apartments and private houses, some from the colonial era – Industry, universities, and government jobs • Most poor people don't live in slums, but build their own houses on city outskirts. • These “young towns” develop into large, permanent suburbs. • Many young town people are migrants from the highlands. • They came to escape violence in their home villages. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Peru Today Government Resources • 1980 s and 1990 s: A terrorist group called the Shining Path opposed government policies. • About 70, 000 people died in violence. • Peru’s economy suffered. • Government arrested leaders and made progress against political violence and poverty. • The country has an elected president and congress. • Peru’s resources are key factors in its economic progress. • Some mineral deposits are near the coast • Hydroelectric projects on rivers provide energy. • In Peru’s less developed highlands, Indians grow potatoes and corn. Holt Mc. Dougal,

Main Idea 4: Chile has a stable government and a strong economy. Government Economy • 1970: Chileans elected a president who had some ideas influenced by communism. • Economy is strongest in the region. • About one-third of Chileans live in central Chile. • This region includes the capital, Santiago. • Mild climate allows many crops. • Farming, fishing, forestry, and mining form the basis of Chile’s economy. • Copper accounts for more than one-third of Chile’s exports. • Chile trades with the U. S. , Argentina, Brazil, and China. • A few years later he was overthrown and died in a U. S. backed military coup, or a sudden overthrow of a government by a small group of people. • In the years after the coup, military rulers imprisoned or killed thousands of people to end dissent. • Late 1980 s: The rulers weakened, and Chile created a stable, democratic government. Holt Mc. Dougal,