South America South America by size Located in

South America

South America by size • Located in Northern, Southern and Western hemisphere. • 4 th largest continent by size (Asia, Africa, N. A. ) • 5 th most populous continent about 380 million. (Asia, Africa, Europe, N. A. ) • 12 independent countries • 3 major territories: the Falkland Islands (UK), Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) and French Guiana (France). • It is estimated that around 40% of the world’s plant and animal species are found in South America. This is despite it covering less than 12% of the earth’s total land surface.

Geographical Facts • Angel Falls in Venezuela is the highest waterfall in the world. • The Atacama Desert in Chile is considered the driest place in the world. Some parts have never received rain. • The Amazon River: 2 nd longest river in world, #1 in volume of water for any river in the world. In fact, it has more water than the next seven largest rivers combined. • The Andes Mountains: longest mountain range in the world. • The Amazon Forest: largest natural rainforest in the world. At 2. 7 million square miles, it covers 40% of South America. • The Aconcagua in Argentina is the highest mountain in South America. At 22, 837 ft, it is actually considered the second-highest mountain in the world – after Mount Everest in Asia.

Countries at a glance

1) Suriname • First explored by the Spaniards in the 16 th century and then settled by the English in the mid-17 th century. • Suriname became a Dutch (Netherlands) colony in 1667. • With the abolition of African slavery in 1863, workers were brought in from India and Java. • The Netherlands granted the colony independence in 1975. • Suriname is the smallest independent country on the continent. (Size #92) • Mostly a tropical rainforest landscape • Great diversity of flora and fauna (many flowers but is most famous for water lilies and orchids)

Suriname continued • 586, 000 (#172) • Main Ethnic group- Hindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"37%), Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15% • Language- Many spoken *Dutch is official language, English also widely spoken • Gov’t- Federal Republic *President serves 5 year terms with no term limits • GDP- #160 • The bauxite and alumina industries traditionally set the pace for Suriname's economy, accounting for about 15% of GDP and 70% of exports. Fishing, Farming, and Mining also bring in money.

Guyana • Originally a Dutch (Netherlands) colony in the 17 th century • By 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. • The abolition of slavery led to settlement of urban areas by former slaves and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. • Substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively • Landscape: Mostly highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south *Almost 80% of country is forest! • Population- 736, 000 (#167) • Main Ethnic groups- East Indian 43. 5%, African 30. 2%, mixed 16. 7%, • Language- Official language is English *Only country in SA whose official language is English • Government- Parliamentary Republic *President and Prime Minister. President serves 5 year term, no term limits and picks the prime minister • GDP- #170 • Agriculture is main economic activity • Sugar, gold and bauxite are important.

Venezuela • Simón Bolívar, a native of Caracas led an army across the Andes into Venezuela, declaring "War to the death and no quarter to Spaniards. " In August 1812, he entered Caracas and assumed the title of Liberator ("El Libertador"). • Under Bolívar's leadership, Gran Colombia (Greater Colombia) was formed from Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela, with Bolívar as its president and military autocrat. The end of the Venezuelan war of independence came with Bolívar's victory at Carabobo in June 1821. • One of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830. • Landscapes/Water Sources- Andes mountains; Hot basin of Lake Maracaibo; great plains (llanos) and forests; largely unexplored Guiana Highlands, accounting for about half the country's total area. Orinoco River, Angel Falls (waterfall) in Guiana Highlands • Population- 31 million (#43) • Official language- Spanish • Religion- Roman Catholic- 96% • Government- Federal Republic *President 6 year term (no term limits) • GDP: (#38) • Venezuela has some of the world's largest reserves of natural gas and oil and is one of the main suppliers of oil to the United States.

Colombia • Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830. • A civil war known as the War of a Thousand Days (1899– 1902) resulted in more than 100, 000 deaths, and the national feeling of demoralization and humiliation was intensified by the loss of Panama in 1903. U. S. helped support this revolt! • A five-decade-long conflict between government forces and antigovernment insurgent groups, mainly the (FARC) heavily funded by the drug trade, escalated during the 1990 s. • 26 th biggest country in the world based on size • Landscape- flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains (3 chains) , eastern lowland plains (Llanos) • Population: 47 million people (#30) • Main ethnic group- Mestizo and White 84%

Colombia continued • Main language- Spanish • Main religion- Roman Catholic (90%) • Gov’t- Federal Republic • President serves one four year term, can’t be re-elected! • GDP #32 • Most important crop- Coffee (World’s 3 rd largest coffee producer) • Mining- Colombia leads the world in exporting emeralds. • Huge problem for gov’t: Drugs (Cocaine and Heroin)

Ecuador • Gained independence from Spain (1822) • Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. • A border war with Peru in 1995 was resolved in 1999. • In late 2008, voters approved a new constitution, Ecuador's 20 th since gaining independence. • Size of country #74 • Landscape- Coast, Highlands, lowlands, plains, jungle • Population- 16 million (#68 in world) • Ethnic group- Mestizo (71%) *Language- Spanish (93%) • Religion- Roman Catholic (74%) *Gov’t- Federal Republic • President serves 4 year term with ability to be re-elected once. • GDP #66 *World’s leading exporter of bananas • Petroleum is also very important.

Peru • Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by Spanish conquistadors in 1533. • Gained independence from Spain 1821 • Peru boasts one of the best performing economies in Latin America. • Landscape- western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva) • Population- 31 million (#44) *Ethnic group- Amerindian & Mestizo • Language- Spanish Religion- Roman Catholic Gov’t- Federal Republic • President 5 year term (Eligible for non-consecutive terms) • GDP-#48 • Mining (Copper, Lead, Gold, Silver), Fishing, Farming are very important.

Bolivia • Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon Bolivar, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825. • 28 th biggest country (size) • Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin • One of two landlocked countries in South America • Population- 11 million Official Language: Spanish and Quechua • Religion- Roman Catholic Gov’t- Federal Republic • President has 5 year term with ability to be re-elected • GDP: #95 Mining is top industry • La. Paz is the highest capital city in the world as far as height above sea level. • Only about 30% of roads are paved in Bolivia.

Brazil • Hosted 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. • Hosted 2014 World Cup in Soccer • Carnival is held every year in Rio de Janeiro. • Futbol is favorite sport of Brazilians. • #1 producer of coffee in the world. • Much more coming on Brazil in its own powerpoint!

Paraguay • In 1811 Paraguay revolted against Spanish rule and became a republic. • Paraguay was governed by three dictators during the first 60 years of independence. • In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865 -70) - Paraguay vs Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay - Paraguay lost two-thirds of its adult males and much of its territory • Landscape-slightly smaller than California; Paraguay is a landlocked country; two major regions divide the country-East of the Paraguay River is fertile land, rolling hills, low mountains; to the west of the Paraguay River is low plains • Population-6, 862, 812 #105 in the world • Main Ethnic Group-Mestizo (95%) • Official Language-Spanish and Guarani Religion- Roman Catholic (89%) • Government-Presidential Republic –President serves a 5 year term • Economy-Market Economy Paraguay is dependent on agricultural products • Cotton, sugar cane, soybeans, corn, and wheat GDP-28. 08 billion

Uruguay • History-Prior to European settlement Uruguay was inhabited by indigenous people, the Charruas. • The Portuguese were the first to settle in 1680 when the found the town of Colonia del Sacramento; In 1778 Spain took control of the country. • Uruguay revolted against Spain in 1811 only to be conquered by the Portuguese in 1817 • Uruguay gained independence in 1825 with Argentine help. • Landscape- Rolling plains, fertile coastal lowland • Climate-temperate - June coolest month- (avg. temp. 59) January warmest month- (avg. temp. 77) Population-3, 351, 016 million (#135 in the world) • Language-Spanish Religion-Roman Catholic 47% • Ethnic Groups-white 88% mestizo-8% Government-Presidential Republic • Economy-Free Market Economy • Dependent on agriculture-soybeans, rice, wheat, dairy products

Argentina • Spaniards arrived in Argentina in 1516. They called the region "La Plata" (literally "silver") under the mistaken impression that it was rich in silver. • Gained independence from Spain 1816 • Thousands of European immigrants (Italy and Spain largest percentage) came to the country each year looking for a better life. Buenos Aires alone grew from 90, 000 people in 1851 to 1. 3 million by 1910, when the city was nicknamed the "Paris of South America. " • 8 th biggest country in the world (Size), 2 nd biggest in South America • Landscape- Rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border. • Population- 44 million (#33) Ethnic group- White (Mostly Spanish and Italian) 97% • Language- Spanish Religion- Roman Catholic Gov’t- Federal Republic • President serves 4 year term with ability to be re-elected once. • In 2001, Argentina had 5 presidents in 10 days. GDP- #27 • Argentina has one of the most highly developed economies and benefits from rich natural resources. • The Latin dance and music called the Tango began in Buenos Aires. • Quechua, which is still spoken in northwest Argentina, was the language of the Inca Empire in Peru. Today, it is spoken by 10 million people in South America, which makes it the most widely spoken indigenous language in the Western Hemisphere.

Chile • Prior to the arrival of the Spanish in the 16 th century, the Inca ruled northern Chile while the Mapuche inhabited central and southern Chile. • Declared independence in 1810 from Spain • In the War of the Pacific (1879 -83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern regions. • 38 th biggest country (Longest north to south country in the world) • Landscape- low coastal mountains, fertile central valley, rugged Andes in east, Atacama desert in northern part • Longest north to south country in the world • Population- 18 million (#64) Language- Spanish Religion- Roman Catholic • Ethnic groups- White and non-indigenous 88. 9%, Mapuche 9. 1%, • Gov’t- Federal Republic President single 4 year term GDP #44 • The Chilean economy is strongly oriented toward commerce and industry, although minerals (copper and iron ore), provide most of the country's foreign exchange earnings. • Chile leads the world in copper production • In modern times, Chile has been struck by 28 earthquakes with a force greater than 6. 9 on the Richter scale. In 1960, a powerful earthquake measuring 9. 5 (biggest ever)hit southern Chile with the epicenter at Valdivia. • Chile’s Easter Island is known for its 867 Moais. These sculptures of volcanic rock, believed to represent deceased chiefs or gods, stand as tall as 20 feet.