Social Studies South America Geography Review

Vegetation

plants that cover a particular area

Current

the continuous movement of air or water in the same direction

Rain Shadow

the dry region on the downward side of a mountain range

Transpiration

the process by which plants and trees release water vapor into the air

Adapt

to change something so that it functions better

The Andes are a very high and cold elevation range called tierra helada, or frozen land. The hot and humid Amazon River Basin, which has a low elevation range, is tierra caliente, or hot land.

Compare and contrast climate and elevation in the Andes and the Amazon River Basin.

Tierra templada is warm and has adequate rainfall. Has an elevation range of 2,500 to 6,000 feet. Crops include corn, beans, wheat coffee, and vegetables. Tierra fria is cool and has some rainfall. Has an elevation of 6,000 to 12,000 feet. Crops include wheat, barley, and potatoes.

Compare and contrast these two Altitude Zones: Tierra templada and tierra fria.

"The Peru current brings cold waters to the Pacific coast in the west. It flows along the southern coast of Chile and northward along the coast of Peru."

Compare the ways in which currents and landforms influence climate in Chile.

The plants in the rainforest absorb greenhouse gases from Earth's atmosphere, these gases trap heat energy warming the Earth. Burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil produce greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. Too much carbon dioxide in the air causes the atmosphere to warm because it reflects heat energy back to Earth. Rainforest plants and trees naturally absorb this carbon dioxide from the air. This is how they are cleaning Earth's air.

How do rainforests protect the health of the planet?

It nourishes the rainforest by its annual flooding depositing rich nutrients that support life in the lowland forest soils. These nutrients support the biodiversity of the rainforest.

In what ways does the Amazon river nourish the rainforest?

Tierra Caliente, Tierra Templada, Tierra Fría, and Tierra Helada

What are the list of altitude zone's from lowest elevation to highest?

The Andes Mountains and the Amazon River

What are two extreme physical features on the South American continent?

Hot; adequate rainfall. Elevation range 0 to 2,500 feet. Crops include bananas, peppers, sugarcane, cacao

What is the altitude zone Tierra Caliente like?

Cool; some rainfall. Elevation range 6,000 to 12,000 feet. Crops include wheat, barley, potatoes.

What is the altitude zone Tierra Fría like?

Cold; little rainfall. Elevation range 12,000 to 15,000 feet. No substantial crops.

What is the altitude zone Tierra Helada like?

Warm; adequate rainfall. Elevation range 2,500 to 6,000 feet. Crops include corn, beans, wheat, coffee, vegetables.

What is the altitude zone Tierra Templada like?

Elevation and climate

What two factors help determine where people settle in South America

El Niños are the unpredictable weather events that impact Peru. Its effects are severe flooding and it wipes out habitats. They can also cause damage to crops, canals, bridges, and roads.

What unpredictable weather event impacts Peru and what are its effects?

Greenhouse gas

a gas that absorbs heat energy and warms Earth's atmosphere

Tributary

a stream or small river that drains into a larger river or lake

Subsistence farming

farming that provides enough food to live on