World Geography Chapter 9 Vocabulary and Review

Define cerrado. How is the Brazilian government dealing with its interior.

Brazil contains expansive plains in the interior of the country. These are the cerrado, which are savannas with flat terrain and moderate rainfall that make them suitable for farming. Much of this land is undeveloped. However, the government of Brazil is encouraging settlers to move into the interior and develop the land.

Andes Mountains

A chain of mountain ranges that run through the western portion of North, Central, and South America.

Slash-and-burn

A farming technique in which trees are cut down and burned to clear the land.

Make a list of the natural resources found in South America. How has Jamaica's economy changed?

A list of the natural resources found in South America are mineral resources such as gold, silver, iron, copper, bauxite (aluminum ore), tin, lead, and nickel, energy resources such as oil, natural gas, coal, uranium, and hydroelectric power, and agricultural and forest resources such as timber. Many of these minerals are mined and then exported to other parts of the world, where they are made into valuable goods. For example, Jamaica was originally a plantation economy that depended on the sale of bananas and sugar for its livelihood. Then it turned to the mining and processing of bauxite (aluminum ore) in an attempt to make the country less dependent on agriculture and tourism. Today, this resource is mainly an export that is shipped elsewhere for industrial use.

Rain Forest

Are dense forests made up of different species of trees.

Pull Factors

Are factors that attract or draw people toward cities.

Push Factors

Are factors that demand or force people to lave rural areas.

Pampas

Areas of grassland and rich soil in the plains of South America.

How did the Incas survive high in the Andes Mountains? What is the Incan capital?

By the 1200s, in the highlands around the Incan capital of Cuzco and elsewhere, the Inca carved terraces out of the steep sides of the Andes Mountains in order to survive high in the Andes Mountains. They built irrigation channels to bring water to the terraces. Because of their activity, they were able to grow crops for thousands of people on the slopes of previously barren hillsides.

Describe the llanos of Colombia and Venezuela.

Colombia and Venezuela contain vast plains called llanos, which are grassy, treeless areas used for livestock grazing and farming. They are similar to the Great Plains in the United States and the pampas of Argentina.

What are the major disadvantages of tourism in Latin America?

Despite the income and jobs that tourism brings to various places in Latin America, it causes problems as well. As resorts are built in previously unspoiled settings, congestion occurs and pollution increases. The tourism industry often puts a great strain on the local communities where it builds its resorts. Further, there is an obvious gap between rich and less well-off local residents. This has produced resentment and hostility in places such as Jamaica in the Caribbean and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. More important, local governments can run up large public debts by borrowing money to build tourist facilities. Airports and harbors must be constructed. Hotels and resorts must be built. Sewage systems and shopping areas must be expanded. Often the owners of these hotels and airlines do not live in the tourist country. Typically, they send their profits back home. Further, these absentee owners often make decisions that are not in the tourist country's best interest. The owners may be able to influence local elections and business decisions.

What are the major advantages of tourism in Latin America?

Every year millions of tourists visit the resorts of Latin America, spending money and helping to create jobs. New hotels, restaurants, boutiques, and other businesses have sprung up on the islands of the Caribbean and in Mexico to serve the tourist trade. Luxurious cruise ships anchor in the ports of the region. They carry travelers who spend money on souvenirs and trips around the islands. Lavish restaurants serve expensive meals to these tourists. Staffing those ships, hotels, and restaurants are local people who profit from the visitors in their midst. Resorts offer many activities that provide jobs for local residents. For example, local guides conduct tours of the natural wonders and beautiful scenery. Local companies may offer guided rafting trips down rivers. Sailing and snorkeling expeditions into the water of the Caribbean and Pacific reveal exotic marine life. All of these activities bring money into the region and employ local people. In this way, tourism can play a part in reducing the income gap between rich and poor. Jobs in hotels, restaurants, and resorts raise incomes and give the local people a stake in their society.

Amazon River

Flows about 4,000 miles from west to east, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.

Llanos

Grassy, treeless areas used for livestock, grazing, and farming found in Colombia and Venezuela.

Define pampas. Where are the pampas found? What is another name for the "horsemen of the pampas"? What is the main product of the pampas?

In parts of South America, the plains known as pampas are areas of grasslands and rich soil. Pampas are found in northern Argentina and Uruguay. Another name for the "horsemen of the pampas" is the gaucho. The main products of the pampas are cattle and wheat grain.

Infrastructure

Includes things as sewers, transportation, electricity, and housing.

Parana River

Is a river in the highlands of Southern Brazil.

Terraced Farming

Is an ancient technique for crops on hillsides or mountain slopes.

List the three reasons why Latin America has a wide variety of climates and vegetation?

Latin America has a wide variety of climate and vegetation is due to several factors. First, Latin America spans a great distance on each side of the equator. Second, there are big changes in elevation because of the massive mountains in the region. Third, the warm currents of the Atlantic Ocean and the cold currents of the Pacific Ocean affect the climate.

Define pull factors? Name some pull factors.

Pull factors are factors that "pull" people toward cities. They include higher-paying jobs, better school, and better medical care.

Define push factors? Name some push factors.

Push factors are factors that "push" people to leave rural areas. They include poor medical care, poor education, low-paying jobs, and ownership of the land by a few rich people.

Describe the rainforests of the Amazon.

Rain forests are dense forests made up of different species of trees. They form a unique ecosystem which is a community of plants and animals living in balance. The climate in these areas is hot and rainy year round. The largest forest is the Amazon rain forest, which covers more than two million square miles of South America. Much of this rain forest is located in Brazil. Rain forests contain many exotic plants and creatures. Scientists have counted more than 2,500 varieties of trees in the Amazon rain forest. These include the Brazil nut tree, which grows 150 feet high. Animals include the anaconda, among the a largest snakes in the world, the jaguar, and the piranha, a sharp-toothed, meat-eating fish.

Cerrado

Savannas with flat terrain and moderate rainfall that make them suitable for farming.

What are the problems that exist in cities throughout the region? Define infrastructure.

Similar problems afflict cities throughout the region. Slums spread over larger and larger urban areas. Often unemployment and crime increase. In addition to social problems, there are many environmental problems. These include high levels of air pollution from cars and factories. Some cities have shortages of drinkable water as local supplies are used up and underwater supplies are drained. To make matters worse, local governments cannot afford facilities to handle the population increase. This infrastructure includes things as sewers, transportation, electricity, and housing.

Who was Simon Bolivar?

Simon Bolivar was a general who led the South American wars of independence against Spain. In August 1819, Bolivar led approximately 2,500 soldiers on a daring march from Venezuela over the mountains into present-day Colombia. Coming from this direction, over the massive barrier of the Andes Mountains, Bolivar and his troops were able to advance unseen. Bolivar's soldiers surprised the Spanish army and won a great victory. Military leaders such as Bolivar were able to use the geography of the region to help the South American republics win their independence from Spain.

Describe terraced farming.

Terraced farming is an ancient technique for growing crops on hillsides or mountain slopes. It is an especially important technique in the mountainous areas of the region. Farmers and workers cut step-like horizontal fields into hillsides and slopes, which allow steep land to be cultivated for crops. The technique also reduces soil erosion. The Inca practiced terraced farming hundreds of years ago in Peru and the Aztecs of Mexico also used terraced farming.

Describe the Amazon River.

The Amazon River is also in the north and it is the second longest river in the world after the Nile. The Amazon River flows about 4,000 miles from west to east, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. Its branches start in the Andes Mountains of South America, close to the Pacific. Yet it flows eastward across the central lowlands toward the Atlantic. The Amazon River is fed by over 1,000 tributaries, some of which are large rivers in themselves. The Amazon carries more water to the ocean than any other river in the world. In fact, it carries more water to the ocean than the next seven largest rivers of the world combined.

Describe the Bahamas.

The Bahamas are made up of hundreds of islands off the southern tip of Florida and north of Cuba. They extend southeast into the Atlantic Ocean. Nassau is the capital and largest city in the Bahamas.

What is another name for the three major island groups in the Caribbean? Why are they important to American History?

The Caribbean Islands consist of three major groups: the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles, and the Lesser Antilles. These islands together are sometimes called the West Indies and were the first land encountered by Christopher Columbus when he sailed to the Western Hemisphere in 1492. They served as a base of operations for the later conquest of the mainland by the Spanish.

Describe the Greater Antilles.

The Greater Antilles are made up of the larger islands in the Caribbean. These include Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. The island of Hispaniola is divided between the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Where are the Guiana Highlands located? Where are the Brazilian Highlands located?

The Guiana Highlands are located on the northeast section of South America. The Brazilian Highlands are located along the east coast of Brazil.

Describe the Lesser Antilles.

The Lesser Antilles are the smaller islands in the region southeast of Puerto Rico. The Lesser Antilles are divided into the Windward Islands and Leeward Islands. The Windward Islands face winds that blow across them. The Leeward Islands enjoy a more sheltered position from the prevailing northeasterly winds.

Describe the Orinoco River.

The Orinoco River is the northernmost river system and it winds through the northern part of the continent, mainly in Venezuela. It flows more than 1,500 miles, partly along the Colombia-Venezuela border, to the Atlantic. The Orinoco River basin drains the interior lands of both Venezuela and Colombia. Some of the areas drained by the Orinoco are home to the few remaining Native American peoples, such as the Yanomamo.

Describe the Parana River.

The Parana River has its origins in the highlands of southern Brazil. It travels about 3,000 miles south and west through Paraguay and Argentina, where it is fed by several rivers, and then turns eastward. The last stretch of the river, where it turns into an estuary of the Parana and Uruguay rivers between Argentina and Uruguay, is called the Rio de la Plata. An estuary is the wide lower course of a river where its current is met by the tides.

What are the major energy resources found in Mexico and Venezuela? What is the major export of Trinidad?

The major energy resources found in Mexico and Venezuela is oil. The major export of Trinidad is methanol and ammonia.

Why did missionaries and Indians need to build barricades when settling towns and villages?

The missionaries and Indians needed to build barricades when settling towns and villages because they needed protection from the jaguar attacks. In 1637, packs of jaguars roamed the countryside, attacking humans.

What are the most urbanized countries in South America? What percent of the people live in cities and towns in these countries?

The most urbanized countries in South America are Argentina, Uruguay, and Venezuela. In these countries, more than 90% of the people live in cities and towns. In Brazil and Chile, too, most people live in urban settings.

How long is the mountain range that spans the border of the United States down to the southern-most tip of South America? What is this range called in the United States; in Mexico; in South America?

The mountain range that spans the border of the United States down to the southern-most tip of South America is 7,000 miles long. This range is called the Rockies in the United States, the Sierra Madre in Mexico, and the Andes in South America.

Name the six cities that rank among the largest in population in South America? What is the most populous city in Latin America?

The six cities that rank among the largest in population in South America are São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Lima in Peru, Bogotá in Colombia, and Santiago in Chile. The most populous city in all of Latin America is Mexico City.

Define the slash-and-burn technique. Why have the non-landowning poor in the rainforest changed their farming practice?

To clear fields, native peoples used the slash-and-burn technique which means that they cut trees, brush, and grasses and burned the debris to clear the field. The non-landowning poor who are clearing and then settling the land changed the farming practice and sometimes used destructive farming practices. After a few years, they find that the soil is exhausted which means all the nutrients have been drained from the land. Then they move on and clear a new patch to farm. This is one of the reasons for the steady shrinking of the rain forests.

Orinoco River

Winds though the northern part of the continent, mainly in Venezuela.