Chapter 11 blog notes
- 1. Chapter 11Pacific South America
- 3. Physical FeaturesStretch along Pacific Ocean from the equator to almost the Arctic CircleAll countries have high Andes mountains
- 4. MountainsAndes run through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, & ChileSome rise more than 20,000 feetEarthquakes & volcanoes are constant (two tectonic plates meet in region)Some earthquakes cause glaciers to send ice & mud rushing down mts.Landscapes differ from north to southRugged peaks to rounded peaksIn the north Andes split into two rangesPeru & Bolivia ridges are far apartaltiplano: broad, high plateau lies between the ridges
- 5. Water & IslandsAndean glaciersSource of tributaries of Amazon RiverFew major riversWater has no outlet to the seaForms two large lakesLake Titicaca: highest lake in the worldStrait of MagellanLinks Atlantic & Pacific OceansTierra del FuegoLarge island south of the straitChile & Ecuador control large islands in PacificGalapagos Islands have wildlife not found anywhere else in the world
- 6. Climate & VegetationVary widelyMostly effected by elevation5 climate zones in the Andes1st ZoneHot & humid near sea level; sugarcane & bananasHumid tropical: part of Amazon basin; thick rain forests2nd ZoneCooler air; moist climates w/ mt. forests; coffee; largest cities3rd ZoneCooler zone w/ forests & grasslands; potatoes & wheat are grown4th ZoneAbove the tree line; alpine meadows w/ grasslands & hardy shrubs5th ZoneHighest elevation; very cold; no vegetation; ground almost always covered w/ snow & ice
- 7. DesertsAtacama Desert600 miles longRain falls less than five time a centuryFog & low clouds are commonSome rivers bring snowmelt to dry coastal regionSometimes only appear certain times of the year
- 8. El NinoAn ocean and weather patter that affects the Pacific coastEvery 2-7 yearsCool Pacific water near the coast warmsMay cause extreme ocean & weather events that can have global effectsWarm water cause fish to leaveAffects fishersHeavy rainsflooding
- 9. Natural ResourcesValuable natural resourcesForests: provide lumberCoastal waters: rich in fishValuable oil & mineralsTin, gold, silver, lead, zinc, & copperDo not have much good land for farmingDifficult to produce large crops for export
- 10. History & CultureSection 2
- 11. Early Cultures900 B.C.Peru’s f1st advanced civilizationBuilt stone terraces into mts. to raise cropsIn coastal areas they created irrigation systems to store water & control floodingAgricultureSupported large populations, towns, & cultureTiahuanacoMade huge stone carvings Nazca LinesScratched outlines of animals & other shapes into surface of Peruvian desert
- 12. The Inca EmpireControlled an area that stretched from northern Ecuador to central ChileHome to 12 million peopleEmpire was highly organizedIrrigation projects turned deserts into farmlandStone-paved roads connected empireRope suspension bridges used to cross steep valleysNo wheeled vehicles or horsesRelay teams of runners carried messages (up to 150 miles in one day)Did not carry written messages because they had no written language
- 13. Spanish RuleSpanish captured new Inca ruler on his way to be crowned kingDemanded enough gold & silver to fill a roomKilled king instead of setting him freeFighting broke outBy 1535 the Spanish had conquered the Inca EmpireSpanish rulersWere harsh to South American Indians of Inca EmpireHad to work in gold or silver mines or on plantationsSpanish viceroy (governor) was appointed by king of Spain to ensure Indians followed Spanish laws & customs
- 14. IndependenceEarly 1800sRevolts began against Spanish ruleCreoles (American-born descendants of Europeans) were the main leaders of revolts1825Chile, Ecuador, Peru, & Bolivia became independent
- 15. CultureSpanish & native cultures have left their markMost speak SpanishMany maintain native cultureSpeak native languagesSpanish & Indian heritage also presentBolivia: highest % of South American Indians on any country in South AmericaFollow customs & lifestyles that existed centuries agoSpanish & Indian influence in religionRoman CatholicismSome practice ancient religious customs
- 16. Section 3Pacific South America Today
- 17. Ecuador TodayFaced recent instabilityWidespread poverty (factor that threatens stable gov’t)GovernmentDemocracy, but 9 presidents in 10 years2005 President fired judges of supreme courtPeople were not happy (thought he was trying to gain too much power)Also not happy w/ recent economic reforms to improve housing, medical care, and education had failedPeople & gov’t forced president from power as a result
- 18. Economic Regions3 economic regionsCoastal lowlands: agriculture & industryAndean region: poorer; capital located here; open-air markets & Spanish colonial buildings attract touristsAmazon basin: valuable oil deposits (provides jobs that bring people to region); economy suffers if world oil prices drop; harmful to rain forest
- 19. Bolivia TodayPoor country & political unrest recentlyGovernmentDemocracy now after years of military ruleGov’t divided between two capital cities2000sPeople disagreed with gov’t plans for use of country’s resources & how to fight povertyNational protests forces several presidents to resign2005Indigenous leader was elected (Evo Morales)Worked to improve lives of the poor
- 20. EconomyPoorest country in South AmericaFew roads & little investment money in eastern BoliviaForeign aid has allowed some developmentHas valuable resources like metals & natural gas
- 21. Peru TodayLargest & most populousMaking progress against political violence & povertyLimaCapital of Peru1/3 of people live hereHas industries, universities, & gov’t jobsBig urban areas where people live in povertyFew slum areas though (poor claim land on outskirts of city)Build their own houses often out of poor building materialsSettlements of new self-built houses are called young townsOver time houses are improved & areas develops into new suburb
- 22. Government1980s & 1990sTerrorist group Shining Path carried out deadly attacks because it opposed the gov’t policies70,000 people diedEconomy sufferedGroup leaders were arrested & gov’t began making progress against political violence & povertyHas an elected president & congress
- 23. ResourcesKey factors in economic progressMineral deposits near coastHydroelectric projects provide energyHighland are less developedIndians grow potatoes & corn here
- 24. Chile TodayHas ended long violent periodStable gov’t & growing economyGovernment1970: president w/ communist ideas was electedOverthrown & died in a U.S. backed military coup (a sudden overthrow of a gov’t by a small group of people)Military rulers gained power & crushed political enemiesGov’t was harsh & violent (thousands were imprisoned or killed)1980sPeople rejected military rule after 15 yearsCreated democratic gov’tPeople enjoy many freedomsOne of most stable countries in South America
- 25. Resources & EconomyEconomy is strongest in regionPoverty rates have decreasedSmall businesses & factories are growingMany people are finding work & wages are rising1/3 of people live in central ChileMild climate allow farmers to grow many cropsGrapes & fruitsFarming, fishing, forestry, & mining foundation of economyCopper mining is especially importantInternational trade is also keyFree trade agreement w/ U.S.