Geography of the Andes and Pampas PDF

# Geographic Context: - The three regions that the countries of South America can be separated into are: the northern tropics, the Andean countries and the southern grassland countries. - The Guianas include: Suriname, French Guiana and Guyana. - The three Guianas have similar primary economic acti...

# Geographic Context: - The three regions that the countries of South America can be separated into are: the northern tropics, the Andean countries and the southern grassland countries. - The Guianas include: Suriname, French Guiana and Guyana. - The three Guianas have similar primary economic activities due to their shared natural resources. These activities include: fishing, mining and farming. - Mullattoes - people of mixed African and other ancestry. - The Andes: World's longest mountain range. - The Pampas: Vast fertile plains that are bustling with ranches and commercial farms. # Land Use and Resources: - In the Andes, there is surprisingly little good farmland. Tropical rainforests cover many areas of the east Andes. The Andes themselves are too mountainous for large scale farming. - So, for those that do farm, this must take place on high plateaus and in narrow mountain valleys. - In vertical climate zones, many crops can be grown: wheat, coffee, corn, potatoes and many types of fruits and vegetables. - Commercial (large-scale) farming in the Andes is limited to the western foothills and the coastal areas of Ecuador and Peru. - At higher altitudes, a poorer population labors in subsistence farming. - In the Pampas, the grasslands are ideal for cattle ranching, which attracted early settlers to the area. - The natural resources of the Andes have attracted settlers for centuries. The Spanish mined gold, silver and copper in the highlands of Peru and Bolivia. # What Are the Ways Humans Interacted with This Environment? - Commercial farming, Subsistence farming, mining and cattle ranching. ## Today’s Use of Land: - Hydroelectric dams are built to produce electricity by tapping the power of falling water. - **Cons:** {Can cause environmental damage to delicate ecosystems.} For example, in Chile, the building of dams on the Bio-Bio river is flooding river valleys. # A Rich Culture: - Much of the region's culture is based on the legacy of 2 groups: the Europeans and Native Americans. Throughout the region, there is a strong connection between landscape and culture. - On the pampas, the gaucho became the symbol of independent life. In the Andes, a haunting music developed that combined Spanish stringed instruments with the ancient music of Native Americans. - Spanish culture and language dominate in these regions. The Catholic religion, as well as Spanish-style architecture, art and dance can be found today. - A large population of mestizos and indigenous people influence culture in the Andes. - Although native populations dropped drastically over the centuries, today the textiles, music and many languages of indigenous cultures have survived. - In Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Paraguay, people continue to follow traditional ways of life, such as raising llamas and alpacas for their wool.