South America
Major Regions of South America
South America has a variety of physical landscapes. Geographers use these physical characteristics to organize the continent into four regions: the Northern Tropics, the Andean countries, the Southern Grasslands, and Brazil. In this interactivity, you will explore each of these South American regions. Click the player to begin.
View a printable version of this interactivity or and ADA compliant transcript.
Cultural Influences of South America
The cultural influences of South America are similar to the rest of Latin America. Indigenous civilizations and European colonization have helped shape the cultural identity of this continent. In this interactivity, you will explore several aspects of South American culture. Click the player to begin.
View a printable version of this interactivity or and ADA compliant transcript.
Squatter Settlements
Squatter settlement in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Most of the South American population lives in urban areas along the coast. South American cities experienced rapid population growth during the twentieth century. Millions of people flocked to cities like Lima, Santiago, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo. Many of these people were poor and came to the cities looking for jobs. The poor could not afford housing in the cities. Thus, they built illegal settlements around the cities. This type of housing is called a squatter settlement. People occupying squatter settlements have no legal rights to the land.
Squatter settlements can be built from a variety of materials. Scrap is often used. However, settlements may also be built with more permanent materials like concrete. Typically, these communities lack basic infrastructure and service, like running water and electricity. Squatter settlements are also called slums or shanty towns. In Brazil, squatter settlements are known as favelas.
Economic Characteristics of South America
Copper mine in Chile
South American economies vary based on the availability of natural resources. Some nations have diverse economies. Others specialize in specific goods. For example, the Andes Mountains contain valuable minerals like gold, silver, copper, and zinc. Because of this, the Andean countries have large industries based on mining. Gold and precious metals make up about 20% of all exports from Peru. In Chile, copper and other minerals account for more than half of all exports.
Several South American nations have access to oil reserves. Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador all have large petroleum industries. In Venezuela, the economy is almost entirely supported by oil and petroleum exports. Venezuela and Ecuador are members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Cattle ranch in Argentina
Fertile soil and freshwater exist throughout the continent. Because of this, agriculture is a major part of most South American economies. For instance, Brazil is the world’s largest producer of coffee and sugar. In Argentina, commercial agriculture is a major part of the economy. Many indigenous people living in the Andean countries practice subsistence farming.
The economies of South America are becoming more developed. Manufacturing has increased and the tertiary sector continues to grow. This is particularly true of Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. Cities like Santiago, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro are international hubs for trade and tourism. Despite this economic development, many South Americans suffer from poverty and income inequality.
South America Review
Now that you have learned about the major regions, cultural influences, and economic characteristics of South America, review your knowledge in this interactivity. Click the player to get started.
