Chapter 11Pacific South America

Section 1Physical Geography

Physical FeaturesStretch along Pacific Ocean from the equator

to almost the Arctic CircleAll countries have high Andes mountains

MountainsAndes run through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, & Chile

Some 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 peaks

In the north Andes split into two rangesPeru & Bolivia ridges are far apart

altiplano: broad, high plateau lies between the ridges

Water & IslandsAndean glaciers

Source of tributaries of Amazon RiverFew major riversWater has no outlet to the sea

Forms two large lakes Lake Titicaca: highest lake in the world

Strait of MagellanLinks Atlantic & Pacific Oceans

Tierra del FuegoLarge island south of the strait

Chile & Ecuador control large islands in PacificGalapagos Islands have wildlife not found anywhere else in

the world

Climate & VegetationVary widely

Mostly effected by elevation5 climate zones in the Andes

1st Zone Hot & humid near sea level; sugarcane & bananas Humid tropical: part of Amazon basin; thick rain forests

2nd Zone Cooler air; moist climates w/ mt. forests; coffee; largest cities

3rd Zone Cooler zone w/ forests & grasslands; potatoes & wheat are grown

4th Zone Above the tree line; alpine meadows w/ grasslands & hardy shrubs

5th Zone Highest elevation; very cold; no vegetation; ground almost always

covered w/ snow & ice

DesertsAtacama Desert

600 miles long Rain falls less than five time a century

Fog & low clouds are common Some rivers bring snowmelt to dry coastal region

Sometimes only appear certain times of the year

El NinoAn ocean and weather patter that affects the

Pacific coastEvery 2-7 yearsCool Pacific water near the coast warms

May cause extreme ocean & weather events that can have global effects

Warm water cause fish to leaveAffects fishers

Heavy rainsflooding

Natural ResourcesValuable natural resources

Forests: provide lumberCoastal waters: rich in fishValuable oil & mineralsTin, gold, silver, lead, zinc, & copper

Do not have much good land for farmingDifficult to produce large crops for export

History & CultureSection 2

Early Cultures900 B.C.

Peru’s f1st advanced civilization Built stone terraces into mts. to raise crops In coastal areas they created irrigation systems to store

water & control flooding

AgricultureSupported large populations, towns, & culture

TiahuanacoMade huge stone carvings

Nazca LinesScratched outlines of animals & other shapes into

surface of Peruvian desert

The Inca EmpireControlled an area that stretched from northern

Ecuador to central ChileHome to 12 million peopleEmpire was highly organized

Irrigation projects turned deserts into farmlandStone-paved roads connected empireRope suspension bridges used to cross steep valleysNo wheeled vehicles or horses

Relay teams of runners carried messages (up to 150 miles in one day) Did not carry written messages because they had no

written language

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 free

Fighting broke out By 1535 the Spanish had conquered the Inca Empire

Spanish rulersWere harsh to South American Indians of Inca Empire

Had 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

IndependenceEarly 1800s

Revolts began against Spanish ruleCreoles (American-born descendants of

Europeans) were the main leaders of revolts1825

Chile, Ecuador, Peru, & Bolivia became independent

CultureSpanish & native cultures have left their markMost speak SpanishMany maintain native culture

Speak native languagesSpanish & Indian heritage also present

Bolivia: highest % of South American Indians on any country in South America Follow customs & lifestyles that existed centuries ago

Spanish & Indian influence in religionRoman CatholicismSome practice ancient religious customs

Section 3Pacific South America Today

Ecuador TodayFaced recent instability

Widespread poverty (factor that threatens stable gov’t)

GovernmentDemocracy, but 9 presidents in 10 years2005 President fired judges of supreme court

People 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 failed

People & gov’t forced president from power as a result

Economic Regions3 economic regions

Coastal lowlands: agriculture & industryAndean region: poorer; capital located here;

open-air markets & Spanish colonial buildings attract tourists

Amazon basin: valuable oil deposits (provides jobs that bring people to region); economy suffers if world oil prices drop; harmful to rain forest

Bolivia TodayPoor country & political unrest recentlyGovernment

Democracy now after years of military ruleGov’t divided between two capital cities2000s

People disagreed with gov’t plans for use of country’s resources & how to fight poverty National protests forces several presidents to resign

2005 Indigenous leader was elected (Evo Morales)

Worked to improve lives of the poor

EconomyPoorest country in South AmericaFew roads & little investment money in

eastern BoliviaForeign aid has allowed some developmentHas valuable resources like metals & natural

gas

Peru TodayLargest & most populousMaking progress against political violence &

povertyLima

Capital of Peru1/3 of people live hereHas industries, universities, & gov’t jobsBig urban areas where people live in poverty

Few slum areas though (poor claim land on outskirts of city) Build their own houses often out of poor building

materials Settlements of new self-built houses are called

young townsOver time houses are improved & areas develops

into new suburb

Government1980s & 1990s

Terrorist group Shining Path carried out deadly attacks because it opposed the gov’t policies 70,000 people died Economy suffered

Group leaders were arrested & gov’t began making progress against political violence & poverty

Has an elected president & congress

ResourcesKey factors in economic progressMineral deposits near coastHydroelectric projects provide energyHighland are less developed

Indians grow potatoes & corn here

Chile TodayHas ended long violent periodStable gov’t & growing economyGovernment

1970: president w/ communist ideas was elected Overthrown & 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 enemies

Gov’t was harsh & violent (thousands were imprisoned or killed)1980s

People rejected military rule after 15 years Created democratic gov’t

People enjoy many freedomsOne of most stable countries in South America

Resources & EconomyEconomy is strongest in regionPoverty rates have decreasedSmall businesses & factories are growing

Many people are finding work & wages are rising1/3 of people live in central ChileMild climate allow farmers to grow many crops

Grapes & fruitsFarming, fishing, forestry, & mining foundation of

economyCopper mining is especially important

International trade is also keyFree trade agreement w/ U.S.