Chapter 4 Flashcards
What major geographic feature dominates the western part of South America?
Andes
What major geographic feature dominates the northern part of South America?
Amazon
What percentage of South America’s area and population does Brazil represent?
Half
Where is the population of South America primarily concentrated?
Along the continent’s margins
What is the population density like in the interior of South America?
Sparsely populated
What significant social issue is present in South America, characterized by disparities?
Poverty
What is the urbanization rate in South America?
Nearly 80%
What is a megacity?
metropolitan population reaches over 10 million
What is a major reason for high rural-to-urban migration in South America?
lack of job opportunities and poor infrastructure
What is a barrio?
settlement of makeshift dwellings with limited amenities
What economic condition affects South America due to its natural riches?
Dependency on economic conditions in world markets
What is the Incan Culture Hearth?
Altiplano (the high tableland of central South America)
The Altiplano is a high plateau in the central Andes, significant to the Incan civilization.
How many subjects did the Incans dominate?
Many subjects
The Incans had a vast empire that included various cultures and ethnic groups.
In what decade were the Incans easily taken over by the Spanish?
1530s
The Spanish conquest marked the decline of the Incan Empire.
What describes the society in South America today?
Plural society
South America is home to many distinct cultures with limited mixing.
What term is used to refer to the region that came to be known as Latin America?
Latin America
The term ‘Latin America’ emerged after the 15th century.
Were there any ‘Latins’ among the inhabitants of Latin America before the 15th century?
No
The concept of ‘Latins’ was introduced by European colonizers.
What was the population of Native Americans in the region when Europeans arrived in 1492?
5-50 million
Estimates vary widely regarding the pre-Columbian population.
What is the most common language in Latin America?
Spanish
Spanish remains the dominant language across most Latin American countries.
Where is French spoken in Latin America?
Parts of the Caribbean
French is primarily spoken in Haiti and some other Caribbean islands.
Where is English spoken in Latin America?
Belize and the Caribbean
English is an official language in Belize and is spoken in various Caribbean nations.
What language is primarily spoken in Brazil?
Portuguese
Brazil is the largest Portuguese-speaking country in the world.
What did the Treaty of Tordesillas decide in 1494?
It divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between Spain and Portugal.
This treaty was significant in establishing colonial boundaries in the Americas.
What changes came with the arrival of Columbus in 1492?
Initiated European exploration and colonization of the Americas.
Columbus’s voyages led to the widespread awareness of the American continents in Europe.
What were the European settlement patterns characterized by?
Development of ports and agricultural districts.
These patterns facilitated trade and resource extraction.
What is Machu Picchu?
An ancient Incan city located in the Andes Mountains of Peru.
It is renowned for its archaeological significance and stunning architecture.
Which animals and crops did Europeans introduce to the Americas?
- Horses
- Cattle
- Sheep
- Donkeys
- Wheat
- Sugarcane
- Coffee
- Bananas
These introductions significantly altered the agricultural landscape of the Americas.
What percentage of indigenous peoples were eradicated by European warfare and disease?
90%.
This drastic decline had profound effects on indigenous cultures and societies.
What is the demographic composition of the majority in the region now?
- Indians
- Europeans
- Blacks
- Mestizo (Spanish/Indian)
- Mulatto (African/European)
This mixed heritage reflects the complex history of colonization and intermarriage.
What is liberation theology?
A movement in the 1950s emphasizing social justice and the rights of the poor.
It emerged primarily in Latin America, advocating for the empowerment of indigenous and marginalized communities.
What does dependencia theory explain?
Persistent poverty in terms of unequal relations with more affluent countries.
This theory highlights the economic and political dependencies that hinder development.
What is the main difference between commercial and subsistence agriculture?
Commercial agriculture is primarily for sale in markets, while subsistence agriculture is primarily for local consumption.
What workforce was historically used in early sugar plantations?
A workforce of African slaves.
Which country has South America’s largest black population?
Brazil.
Which country has surpassed the U.S. as the leading trade partner of Brazil, Chile, and Peru?
China.
What type of laborers were utilized in early European plantation development in South America?
Blacks and South Asians
These groups were brought in as laborers to work on plantations established by European colonizers.
What geographic feature contributed to isolation and clustered populations in South America?
Mountainous fingers
This term refers to the mountain ranges that create barriers, affecting settlement patterns.
What type of agriculture is commonly practiced due to the geographical conditions in South America?
Subsistence agriculture
This form of agriculture focuses on growing enough food to feed oneself and one’s family.
What is the significance of Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela?
Oil-rich region
Lake Maracaibo is known for its extensive oil reserves, playing a crucial role in Venezuela’s economy.
What has led to Venezuela’s current economic situation despite its oil wealth?
Poor government operations
Mismanagement and corruption have contributed to the country’s economic decline.
What is Colombia known for in terms of its agricultural products?
Coffee-rich
Colombia is one of the largest coffee producers in the world, benefiting from its favorable climate and geography.
What natural resources does Colombia possess?
Land, soil, oil, and coastline
These resources contribute to Colombia’s potential for economic development.
What term describes Colombia’s current state of governance and conflict?
Insurgent state
This term refers to a country facing ongoing conflict and challenges to its authority, often from armed groups.
What are the two main geographical regions of the Andean West?
Mestizo/European coasts and Amerindian interior
What type of agriculture is prevalent in the Andean West?
Subsistence agriculture
What characterizes the coastal strip of the Andean West?
Irrigated oasis agriculture
What social issues exist in the coastal strip of the Andean West?
Poverty and cultural inequality aimed at landless Indians
Which region is considered the poorest in South America?
The Andean West
What historical factors contribute to the poverty in the Andean West?
Legacy of land-owning elite and landless peons
What is a significant geographical feature of Bolivia?
The Andes Mountains
What is significant about the Atacama Desert?
It is one of the driest places on Earth
How much territory has Bolivia lost? What is the significance of this question?
Significant in understanding Bolivia’s historical territorial losses
What is the urbanization percentage of the Southern Cone?
85-92%
The Southern Cone is characterized by a high degree of urbanization.
What was the largest earthquake ever recorded and where did it occur?
9.5 quake in 1960 off coast of southern Chile
This earthquake is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
What are the primary agricultural activities in the Pampa region?
- Wheat farms
- Cattle ranching
The Pampa region contains Buenos Aires and half of Argentina’s population.
What type of climate does the European-commercial middle region of Chile have?
Mediterranean Climate
This region features good soil and Andean rivers.
What is the Triple Frontier?
Lawless border zone of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay
This area is known for smuggling, money-laundering, and terrorism.
What is the largest Latin American country in area and population?
Brazil
What is the population of Brazil?
200 million
Where do many Brazilians live?
Urban favelas
What is the principal spoken language in Brazil?
Portuguese
What is the principal religion in Brazil?
Christianity
What ethnic groups make up Brazil’s diversity?
- Europeans
- Africans
- Amerindians
Which two cities in Brazil are among the world’s largest due to urban growth?
São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro
What are fazendas in Brazil?
Coffee plantations
What natural resources are abundant in Brazil?
- Minerals
- Oil
- Gas
What is Brazil a world leader in producing?
Ethanol
Why was Brasilia created?
As a forward capital
What does the growth-pole concept refer to?
Economic development centered around specific areas
What is the Amazon River Basin known for?
World’s largest remaining tropical rainforest
What does the Amazon River provide for Atlantic coastal life?
Nutrients
What is the size comparison of the Amazon River drainage basin?
Nearly the size of Australia
What is the length rank of the Amazon River in the world?
2nd longest river
Where does the Amazon River rise?
In the Andes Mountains
What percentage of the world’s river water does the Amazon carry?
20%
How many tributaries feed the Amazon River?
1000 tributaries
Are there any dams or bridges across the main trunk of the Amazon River?
No
Is the Amazon River navigable to Iquitos?
Yes
How does the rainforest help mitigate global warming?
By acting as a carbon sink
What regions of the world have rainforest both north and south of the Equator?
Amazon rainforest
