Caribbean and Atlantic South America

Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana make up the region

Caribbean South America

The Orinoco River is

the main river in the

region

Physical features include the Orinoco River, Guiana Highlands, Andes Mountains, and the Llanos- area of grassy plains between the Andes and the Guiana Highlands

The first people to live in Colombia were the Chibcha

The Chibcha lived in Colombia over 1500 years ago

They were very rich in gold. The Chibcha would cover their rulers in gold dust

The were conquered by the Spanish around the year 1500

The Spanish controlled this area from the year 1500 to the late 1700s

They established the colonial city of Cartagena-was a major naval base and port

In the late 1700s, Independence from Spain was achieved

After independence, the republic of Gran Colombia was created. Gran Colombia was made up of Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela.

In 1830, the republic dissolved, and New Granada, Which included Colombia and Panama was created

Caribbean South America

Bogota is the

national capital of

Colombia.

The city is located in

the Eastern Andes

Most Colombians live in fertile valleys and river basins among the mountain ranges, where the climate is moderate and good for farming.

The main religion is Roman Catholic

The Official Language is Spanish

58% of Colombians are Mestizo. Other ethnic groups include Spanish, African, and Indian descent

Colombia is known for exporting its world famous coffee

Other major export crops include bananas, sugarcane, flowers, and cotton

Recently, oil has become Colombia’s major export

Civil War has been a problem in Colombia over the past 40 years.

One of these groups is an army of guerrillas- members of an irregular military force

Guerrillas have forced farmers off their plantations in order to grow the illegal coca plant- used to make the illegal drug- cocaine

Colombia has passed laws and receives foreign aid from the U.S. in order to make it harder for these groups to operate freely

Venezuela was originally home to many small tribes of Indians but they were later conquered and enslaved by the Spanish

The Spanish originally searched for gold but couldn’t find any so they later resorted to agriculture and grew indigo- a plant used to make blue dye

They first used captured Indians to farm the land and later used enslaved Africans

Simon Bolivar led the fight against Spain for independence. He is known as a hero in many South American countries. (Bolivia is named after him)

Venezuela won its independence from Spain in 1821 but not officially until 1830. Many dictatorships and civil wars followed.

Oil was discovered in Venezuela in the 1900s but some leaders kept all the oil money for themselves

The people of Venezuela are decedents of Indians, Europeans, and Africans. Most are Mestizo

Most Venezuelans are Spanish speaking and Roman Catholic, but the country’s Indians speak 25 different languages and follow ancient regions

Venezuelan culture include dancing and sports. Joropo – is a famous Venezuelan foot stomping dance

Most Venezuelans earn a living by farming and ranching

Llaneros are Venezuelan Cowboys

Most wealthy Venezuelans earn a living in the Oil business

Venezuela is a member of OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Country)

Caracas is Venezuela’s capital and economic/cultural center

After years of suffering under military dictatorship, the people of Venezuela elected its first president in 1959.

In 2002, President Hugo Chavez evenly distributed the country’s oil wealth. (Before this, only a select few had benefited from the countries oil wealth)

The countries of Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana are together known as the Guianas. Dense rainforest covers most of the region

Guyana-means land of water. 1/3 of people in the capital city of Georgetown. About ½ the people are descendents of people who came from India

Suriname-Capital is Paramaribo-home to nearly half the population

French Guiana-territory of France. Have representation in the French Gov. 2/3 of people are of African Descent

Atlantic South America-Brazil

The region

of Atlantic

South

America is

made up of

Brazil, Arge

ntina, Urug

uay, and

Paraguay

Brazil is the largest country in South America. Its population is more than 188 million-larger than all other South American countries combined

The first group of people to inhabit Brazil were the Indians

•In 1500, Portuguese explorers arrived. Soon settlers from Portugal arrived and established a large sugar growing colony. The colonists brought African slaves to work the plantations

Brazil gained independence from Portugal without a fight in the year 1822

Despite once being ruled by dictatorships and elected officials at other times, Brazil has a democracy today.

Nearly 50% all Brazilians are of European descent. 40% of the people are of mixed African and European descent

Brazil’s official language is Portuguese. 75% of Brazilians are Roman Catholic.

Carnival- celebrated before the Christian season of Lent. It mixes African, European, and Brazilian traditions. During Carnival, Brazilians dance the Samba-which is a form of an African dance

Brazil can be broken up into the following regions:

1. The Southeast

2. The Northeast

3. The Interior

4. The Amazon

Atlantic South America: Brazil

Southeast Brazil-

most Brazilians live

in this region. It is

also the richest

region.

However, large

cities have huge

slums called -

favelas

Sao Paulo- South America and Brazil’s largest city Home to 17 million people. Considered a megacity-giant urban area that includes surrounding cities and suburbs

Major port city. Home to 11 million city. Formal capital until 1960

Northeast Brazil-poorest region of Brazil because

it suffers from drought and has a lack of industry.

This region has many colonial cities and beautiful beaches which attracts tourists

Atlantic South America-Brazil

The

Interior

Known as Brazil’s

frontier land.

Brazilia- the

country’s capital is

located in this

region

Atlantic South America!

The Amazon-

covers the

northern part of

Brazil

Horned Frog

Manaus-is a major port and industrial center- population 1 million

Isolated Indian villages are scattered throughout the region

Originally home to Indians until the Spanish arrived in the 1500s looking for gold and silver. The named the region Argentina meaning “land of silver” or “Silvery One”

In the early 1800s, Argentina fought for independence from Spain. Violence and instability followed.

The Pampas

• became an

important

agricultural

region.

Argentine

cowboys, or

Gauchos, herd

cattle and horses

on the

grasslands

Argentine Gauchos of Today

BEEF!

Beef

exports

made the

country rich

although it

was ruled

by many

dictators.

Eva Peron- AKA Evita- was a very popular leader who helped improve the living conditions of the people in Argentina. She died of cancer at the age of 33

Today most Argentines are descended from the Spanish

Most speak Spanish and are Roman Catholic

Buenos Aires is the county’s biggest city and national capital

Most farming is still done in the Pampas region

Argentina joined Mercosur in the 1990s- an organization that promotes trade with southern and eastern countries of South America

The capital of Uruguay is Montevideo-located on the north shore of the Rio de la Plata

Once claimed by Portuguese in the colonial period and later taken over by the Spanish in the 1770s, many people speak Portuguese and Spanish.

Spanish is the official language and Roman Catholic is the main religion.

Paraguay is a landlocked country- means it is completely surrounded by land

Since Paraguay was won its independence in it

was ruled off and on by dictators until 1989. Since then, Paraguay has had a democracy

95% of Paraguayans are Mestizos

Paraguay has two official languages: Spanish and Guarani

Asuncion is the country’s capital

Most people are Roman Catholic

Few rich families share most of the country’s wealth

½ of the country’s worker’s are farmers