South America:

Social Science

Álvaro Hernando
Daniel Fernández
Xabier Olamendi
Iñigo Monreal
Iñigo fdz de Alegría
Social Science 1 C
Index:
Page 1: Geography

Page 2: Climate

Page 3: History

Page 4: Culture

Page 5: Tribes

Page 6 and 7: Population

Page 8: Fauna

Page 9 and 10: rivers, mountains and lakes

 GEOGRAPHY
The geography of South America contains many diverse regions and
climates. Geographically, South America is generally considered a continent
forming the southern portion of the American landmass, south and east of the
Panama-Colombia border by most authorities, or south and east of the Panama
Canal by some. South and North America are sometimes considered a single
continent or supercontinent, while constituent regions are infrequently
considered subcontinents. Geopolitically and geographically, all of Panama –
including the segment east of the Panama Canal in the isthmus – is generally
considered a part of North America alone and among the countries of Central
America.

South America became attached to North America only recently (geologically

speaking) with the formation of the Isthmus of Panama some 3 million years
ago, which resulted in the Great American Interchange. The Andes, likewise a
comparatively young and seismically restless mountain range, run down the
western edge of the continent; the land to the east of the Andes is largely
tropical rain forest, the vast Amazon River basin. The continent also contains
drier regions such as eastern Patagonia and the extremely arid Atacama desert.

The South American continent also includes various islands, most of which
belong tocountries on the continent. The Caribbean territories are grouped with
North America. The South American nations that border the Caribbean Sea —
including Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana — are
also known as Caribbean South America.

The largest country in South America by far, in both area and population, is
Brazil, followed by Argentina. Regions in South America include the Andean
States, the Guianas, the Southern Cone, and Eastern South America.

With 8,511,965 km ² and 180 million people, Brazil is first and foremost, a huge:
it is the fifth state in the world in both size and number of inhabitants, occupies
47.81% of the area of South America.
 CLIMATE
South America Climate is predominantly wet and hot. However the large size of
the continent makes the climate of South America varied with each region
having its own characteristic weather conditions. The other factors influencing
the climate of South America are the geographical location, ocean currents and
winds.
South America Climate differs from one region to another. The Amazon river
basin has the typical hot wet climate suitable for the growth of rain forests. The
temperatures in the Amazon basin 70 to 90 degrees F. The Andes Mountains,
on the other hand, remain cold throughout the year. The temperatures of the
mountains are always very low. The desert regions of Chile is the driest part of
South America. The westerly winds carrying moisture shed their moisture on the
western parts of the Andes, thus the eastern portions of the mountains receive
very little rainfall. The cold Peru Current is responsible for the dry coastal parts
of Peru as well as northern Chile. The cold current is unable to hold much
muiseture. Thehighest temperatures of South America have been recorded in
Gran Chaco in Argentina, with temperatures going up to 110 degrees F. The
wettest place is Quibdo in Columbia. It receives an annual rainfall of 350
inches(890 centimeters). The four parts of South America which experience
heavy rainfall are the Amazon River Basin, coastal parts of French Guiana,
Guyana and Suriname, the southwestern parts of

Chile Columbia and Ecuator coasts.A unique feature of South America Climate
is the Nilo. Every two to seven years the cold dry Peru Current weakens and
warm waters from the south rush along the coast in a southward direction. The
El Nion affects the Climate of South America and causes heavy rainfall in the
dry parts of South America.
SOUTH AMERICA´S HISTORY
South America is a continent wich history is divided into two parts. Before the
Columbian people arrived there and after they arrive there.
-Pre Columbian era:
Agriculture and domestication of animals: It is known that they have the
agriculture as the main important economic activity. In 6500 before Christ exist,
they started cultivating some vegetables as potatoes, chilies , beans…They
started having llamas and alpacas in 3500 before Christ exist and they used as
transportation and for the consummation of meat. On the coast of Equator
which are proved with some ceramic objects. But there also were some other
seddentarian tribes in Colombia, Peru and Bolivia.In 2000before Christ exist,
some villages where settled on the Andes. They started fishing more and more
and finally fishing become the most important source of food. At the same time
the irrigation also began developing and their crops were corn, peanuts… The
most important civilization was the Inca. Their capital was Kuzco and they
dominate the Andes zone from 1438 to 1533.
-Columbian era: In 1492 after the Spanish Catolic kings giving the money and
the sheeps for the trip to discover America to the Italian Cristobal Colon he
arrived to south America with the three sheeps Pinta, Niña and Santa Maria to
the island called Bohamai which nowadays it is known as San Salvador. Before
this Spain started colonization the areas of America and then they started
carrying gemstones to Spain and some vegetables for then cultivate them. With
the commerce of the products of south America Spain become one of the most
important country of and earned a lot of money obligate to work the native
population of south America. So this is the hisrory of south America which is
divided into two parts.
SOUTH AMERICA´S CULTURE
South America is a continent which has a very long and interesting culture and
a lot of traditions that nowadays the inhabitants of the continent continue using
on their normal days. The culture of this continent is divided into two parts, the
inca culture and the iberic culture.
-Inca culture:
This one is the culture of the native people that lived in South America before
the Europeans went there. It´s capital was Kuzco which was situated in 3.326
metters of altitude. Their own language was the Quechua and in some places of
South America as in a province of Argentina they still continue speaking this
language. Their civilization´s main god was the sun. They thought that their
kings or emperor was a descendant of the sun. The monarquy was always of
the members of the same family and they were trated as gods.
-Iberic culture:
When the Spanish colonizated the continent they impose they own religions
(catholic), language(Spanish) and their culture. Although they tried to impose
the Spanish and destroy the Quechua nowadays there are a lot of cities which
are bilingual as Asuncion, Cuzco, Corrientes and Misiones but before the
colonization there were almost all the cities Inca and spoke the language
Quechua. Some years after the Columbians destroy the native culture of South
America. This continent has a lot of cities which are base in Europe( most of
them located in the United States of America but this country is on North
America). This continent has a great culture because it has the culture of the
Columbian people and in some places still predominates the native culture and
this makes this continent different from the rest of the continents. So this is the
culture of South America
South America´s Tribes
Incas
Originally estimated that appeared in the late twelfth century, when a small tribe
settled in what is the valley of Cuzco, the capital founded and later became a
large and powerful empire that keeps its traditions, myths, legends such as
other peoples on this continent.

The estate was founded by Inca Manco Capac the legendary late thirteenth
century, succeeded him as skilled warriors Pachacutec Tupac Yupanqui and his
successor in 50 years who just built the largest and most extensive empire of
America.
They were so well organized that easily overpowered all the people that were in
its path, being conveyed their Quechua language as official language of the
Inca empire. Their economic activities were: Agriculture, trade, metals, and
hunting.

Maya:
When the Mayans flourished was an empire covering the whole of
Mesoamerica. They lived in the jungles of Peten, Guatemala, part of Yucatan,
western Honduras and El Salvador. The Maya flourished between the years
300-900 AD, are known as the Classic Period. But suddenly at the top,
collapsed and disappeared. 200 years later resurfaced in Chichen Itza but
weakened, in what is known as the Postclassic Period. The priestess was the
dominant caste, were successful in the sciences and the arts, skilled in the art
of weaving and cotton-based fiber from agave. With the plumage of many birds
that existed in its territory superb conducting tissues The gold was very
advanced and well-known copper metallurgy. Its architecture is the most perfect
of the new world, and decorated in reliefs, paintings and drafts. The pottery was
shaped like animal, or human, and it was engraved or painted. The remaining
escritura supera the American writings. The sudden disappearance of their
tribes controversial classic period has raised speculation in recent centuries.
Among the many Mesoamerican cities they founded, two were very important
and there are ruins: Tikal in the jungles of Petén (Guatemala) and Chichen Itza
in Yucatan (Mexico).

Aztecs:
The Aztec was a people who, through military alliances with other groups and
populations expanded rapidly and dominated the central and southern area of
modern Mexico between XIV and XVI centuries, if it is true that at first after his
arrival, had to deal with other peoples already settled in the region. After the
death of Moctezuma II, in 1520, revealed the weakness of this great empire, as
a result of this rapid expansion: they could not control that vast territory, internal
divisions and tensions between provinces and independence ambitions of some
people, provided to Spanish led by Hernan Cortes, the conquest of this great
empire, culminating in 1521.The main economic activities of this civilization was
agriculture.
 POPULATION
South America has more than 300 million inhabitants. Though the subcontinent
represents little more than 12 % of the terrestrial surface, it has less than 6 % of
the world population. Nevertheless, as a whole, the population has been
increasing in a considerable way, especially in the tropical countries, and a high
index of growth has been registered principally in the urban population. From
1930 the immigration to South America has diminished to the minimum.
Nevertheless, the internal migration has been very big, which has brought as
consequence the concentration of important human groups in the periphery of
the cities, whereas the regions of the interior were remaining scantily populated.
Though, as a whole, the density of the population is of 17 hab/km2, the majority
of the population centers in wheel.
South America is placed along the whole western hemisphere, understanding
the American lands from Davién's isthmus up to the Cape Horn.
South America consists of these countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile,
Colombia, Paraguay and Venezuela.
The descendants from the indigenous villages, as the Quechuan and the
Aymara, or the Urarina of the Amazonía are the majority of the population in
Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. European population is also an important element
in the majority of other former Spanish colonies.

The demographics of Venezuela and Colombia include approximately 25 %

white and European descendants. Compared to other South American
countries, the people of European descent ploughs Argentina dwells of to
majority in, Uruguay and form to large component of the " mixed race "
populations of Chile and Brazil. The demography of Venezuela and Colombia
there are included approximately 25 % and European white descendants. In
comparison with other countries.
• MOST POPULATED PLACES

• South america has got a lot of populated places. I´m going to speak
about how many people live in it´s place.
• BUENOS AIRES: Buenos aires city has got 8.603.000 people.
• SÃO PAULO: São paulocity has got 6.361.000 people. It is on Brazil
• RÍO DE JANEIRO: Río de janeiro city has got 4.592.000 people.
• LIMA: Lima city has got 2.699.000 people. SANTIAGO: Santiago city has
got 2.697.000 people.
• BOGOTÁ: Bogotá city has got 2.276.000 people.
• CARACAS: Caracas city has got 2.332.00o people.
• BELO HORIZONTE: Belo horizonte city has got 1.336.000 people.
• MONTEVIDEO: Montevideo city has got 1.319.000 people.
• RECIFE: Refice city has got 1.154.000 people.
• SALVADOR: Salvador city has got 1.093.000 people.
• MEDELLÍN: Medellín city has got 970.000 people.
• PORTO ALEGRE: Porto alegre city has got 961.000 people.
• FORTALEZA: Fortaleza city has got 928.000 people.
• GUAYAQUIL: Guayaquil city has got 814.000 people.
• CALÍ: Calí city has got 801.000 people.
• ROSARIO: Rosario city has got 790.000 people.
• NOVA IGUAÇU: Nova iguaçu city has got 778.000 people.
• MORACAIBO: Moracaibo city has got 740.000 people.
• CÓRDOBA: Córdoba city has got 691.000 people.
• BELEM: Belem city has got 683.000 people.
• CURITIBA: Curitiba city has got 664.000 people.
• BARRANQUILLA: Barranquilla city has got 626.000 people.
• LA PAZ: La paz city has got 591.000 people.
 FAUNA
Animals typical of the subcontinent are: the vicuna, the alpaca, the jaguar, the
peccary, the ant bear and the coati.
Between the most important reptiles there are the boas and anacondas, the
iguanas, the Caymans and the crocodiles. The fish of sweet water are also
varied and abundant. Some insects and other invertebrates are also exclusive
of the region. In general, the fauna of South America is only, since it is that of
Oceania; very probably more of the fifth four parts of the species that they her
live are original of this zoogeographical region. The archipelago of the islands
Tortoise is the habitat of the big tortoises, reptiles and birds, which rarity turns
them into animals of exception.
· Chile, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, Ecuador and Brazil, they are some of
the countries that worry actively for protecting animals that inclusive are typical
of the native symbols, since it happens with Chile that it has in his shield a
Condor and a Huemul, both species in constant protection to avoid his
extinction. In the most austral country of the world there are great the
reservations that exist, as well as also the national parks, some of them are:
National Park Rapa Nui
To visit a National Park or Natural Reservation in South America, it exceeds
any expectation that could for respect of the idea of visiting zoos, since the
experience is completely different when the animal is in a wide, free area and
without human intervention, be active or passive this one.
South America possesses numerous natural spaces, incredible places where
there can enjoy the lovers of the nature, National Parks, Nature reserves,
protected places, spaces virgins, deserts, jungles as the Amazon, impressive
rivers like the Amazon or the Orinoco, jumps or impressive waterfalls, lakes like
the Titicaca etc and the mountain change of them walk, with tops over 6000
meters.
 MOUNTAINS
RIVERS
LAKES
MOUNTAINS

• There are a lot of montains in south america, because, there is one of

the most important montain ranges, is called ANDES.
• The most important mountines are:
• ACONCAGUA: The Aconcagua mountain is 7.021 meters tall and is
located in the part of Argentina.
• ILLIAMPÚ: The Illiampú mountain is 7.010 meters tall and is located in
the part of Bolivia.
• ILLIMANI: The Illimani mountain is 6.882 meters tall and is located in the
part of Bolivia.
• TUPUNGATO: The Tupungato mountain is 6.800 meters tall and is
located in the part of Argentina.
• MERCEDARIO: The Mercedario mountain is 6.770 meters tall and is
located in the part of Argentina.
• HUASCARÁN: The Huascarán mountain is 6.768 meters tall and is
located in the part of Perú.
• INCAGUASI: The Incaguasi mountain is 6.700 meters tall and is located
between Chile and Perú.
• COROPUNA: The Coropuna mountain is 6.615 meters tall and is located
in the part of Perú.
• SAJAMA: The Sajama mountain is 6.520 meters tall and is located in the
part of Bolivia.
• TORO: The Toro mountain is 6.380 meters tall and is located in the part
of Chile.
• CHINBORAZO: The Chinborazo mountain is 6.267 meters tall and is
located in the part of Ecuador.
• COTOPAXI: The Cotopaxi mountain is 5.897 meters tall and is located in
the part of Ecuador.
• EL MISTI: The El Misti mountain is 5.842 meters tall and is locatedin the
part of Perú.
• CAYAMBE: The Cayambe mountain is 5.790 meters tall and is located in
the part of Ecuador.
• CRISTÓBAL COLÓN: The Cristóbal Colón mountain is 5.775 meters tall
and is located in the part of Colombia.
• HUILA: The Huila mountain is 5.750 meters tall and is located in the part
of Colombia.
• TOLIMA:The Tolima mountain is 5.620 meters tall and is located in the
part of Colombia.
 RIVERS

• Are very abundant the rivers in south america. Here are a part of the
most important rivers of south america:
• AMAZONAS-UCAYALI: The amazonas river is 6.276 km large and is
located between Perú and Brazil.
• PARANÁ: The Paraná river is 3.943 km large and is located between
Brazil and Argentina.
• MADEIRA: The Madeira river is 3.200 km large and is located in the part
of Brazil.
• PURUS: The Purus river is 3.200 km large and is located in the part of
Brazil.
• SÃO FRANCISCO: The São Francisco river is 3.000 km large and is
located in the part of Brazil.
• JUPURÁ: The Jupurá river is 2.800 km large and is located in the part of
Brazil.
• TOCANTINS: The Tocantins river is 2.600 km large and is located in the
part of Brazil.
• PARAGUAY: The Paraguay river is 2.500 km large and is located
between Brazil and Paraguay.
• JURUÁ: The Juruá river is 2.148 km large and is located in the part of
Brazil.
• ORINOCO: The Orinoco river is 2.061 km large and is located in the part
of Venezuela.
• NEGRO: The Negro river is 2.050 km large and is located in the part of
Brazil.
• XINGU: The Xingu river is 2.000 km large and is located in the part of
Brazil.
• PARNAÍBA: The Parnaíba river is 1.715 km large and is located in the
part of Brazil.
• URUGUAY: The Uruguay river is 1.600 km large and is located between
Uruguay and Argentina.
• PUTUMAYO: The Putumayo river is 1.568 km large and is located between
Colombia and Perú.
• LAKES
• In south america are very few lakes, the lakes are: Lagoa dos Patos,
Maracaibo, Titicaca, Lagoa Mirim and Poopó.
• LAGOA DOS PATOS: The Lagoa dos Patos lakes surface is 15.000
square km and is located in the part of Brazil.
• MARACAIBO: The Maracaibo lakes surface is 13.000 square km and is
located in the part of Venezuela.
• TITICACA: The Titicaca lakes surface is 8.800 square km and is located
between Perú and Bolivia.
• LAGOA MIRIM: The Lagoa Mirim lakes surface is 6.200 square km and
is located between Brazil and Uruguay.
• POOPÓ: The Poopó lakes surface is 3.690 square km and is located in
the part of Brazil.
 • Bibliography:
-Geography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_South_America

-Climate: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_South_America

-History: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_South_America

-Culture: Atlas Universal Editorial:Everest

-Tribes:http://www.monografias.com/trabajos35/incas-mayas-
aztecas/incas-mayas-aztecas.shtml

-Population: Actual atlas de geografia Vox and Enciclopedia Geográfica el

hombre y la tierra. Plaza & Janes, S.A., Esplugas de Llobregat
( Barcelona ). 197GISPERT, Carlos et al.: Enciclopedia Basica Visual.
Océano, Barcelona. 1987

-Fauna: Atlas de Historia Antigua Editorial: Circulo de lectores

-Mountains: Enciclopedia Geográfica el hombre y la tierra. Plaza & Janes,

S.A., Esplugas de Llobregat ( Barcelona ). 197GISPERT, Carlos et al.:
Enciclopedia Basica Visual. Océano, Barcelona. 1987

-Rivers: Enciclopedia Geográfica el hombre y la tierra. Plaza & Janes,

S.A., Esplugas de Llobregat ( Barcelona ). 197GISPERT, Carlos et al.:
Enciclopedia Basica Visual. Océano, Barcelona. 1987

Lakes: Enciclopedia Geográfica el hombre y la tierra. Plaza & Janes, S.A.,

Esplugas de Llobregat ( Barcelona ). 197GISPERT, Carlos et al.:
Enciclopedia Basica Visual. Océano, Barcelona. 1987