The Cultures of South America

1. The Cultures of South America

2. The People of South America • Most South Americans today are descended from Native Americans, Africans, or Europeans. • Those that are a mixture of European and American Indian are called mestizos. • Those that are a mixture of African and European are called mulattos. • South America was mostly colonized by Spain, so most people speak Spanish and are Catholic.

3. Regions within South America • There are four cultural regions in South America. • Each of these regions shares certain characteristics based on terrain, climate, and resources. • The first region includes Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. • Each of these countries border the Caribbean sea, so we call them the Caribbean countries. • Because they are on the coast line, many of these countries have a culture similar to the Caribbean islands.

4. Other Regions in South America • Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador are known as Andean countries. • These areas have many Native Americans that live high in the Andes mountains. • In Bolivia there are more indigenous people than mestizos. • Some of these native peoples speak their own unique language.

5. More Regions • The third cultural region, known as the Atlantic countries consists of Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay. • Most people in Chile are mestizos, while in Argentina and Uruguay they have a more diverse population. • One culture that exists in Argentina’s Pampas, or plains, are known as guachos or cowhands that herd cattle. • About 85% of Argentina’s people are of European ancestry. • A large number of immigrants from Spain and Italy came to Argentina in the 1800’s. • The arrival of these immigrants greatly influenced Argentina’s society and culture. • The official language of Argentina is Spanish, although the language includes many Italian words.

6. The Largest Region • Brazil is South America’s largest country and fourth region. • Brazil’s culture is largely Portuguese. • The Portuguese were the first and largest European group to colonize Brazil. • Brazilians are of European, African, Native American, Asian, or mixed ancestry. • Almost all of them speak a Brazilian form of Portuguese, which includes many words from Native American and African languages.

7. Rural and Urban Life • Outside of Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay, most rural people practice subsistence farming. • Subsistence farmers only grow enough food to feed their families. • Very large farms in other areas grow coffee, sugar, and cocoa to export to other countries. • Export farming uses so much land for cash crops that the people must import food to eat. • To import means to buy from another country.

8. Urban Issues • Just like in other regions of Latin America, the population of South America is rapidly growing. • This rapid growth makes it hard to find jobs in rural areas. • Every day, thousands of rural South Americans move to the city to look for work.

9. Cultural Contributions • The Incas provided advances in architecture and established economic networks • The Europeans Explorers brought settlers, government and economics, and religion to South America. • The African Slaves brought economic contributions because they provided more for the work force, and they also brought the arts to South America.