Regions Of the World

Regions Of the World Alexandra Sampedro Christian Moreno Julius Lostal PSC1515 Honors

Southern South America • Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia

Physical Coordinates • Argentina: 34 00 S, 64 00 W • Chile:30 00 S, 71 00 W • Peru: 10 00 S, 76 00 W • Uruguay: 33 00 S, 56 00 W • Paraguay:23 00 S, 58 00 W • Bolivia: 17 00 S, 65 00 W

Days and nights • In late March and late September both hemispheres are the same distance from the Sun and the Sun is said to be at an equinox. • In the Southern Hemisphere, the vernal equinox occurs in September and the autumnal equinox occurs in March. • At the equinoxes, the Sun appears to be directly over Earth’s equator. • The lengths of day and night are then equal over almost all Earth, except at the poles. • The Sun is said to be at a solstice when the difference between the distances from each pole to the Sun is at its greatest. • The solstices usually occur on December 21 or 22 and June 21 or 22. In December, the Southern Hemisphere has its summer solstice. • In June, the Southern Hemisphere has its winter solstice. • The Southern Hemisphere experiences its shortest day of sunlight and its longest night.

Time Zones • Argentina: ART • Chile: CLT • Peru: PET • Uruguay: UYT • Paraguay: PYT • Bolivia: BOT • All countries can be found east of the International Date Line and West of the Prime Meridian

Countries From Tropics • South of the Tropic of Cancer • South of the Tropic of Capricorn • South of the Equator • North of the South Pole • South of the North Pole

Rocks and Minerals • Argentina: lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, uranium. • Chile: copper, iron ore, and molybdenum. • Peru: copper, silver, gold, iron ore. • Uruguay: minor minerals. • Paraguay: iron ore, manganese, limestone • Bolivia: zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold.

Plate Tectonics • Cocos Plate • An oceanic tectonic plate beneath the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of Central America. • The northeastern and eastern sides are convergent boundaries subducting under the North American Plate, the Caribbean Plate, and the South American Plate. • The Cocos Plate is bounded by divergent boundaries to the south with the Nazca Plate and to the west with the Pacific Plate. • To the northeast of the subducting edge lies the continuous arc of volcanoes stretching from Costa Rica to Guatemala and a belt of earthquakes that extends farther north, into Mexico.

Plate Tectonics • South American Plate • A tectonic plate covering the continent of South America and extending eastward to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. • The easterly side is a divergent boundary with the African Plate forming the southern part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. • The southerly side is a complex boundary with the Antarctic Plate and the Scotia Plate. • The westerly side is a convergent boundary with the subducting Nazca Plate. • The northerly side is a boundary with the Caribbean Plate. • Responsible for lifting the massive Andes Mountains and causing volcanoes.

Plate Tectonics • Nazca Plate • The Nazca Plate, is an oceanic tectonic plate in the eastern Pacific Ocean basin off the west coast of South America. • The eastern margin is a convergent boundary subduction zone under the South American Plate and the Andes Mountains, forming the Peru-Chile trench. The southern side is a divergent boundary with the Antarctic Plate. • The western side is a divergent boundary with the Pacific Plate, forming the East Pacific Rise. • The northern side is a divergent boundary with the Cocos Plate, the Galapagos Rise. • Responsible for causing volcanoes.

Argentina’s Geographical Features • Mountain Ranges • Andes mountain range along the western border • Lakes • Argentino and Viedma are in Santa Cruz • Nahuel Huapi is in Río Negro • Fagnano is in Tierra del Fuego • Colhué Huapi and Musters are in Chubut • Mar Chiquita, Córdoba, is the largest salt water lake in the country • Rivers • Pilcomayo, Paraguay, Bermejo, Colorado, Río Negro, Salado, Uruguay and the largest river, the Paraná

Argentina’s Geographical Features cont. • Glaciers • The Perito Moreno Glacier (50°29′S, 73°03′W) is a glacier located in the Los Glaciares National Park in the south west of Santa Cruz province, Argentina. It is one of the most important tourist attractions in the Argentine Patagonia. • Volcanoes • Volcanoes of Argentina are located in the Andes mountains on the border with Chile • Cerro Tuzgle • Aracar • Volcan Antofalla • Antofagasta de la Sierra • Cerro El Condor • Peinado • Robledo • Socompa • Tipas • Volcan Domuyo • Tromen

Argentina’s Geographical Features cont. • Earthquakes • First documented earthquake occurred in 1692. • Since then over 60 earthquakes have occurred.

Chile’s Geographical Features • Mountain Ranges • The Andes Mountains are located on the eastern border. • Lakes • The altiplano lakes of the Valley of the Moon are popular destinations. • In Putre, also in the North, there is the Chungará Lake. • Rivers • There are around 80 rivers in Chile. • Major rivers are the Loa River (basin area of 33,570 km²) and the Baker River (26,726 km2)

Chile’s Geographical Features cont. • Volcanoes • The Parinacota and the Pomerape volcanoes are in northern Putre • Glaciers • There are glaciers in the east and south east. • Earthquakes • Because of the Andes Mountains, Chile is home to some of the most powerful earthquakes in the world.

Peru’s Geographical Features • MountainRanges • The Andes mountains run parallel to the Pacific Ocean. • Lakes • Shares control of Lake Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia. • Rivers • Representing roughly 60% of Peru's national territory, the Amazon Basin includes the Amazon, Marañón, Huallaga and Ucayali Rivers.

Peru’s Geographical Features cont. • Volcanoes • This is a list of active and inactive volcanoes in Peru.

Peru’s Geographical Features cont. • Glaciers • They are present near the Andes Mountains • Earthquakes • Earthquakes are common, and in the past years Peru has experienced some of the world’s most devastating earthquakes.

Uruguay’s Geographical Features • Mountain Ranges • None • Lakes • Lakes and lagoons are numerous • Paso de los Toros has created a reservoir--the Embalse del Río Negro--that is the largest artificial lake in South America. • Rivers • The longest and most important of the rivers draining westward is the Río Negro, which crosses the entire country from northeast to west before emptying into the Río Uruguay

Uruguay’s Geographical Features cont. • Volcanoes • None • Glaciers • None • Earthquakes • None

Paraguay’s Geographical Features • Mountain Ranges • Major mountain is Cerro San Rafael, with an altitude of 850 m • Lakes • Small, isolated peaks are numerous, and it is in the vicinity of Asuncion that the only lakes of any size are found. • Rivers • The Río Paraguay has a total course of 2,600 kilometers, 2,300 of which are navigable and 1,200. • About 4,700 kilometers long, the Río Paraná is the second major river in the country.

Paraguay’s Geographical Features cont. • Volcanoes • None • Glaciers • None • Earthquakes • Rare

Bolivia’s Geographical Features • Mountain Ranges • The Cordillera Occidental is a chain of dormant volcanoes and solfataras, volcanic vents emitting sulfurous gases. Bolivia's highest peak, the snowcapped Sajama (6,542 meters), is located here. • Lakes • The most prominent feature of the Altiplano is the large lake at its northern end, Lake Titicaca. At 3,810m above sea level, it is the highest commercially navigable body of water in the world. • Rivers • Rivers, draining to the east, have cut long narrow valleys; these valleys and the basins between the ranges are favorable areas for crops and settlement.

Bolivia’s Geographical Features cont. • Volcanoes • Near the Argentine border, the floor of the Altiplano rises again, creating hills and volcanoes that span the gap between the eastern and western cordilleras of the Andes. • Glaciers • Bolivia has a total glacier-covered area of more than 560 square kilometers • Earthquakes • Common because of proximity to Andes mountains

Argentina’s Atmospheric Pressure • Highest Point • High regions of Argentina surpass 2,500 meters (8,200 ft.) above sea level. The lack of oxygen and atmospheric pressure may cause headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, and physical weakness in some people • Lowest Point • The lowest point is Laguna del Carbón in Santa Cruz, −105 meters (−344 ft) below sea level.This is also the lowest point on the South American continent

Chile’s Atmospheric Pressure • Highest Point • Ojos del Salado in Andes of Atacama Region at 6,893 m (22,615 ft) is the highest point. • Lowest Point • Pacific Ocean, 0 m

Peru’s Atmospheric Pressure • Highest Point • Nevado Huascaran (6,768 m.) • Lowest Point • -34 m (Bayovar Depression)

Uruguay’s Atmospheric Pressure • Highest Point • Cerro Catedral, 514 m • Lowest Point • Atlantic Ocean, 0 m

Paraguay’s Atmospheric Pressure • Highest Point • Cerro San Rafael 850 m • Lowest Point • Junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m

Bolivia’s Atmospheric Pressure • Highest Point • Nevado Sajama 6,542 m • Lowest Point • Rio Paraguay 90 m

Carbon Dioxide Levels • Argentina • 141.7 metric tons of CO2 were emitted in 2004, which is relatively low compared to other industrialized countries • Chile • In 2001, 54 metric tons of CO2 were emitted • Peru • In 2004, 31.5 metric tons of CO2 were emitted • Uruguay • In 2004, 5.5 metric tons of CO2 were emitted

Carbon Dioxide Levels continued • Paraguay • In 2004, 4.2 metric tons of CO2 were emitted • Bolivia • In 2004, 7.0 metric tons of CO2 were emitted

Wind Patterns • Argentina • Major winds in Argentina include the cool Pampero blowing on the flat plains of Patagonia and the Pampas after a cold front; the Viento Norte, a warm wind that can blow from the north in mid and late winter creating mild conditions; and the Zonda, a hot and dry wind, affecting west-central Argentina • Chile • The virtually constant wind from the South Pacific Ocean makes the air feel much colder. • Peru • Occasionally thunderstorms can be accompanied by frequent cloud to ground lightning, strong winds and damaging hail, especially during the onset of the rainy season and over higher elevations.

Wind Patterns continued • Uruguay • High winds are a disagreeable characteristic of the weather, particularly during the winter and spring, and wind shifts are sudden and pronounced. A winter warm spell can be abruptly broken by a strong pampero, a chilly and occasionally violent wind blowing north from the Argentine pampas. • Paraguay • Winds are generally brisk. Velocities of 160 kilometers per hour have been reported in southern locations • Bolivia • The rain-bearing northeast trade winds, blowing across the Amazon Basin, bring significant rainfall amounts. Rain often falls in brief thunderstorms, sometimes accompanied by strong winds and hail.

Levels of Humidity • Argentina • The north of the country is characterized by very hot, humid summers • Chile • The climate in Easter Island is humid subtropical • The northward-flowing oceanic Humboldt Current creates humid and foggy conditions near the coast • Peru • The coast has moderate temperatures, low precipitations, and high humidity. • Foggy and sunny days intermingle around the humid sand dunes most of the year.

Levels of Humidity continued • Uruguay • High humidity and fog are common, especially around Montevideo • Paraguay • The Paraneña region is humid, with abundant precipitation throughout the year • Frequent waves of cool air from the south, however, cause weather that alternates between clear, humid conditions and storms • Bolivia • Northern lowland areas have a tropical wet climate with year-round high temperatures, high humidity, and heavy rainfall.

Climate Zones • Argentina: mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest • Chile: temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south • Peru: varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes

Climate Zones • Uruguay: warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown • Paraguay: subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west • Bolivia: varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid

Effects of Mountains • The Andes Mountains running along the western Coast influence the drier regions on Chile and southern Peru. • Chile has a mountain climate, with snow and glaciers. The northern part of Chile is one of the driest regions in the world. • Winds coming from the pacific cross through the Andes and cause dry weather conditions along the west coast.

Effects of Altitude • The higher altitude areas have lower temperatures. • The Highest altitude can be found in Aconcagua, Argentina. 22,841 ft above sea level. • Low altitude areas around coastlands have temperate climate.

Effects of Oceans • Oceans store a large amount of heat, so that small changes in ocean currents can have a large effect on coastal and global climate • Areas near the Pacific and Atlantic oceans will tend to be cooler. • On the west coast of South America, the Humboldt current normally brings cold water to the surface.

Marine or Continental • Argentina: mostly Marine, some continental in central areas • Chile: Mostly Marine, some continental • Peru: Continental • Uruguay: Marine • Paraguay: Marine • Bolivia: Marine

Arid or Humid Patterns • Argentina: arid in southeast , higher precipitation in North • Chile: Very Arid in North, Humid in central; • Peru: West is Arid, East is humid; • Uruguay: Mostly humid, rain equally distributed through the year. Avg-36 inches of rain. • Paraguay: Humid, especially in summer • Bolivia: Humid from Nov-Mar, Cold and dry from Apr-Oct. High rainfall during summer months

Microclimates • Major cities like Buenos Aires, Argentina can be characterized as a microclimate due to the high amounts of pollution, and buildings that contribute to a change in local climate.

Oceans • West coast: Pacific Ocean • East Coast: Atlantic Ocean • The water closer to the equator is less salty because of the abundant precipitation. • The salinity would be greater around the tip of Argentina and less going up the east and west coasts.

Severe Weather Disturbances Argentina • Earthquakes near the Andes • Violent windstorms • Heavy Flooding

Volcanic Eruption In Chile • http://youtube.com/watch?v=m9DrNyBUup0

Severe Weather Disturbances Chile • Severe Earthquakes • Active Volcanism • Tsunamis

Severe Weather Disturbances Peru • Earthquakes • Tsunamis • Flooding • Landslides • Mild volcanic activity

Severe Weather Disturbances • Paraguay: local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June) • Uruguay: seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind that blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts • Bolivia: flooding in the northeast (March-April)

Regions Of the World