SOUTH AMERICA

1. SOUTH AMERICA Topics: • The South American commodity boom • The growing power of indigenous peoples • Inequality and violence: A hallmark of South America? • Brazil on the move • The Chinese are coming… DEFINING THE REALM

2. SOUTH AMERICAMAJOR GEOGRAPHIC QUALITIES • Regional economic contrasts and disparities. • Cultural pluralism by region prevails. • Rapid urban growth (similar to United States and western Europe). • Abundant natural riches traded globally because of strong demand for raw materials. • Andes Mountains in the west and Amazon Basin in the north. • Brazil—largest and most populous state. • Population concentrated along coasts, interior sparsely populated. • Improving interconnections between states and economic integration particularly in south. Unity of place—in a particular region intricate connections exist between physical and human features.

3. SOUTH AMERICAPHYSIOGRAPHY Myriad Climates and Habitats - • Elongated realm measured from north to south. • Variation in relief from high elevation west to low elevation east. • Enormous range of climate (A to H) and vegetation (rainforest to deserts to glaciers). • Natural diversity contributes to cultural differences. Explorer’s Continent – European exploration and imperialism. • Alexander von Humboldt • Venezuela coast/northern interior. • Ferdinand Magellan • Argentine Patagonia • Strait of Magellan = Southern Most Oceanic Passage.

4. SOUTH AMERICASTATES ANCIENT AND MODERN The Inca State • Altiplano society centered at Cuzco. • Altiplanos—high-elevation valleys in Andes Mountains. • Expert builders, farmers, herders, manufacturers, and scholars. • Extensive empire unified by network of roads and bridges. • Rigid class structure and highly centralized society. • Easily taken over by small army of Spanish invaders (1530). • Amerindians • Migrated from north landmass and islands west. • Founded societies in coastal valleys, river basins, plateaus, and mountains. • Adaptation to natural environments created distinct regional cultures.

5. SOUTH AMERICASTATES ANCIENT AND MODERN The Iberian Invaders • Spanish conquest of the Incas • Land alienation—Amerindians placed in serfdom on haciendas. • Spanish-controled territory expanded. • Portuguese penetrated east-central South America • Treaty split the New World (1494) • Portuguese territory includes Amazon Basin • Paulistas—settlers of São Paulo • Amerindian forced slave labor on plantations. Independence and Isolation • Isolation of countries • Physiographic/cultural barriers. • Iberian conquerors goal to extract resources, not development. • Independence • Europeans who made the New World their home rebelled. • Viceroyalties split into nine independent states. • New countries grew apart • Government/Politics determined by colonists of European decent.

6. SOUTH AMERICATHE CULTURAL MOSAIC The Population Map—Then and Now • “Pre-Colombian” population • Amerindian societies inhabited Andes highlands, Amazon Basin, and harsh environments of Tierra del Fuego. • Contemporary population • 90% of Amerindians eradicated by European warfare and disease. • European settlers stayed near the coasts, thus more local autonomy inland. • Andes settlements legacy of Incas

7. Amerindian Reawakening • Amerindian majorities gaining social, political, and economic power. • Changing religious practices. • Secularization of South Americans. • Loss of popular support for Catholic Church. • Liberation theology—1950s • Blend of Christian religion and socialist thinking. • Interpreted Christian teachings as a quest to liberate impoverished masses from oppression.

8. THE CULTURAL MOSAIC Ethnic Landscapes • Ethnic layers • Amerindians • Europeans • Africans • Asians • Internal migrations • Ethnic mixing—some peoples have single ethnic origin while others have mixed ancestry. • Plural societies—peoples from various cultural backgrounds cluster, not mix. African Descendants - • Portuguese slave colonies. • Brazil: South America’s largest black population (northeast).

9. SOUTH AMERICAECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY Agricultural Land Use and Deforestation • Commercial agriculture • Large-scale or for-profit. • Legacy of European land distribution systems. • Subsistence agriculture • Primarily for household use • Historically associated with indigenous, African, and Asian land-use patterns. • Rapid changes in land use • Introduction and expansion of new crops (Soybeans) • Intensifying agro-industrial operations • Large/harmful export markets penetrating Amazonia rainforests. • Deforestation—northern Brazil • Roads • Settlements and farms • Industry access (oil/gold) • Resulting decline in soil fertility, water quality, and indigenous rights.

10. The Geography of Cocaine • Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia • Stages and location of production: • Growing—Eastern slopes of the Andes. • Refining—Processing centers in rebel-held Colombia. • Distribution—Efficient transportation network to the United States.

11. The Commodity Boom • 5% annual growth (since 2005). • Economic growth from global demand for raw materials from China and India. Industrial Development • Rapid growth of manufacturing • Uneven development—concentration of manufacturingin and around major urban centers. • Brazil as one of the world’s four biggest emerging markets • BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) • Massive growth and rapid economic diversification Economic Supranationalism • Mercosur—(1995) • Dominant free-trade org. • Andean Community—(1969/1995) • Customs union. • Union of South American Nations (UNASUR)—(2008) • Similar to the EU • Significant disagreements • Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Economic Integration • Overcoming isolation. • Cooperation and mutually beneficial trade. • Cross-border infrastructure projects. • Hidrovia (water highway)—System of river locks opening the Parana-Paraguay Basin.

12. SOUTH AMERICAURBANIZATION Rural-Urban Migration • Urban population of 82% • Rural-to-urban migration—from countryside to cities • Push Factors • Slow rural land reforms. • Little prospect of economic advancement. • Pull Factors • Urban opportunities—regular wages, education for children. • Better medical care. • Upward social mobility and lure of life in a big city. Regional Patterns • Levels of urbanization • Most urbanized—Southern Cone (sub-antarctic). • Least urbanized—Andes Mtns. • Megacities—(populations exceed 10 million) • São Paulo • Rio de Janeiro • Buenos Aires

13. SOUTH AMERICAURBANIZATION The “Latin” American City Model • CBD—anchor • Business, employment, and entertainment focus. • Central square or plaza—ceremonial center and link to the past. • Commercial spine and elite residential sector—extension of the CBD • Offices, retail facilities, housing for the upper classes. • Concentric zones—decrease in income and housing quality with distance from the CBD • Zone of maturity • Inner city containing housing for the middle class. • Zone of in situ accretion • Modest housing interspersed with unkempt areas. • Zone of peripheral squatter settlements • Home to comparatively poor and unskilled workers • Informal sector—Barrios and favelas-shantytowns • Zone of disamenity—undesirable land.

14. SOUTH AMERICAFUTURE PROSPECTS The Need for Stability • Political turmoil and dictatorial regimes. • Economic stagnation. • 21st century—increasing democracy, more interconnected, and globalization. Problems of Inequality and Violence • Enormous inequality and disparity • Wealth is concentrated in a small minority (richest 20% controls 70% of wealth, poorest 29% owns 2%). • Resurgence of Amerindian identity. • Need for greater economic opportunities for the poor, more inclusive development, and better government.

15. Influences… The Shadow of the United States • Long history of U.S. involvement in the realm. • Anti-Americanism based on past U.S. behavior. • United States is the biggest trading partner of the realm—almost one-fifth of new exports and imports. • Dependencia theory—persistent poverty of some countries explained in terms of unequal relations with more affluent countries. China Calling • By 2010—leading trading partner of Brazil and Chile. • Demand for raw materials and markets for Chinese exports. • Chinese Presence • Courting Trade

16. SOUTH AMERICA Regions of the Realm • The Caribbean North • The Andean West • The Southern Cone • Brazil

17. SOUTH AMERICAThe Caribbean North • Colombia • Venezuela • Guyana—Britain • Suriname—the Netherlands • French Guiana—France • Coastlines. • Conflict/violence. • Oil and Iron • Government/poverty. • Other non-Latin colonies. • Venezuelan Socio-Politics Example: • Hugo Chavez (pro-mestizo). • President to Dictator. • Oil rich nation (2nd only to Saudi Arabia). Angel Falls – worlds largest waterfall.

18. SOUTH AMERICAThe Andean West • Peru • Ecuador • Bolivia • Paraguay • Dominance of the Andes. • Historic and cultural influence of Amerindian peoples. • Poorest region of South America. • Subsistence agriculture. • Legacy of land-owning elite and landless peons. • Oil and natural gas potential. Machu Picchu: Ancient Inca city near Cuzco, Peru.

19. SOUTH AMERICAThe Southern Cone • Argentina • Chile • Uruguay • Argentina largest country in territory and population (urban culture). • Government/Economy losses in Argentina and gains in Chile. • Some with European descent. • Plains grasslands, Mountains, Coasts. • Subregions include Patagonia. • Diverse north to south. • Agriculture, herding, seafood, tourism. Chile’s largest ‘Open Pit’ copper mine. Toxic to env.

20. SOUTH AMERICABrazil: Giant of South America • Regional and economic superpower. • BRICs—large economy. • 1989—embraced democratic government. • Vast natural resources. • Territorially—Ranks 5th in world • Brazilian economy—9th largest • Diverse populations. • Inequality and poverty. • Roman Catholic 70% • Dominant language – Brazilian Portuguese. • Rainforest, savanna climates. • Deforestation in biodiversity hotspot • Agriculture – major food exporter. • Mining and oil. • Hydroelectricity and biofuels. • Development of forest lands. • Subregions with 26 states.

21. SOUTH AMERICAMajor Cities - example São Paulo • Brazilian City. • Megacity/metropolis. • Leading industrial complex. • Growth/expansion (50% GDP). • 26 million people (3rd largest city in world). • Favelas next to wealthy neighborhoods. • Orange juice concentrate, soybeans, and coffee distribution. • HUGE!

22. Homework Read Textbook Chapter 5a/b Homework: Choose one “@from the Field Notes” subsection topic in Ch.5 textbook; research and summarize (1 page). OR Choose a realm/region within or adjacent to South America to review in detail (1 page). Use Chapter 5b for ideas and information, research and summarize.