1. Caribbean and Atlantic South America South America

2. Caribbean South America Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana make up the region

3. Caribbean South America The Orinoco River is the main river in the region

4. Physical features include the Orinoco River, Guiana Highlands, Andes Mountains, and the Llanos- area of grassy plains between the Andes and the Guiana Highlands Caribbean South America

5. The first people to live in Colombia were the Chibcha The Chibchalived 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 Caribbean South America-Colombia

6. 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 Caribbean South America- Colombia

7. 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-Colombia

8. Caribbean South America Bogota is the national capital of Colombia. The city is located in the Eastern Andes

9. 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 Caribbean South America- Colombia

10. 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 Caribbean South America- Colombia

11. 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 Caribbean South America-Colombia

12. Venezuela

13. 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 Caribbean South America-Venezuela

14. 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 Caribbean South America-Venezuela

15. 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 Caribbean South America-Venezuela

16. 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 Caribbean South America-Venezuela

17. 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) Caribbean South America-Venezuela

18. 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 Caribbean South America-The Guianas

19. Atlantic South America-Brazil The region of Atlantic South America is made up of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay

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

21. The first group of people to inhabit Brazil were the Indians

23. Atlantic South America-Brazil 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

24. Brazil can be broken up into the following regions: 1. The Southeast 2. The Northeast 3. The Interior 4. The Amazon Atlantic South America

25. 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

26. 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 Atlantic South America-Brazil

27. Rio de Janeiro – 2nd largest city in Brazil Major port city. Home to 11 million city. Formal capital until 1960

28. Atlantic South America-Brazil 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

29. Atlantic South America-Brazil The Interior Known as Brazil’s frontier land. Brazilia- the country’s capital is located in this region

30. Atlantic South America! The Amazon-covers the northern part of Brazil Horned Frog

31. Atlantic South America-Brazil Manaus-is a major port and industrial center- population 1 million Isolated Indian villages are scattered throughout the region

32. 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. Atlantic South America- Argentina

34. Argentine Gauchos of Today

35. BEEF! Beef exports made the country rich although it was ruled by many dictators.

36. 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 Atlantic South America-Argentina

37. Today most Argentines are descended from the Spanish Most speak Spanish and are Roman Catholic Atlantic South America - Argentina

38. Buenos Aires is the county’s biggest city and national capital Atlantic South America - Argentina

39. 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 Atlantic South America-Argentina

40. The capital of Uruguay is Montevideo-located on the north shore of the Rio de la Plata Atlantic South America- Uruguay

41. 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. Atlantic South America - Uruguay

42. Paraguay is a landlocked country- means it is completely surrounded by land Atlantic South America-Paraguay

43. Since Paraguay was won its independence in 1811, 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 Atlantic South America - Paraguay

44. 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 Atlantic South America-Paraguay