Chapter 6: Section 2

Chapter 6
Latin America
Exploring South America

Section 2: Peru: Life in the Altiplano

A. As You Read
Directions: As you read Section 2, fill in the table below.

Some Facts About Peru and Its People

Geographic
Regions

1. The sierra, a mountainous region containing the altiplano, which is a high plateau region located in southern Peru; the dry coastal plain; the warm and humid montaña; Lake Utica

Population

2. Almost half of the people are Native Americans; 15 percent of the people are European-descended Peruvians; 37 percent of the people are mestizos; the remaining Peruvians are of African and Asian descent.

City Life

3. Most city dwellers have electricity. In Cuzco, the ancient Incan capital, there is a mixture of Incan, Spanish colonial, and modern buildings.

Life in the
High Plateaus

4. Most people are Quechua or Aymara. There are no telephones and few buses.

B. Reviewing Key Terms
Directions: Complete each sentence by writing the correct term in the space provided.

5. Peru's high plateau region located in the Andes is called the altiplano.

6. The area of warm, humid tropical forests found in the lower slopes of mountains in Peru is known as the montaña.

Geographic Regions	1. The sierra, a mountainous region containing the altiplano, which is a high plateau region located in southern Peru; the dry coastal plain; the warm and humid montaña; Lake Utica
Population	2. Almost half of the people are Native Americans; 15 percent of the people are European-descended Peruvians; 37 percent of the people are mestizos; the remaining Peruvians are of African and Asian descent.
City Life	3. Most city dwellers have electricity. In Cuzco, the ancient Incan capital, there is a mixture of Incan, Spanish colonial, and modern buildings.
Life in the High Plateaus	4. Most people are Quechua or Aymara. There are no telephones and few buses.