Chapter
6
Latin America
Exploring South America
Vocabulary
| altiplano | A high plateau region; a region of high plateaus in the Andes |
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| boom | A period of increased prosperity; an economic activity when more of a product is produced and sold |
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| canopy | A dense mass of leaves forming the top layer of a forest |
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| montaña | In northeast Peru, large stretches of tropical forests on the lower slopes of mountains |
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| pesticide | A chemical used to kill insects and diseases that can attack crops |
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| photosynthesis | The process by which green plants and trees produce their own food using water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight; oxygen is released as a result of photosynthesis |
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| privatization | A policy by a government to sell its industries to individuals or private companies |
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| sierra | A group of mountains, such as the one that runs from northwest to southeast Peru | |
| tundra | A cold region with little vegetation; in mountains, the area above the tree line |
Key People and Places
| Andes |
Lake
Titicaca Quechua Rio de Janeiro Salvador Santiago Yanomamo |
Sample
Essay Questions
1. What are the causes of the influx of people to the rain forests of Brazil in recent years? What have been the effects of this movement?
In the country, most people are farmers. They know all or most of the people who live around them. People grow their own food and buy everything else in the town plaza. In the city, many people struggle to find work and live in poor, crowded neighborhoods where they are often squatters.
2. How does Chile's economy compare with that of Venezuela? How has each country tried to diversify its economy?
When a country's economy is based mostly on one product, such as copper, the entire economy can suffer when world prices for that one product fall. Many Latin American countries that have depended mostly on one product are trying to diversify their economies. When world prices for one of their products falls, the other products keep the economy going strong.
3. Compare the situation of the Yanomamo people of the ran forest with the Quechua people of the Andes. How do the environments of the two groups differ?
The Yanomamo live in a rain forest environment. There is a great variety of plants and animals. Most of the Quechua live in the cold, dry climate of the Andes. they grow crops and raise sheep.
4. How have Brazil and Venezuela tried to use their natural resources to boost their economies?
For years, Brazil has produced large amounts of coffee and other farm gods. Recently, it has tried to use more of its rain forest resources. Venezuela's most important resource has been oil. But since the end of the oil boom of the 1980's, Venezuela has been trying to diversify its economy to include products such as cocoa, coffee, and fruits.
