South America Subregions

Flashcards about South America Subregions

Caribbean North

Similar to Rimland in Middle America, characterized by plantation economies and rich oil resources.

Colombia

Fragmented by mountains, with a history of ineffective government, rich oil and coffee production, and a major center for cocaine processing and production.

Venezuela

Rich in oil and agricultural resources, but suffers from ineffective and corrupt government, political instability, and tension with the US.

Andean West

Population concentrated in Andean valleys, relies on subsistence farming, has a high concentration of Amerindians, and is the poorest subregion.

Peru

Features the Andes Mountains and the Amazon basin, rich in minerals like oil, silver, and copper, with cities like Cuzco (Inca hearth) and Lima (capital).

Bolivia

Landlocked, high and dry, rich in minerals such as silver and copper, and has split capitals: La Paz (valley) and Sucre (highland).

Southern Core

Most developed subregion with a white majority, known for agricultural supremacy in meats, dairy, and tropical produce.

Argentina

Comparable to Australia in population size and resources, has an agricultural surplus, the Pampa (breadbasket for soybeans), and Patagonia (ranching for meats and dairy). Buenos Aires is the capital.

Chile

Geographically isolated by the desert to the north (Atacama), the Andes to the east, and sparsely settled fragments to the south; Central Chile is the center for population and economy; a major copper producer with increasing wine production. Santiago is the capital; has a Mestizo majority.

Brazil

Former Portuguese colony bordering all except two countries in South America, with the Amazon basin covering 60% of its land, a large African/Black population, strong racial inequality, and strong regional disparities; Brasilia is the forward capital.

Brazil's Agri. Supremacy

North & Northeast are least developed (similar to M Am Rimland), Interior—Amazon basins, newly opened-up for agri., soybean, cotton dominance

Brazil's Core

S—Brazil’s core, White majority, National econ and political ctr., Coffee, citrus fruits, Rio de Janeiro—most affluent city, Sao Paolo—largest city