South America Geography and Culture Study Guide

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering geographic features, political terms, history, climate, and economic exports in South America.

Valley

The low parts of lands that stretch through mountains.

Terrace

Strips of level land planted with crops.

Banderias

Slave hunters and explorers.

Oligarchy

A small group of more than one person that holds political power.

Simon Bolivar

A leader who freed a bunch of countries from Spanish rule.

Samba

A dance with African rhythms.

Carnival

A celebration that is a party before Lent and a parade in one.

Diversity

A variety of products.

Venezuela

A country located at the very top of South America.

Rio de Janeiro

A big city in Brazil situated on the east coast.

Economic Diversity

A variety or having more than one of something.

Deforestation

The cutting down of trees that destroys habitats and forces animals to leave, while opening up land for land use.

Political Corruption

The use of one's position of political power for personal gain.

LaPaz

A capital of Bolivia located next to a big lake.

Sucre

A capital city located in Bolivia.

Bolivia

A country located in between Brazil and Peru.

Argentina

A country located along Chile at the bottom of South America.

Peru

A long and small country located on the West coast of South America.

Uruguay

A really small country located below Brazil.

Trinidad and Tobago

Described as a little hidden boot in Central America.

Andes Mountains

The longest mountain range at $5500\text{ miles}$, located on the West coast of South America and running through Chile and Colombia.

Brazilian Highlands

A very wide highland region located in Brazil.

Hydroelectric Power

Power derived from water that generates energy.

FARC

Revolutionary Armed of Columbia.

Drug Cartels

Massive organizations that move and hold drugs.

Political Instability

The condition of having unstable governments.

Line of Demarcation

A boundary running down the middle of South America that divided the non-European world into Spanish and Portuguese zones.

Treaty of Tordesillas

The agreement establishing the line that divided the non-European world into Spanish and Portuguese zones, explaining why different languages are spoken.

Machu Picchu

An ancient Incan civilization located in Peru, known as the city of clouds.

City of Clouds

The title given to Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan civilization located in Peru.

Maritime Climate

A climate close to water with perfect weather and rain, present in Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, and Colombia.

Arid Climate

A dry and hot climate found in the deserts of Chile and Argentina.

Tropical Climate

A warm climate characteristic of the Amazon rainforest.

Amazon River

A river along Brazil that holds the most water.

Orinoco River

A river located in Venezuela.

Incan Road System

A system covering over $15000\text{ miles}$ across deserts, mountains, and jungles that was useful in governing the Incan Empire.

Spanish and Portuguese Cultural Influences

Elements introduced to South and Central America, specifically language, food, clothing, and religion from both cultures.

Languages of South America

The primary languages spoken across South America: Spanish and Portuguese.

Wealth Distribution in Brazil

An economic structure where the top $20\%$ hold $60\%$ of the money, leaving the rich with all of it while the rest are really poor.

Venezuela's Top Economic Exports

Oil and natural gas.

Brazil's Top Economic Exports

Oil and coal.

Bolivia's Top Economic Exports

Oil, natural gas, and drugs.

Colombia's Top Economic Exports

Coffee, drugs, coal, and natural gas.