Countries of South America
Argentina:
Argentina:
Population = 47 million
Capital - Buenos Aires
Gained independence from Spain in 1816
Claims the Falkland Islands but they are a UK territory (Conflict)
Falkland Islands, Iguazu Falls, & Tierra de Fuego (Land of 5)
Argentina means made of silver
Covered by the Andes Mountains
23 provinces/states
similar government structure as the US
Patagonia is part of Argentina
Bolivia:
Population = 12 million
Capital - La Paz
Gained independence from Spain in 1825
Changes from snow-capped mountains to the Amazon basin
Salar de Uyuni, Lake Titicaca, the Altiplano
Named after Simon Bolivar
Very mountainous and cold
Strong mining and gas because of the Andes Mountains
Salt flats are dried up lakes
Lake Titicaca - world's highest lake/12,507 feet above sea level
Brazil:
Population = 213 million
Capital - Brasilia
Gained independence from Portugal in 1822
Major exporter of agricultural good, minerals, and manufactured goods
Brazilian Amazon Rainforest, the Pantanal (wetlands)
Largest population and area
Main language is Portuguese
Love soccer
Dominated by the Amazon Rainforest
Lots of beaches
Lots of beef
Brazilian Rainforest has lots of flora and fauna
Chile:
Population = 19 million
Capital - Santiago
Gained independence from Spain in 1818
World's longest country with 4000 of Pacific Coast
Atacama Desert (driest desert), Easter Island, Villarrica Volcano
1-3 cm of rainfall
Colombia:
Population = 50 million
Capital - Bogota
Gained independence from Spain in 1819
Andes Mountains divide the country into 3 regions: Coastal Caribbean, Pacific and Insular areas, & Amazon and Andean Regions
Tatacoa Desert, Chicamacha Canyon, Colombian Coffee Plantation
Dry tropical forest
2nd largest canyon in the world
Ecuador:
Population = 17 million
Capital - Quito
Gained independence from Spain in 1822 & Gran Colombia in 1830
Andes Mountains run through its center & incredible biodiversity
Spanish language
US dollar as currency
Most biologically diverse
Galapagos Islands, Avenue of the Volcanoes
Turtles live very long there
Volcanoes are part of the Ring of Fire
Named from active volcanoes
Guyana:
Population = 800,000 people
Capital - Georgetown
Gained independence from Great Britain in 1966
Covered with dense rainforests
Mount Roraima, Kaieteur Falls (one of the tallest)
Many mountains
Paraguay:
Population = 7 million
Capital - Asuncion
Gained independence from Spain in 1811
Landlocked (not near water) with the Paraguay River running through it
Economy relies on exporting hydroelectric power, soybeans, and cattle