Atlantic South America

❓ Which four countries make up the region of Atlantic South America?
💡 Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.

❓ What is the Amazon River, and how long is it?
💡 The Amazon River is the world’s largest river system, flowing eastward across northern Brazil. It is about 4,000 miles (6,440 km) long, extending from the Andes mountains in Peru to the Atlantic Ocean.

❓ What percentage of Earth’s surface runoff flows down the Amazon River?
💡 About 20 percent of the water that runs off Earth’s surface flows down the Amazon River.

❓ What is the Rio de la Plata, and how is it formed?
💡 The Rio de la Plata is an estuary, which is a partially enclosed body of water where freshwater mixes with salty seawater. It is formed by water from the Parana River flowing into the Atlantic Ocean.

❓ What are the main landforms in the Amazon Basin region?
💡 The Amazon Basin in northern Brazil is a giant, flat floodplain. South of it are the Brazilian Highlands (rugged, eroded mountains) and the Mato Grosso Plateau (high plains).

❓ What are the Gran Chaco, Pampas, and Patagonia?
💡 The Gran Chaco is a low plains region stretching across parts of Paraguay and northern Argentina. The Pampas are wide, grassy plains in central Argentina. Patagonia, south of the Pampas, is a region of dry plains and plateaus.

❓ What are the general climate patterns in Atlantic South America?
💡 Cool climates in southern and highland areas give way to tropical, moist climates in northern and coastal areas.

❓ What is the climate and significance of the Pampas region?
💡 The Pampas has a humid subtropical climate and rich soils, making it good for farming.

❓ What climate does the Amazon Basin have and what does it support?
💡 The Amazon Basin has a humid tropical climate that supports the world’s largest tropical rainforest, with daily rain and the greatest variety of plant and animal life.

❓ What are some key natural resources provided by the Amazon rainforest?
💡 The Amazon rainforest provides food, wood, rubber, medicinal plants, and other products.

❓ What is a major environmental issue affecting the Amazon rainforest?
💡 Deforestation, or the clearing of trees, has become a significant issue.

❓ What problem can occur from commercial farming practices in the region?
💡 Planting the same crop every year can cause soil exhaustion, making the soil infertile due to lost nutrients.

❓ What are some of the mineral and energy resources found in Atlantic South America?
💡 Resources include gold, silver, copper, iron, oil, and hydroelectric power from dams on large rivers.