South America
Key Terms
Andes Mountains
Pampas
Amazon Rainforest
Amazon River
Orinoco River
Rio de la Plata
Peru
Chile
Brazil
Argentina
Rio de Janeiro
South America
Located in the Western hemisphere.
4 th largest continent in area.
Lies between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Label your map to look like this.
Andes Mountains
The Andes Mountains are among the highest in the world. They stretch over 4500 miles in the western part of South America.
Once the basis of the Inca Empire.
Grasslands and Plains
Mountain and poor soil make much of South
Americas land unproductive.
EXCEPT…the pampas of Argentina and Uruguay.
They provide large areas of fertile soil for growing crops and grazing cattle.
Rainforest
Rainforests are located on the east coast of Central
America and the northern part of South America.
They have warm, humid climates.
The Amazon Rainforest is the world’s largest tropical rainforest.
It is located in Brazil.
Bodies of Water
Amazon River – 2 nd
Orinoco River and the Rio de Plata are also major rivers in South America.
Most of the population in South America lives near or on these major river systems. Why?
Climate
Much of South America is warm because it lies near the equator.
The mountains and the ocean winds however, help keep many places in South America at comfortable temperatures.
Australia
Label –
• Great Barrier
Reef
• Indian Ocean
• Great Victoria
Desert
Label your map!
Great Barrier Reef
Lies off Australia’s northeastern coast. Coral formations have piled up for millions of years to create a colorful chain that stretches 1250 miles. A coral reef is a structure formed by the skeletons of small sea animals.
Information
Australia is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific
Oceans.
The central areas of Australia are mainly desert.
The Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia is the world’s largest coral reef.
It is the only country that takes up an entire continent.
It has many unique animals.
