South America meets Middle America at the isthmus of Panama. South America is not entirely in the Southern Hemisphere. South America has many different geographical features, including the mighty Amazon, which carries more water than any other rive; the Andes, the world’s longest mountain range; and vast grassy plains. Culturally, South America has been influenced by American Indians, Europeans, Africans, and more recently, immigrants from around the world.
Describe how early peoples in each region of South America adapted to their environments.
Explain how the development of agriculture changed the lives of South American peoples.
Discuss the achievements of early South American civilizations.
Explain how the Inca governed their empire.
Describe the main achievements of the Inca.
Analyze the social structure of the Inca.
Discuss how European powers divided South America.
Explain the effects of the Spanish conquest.
Compare Portuguese colonization to Spanish colonization.
Identify why and how South American nations gained independence.
Analyze why South American nations remained poor and unstable after gaining independence.
Explain how democracy led to questions about the economic role of the state in South America.
Describe how population is distributed in South America.
Discuss how the cultures of South America differ from one another.
Identify unique features of Brazilian culture.
Compare the strengths and weaknesses of South American economies.
Explain the strengths and weaknesses of Brazil’s economy.
Compare Brazil’s government to that of the United States.