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MODULE 7: SOUTH AMERICA

THEMATIC OUTLINE
I. Overview of South American Continent
II. South American Continent Regions
III. South American Tourism
IV. Transportation in South America
V. Cultural Considerations

TARGET STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of the module the students will be able to:
I. Identify and discuss the general knowledge about South American Continent
II. Analyze and identify the difference and similarities of the South American
Continent Regions
III. Understand the Tourism Industry in South American continent
IV. Apply their knowledge in geography and transportation in order to design a South
American continent tour itinerary
V. Understand and appreciate the diversity of South American continent culture

MODULE 7 ASSESSMENTS AND ACTIVITIES CHECKLIST

Lesson: South America
Content Page Number Tasks Date Completed
Reading 1 See page 2 Read and Comprehend
Activity 1 See page 5 Mapping
South American Answer Activity
Continent Mapping
Activity 2 See page 14 Research /
Flavours of South Current Trends
America Answer Activity
Activity 3 See page 13 Situational Analysis
Case Study (Mayan Answer Activity
Civilization)
Activity 4 See page 21 Situational Analysis
Cultural Check Answer Activity
Activity 5 See page 22 Situational Analysis
Creative Thinking Answer Activity
Note: There is a separate file (in word format) of the assessments that you can use as an answer
sheet.
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Reading 1

Derived from the same name with the North America from that of the Italian navigator
Amerigo Vespucci, one of the earliest European explorers of the New World. The term America
originally was applied only to South America, but the designation soon was applied to the entire
landmass. Because Mexico and Central America share an Iberian heritage with nearly all of South
America, this entire region frequently is grouped under the name Latin America.

South America’s geologic structure consists of two dissymmetric parts. In the larger,
eastern portion are found a number of stable shields forming highland regions, separated by
large basins (including the vast Amazon basin). The western portion is occupied almost entirely
by the Andes Mountains. The Andes formed as the South American Plate drifted westward and
forced the oceanic plate to the west under it constitute a gigantic backbone along the entire
Pacific coast of the continent. The basins east of the Andes and between the eastern highlands
have been filled with large quantities of sediment washed down by the continent’s great rivers
and their tributaries.

No other continent except Antarctica penetrates so far to the south. Although the
northern part of South America extends north of the Equator and four-fifths of its landmass is
located within the tropics, it also reaches subantarctic latitudes. Much of the high Andes lie within
the tropics but include extensive zones of temperate or cold climate in the vicinity of the Equator
a circumstance that is unique. The great range in elevation produces an unrivaled diversity of
climatic and ecological zones, which is probably the most prominent characteristic of South
American geography.

The original inhabitants of South America are believed to have descended from the same
Asiatic peoples who migrated to North America from Siberia during the most recent ice age. Few
of these peoples, however, survived the arrival of Europeans after 1500, most succumbing to
disease or mixing with people of European and (especially in Brazil) African origin. Some parts of
the continent are now industrialized, with modern cities, but the people in rural areas still follow
an agricultural way of life. The wealth of mineral products and renewable resources is
considerable, yet economic development in most of the continent lags behind the more
industrially advanced regions of the world. Nonetheless, concern has arisen about the rapidly
increasing and often destructive exploitation of these resources.

Source: https://www.britannica.com/place/South-America

Did you know? The southernmost city in the world is on the South American continent! The city
is called Ushuaia, is located on the Argentinian part of the Tierra del Fuego and more than
55,000 people live there.
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Continent Background

South America is the southern continent of the Americas and situated in the Western
Hemisphere. The fourth-largest continent is mostly south of the equator. South America borders
the Pacific Ocean in the west, the Caribbean Sea in the northwest, the Atlantic Ocean in the north
and east and the Southern Ocean in the south. The continent is connected to North America by
a narrow strip of land known as the Isthmus of Panama. South America's mainland is shared by
twelve sovereign states and one overseas department of France (French Guiana.) In 2019 an
estimated 432 million people live in South America.
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The section in the northern hemisphere includes Venezuela, Guyana, French Guiana,
Suriname, parts of Brazil, parts of Ecuador, and nearly all of Colombia. And the Isthmus of Panama
separates North America and South America, where the Darien Mountains are considered to be
the dividing line between the two continents. Sometimes, the dividing line is considered to be
the Panama Canal. By some clarifications, South America is seen as a subcontinent of the
Americas.

The size of South America is almost twice as big as Europe. And is marginally larger than
Russia. South America has coastline that measures around 25,427 km. And there are four
different time zones in South America: UTC-5, UTC-4, UTC-3 and UTC-2. In terms of population
the South American continent has a population of more than 420,458,044 with a population
density of 21 people per km2. With 208.2 million people, the most populated country in South
America is Brazil, followed by Colombia with 49.6 million people and Argentina with 43.5 million
people. Sao Paolo, Brazil, Peru are the biggest cities by population. Other major cities include
Bogota, Colombia, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago and Chile.

The Salvador Dalí Desert is a barren valley west of the Andes in southwestern Bolivia.
Photo Credits: Diego Delso
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ACTIVITY 1: SOUTH AMERICAN MAP DRILL

Direction: Locate and name the countries in the South American continent.
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South American Countries:

Brazil is the largest country in South America, containing 8,515,799 square kilometers.
Brazil has a coastline of 7,4791 square kilometers. Brazil boarders nearly every country in South
America, excluding only Ecuador and Chile. The land area of Brazil represents 47.3% of South
America’s total land area. Suriname is the smallest country in South America. The country covers
a total of 163,820 square kilometers. South America has a total of 12 countries and three
dependencies:

South America
Country Capital City Currency Language
Argentina Buenos Aires Argentinean Peso Spanish
Bolivia La Paz Boliviano Spanish
Brazil Brasilia Real Portuguese
Chile Santiago Chile Peso Spanish
Colombia Bogota Colombian Peso Spanish
Ecuador Quito United States Dollars Spanish
French Guiana Cayenne Euro French
Guyana Georgetown Guyanese Dollar English
Paraguay Asuncion Guarani Spanish/Guarani
Peru Lima Nuevo Sol Spanish
Suriname Paramaribo Surinamese Dollar Dutch
Uruguay Montevideo Uruguay Peso Spanish
Venezuela Caracas Bolivar Fuerte Spanish
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ACTIVITY 2: FLAVOURS OF SOUTH AMERICA

Direction: You will need a little help of internet. Check an online food platform (example:
grabfood, food panda etc. Google and facebook might also help you). Do a little research about
Latin American Cuisine available in the country. Example: Taco Bell Restaurant (Tacos and
Nachos) then insert some photo of the Latin American Cuisine.

NAME OF THE TAKE A SCREENSHOT

RESTAURANT NAME OF THE CUISINE (Make Sure Its Appetizing
To See)
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
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More interesting Facts about South America

1. There are 12 countries in South America and 3 dependencies with a total of more than 385
million people living on the continent.

2. Largest Country: Brazil. The country is covering more than half the continent's landmass.
Did you know that Brazil is only slightly smaller than the USA?

3. Largest City: Sao Paolo in Brazil. With more than 21 million inhabitants (2019) Sao Paulo is
also one of the ten biggest cities in the world.
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4. Smallest Country: Suriname. The country is one of the 10 most sparsely populated countries
in the world. The country is once known as Dutch Guiana.

5. Biggest Island: Tierra del Fuego (Spanish meaning: Land of Fire), at the southern tip
of Argentina and Chile

6. Longest River: Amazon River (6,437metres/4,000miles). The Amazon is not only the second
longest river in the world after the Nile, but also the Amazon carries more water than the
world's other 10 biggest rivers combined!
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7. Highest Mountain: Aconcagua in Argentina. The mountain (6,961metres/22,837ft) is

located in the Andes mountain range.

The Aconcagua is considered the second highest of the world's Seven Summits after Mount
Everest which is in Asia.

8. Biggest Lake: Lake Titicaca (shared by Bolivia and Peru)

9. Driest Place: While South America's rain forests also are some of the wettest places on the
earth, the Atacama Desert in Chile is considered the driest place on earth.
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10. There are two landlocked countries in South America: Paraguay and Bolivia are located in the
interior of the continent and have neither access to the Atlantic Ocean nor to the Pacific
Ocean.

11. People of South America: The Incas were the largest group of indigenous people in South
America when the Europeans arrived. The Incan Empire lasted from 1438 until 1533.
Indigenous cultures still are present in South America but the numbers are diminishing. There
are still Arawaks and Caribs in Venezuela as well as Guarani in Brazil.

12. Languages in South America: Spanish is the main language in South American countries, only
in Brazil people speak Portuguese and in Surinam, formerly a Dutch colony, the official language
is still Dutch. Many people speak also English as a second language. Quechua, the language
spoken by the Inca, is the most common indigenous language.

13. Religion: Most of the South American people are Catholics (90%), some Protestants, Jews and
some indigenous people have their indigenous beliefs.
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14. Animals: In South America there are tapirs, piranhas and anacondas and many other
animals. South America is also home to many endangered animals such as the jaguar, the giant
otter or the Amazonian manatee.

15. Main natural resources in South America are minerals such as iron ore (used to make steel)
or copper and agricultural produce such as corn, coffee, wheat, soybean and cocoa.

16. Other useful information:

 Atacama desert is the driest place in South America
 Angel Falls are the world's highest waterfalls
 Amazon River Basin is the world's largest river basin
 The Andes are the world's longest mountain range
 South America's landscape is dominated from mountains and highlands such as the
Andes, river basins such as the Amazon and Orinoco and coastal plains where the
Atacama Desert also belongs to.
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ACTIVITY 3: CASE STUDY MAYAN HERITAGE

Santiago and Argentina Hernandez are young couple in the late 20’s. Santiago is a
successful electrician and Argentina is a paramedic. Argentina just read a book, Heritage of the
Maya, which has prompted her to consider spending an eight day vacation at a Mexican
destination. Santiago wants mostly to relax: to enjoy some sun, perhaps, do some snorkeling, eat
and enjoy a little night entertainment.
You need to read some information about Mexico and help them satisfy their dream
travel together. Encircle the answer that you think best suit their needs and justify why?
1 Which of the following hotels would be the good choice for them?
Las Hadas The Calinda in Cuernavaca
The Acapulco Princess The Fiesta Americana in Cancun
Why?

2 Which of the following would be the best destination for them to explore the Mayan
heritage?
Cancun Manzanillo Acapulco Los Cabos
Why?

3 Which would probably not be something they should consider?

A Club Med Vacation A day trip to Chichen Itza
A cruise A stay in Mexico city
Why?

4 Rain would definitely dampen things for the Hernandez couple. What month would be
the best recommendation?
September April February June
Why?
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Transportation in South America

In an area the size of South America, an efficient system of transportation is necessary for
the development of the hinterland, the expansion of national markets, and the integration of the
different national economic systems. Unlike North America, South America still does not have an
adequately integrated transportation network. Significant efforts have been made to improve
both the connections within countries and the linkages between them.

Roads
South America has an extensive and rapidly expanding network of roads. In many
countries, however, only a relatively small percentage of the roads are paved, and in the most
remote areas they may be barely wide enough for two vehicles to pass easily. The remainder of
the system consists of improved roads or simply of dirt roads.
In developing national segments of international highways, particular attention has been
paid to road-integration projects. The Inter-American Development Bank and the World
Bank were heavily engaged in some of these projects, as, for example, in the construction of the
bridge links joining Paraguay and Argentina, Argentina and Uruguay, and Paraguay and Brazil (all
these links were completed by the late 1970s). A road linking Venezuela and Brazil allows north-
south movement through the Amazon basin. Brazil continues to have the largest network of
roads belonging to the Pan-American Highway system, which extends throughout the Americas.

Bridge over the Alto Paraná River between Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, and Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil.
Photo Credits: Tony Morrison/South American Pictures

Because of the size of the continent and the immense variety of physical environments,
an efficient road network is of utmost importance. Roads not only provide the primary passenger
routes for the great majority of people but also offer the most cost-effective means of moving
goods within countries. In all South American countries, truck transportation has taken an
increasingly large share of the volume of goods carried by land. In addition to stimulating
economic development, routes such as the Transamazonian Highway and the Marginal de la
Selva Highway linking the countries on the east side of the Andes, constructed since the 1970s,
also represent attempts to spur development. The results of this effort, however, have been
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mixed, because making land available for settlement has often caused considerable ecological
damage to the tropical forests.

Railways
In most South American countries railways have lost their dominant position as the major
mode of transportation and have been replaced by the road networks that have developed
rapidly since the 1960s. Moreover, rail transport is plagued by operational problems as well as
by obsolete equipment. Almost all lines are single-tracked, which makes traffic slow and
discourages passenger service. Many countries have two or more track gauges, which impedes
the efficient integration of the rail system.
The trains have slowly faded from the South American landscape, but several spectacular
routes still operate. Ecuador has invested heavily in rehabilitating its old lines. Uruguay is also
revitalizing its old rails, though it’s still year’s form completion.
But there are still countries in the South America that offer an old-fashion railway
nostalgia with great scenery.

Brazil (Curitiba-Morretes Rail) – Descending steeply to the coastal lowlands, Brazil best
rail journey offers unforgettable views where you will travel through a centenary railway built in
nineteenth century.

Touristic Train to Morretes

Photo Credit: graylinebrazil.com

Bolivia (Oruro-Uyini-Tupiza-Villazon Rail) The main line from Oruro is currently out of
service going of Uyuni owing to track the damage. If it reopens, the line continues from Uyuni to
Tupiza (another scenic rail trip through gorge country) and on to Villazon at the Argentine border.
And the Ferroviaria Oriental covers eastern Bolivia, operating a line from Santa Cruz to the
Brazilian frontier at Quijarro, where you can cross to the Pantanal. An infrequently used service
goes south from Santa Cruz to Yucuiba on the Argentine border.
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Bolivian Tourist Trains

Photo Credits: https://boliviatravelsite.com/
Peru (Lima-Huancayo and Huancayo-Huancavelica Rail)- These memorable rail journeys
are among the best on the continent. The less frequent Lima-Huancayo train travels one of
world’s highest rail routes. And the Puno-Juliaca-Cruzco Rail services from the shores of Lake
Titicaca and across a 4600m pass, this train runs for group bookings in high season. Departures
are unpredictable, but when it does run, it’s open to non-group passengers.

Tourist Train from Lima-Huancayo

Photo Credit: Aracari Travel
Ecuador (Riobamba-Sibambe Rail) – One of the growing number short tourist-train jaunts
in the country, the Nariz del Diablo (Devil’s Nose) is an exhilarating, steep descent via narrow
switchbacks.

Nariz del Diablo Train

Photo Credits: Tripavisor
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Argentina (Salta-La Polvorilla Rail) – Locally known as The Tren a Las Nubes (Train to the
Clouds) negotiates switchbacks, tunnels, spirals and death-defying bridges during its ascent into
the Andean Puna (highlands). Unfortunately, schedules are extremely unreliable.

Train to the Clouds

Photo Credits: Trip Advisor

Maritime transport
Sea transportation has long been a vital component of the transport systems of South
American countries. The great majority of imports and exports to and from the continent moves
by ship. South America has a number of outstanding natural harbours, such as Rio de
Janeiro, Salvador, Montevideo, and Valparaíso, along with numerous improved ports and
roadsteads, including Buenos Aires, Callao, and Barranquilla. Many of these port facilities had
degenerated significantly by the 1960s, to the point that some of the region’s largest ports were
blacklisted by insurers and shipping companies. Since the early 1970s, many of these ports have
undergone extensive renovation and modernization, including the installation of containerization
facilities.
Several countries, such as Chile and Brazil, are making a determined effort to develop and
enlarge their national merchant marines. This effort is meant partly to arrest earlier trends of
having their trade carried by ships from outside the region and partly to promote regional
integration and improve the national balance of payments. Brazil, Panama and Colombia are the
top three in the most busiest and functional ports in the Latin America.
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Waterways
There are two inland waterway systems of international importance, the Paraguay-
Uruguay basin (which includes territory in four countries) and the Amazon basin (six countries).
Each has several thousand miles of navigable waterways. Furthermore, there are three other
minor systems: the Magdalena in Colombia, the Orinoco in Venezuela, and the São Francisco in
Brazil. The remaining rivers are unsuitable for navigation. There are drawbacks to using some
inland waterways, including dry seasons, the direction of water flow, motionless current, and
difficult rapids. In general, the volume of traffic on the waterways of South America is relatively
small, and the prospects for increasing it are limited. The Panama Canal is the most famous and
most historic waterway in the Latin America. It is an artificial 82 km waterway that connects the
Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The Panama Canal is essential to the South America
maritime because it reduce the time it takes for ships to get from Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific.

Panama Canal
Photo Credits: Britannica Encyclopedia
Air transportation
Air transportation has developed rapidly since World War II. The increase is particularly
significant with respect to passenger traffic but applies less to the handling of bulky freight. Each
country has its own system of internal air services, operated until the late 1980s chiefly by
government-owned or by heavily subsidized private companies. While several governments still
operate an international carrier, privatization in the airline industry has spread to internal
carriers. All the South American capitals and most of the large cities are linked by direct air
services to the major traffic centres of the United States and Europe. Domestic traffic links have
expanded extensively since the late 1970s, when “short take-off” jets were introduced into
service. Today, the Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport in Brazil, El Dorado International
Airport in Colombia and Jorge Chavez International Airport are the top busiest airport in the
South America.

Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport El Dorado International Airport

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Cultural life
The rapid expansion of communications technology has brought the social, economic, and
political happenings of urban life to formerly isolated rural communities and in the process has
created a transnational South American culture.
Songs and dances spread rapidly through continental coverage of popular shows and
through the celebration of annual pop music festivals in different parts of Latin America. Some
rhythms thrive in particular regions: salsa is popular in the countries bordering the Caribbean
Sea, samba is exclusive to coastal Brazil, and in the Andean countries ballads accompanied
by guitar are preferred while in the southern cone romantic songs with Spanish roots are
dominant. Passion for football (soccer) is both a unifying and a dividing force in the continent.

Latin Dance Soccer Play

Boxing is also a popular spectator sport. Bullfights and cockfights, once very popular
in Peru and Colombia, respectively, have lost appeal in the last decades. Horse racing, and the
associated betting, is still a favorite in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Venezuela, and Chile.

Boxing Bullfight

Also, strongly derived from the general Latino attitudes and values are the televised soap
operas (telenovelas). Those produced in Mexico are the most dominant, while Argentine series
cater chiefly to southern cone viewers. The typical story lines portray heroines who are ready to
defend their virtues against impulsive lovers. Variety shows are more popular than game shows
or public interest shows on television. Although they are more country-specific because of
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national character traits, there has been some internationalization in a few of them, particularly
when broadcast out of Miami. Movies made in Hollywood dominate everywhere. While in some
rural cinemas Mexican country dramas are still popular, in the major cities of the continent,
European and American movies are shown.

Telenovelas
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ACTIVITY 4: CULTURAL CHECK!

Directions: Based on the knowledge you have learned from the previous topic. There are similarities of
cultural life (traits, characteristics or hobbies) among us Filipinos and the Latin Americans. Identify
atleast 5 of these similarities and explain why did you say so?

Trait Or Characteristics Or Explain In Few Sentences Why Do Think It Is Similar To Us

Hobbies in Latin America Filipinos
1

2.

3.

4.

5.
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ACTIVITY 5: FIVE FOUR THREE ACTION! (Essay)

Direction: Do a little research about film destinations in the Central and South Americas. Name
the movie and pick at least five top destinations that you would like to visit and explain why.

Country / City Reason

1

2.

3.

4.

5.
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References:
Textbook:
 Selling Tourist Destinations (Geography for Travel Professionals) Latest Edition. Author:
Marc Mancini. Publisher: Cengage Learning Asia Pte. Ltd.
 Access: Introduction to Travel and Tourism Latest edition. Author: Marc Mancini. (2005)
Publisher. Delmar Learning
 Travel and Tour Operations in the Philippines. Author: Bienvenido Claraval Second
Edition.

Journals/Readings:
 Central Intelligence Agency. "United States." CIA World Fact Book. Last update 27 May
2020. Accessed on 1 June 2020
 Karuga, James (2017). "What Animals Live In South America?" WorldAtlas. Last accessed
on July 2020
 National Geographic Education. "South America - Resources". Published 4 January 2012.
Last accessed on July 2020
 Minkel, CW., Griffin, E., Gade D., (2020). Latin America. Britannica Encyclopedia Inc.

Online/URL:
 https://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/south-america-facts.html
 https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/america.htm#North%20America
 https://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-america/narratives/practical
information/transport/getting-around/train
 https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/america.htm#North%20America
 https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/america.htm#North%20America
 information/transport/getting-around/train
 https://www.lonelyplanet.com/north-america