More people live in the grasslands and Pampas, or flat plains because these regions offer more favorable conditions for agriculture and livestock farming. The Pampas, for instance, is characterized by rich soil that supports the growth of essential crops such as corn, wheat, and alfalfa, which are staples in the region's economy. This agricultural productivity not only sustains local populations but also provides a source of income through trade and export. In contrast, the mountainous regions, like the Andes, have a cooler and drier climate with limited arable land, prompting many residents to engage in subsistence farming or herding, which cannot support as large a population as the productive grasslands. Furthermore, the wide-open areas of the grasslands facilitate cattle ranching, allowing for extensive grazing and contributing to a more robust rural economy compared to the constraints faced by communities in mountainous terrains. As a result, the combination of fertile land, agricultural potential, and economic opportunities leads to higher population densities in the grasslands and Pampas compared to the mountainous areas.
South America’s is the fourth largest continent in the world with diverse physical features. The countries of South America include Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
The Andes Mountains
The Andes Mountains is a major mountain range in South America. The Andes are the longest mountain range in the world, and the second highest. Climate in the Andes is usually cool and dry, and few plants grow in the mountainous region. The mountain range runs all the way down the continent.
The elevation and climate in the mountainous region influence how people use the land. For example, some farmers in the Andes Mountains herd animals and engage in subsistence farming. This means that they only grow enough food for their families. Other farmers sell wool from animals to make money.
The Amazon River Basin is the largest river basin in the world, covering almost 2,700,000 square miles of the continent. The Amazon River—the world’s second largest river—drains this basin, flowing from the Andes Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. There are many different types of animals and plants in the Amazon Basin, and its climate is warm and wet. It is sparsely populated due to lack of fresh water, dense vegetation, and limited food sources.
The largest tropical rainforest, the Amazon Rainforest, is in the region. A rain forest is a thick, evergreen forest that is wet most of the year. Melting snow and rain from the Andes floods the Amazon River every year, depositing rich nutrients in the soil of the forest. This helps support plant and animal life in the Amazon Rainforest.
Today, the rainforest is used for farming, logging, mining, and land development. Such activities destroy plants and animal habitats in the area. Conservationists, or people who work to protect and preserve the environment and wildlife, are trying to protect the Amazon Rainforest.
The northern part of South America contains grasslands and a warm climate. The land has wide and open areas that are good for grazing and growing crops. Many people in the region engage in cattle ranching.
Pampas Plains
Much of eastern Argentina is made up of the Pampas. The Pampas is a grasslands region. The grassy plain has rich soil and is important to Argentina’s wheat and cattle industry. Crops such as corn, wheat, and alfalfa are grown in the region.
Though people settle in the mountainous areas of South America, more people live in the grasslands and Pampas, or flat plains.
Task: Provide evidence that will support the statement above. Use your notes as a reference. (paragraph form. min. 5 sentences)
More people live in the grasslands and Pampas, or flat plains because…
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