Brazil

Land of the AmazonLand of the Amazon

South South AmericaAmerica

Discarding its Discarding its colonial heritagecolonial heritage

Land of cultural, Land of cultural, physical, and physical, and ecological ecological diversitydiversity

BrazilBrazilAt 3.27 At 3.27 million miles, million miles, Brazil is the Brazil is the largest largest territory in territory in Latin Latin America, just America, just slightly slightly smaller than smaller than the U.S.the U.S.

BRAZIL

On April 22, 1500, the 13-ship fleet under Pedro Álvares Cabral anchored off the mouth of the Rio Buranhém on the Bahian coast. The chronicler of the discovery, wrote that immediately they saw men walking on the beach, and by the time a longboat reached the shore twenty or so had assembled. Entirely naked and dark skinned, they laid down their bows and arrows as a sign of peace, while responding to offers of Portuguese hats by giving over a parrot-feathered headdress and a long string of white seed pearls. Thus did the cultural exchange begin that would evolve over the next five centuries into the distinctive Brazilian culture.

Cabral colonizes for PortugalCabral colonizes for Portugal

Portugese Portugese colonizationcolonization

The Garcia D´Ávila The Garcia D´Ávila Castle was built in Castle was built in the XVI century with the XVI century with medieval medieval characteristics and characteristics and has been used as has been used as residence of residence of Portuguese nobles Portuguese nobles and soldiers.and soldiers. Its ruins have Its ruins have

been recently been recently refurbished and refurbished and archeological archeological research has been research has been done the area.done the area.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (L) gestures to a samba dancer at the Mangueira Samba School during a visit to the school's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, November 5, 2004. Chavez is in Brazil to attend the 18th annual Rio Group summit. REUTERS/Bruno Domingos

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (L) gestures Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (L) gestures to a samba dancer at the during a visit to the to a samba dancer at the during a visit to the Mangueira Samba School's headquarters in Rio Mangueira Samba School's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, 2004. Chavez was in Brazil to attend de Janeiro, 2004. Chavez was in Brazil to attend the 18th annual Rio Group summit.the 18th annual Rio Group summit.

Rio De JaneiroRio De Janeiro

Ipanema beach, Ipanema beach, Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro

North BrazilNorth Brazil

The Amazon drains an area equivalent to more The Amazon drains an area equivalent to more than two thirds of the continental United States. than two thirds of the continental United States. It pours into the Atlantic Ocean about one-fifth It pours into the Atlantic Ocean about one-fifth of the freshwater that flows into all the world's of the freshwater that flows into all the world's oceans, a volume so gigantic that it alters oceans, a volume so gigantic that it alters ocean salt levels 200 miles from its mouth.ocean salt levels 200 miles from its mouth.

Rio NegroRio Negro

Confluence Confluence with Rio with Rio SolimõesSolimões

The second-longest river in the world, the The second-longest river in the world, the Amazon is 3,900 miles long flowing across North Amazon is 3,900 miles long flowing across North Brazil before entering the Atlantic Ocean near Brazil before entering the Atlantic Ocean near Belem. It carries more water than any other river Belem. It carries more water than any other river in the world. The source is the Andes Mountains. in the world. The source is the Andes Mountains.

Amazon RiverAmazon River

A school of sharp-teethed piranha can devour a cow in minutes

Rain forestRain forestTropical rain forests are mainly the product of Tropical rain forests are mainly the product of climatic interactions, particularly temperature and climatic interactions, particularly temperature and rainfall. In general, tropical rain forests occur rainfall. In general, tropical rain forests occur where a mean monthly temperature of between 20 where a mean monthly temperature of between 20 and 28 degrees C is combined with an annual and 28 degrees C is combined with an annual rainfall of between 1.5 and 10m, evenly rainfall of between 1.5 and 10m, evenly distributed throughout the year. This last proviso distributed throughout the year. This last proviso is very important because it is only to those is very important because it is only to those tropical forests which experience little seasonal tropical forests which experience little seasonal variation in terms of rainfall that the term variation in terms of rainfall that the term rainrain forest can legitimately be applied.forest can legitimately be applied.

““Rainforests are the finest celebration Rainforests are the finest celebration of nature ever known on the planet.”of nature ever known on the planet.”

The author of this statement would most likely be The author of this statement would most likely be opposed to which of these projects:opposed to which of these projects:

A. A plan to reforest 200,000 acres of Brazil.A. A plan to reforest 200,000 acres of Brazil.B. A plan by the government of Brazil to allow the B. A plan by the government of Brazil to allow the clearing of 300,000 acres for commercial farming.clearing of 300,000 acres for commercial farming.C. The development of a tourist resort on the coast of C. The development of a tourist resort on the coast of Chile.Chile.D. The building of a hydroelectric dam in southern D. The building of a hydroelectric dam in southern Argentina.Argentina.

“I strongly am proposing a plan to protect the rain forest and the indigenous people of Brazil because there is a direct connection between the rain forest and the local cultures who inhabit it.”

The author of this statement is most likely aThe author of this statement is most likely a

A. World Bank representativeA. World Bank representativeB. Brazilian government officialB. Brazilian government officialC. Oil company executiveC. Oil company executiveD. Environmental activistD. Environmental activist

The Itaipu hydroelectric power plant on the Parana The Itaipu hydroelectric power plant on the Parana River is a joint development project with Brazil and River is a joint development project with Brazil and Paraguay. With 18 units of 700 megawatts each, it Paraguay. With 18 units of 700 megawatts each, it is the largest hydroelectric plant currently in is the largest hydroelectric plant currently in operation in the worldoperation in the world

Directions for Preparing for the Directions for Preparing for the Rainforest ConferenceRainforest Conference

1. Make sure your group members have copies of handouts 3.1A, 3.1C, 3.1D and 3.1E.

2. Read and discuss the information for your interest group. Answer the discussion questions.

3. Read and discuss the Summary of Rainforest Interest Groups. Determine whether or not your group’s interests conflict with the interests of other groups.

Designing a Group BannerDesigning a Group BannerDesign a banner representing your interest

group to display on the desks in front of you during the conference. Include the following:

• The name of your interest group, written large enough so everyone in the room can read it.

• A catchy slogan that reveals how your interest wants rainforest land to be used.

• A visual symbol that represents your group.

RANCHERS“LAND FOR BEEF!”

Introductory Introductory StatementStatement

Write a brief (30 second) introduction for your Write a brief (30 second) introduction for your interest group to be read at the start of the interest group to be read at the start of the conference. Include the following:conference. Include the following:

• Who you areWho you are• Who you think is to blame for the conflict in Who you think is to blame for the conflict in

the rainforestthe rainforest• How you think the rainforest to be usedHow you think the rainforest to be used• What the elements of your banner What the elements of your banner

represent.represent.

LinksLinks“The Columbian Exchange” from the series Columbus & the Age of Discovery

http://www.nhc.rtp.nc.us:8080/tserve/nattrans/ntecoindian/essays/columbian.htm"The Great Disease Migration," by Geoffrey Cowley

http://muweb.millersville.edu/~columbus/data/his/COWLEY01.HIS

http://www.ddbstock.com/index.html

http://community.webshots.com/album/103318559IkAyZv

http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=21901

http://www.jouvay.com/guyana/guyana/South American experience: Guyana

http://www.southamericanexperience.co.uk/guyana/guyana_rainforestandfalls.htmlGrassland bione: The Pampas

http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/pampas.htmEcuador: frigate bird

http://www.shunya.net/Pictures/Ecuador/Galapagos/FrigateBird/FrigateBirds.htmEcuador: hoatzin

http://www.photobirder.com/Bird_Photos/hoatzin.jpgPics4Learning

http://www.pics4learning.com/Alpaca wool throw

http://www.novica.com/itemdetail/index.cfm?pid=83812South American biodiversity

http://www.ecuador-travel.net/biodiversity.birds.egret.htm