Paraguay and uruguay

Paraguay and Uruguay

Paraguay’s Physical Features• Paraguay is a landlocked

country found in South America

• Its capital is Asuncion

The Paraguay River divides the country into two regions

The eastern region is where most people live. Here is where the capital, Asuncion, is found. It is a warm, fertile area.

• In the western region is the Gran Chaco, which is shared with Argentina.. Because there are droughts in winter and severe floods in the summer, only about 5 percent of Paraguay’s people live in this region. In the Gran Chaco’s tropical savanna climate, grasses, palm trees, and quebracho trees thrive.

Forestry and Farming are Paraguay’s Major Economic Activities

Much of Paraguay is covered with large cattle ranches, however, small plots of land on many of the farms are used to grow grains, soybeans, and cassava.

Lumber is cut throughout the country.

Exporting Electricity• Paraguay’s economy also

depends on its exporting electricity. Nearly 90 percent of the electric power produced in Paraguay is sold. The power plant, which houses the world's largest hydroelectric power generator, is located at the Itaipu (sound of the stone) Dam on the Parana River.

Paraguay Culture• The Guarani was the Native

American group that was found by the Roman Catholic missionaries.

• Paraguay won its independence in 1811.

• Military leaders ruled Paraguay until it became a republic in the 1990s.

• Today, most people who live in Paraguay are mostly Guarani and Spanish mix.

Questions

• Describe the two regions of Paraguay.• What are the main economic activities in

Paraguay?• What is the capital?• What is the significance of the Itaipu Dam?

Uruguay

• Uruguay is a country with grassy rolling hills and a low, fertile plain.

• On one side, it shares a border with southeastern Brazil. On its other three sides, it touches the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Uruguay River, and the Rio de la Plata

Climate

• Uruguay has a mostly mild climate

Major Economic Activities

• Grassy plains are the source of support for Uruguay’s major economic activities of sheep and cattle raising.

Uruguay's Economic Health

• Argentina and Brazil are important to Uruguay’s economic health because Uruguay mainly trades with these two countries. If their economies are having difficulties then Uruguay suffers the same difficulties. Uruguay also trades with the United States and the European Union.

Uruguay’s Independence

• Uruguay got tired of Spain's control. Along with Argentina, Uruguay declared its independence from Spain.

• Soon, the Portuguese took control of Uruguay. It was 1828 when Uruguay won its independence again.

Uruguay’s Culture

• Most of Uruguay’s people are of European ancestry.

• More than 90 % of the people live in cities and towns.

• Uruguay is a welfare state.• Gauchos are as common in

Uruguay as in Argentina.• Capital is Montevideo

Questions

• What is a welfare state?• Describe Uruguay’s landscape.• Describe Uruguay’s climate.• Describe Uruguay’s dependence of Argentina

and Brazil.• Discuss Uruguay’s struggle for independence.• Discuss Uruguay’s major economic activities.