The Northern Tropics. The Guianas Countries Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana Culture reflects colonial history Official Languages Guyana – English.

The Northern The Northern TropicsTropics

The GuianasThe Guianas

CountriesCountries Guyana, Suriname, French GuyanaGuyana, Suriname, French Guyana

Culture reflects colonial historyCulture reflects colonial history Official LanguagesOfficial Languages

Guyana – EnglishGuyana – English Suriname – DutchSuriname – Dutch French Guyana - FrenchFrench Guyana - French

ReligionsReligions Suriname and Guyana – Muslim and HinduSuriname and Guyana – Muslim and Hindu

The Guianas contd.The Guianas contd.

Effects of MigrationEffects of Migration Africans were brought to area as slavesAfricans were brought to area as slaves Asians migrated to area after slavery endedAsians migrated to area after slavery ended Suriname has a large mulatto populationSuriname has a large mulatto population

Economic ActivitiesEconomic Activities Fishing is importantFishing is important Farmers grow sugar cane and riceFarmers grow sugar cane and rice Bauxite is abundant hereBauxite is abundant here

Venezuela Venezuela

Population is 24 millionPopulation is 24 million Average per capita GNP is $780 – South America’s Average per capita GNP is $780 – South America’s

poorest countrypoorest country Life Expectancy is 73 yearsLife Expectancy is 73 years Official Language is Spanish and most residents are Official Language is Spanish and most residents are

Catholic Catholic The Andean HighlandsThe Andean Highlands

Area of plateaus and hills near the AndesArea of plateaus and hills near the Andes Capital of Caracas located hereCapital of Caracas located here Most of the population live in rachitos or small shacks – similar Most of the population live in rachitos or small shacks – similar

to fevelas to fevelas

Venezuela Contd.Venezuela Contd.

Waterfalls and GrasslandsWaterfalls and Grasslands Tropical rainforests are found on the border with Tropical rainforests are found on the border with

BrazilBrazil World’s largest waterfall (Angel Falls) located hereWorld’s largest waterfall (Angel Falls) located here Llanos is a savannah region that receives rain only Llanos is a savannah region that receives rain only

half the year making agriculture difficulthalf the year making agriculture difficult Elevation and ClimateElevation and Climate

Elevation effects the vegetation of the regionElevation effects the vegetation of the region Coffee is grown in the tierra templada region where Coffee is grown in the tierra templada region where

the climate is mildthe climate is mild

Venezuela contd. Venezuela contd.

An Oil-Rich RegionAn Oil-Rich Region Venezuela is a major producer of oilVenezuela is a major producer of oil Oil deposits are found in four areasOil deposits are found in four areas

Eastern LlanosEastern Llanos The lowlands near Lake MaracaiboThe lowlands near Lake Maracaibo The Orinoco River DeltaThe Orinoco River Delta OffshoreOffshore

ColombiaColombia

Named after Christopher ColumbusNamed after Christopher Columbus Physical CharacteristicsPhysical Characteristics

Has three regionsHas three regions Lowlands, mountains, llanosLowlands, mountains, llanos

75% of the population live in the plateau between the 75% of the population live in the plateau between the mountainsmountains

Bogotá is located hereBogotá is located here A Single CropA Single Crop

Coffee is the only cash-crop grown in ColombiaCoffee is the only cash-crop grown in Colombia Campesinos (tenant farmers) can barely keep their families Campesinos (tenant farmers) can barely keep their families

fedfed If coffee prices drop, the country could be in troubleIf coffee prices drop, the country could be in trouble

Colombia contd.Colombia contd.

The Drug TradeThe Drug Trade Marijuana and Cocaine has become a major product of Marijuana and Cocaine has become a major product of

ColombiaColombia Small groups of people or families control most of the trade Small groups of people or families control most of the trade

leading to violenceleading to violence US and Colombian governments have tried to stop this US and Colombian governments have tried to stop this

problemproblem Cooperation and ConflictCooperation and Conflict

Colombia has seen many civil wars since gaining Colombia has seen many civil wars since gaining independence from Spain in the 1820sindependence from Spain in the 1820s

200,000 people were killed in a civil war in the 1950s200,000 people were killed in a civil war in the 1950s Conflict still continues todayConflict still continues today