south america

Detailed photos and full-color maps help take readers on a fascinating visual journey through South America! This book's appealing format highlights the facts about the human and physical geography of the continent. Readers will put their analytical skills to use to interpret different types of maps as sources of information, from physical maps that show the region's landmarks to political maps that teach about the region's countries to interesting cultural and thematic maps.

Detailed photos and full-color maps help take readers on a fascinating visual journey through South America! This book's appealing format highlights the facts about the human and physical geography of the continent. Readers will put their analytical skills to use to interpret different types of maps as sources of information, from physical maps that show the region's landmarks to political maps that teach about the region's countries to interesting cultural and thematic maps.

Introduces the geography, history, climate, and culture of South America.

South America is a land of contrasts. The countires differ historically, geographically, ethnically, politically, economically, and culturally. You will also find a variety of languages spoken. Although Spanish is the national language of most South American countries, Portuguese is spoken in Brazil, Dutch in Suriname, English in Guyana, and French in French Guiana.

Background essays on Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean region.

In 1541, Conquistador Gonzalo Pizarro and his Lieutenant Francisco Orellana, set off from Quito in seach of South America's rumored Land of Cinnamon and the fabled El Dorado "the golden man" who, rumor said, was drenched in gold each day and washed off in the river every night. Their huge expedition began to disintegrate long before they reached the jungle that was to guide them to the Amazon River. Pizarro and Orellana soon made the fateful decision to separate. While Pizarro eventually returned home barefoot and in rags, Orellana and fifty-seven men continued down the Amazon River into unexplored and unknown areas. Orellana became the first European to navigage and explore the entire length of the world's largest river.