Chapter 13Cultures of South America
Section 3
Countries of northern South America were colonized from
different European countries.
Because of this, their culture is
diverse.
Languages spoken in northern, South America include
French, English and Dutch.
Many people who live high in the Andes speak
Quechua and Aymara. They follow traditional
ways of their ancestors. Andean countries are
Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia.
Two Andean South American countries are Ecuador and Bolivia.
Many people who live high in the Andes are descended from
Native Americans.
Most of Chile’s population consists of Mestizos.
Geographically speaking, Chile is
quite different from one area to
another.
Culture in the areas away from the large
cities of Chile, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, is less diverse than the city
areas.
Argentina has large plains where the cattle can graze.
Brazil is Portuguese-speaking and has a diverse population of Native Americans,
Africans and Europeans. It also has a large Japanese population in the city of Sao
Paulo (sow PAW loh).
Most rural people with land of their own, grow only enough food to meet their families’ needs. This is known as subsistence farming.
Cash crops are crops grown on farms, which are sold for a profit. Coffee, bananas, nuts and cacao
are examples of these crops.
The cowboys
found on the plains of
Argentina (pampas) are known
as gauchos.
South American culture is a melting pot,
because it is a blend of many ethnic groups.
Today, women of South America have changed traditional roles by demanding equal rights allowed under law.
Please note: The woman shown above is Shirley Chisholm from America and not South America. She held her ground for the rights of all people, not the least of whom, were women.