Selina Concise Solutions for ICSE Class 6 Geography Chapter 11 South America Climate Natural Vegetation Wildlife Mineral and Power Resources

POINTS TO REMEMBER

1. The climate of South America is influenced by its location, presence of the Andes Mountains, prevailing winds, nearness to seas and oceans, and the impact of ocean currents.
2. The vast continent of South America has a climate that varies from the equatorial climate in most of Brazil, to the desert climate of the Atacama and Patagonian Deserts.
3. Some areas of Venezuela, Guyana, and Brazil also experience tropical climate. There is a small stretch of central Chile which experiences Mediterranean climate. Southern Chile has a maritime climate.
4. Different climates have influenced the natural vegetation found in South America. Forests exist in areas that receive heavy rainfall throughout the year such as the equatorial forests of the Amazon Basin. Grasslands predominate in regions that record maximum rainfall during the summers such as the grasslands in Guyana and Brazil. Deserts exist in areas that receive hardly any rainfall such as the Atacama and Patagonian Deserts. Mountain vegetation grows in the Andes and Mediterranean vegetation is found in central Chile.
5. The wildlife of South America includes several unusual species such as the anaconda, birds such as the egret, rhea, and condor, and animals such as the guanaco, vicuna, and llama.
6. Hardwood trees like mahogany, rosewood, and rubber are found in the selvas. Brazil nuts, balsa, cinchona for quinine, gum, resins, and dyes are other products obtained from these forests. Yerba mate is an important tree that grows in the Eastern Highlands.
7. Rivers like the Amazon, Orinoco, and Parana provide inland water transport. Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Venezuela have developed hydroelectric power projects.
8. South America is rich in minerals ranging from crude oil, copper, diamond, gold to silver. This is what attracted the Europeans to settle in this continent.

IMPORTANT TERMS

1. Campos : the tropical grasslands in central Brazil.
2. Gran Chaco : lowland alluvial plain in interior south-central South America.
3. Armadillo : an animal found in South America with a hard shell made of pieces-Of bone.
4. Lguana : a large tropical lizard found in South America.

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks.

Question 1: The tropical grasslands of Guyana are called llanos.
Answer: llanos.
The llanos are vast tropical grassland plains situated to the east of the Andes in Colombia and Venezuela. These regions experience a wet and dry tropical climate which supports a variety of grasses and wildlife.
Teacher's Tip: Remember "Llanos" sounds like "Lowlands," which helps you recall they are vast flat plains.
Exam Tip: When writing "llanos," ensure you spell it with a double 'L' as it is a specific Spanish term.

Question 2: The coca tree is a native peruvian tree.
Answer: peruvian.
The coca tree has played a significant role in the traditional culture of the Andean people for centuries. It is primarily found in the mountain regions and is known for its leaves which have various medicinal properties.
Teacher's Tip: Link "Coca" with "Cuzco" (in Peru) to remember its origin.
Exam Tip: Capitalize "Peruvian" if your teacher prefers proper adjectives to be capitalized, though the textbook uses lowercase.

Question 3: The quebracho tree grows in the Gran Chaco.
Answer: quebracho.
The name "quebracho" literally means "axe-breaker" because the wood of this tree is extremely hard and durable. This tree is economically important as it is a major source of tannin, which is used for processing leather.
Teacher's Tip: Think of "Quebracho" as "Quick-Break" for axes to remember how hard the wood is.
Exam Tip: If asked about the importance of this tree, always mention it is used in the tanning industry.

Question 4: The pampas vegetation in Argentina consists of short, soft and nutritious grasses.
Answer: pampas.
The pampas are extensive temperate grasslands that cover parts of Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. Because the grass is highly nutritious, these areas are world-famous for cattle ranching and wheat farming.
Teacher's Tip: Connect "Pampas" with "Pasture" because it is where the best cattle graze.
Exam Tip: Mention the word "temperate" if you are describing the climate of the pampas in a long answer.

Question 5: The galapagos Islands are inhabited by giant turtles.
Answer: galapagos.
The Galapagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean famous for their unique biodiversity. These islands were instrumental in Charles Darwin's development of the theory of evolution by natural selection.
Teacher's Tip: "Galapago" actually means tortoise in old Spanish, so the name tells you the answer!
Exam Tip: Use the word "endemic" to describe species found only in places like the Galapagos.

Question 6: Wax obtained from caranauba palm trees are used for making shoe polish, furniture poolish, lipstickand candles.
Answer: caranauba.
The carnauba palm is known as the "Tree of Life" because of its many uses in producing high-quality wax. This wax has a very high melting point, making it perfect for products that need to stay firm like lipsticks and car wax.
Teacher's Tip: Imagine a "Car" shining after being polished with "Carnauba" wax.
Exam Tip: Be careful with the spelling "caranauba" as used in the text to match your textbook's version.

Question 7: Quinine is obtained from the bark of cinchona trees.
Answer: cinchona.
Quinine is a powerful medicine that was the first effective treatment for malaria, a disease caused by mosquitoes. The cinchona tree is native to the tropical Andean forests of western South America.
Teacher's Tip: Remember "Cinchona" helps you "Conquer" malaria.
Exam Tip: If a question asks for a medicinal forest product, cinchona is the best example to give.

Question 8: Chile leads in the production of copper.
Answer: Chile.
Chile possesses the largest copper reserves in the world, primarily located in the northern desert regions. The mining industry is a major pillar of the country's economy and provides employment for thousands.
Teacher's Tip: Chile is shaped like a long wire, just like "copper wires" used in electricity.
Exam Tip: Always associate the Chuquicamata mine with Chile when discussing copper production.

B. Find the odd one out in each of the following groups and say why.

Question 1: Llanos, pampas, campos, selvas
Answer: Selvas - As all other are grass
Llanos, pampas, and campos are different types of grassland ecosystems found across the continent. In contrast, the selvas are dense, tropical equatorial rainforests characterized by heavy rainfall and thick canopy.
Teacher's Tip: Categorize terms into "Grasslands" vs "Forests" to easily spot the odd one out.
Exam Tip: When giving the reason, explicitly state the category that the other three belong to.

Question 2: Rubber, cinchona, pine, ebony
Answer: Pine
Rubber, cinchona, and ebony are hardwood trees typically found in the tropical equatorial forests or selvas. Pine is a softwood coniferous tree that grows in colder climates or mountainous regions.
Teacher's Tip: Think of "Hardwood" (Tropical) vs "Softwood" (Temperate/Cold).
Exam Tip: Use the terms "hardwood" and "softwood" in your explanation to score higher marks.

Question 3: Tapir, piranha, sloth, puma
Answer: Tapir, pranha - piranha is a reptile
Tapir, sloth, and puma are mammals that live on land or in trees. The piranha is a sharp-toothed fish found in the freshwater rivers of the Amazon basin.
Teacher's Tip: Sort the animals by habitat: "Land" vs "Water."
Exam Tip: Note that while the textbook answer says "piranha is a reptile," it is scientifically a fish; however, you should follow your textbook's logic for exams.

Question 4: Jaguar, vicuna, llama, alpaca
Answer: Jaguar - These three belong to camel family
The vicuna, llama, and alpaca are all camelids native to the high Andean mountains and are herbivores. The jaguar is a large carnivorous cat that primarily inhabits the rainforests and wetlands.
Teacher's Tip: Group them by diet: "Herbivores" vs "Carnivores."
Exam Tip: Mentioning the "camel family" (camelids) shows a deeper understanding of animal classification.

Question 5: Cactus, pine, scrub, prickly pear
Answer: Pine
Cactus, scrub, and prickly pear are types of xerophytic vegetation adapted to survive in very dry desert conditions. Pine trees require more moisture and are generally found in temperate or highland forest regions.
Teacher's Tip: Think of "Dry/Desert" plants versus "Forest" plants.
Exam Tip: The word "xerophytes" refers to plants adapted to dry environments like the Atacama.

C. Match the columns.

Question 1: pampas
Answer: (ii) temperate grasslands of Argentina and Uruguay
These grasslands are located in the mid-latitude regions and provide excellent fertile soil for agriculture. They are significantly cooler than the tropical grasslands found further north.
Teacher's Tip: "Pampas" = "Plain" in the temperate south.
Exam Tip: Match the names of the grasslands to the specific countries they are located in.

Question 2: mixed forests
Answer: (v) deciduous and coniferous vegetation
Mixed forests contain a combination of trees that shed their leaves seasonally and those that stay green year-round. These are often found in transitional climate zones between cold and warm regions.
Teacher's Tip: "Mixed" means a "Mix" of two different types of trees.
Exam Tip: Remember that coniferous trees usually have needle-like leaves and cones.

Question 3: campos
Answer: (iv) tropical grasslands of Brazil
The campos are found on the Brazilian Highlands and consist of tall grasses and stunted trees. They are a product of a tropical climate with a distinct dry season.
Teacher's Tip: Remember Campos starts with 'C' like Central Brazil.
Exam Tip: Be sure not to confuse Campos (Brazil) with Llanos (Guyana/Venezuela).

Question 4: selvas
Answer: (iii) equatorial rainforests of Amazon Basin
The selvas are the world's largest rainforests, often referred to as the 'lungs of the world.' They are dense and multi-layered due to the constant heat and rainfall of the equator.
Teacher's Tip: Selvas sounds like "Silver" water flowing through the Amazon forest.
Exam Tip: Use the term "equatorial" to describe the position of the selvas near the 0-degree latitude line.

Question 5: Gran Chaco
Answer: (i) quebracho tree
The Gran Chaco is a hot and semi-arid lowland region that is the primary habitat for the quebracho tree. This region spans across several countries including Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia.
Teacher's Tip: Associate the "Chaco" with the "Chop" of an axe on the hard tree.
Exam Tip: If you see "alluvial plain" and "Quebracho" together, the answer is always Gran Chaco.

D. Answer the following questions in brief.

Question 1: How does the shape of the continent affect the climate of th£ southern part of South America ?
Answer: Due to its tapering size or shape, the southern part of South America gets the moderating influence of the oceans and thus has mild climate.
The narrow, pointed shape of the southern tip means that no part of the land is very far from the sea. This prevents the interior from experiencing extreme temperatures, keeping it cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Teacher's Tip: Think of a "Funnel" shape; the narrow part is surrounded by water on both sides.
Exam Tip: Always use the word "moderating" when explaining how oceans affect coastal or narrow landmasses.

Question 2: Mention some of the factors that affect the climate of South America.
Answer: A large part of South America lies within the tropical zone and is, therefore, hot. The apparent movement of the sun has an impact on die climate of South America. The climate is, however, r also influenced by a number of other factors such as the presence of the Andes Mountains, the height of a place above sea level, prevailing winds, nearness to seas and oceans, and die impact of ocean currents such as die warm Brazilian Current and the cold Peru Current.
Physical features like the massive Andes mountain range act as a barrier to winds and moisture. Additionally, currents in the surrounding oceans either bring warmth or have a cooling effect on the coastal areas.
Teacher's Tip: Use the acronym "LOWERN" (Latitude, Ocean currents, Winds, Elevation, Relief, Nearness to water) to remember climate factors.
Exam Tip: List at least four factors to ensure you get full marks for a "brief" answer.

Question 3: Name the summer and winter months in large parts of South America.
Answer: As it is mainly located in the southern hemisphere, a very large part of South America experiences summer in December and early January and winter in June-July.
Because South America is below the equator, its seasons are the exact opposite of what people experience in the Northern Hemisphere. This means when we have winter in India, they are enjoying their summer holidays.
Teacher's Tip: Remember "Opposite Ends" - if the North is cold, the South is hot!
Exam Tip: Mention the "Southern Hemisphere" as the reason why the months are reversed.

Question 4: Which winds bring heavy rainfall to the Guiana Highlands and Brazil?
Answer: The North-east and South-east Trade Winds bring heavy rain to the Guiana Highlands and Brazil.
These winds blow from the Atlantic Ocean toward the land, carrying a significant amount of moisture. When they hit the highlands and mountains, the air rises and cools, causing heavy rainfall.
Teacher's Tip: "Trade Winds" carry "Trade and Rain" across the Atlantic.
Exam Tip: Always specify the direction (North-east and South-east) to get full marks.

Question 5: Why is the Atacama a desert? Is it a tropical desert or a temperate desert?
Answer: The Northern and central Andes block North East and South East Trade Winds which bring rain from the Atlantic Ocean to the Guiana Highlands and Brazil. Therefore, the regions west of the Andes do not receive any rain and are very dry and hot and the Atacama Desert is located here. The Atacama is a tropical desert.
The Andes mountains create a "rain shadow" effect, stopping clouds from crossing over to the western side. Because of this lack of moisture and its location near the equator, it remains one of the driest places on Earth.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the Andes as a "Giant Umbrella" that blocks the rain for the Atacama.
Exam Tip: Be clear that it is a "tropical" desert even though it is very high up.

Question 6: Name some of the forest resources from the selvas of South America.
Answer: The selvas or equatorial forests are important for hardwood trees such as mahogany, rosewood, and rubber. The camaiiba palm tree yields wax, which is used for making shoe polish, furniture polish, lipstick, and candles. The bark of the cinchona tree yeild quinine, a medicine used for treating malaria. Balsa, which is a lightweight wood, Brazil nus, gum, resins, and dyes are other products obtained from selvas.
The diversity of these forests provides raw materials for various global industries ranging from medicine to cosmetics. Many of these resources, like rubber and nuts, are harvested sustainably by local communities.
Teacher's Tip: Group resources into "Trees," "Medicines," and "Waxes" to remember them easily.
Exam Tip: If the question asks for "forest resources," don't just list trees; include products like wax and quinine.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two paragraphs.

Question 1: Quito is located near the equator yet it has a cool pleasant climate throughout the year. Explain.
Answer: Quito is the capital of Ecuador. It is situated close to the equator. In spite of its equatorial location, it has a pleasant climate throughout the year as it is situated high in the Andes.
Atmospheric temperature decreases as altitude increases, which is why high mountain areas are cooler. Even though Quito receives direct sunlight, the thin mountain air at its high elevation prevents it from getting hot like the lowlands.
Teacher's Tip: High Height = Low Heat.
Exam Tip: Mention the term "altitude" or "elevation" when explaining why high places are cool.

Question 2: Briefly describe the vegetation and wildlife of the selvas.
Answer: The selvas or equatorial forests are important for hardwood trees such as mahogany, rosewood, and rubber. The camauba palm tree yields wax, which is used for making shoe polish, furniture polish, lipstick, and candles. The bark of the cinchona tree yields quinine, a medicine used for treating malaria. Balsa, which is a lightweight wood, Brazil nuts, gum, resins, and dyes are other products obtained from selvas. Yerba mate is an important tree of the Eastern Highlands. The leaves of this tree are used to make a tea-like beverage. The Gran Chaco region grows quebracho (the woid’quebracho’ means ‘axe-breaker’), a hardwood tree which is a source of tannic acid used in leather tanning. The eastern slopes of the Andes and the confierous forests of Chile have softwood trees, which are important sources of Wood pulp for the paper industry. Colourful birds, monkeys, insects and snakes such as the python and anaconda, reptiles such as crocodiles and alligators and fishes including the piranha are found in the Amazon forests.
The selvas are characterized by dense, multi-layered vegetation that thrives in high heat and humidity. This incredible variety of plants supports a complex web of wildlife ranging from the forest floor to the high canopy layers.
Teacher's Tip: Divide your answer into two parts: one for 'Vegetation' (trees/plants) and one for 'Wildlife' (animals/birds).
Exam Tip: Use specific examples like "anaconda" and "mahogany" to demonstrate detailed knowledge.

Question 3: What do you know about the tropical grasslands of South America.
Answer: These grasslands have long grasses and are known as the llanos in Guyana and the campos in Brazil. There are scattered trees between the grasses of varying heights.
Tropical grasslands develop in regions with high temperatures and seasonal rainfall, rather than rain all year round. The landscape is dominated by coarse grass that can grow several feet high during the rainy season.
Teacher's Tip: Visualize a "Savanna" like you see in movies about Africa; that's what these look like.
Exam Tip: Clearly state the local names (llanos and campos) as they are frequently asked in objective questions.

Question 4: Describe the temperate grasslands of South America.
Answer: These are called the pampas in north-eastern and central Argentina and Uruguay. The vegetation consists of short, soft, and nutritious grasses. This is a fertile tree-less area which is well suited to cattle grazing, dairying, and wheat cultivation. Vast amounts of wheat are grown here for export.
The pampas have very deep, dark soil that is perfect for large-scale farming because it is naturally rich in nutrients. Because it is a flat, open area, it is easy to use modern machinery for harvesting crops like wheat.
Teacher's Tip: Pampas = "Plenty of Wheat."
Exam Tip: Mention both "cattle grazing" and "wheat cultivation" to explain the economic importance of the pampas.

Question 5: What kind of wildlife can be found in the Amazon forests?
Answer: Colourful birds, monkeys, insects and snakes such as the python and anaconda, reptiles such as crocodiles and alligators and fishes including the piranha are found in the Amazon forests.
The Amazon is home to millions of species, many of which are not found anywhere else on the planet. Its thick vegetation provides various habitats, from the deep rivers to the tops of giant trees.
Teacher's Tip: Remember the three levels: "Sky" (birds), "Trees" (monkeys/snakes), and "Water" (piranha).
Exam Tip: Using names like "anaconda" or "piranha" makes your answer more specific and interesting.

Question 6: South America has rich mineral reserves. Write a brief description of the chief mineral deposits.
Answer: Brazil has one of the world’s largest deposits of iron ore and also has some coal and vast oil reserves. Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela has rich deposits of mineral oil. This makes up for the lack of coal. About 15 per cent of the world’s crude oil comes from this region of South America. Venezuela is the biggest exporter of oil in South America and is next only to the Arab countries. It is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Chile is the world’s leading producer of copper. The largest copper mine in the world is at Chuquicamata in northern Chile. Peru is another important copper producer in South America. The Atacama Desert is still rich in nitrates, which are important for making fertilizers. Bolivia is one of the leading countries in tin production in the world. Gold is found in Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru. Bolivia and Peru have silver mines. Reserves of two rare minerals—platinum and vanadium—are found in the Andes. Bauxite is mined in Guyana and Suriname. South America is rich in minerals ranging from crude oil, copper, diamond, gold to silver. This is what attracted the Europeans to settle in this continent.
The continent's geology is incredibly diverse, offering everything from energy resources like oil to precious metals like gold. These natural riches have shaped the history of the continent, from colonial conquest to modern economic development.
Teacher's Tip: Make a table with "Mineral" on one side and "Country" on the other for quick revision.
Exam Tip: Mention OPEC when talking about Venezuela to show you understand international trade organizations.

F. On a blank outline map of South America, mark the following.

1. Use red arrows to show the North-east Trade and South-east Trade Winds and purple arrows to show the North Westerlies.
2. Colour in dark green the extent of the selvas.
3. Use light green to show the extent of the temperate grasslands of Argentina and Uruguay.
4. Colour in yellow the Patagonian and Atacama Deserts.
5. Write the words llama, rhea, pine, and puma in regions where they are found.
6. Write ‘P’ for petroleum, ‘S’ for silver and ‘C’ for copper in any two countries producing these minerals.

G Picture study.

Identify the animal seen in the photograph and answer the following questions

Question 1: Name an area in South America where you can see it.
Answer: They are seen in the central and southern regions of Peru.
These animals, known as alpacas, are primarily found grazing in the high-altitude Andes mountains. They are a common sight in the rural highlands of Peru where they have been raised for generations.
Teacher's Tip: Alpacas and llamas are almost always linked to the country of "Peru."
Exam Tip: Specifying "central and southern regions" shows you have read the textbook carefully.

Question 2: How do these animals adapt to the climate?
Answer: These animals live in an area of high altitude where the temperature can change rapidly and the ground can be frosted over half the year
They have thick, woolly coats that protect them from extreme cold and sharp mountain winds. Additionally, their feet are padded to help them walk safely on rocky and uneven mountain terrain.
Teacher's Tip: Think of their wool as a "Built-in Sweater" for the cold mountains.
Exam Tip: Mention the phrase "thick woolly fleece" to describe their primary adaptation.

Question 3: Give one significant usefulness of this animal.
Answer: The alpaca are domesticated as the alpaca provides fine wool
The wool of the alpaca is highly prized worldwide because it is very soft, warm, and lightweight compared to sheep's wool. It is used to make high-quality clothing like sweaters, blankets, and scarves.
Teacher's Tip: Link "Alpaca" with "Apparel" (clothes) to remember the wool connection.
Exam Tip: If the question asks for usefulness, focus on the economic value of its "fine wool."