Grade 6
Social Studies
Unit: 04 Lesson: 01
Peru, Argentina, and Brazil: Facts
PERU
Background/Brief History: Ancient Peru consisted of several
Andean civilizations. The most familiar civilization to the world is the
Incan Empire. The Incan empire was invaded, captured and
colonized by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian
independence was finally declared in 1821, and the remaining
Spanish forces were defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of
military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980.
Climate: varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate
to frigid in Andes
Terrain: western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in
center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)
Natural Resources: copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish,
iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas
Languages: Spanish (official) 84.1%, Quechua (official) 13%,
Aymara (official) 1.7%, Ashaninka 0.3%, other native languages
(includes a large number of minor Amazonian languages) 0.7%,
other 0.2% (2007 Census)
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08/09/12
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Grade 6
Social Studies
Unit: 04 Lesson: 01
Religions: Roman Catholic 81.3%, Evangelical 12.5%, other 3.3%,
unspecified or none 2.9% (2007 Census)
Ethnicity: Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white)
37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%
Government: constitutional republic
Capital: name: Lima
Economy: Important mineral resources are found in the
mountainous and coastal areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide
excellent fishing grounds. Peruvian economy has been growing in
most recent years. Since 2006, Peru has signed trade deals with the
U.S., Canada, Singapore, China, Korea, Mexico, and Japan.
©2012, TESCCC
08/09/12
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Grade 6
Social Studies
Unit: 04 Lesson: 01
Argentina
Background/Brief History: In 1816, the United Provinces of the
Rio Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia,
Paraguay, and Uruguay went their separate ways, the area that
remained became Argentina. The country's population and culture
were heavily shaped by immigrants from throughout Europe, but
most particularly Italy and Spain, which provided the largest
percentage of newcomers from 1860 to 1930.
Climate: mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in
southwest
Terrain: rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling
plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border
Natural Resources: fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin,
copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium
Languages: Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French,
indigenous (Mapudungun, Quechua)
Religions: Roman Catholic 92% , Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other
4%
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08/09/12
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Grade 6
Social Studies
Unit: 04 Lesson: 01
Ethnicity: white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo (mixed
white and Amerindian ancestry), Amerindian, or other non-white
groups 3%
Government: republic
Capital: Buenos Aires
Economy: Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly
literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a
diversified industrial base. Although one of the world's wealthiest
countries 100 years ago, Argentina suffered during most of the 20th
century from recurring economic crises. Today, they have a growing
and fairly strong economy.
©2012, TESCCC
08/09/12
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Grade 6
Social Studies
Unit: 04 Lesson: 01
Brazil
Background/Brief History: Following more than three centuries
under Portuguese rule, Brazil gained its independence in 1822,
maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition
of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by
the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated
the country until populist leader Getulio Vargas rose to power in
1930. By far the largest and most populous country in South
America, Brazil underwent more than a half century of populist and
military government until 1985, when the military regime peacefully
ceded power to civilian rulers.
Climate: mostly tropical, but temperate in south
Terrain: mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills,
mountains, and narrow coastal belt
Natural Resources: bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel,
phosphates, platinum, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, petroleum,
hydropower, timber
Languages: Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language)
note: less common languages include Spanish (border areas and
schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of
minor Amerindian languages
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08/09/12
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Grade 6
Social Studies
Unit: 04 Lesson: 01
Religions: Roman Catholic 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spiritualist
1.3%, Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none
7.4% (2000 census)
Ethnicity: white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%,
black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%,
unspecified 0.7% (2000 census)
Government: federal republic
Capital: Brasilia
Economy: Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural,
mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy
outweighs that of all other South American countries, and Brazil is
expanding its presence in world markets.
Source: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
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08/09/12
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