4.12 South America: The Southern Cone

breadbasket, diverse economy, economist, inequality

Vocabulary

• identify how the economic development of a country is measured

• explain the benefits of a diverse economy

• describe how large numbers of early migrants from Europe helped the economies of Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay

​Goals

South America: The Southern Cone

​Essential Question: What makes the people and cultures of the Southern Cone of South America unique?

Match

Match the vocabulary word to its definition.

• when a country doesn't depend only on one product or industry to make money

• the gap between the wealth of the richest and poorest citizens of a region or country.

• an area that produces grains and cereals for the rest of the region.

• people who study how a country produces, uses, and sells goods

diversified economy

Inequality

breadbasket

economists

• diversified economy

• Inequality

• breadbasket

• economists

Draw

Which region of Pennsylvania do you live in? Please circle the region.

Look at this map of the regions of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has 67 counties that can be grouped into seven different regions because each of those areas shares features in common. Common features can be geographic, such as a mountainous area or a prominent river, or the common feature can be that all counties in a region are rural and primarily agricultural.

Remember that, while each county is grouped with similar counties to form a region, each individual county is unique and functions on its own. Grouping by regions, then, is a way for geographers to point out differences by recognizing similarities.

Engage

The Southern Cone of South America refers to the southernmost region of the continent, encompassing the countries of Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. Because the Southern Cone contains all land on the continent that is south of the Tropic of Capricorn, you will sometimes see parts of Paraguay and Brazil included as well.

This geographical region is named the “southern cone” due to its cone-like shape. The Southern Cone is known for its diverse landscapes, ranging from vast grasslands, known as pampas, to rugged mountains such as the Andes, as well as fertile plains. These varied environments make the Southern Cone a biodiversity hotspot.

​The Southern Cone

The Southern Cone is a region rich in natural resources that significantly contribute to its economic prosperity and cultural identity.

Breadbasket is a term that refers to an area that produces grains and cereals for the rest of the region.

​​Economy

The Southern Cone is known as the breadbasket of South America, with fertile soils and favorable climates supporting the cultivation of essential crops such as wheat, corn, and soybeans. Argentina, in particular, is a major producer and exporter of these agricultural products, which play a vital role in ensuring food security within the region and beyond.

Grapes are also a vital crop in the region. The image shows a grape farm in Pisco Elqui, a town in the Elqui Valley in the mountains of Chile.

Farming

Cattle ranching is another pivotal aspect of the Southern Cone's economy, with vast grasslands, or pampas, providing ideal grazing lands. Argentina and Uruguay are well known for their beef production, which not only fuels their economies but also contributes to their unique culinary traditions.

Hereford cattle are shown grazing in the Uruguayan pampas.

Cattle Ranching

The Southern Cone boasts substantial reserves of oil and natural gas, primarily found in countries like Argentina and Chile. These fossil fuels are necessary for energy production, industrial development, and economic growth within the region.

Sections of pipe that will be used to construct a gas pipeline sit on the ground waiting for construction crews in Patagonia, Argentina.

Oil and Natural Gas

​​Economy Part 2

The Southern Cone is rich in mineral resources, notably copper, which is prevalent in Argentina and Chile. The mining sector plays a significant role in the economies of these countries, driving infrastructure development and contributing to global supply chains.

Trucks carrying ore travel in an open-pit mine in Calama, in the Atacama desert of north Chile.

Mineral Resources

The region has a thriving fishing industry, particularly along its extensive coastal areas. Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile harvest a variety of fish and seafood, which not only supports local livelihoods but also contributes to the region's culinary diversity and export market.

Fishing

Timber resources are abundant in parts of the Southern Cone, particularly in regions like southern Brazil and southern Chile, where vast forests provide timber for construction, furniture-making, and paper production. Sustainable forestry practices are increasingly emphasized to preserve these valuable resources for future generations and minimize environmental impact.

A logging truck with eucalyptus for the paper industry is shown in Uruguay.

Timber

With so many different industries, the Southern Cone has a diversified economy. Having a diversified economy means a country doesn't depend only on one product or industry to make money.

Having a diversified economy is beneficial for a few reasons.

• First, it makes a country more resilient. If something happens to one industry, like a bad storm ruining crops, the country can still make money from other industries, like selling manufactured goods or providing services.

• Second, it creates more jobs and opportunities for people. When there are many different industries, there are more types of jobs available. That means more people can find work and support their families.

• Third, it helps a country compete globally. When a country can produce and sell lots of different things, it can trade with other countries more easily. This strengthens the economy and makes the country more stable.

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Diversified Economy

When economists, people who study how a country produces, uses, and sells goods, look at how developed a nation is, they look at industrialization factors. Only about seventeen percent of the world's population lives in a developed nation, that is, about 1.3 billion of the world's almost 8 billion people. The four categories below each contain questions that economists ask.

Mature Economy- Does the economy rely solely on agriculture, or does it include more modern elements, such as production of goods, use of resources, and a varied mix of imports and exports?

Stable Economy-Can citizens expect their employment and income to be steady from year to year, or is the economy too weak for citizens to expect steady employment and wages?

Access to Quality Healthcare-Do people have access to modern healthcare? Do they have access to doctors and hospitals without having to travel great distances? Does the country have access to modern diagnostic testing and treatment?

Advanced Technology and Infrastructure-Does the country have a modern system of roads, bridges, and public transportation? Is energy easily available, or does the region often suffer from blackouts and loss of power? Is clean water easily available?

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​Economic Development

In 2010, the United Nations created a tool called the Human Development Index (HDI) to measure national growth. The HDI focused on three factors: life expectancy, education and literacy, and economic standard of living. Nations are then divided into four categories: very high development, high development, medium development, and low development. Remember, HDI is an average; it does not apply to a single person. Rather, it describes the life of an average person in that area.

HDI also takes into account inequality. Inequality is the gap between the wealth of the richest and poorest citizens of a region or country. The greater the gap between rich and poor, the lower the HDI rating of a country.

(The United States is in the Very High category, ranking twentieth in the world in HDI. Switzerland, Iceland, and Denmark rank one through three.)

Multiple Choice

Examine the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) map of national growth on the left and compare it to the map of the regions of South and Central America on the right. Then answer the following question:

Which region in South and Central America is the most economically developed?

• northern and western South America

• Brazil

• 
  Southern Cone

The population of the Southern Cone reflects a rich blend of cultures, influenced by Indigenous peoples, European immigrants, and other ethnic groups. European immigration played a pivotal role in shaping the demographics of the Southern Cone during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with millions of immigrants from Italy, Spain, Germany, and Portugal settling in countries like Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil. These immigrants brought with them their languages, traditions, and cultural practices, contributing to the diverse cultural landscape of the region.


Argentina experienced a significant influx, or arrival, of large groups of European immigrants, particularly from Italy and Spain, shaping Argentina's population demographics and cultural heritage. Today, a large percentage of Argentina's population has European ancestry, and Spanish is the predominant language spoken.

Similarly, Uruguay has a diverse population with influences from European immigrants, with Italian and Spanish being widely spoken languages. The immigrant communities that settled in Uruguay contributed to its rich cultural heritage and traditions.

Immigration Affects Population

Notice that the countries of South America with the largest numbers of European migrants in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries (Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay) also rank highest on the Human Development Index (HDI) on South America. One reason for this is that some European immigrants to the region arrived with money to invest in new businesses and a goal to export products back to Europe.

This injection of cash helped to quickly build the economies and infrastructures of Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. This capital also led to the growth of multiple large cities within the region.

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Cities and urban areas tend to draw immigrants more than rural areas, making these cities a hub of ethnic and cultural diversity. These cities within the Southern Cone are among the largest in the region and play crucial roles in the region's economic, cultural, and historical contexts.

Major Cities

Buenos Aires, the capital and largest city of Argentina, is a vibrant cultural hub known for its arts scene, tango music and dance, historical landmarks, and iconic neighborhoods like La Boca and Recoleta.

Buenos Aires sits at 82 feet above sea level.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Santiago, the capital and largest city of Chile, is a modern metropolis nestled in the Andes Mountains. It is renowned for its historic architecture, museums, parks, and bustling markets like La Vega Central, offering visitors and residents a blend of cultural and recreational experiences.

The image shows the skyline of Santiago with the Los Andes Mountain Range in the distance.

Santiago, Chile

Montevideo, the capital and largest city of Uruguay, is a coastal city known for its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful beaches, historic districts like Ciudad Vieja, and cultural attractions like the Teatro Solís. It offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.

The image shows the coastline of Montevideo at night, photographed from a drone.

Montevideo, Uruguay

Major Cities

Córdoba, the second-largest city in Argentina, is a historic city with colonial architecture, vibrant nightlife, cultural institutions like the Jesuit Block, and natural attractions in the surrounding Sierras. It serves as a cultural and educational center within the region.

This image show the skyline of Córdoba with the Sierras de Córdoba mountains in the background.

Córdoba, Argentina

Rosario, located along the Paraná River, is an important industrial and port city in Argentina. It is known for its cultural heritage, waterfront promenades, museums, and as the birthplace of Che Guevara, contributing to the region's historical and cultural significance. Guevara was an Argentine revolutionary, physician, author, guerrilla leader, diplomat, and military theorist who played a major role in the Cuban Revolution.

Rosario, Argentina

In regions with favorable geographic conditions like fertile soil, temperate climates, and access to water, population density tends to be higher. For example, the Pampas region in Argentina and Uruguay is known for its fertile plains, suitable for agriculture and livestock grazing. This area attracts farmers and ranchers, leading to a higher population density than in more arid or mountainous regions.

Coastal areas along the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean in countries like Chile and Argentina also have higher population densities. These areas offer opportunities for fishing, trade, and transportation, attracting people to settle near ports and coastal cities.

On the other hand, regions with challenging geographic conditions like rugged mountains, deserts, or extreme climates tend to have lower population densities.

Geography Affects Population

Multiple Choice

Using the list of destination countries for immigrants and the map below, which of the following statements are accurate?

• Brazil and Chile are both Spanish-speaking countries.

• Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay are all in the Southern Cone.

• Cuba and New Zealand both share a border with Bolivia.

The Southern Cone is very diverse in languages and religion. Spanish, introduced by Spanish colonizers centuries ago, is the most widely spoken language in Argentina, Uruguay, and parts of Chile. Portuguese is also spoken in Brazil, particularly in the southern states. Notice that both Bolivia and Paraguay still have significant percentages of people who speak Indigenous languages, including Guaraní.

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Religiously, Catholicism has historically been the dominant faith in the Southern Cone due to Spanish and Portuguese colonization. Many people in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Brazil adhere to Catholic beliefs and practices. However, the region also has a growing number of Protestant and Evangelical Christian communities, as well as smaller populations practicing Judaism, Islam, and Indigenous religions, contributing to its religious diversity.

Language and Religion

Family life and food play integral roles in the Southern Cone's cultural fabric, shaping daily routines and traditions. Families in this region often have close-knit relationships, with extended family members actively involved in children's lives. Family gatherings are common, where relatives come together to celebrate special occasions, share meals, and enjoy each other's company.

Family Life and Food

​ In Argentina beef is a staple ingredient, and families often gather for traditional barbecues known as asados. These gatherings feature grilled meats like steak, chorizo (sausage), and morcilla (blood sausage), served with chimichurri sauce and accompanied by side dishes like salads and bread.

In Uruguay, families enjoy dishes like chivito (see image), a hearty sandwich filled with steak, ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. Empanadas, savory pastries filled with meat, cheese, or vegetables, are also popular snacks enjoyed by families across the Southern Cone.

​​Beef and Sausage

An incredibly popular beverage is Yerba mate (YEHR-buh MAA-tay; shown in the image). Served hot, it is brewed from a plant of the same name in a way similar to tea and is traditionally served in a gourd. When served cold, it is often flavored with fruit. Unsweetened, mate has an earthy, grassy flavor not much different from green tea.

Yerba Mate

​Desserts are also a highlight of Southern Cone cuisine, with treats like dulce de leche (a sweet milk caramel) and alfajores (cookie sandwiches filled with dulce de leche, pictured) being beloved by families and adding a sweet touch to meals.

Desserts

The Southern Cone is a vibrant region rich in arts, sports, and leisure activities that showcase its diverse cultural heritage. Arts and culture are popular in countries like Argentina and Uruguay, with thriving art scenes and talented painters, sculptors, and musicians contributing to the region's creative landscape.

Tango, a passionate dance originating from Argentina, is a significant cultural expression that captivates audiences worldwide. As European music influences carried by immigrants mixed with African and South American styles from the region, tango was born.

Sports, especially soccer (or football), are incredibly popular in the Southern Cone. Argentina and Uruguay have passionate soccer fans, with their national teams achieving success on the international stage.

Other sports enjoyed in the region include rugby, especially in Argentina, where it has a strong following. In Chile and southern Brazil, outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and surfing are popular due to the diverse landscapes that offer opportunities for adventure and exploration.

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Arts, Sports, and Leisure

Reminders

1. Complete the exit ticket before leaving.

2. You may submit today's EDIO lesson blank.

Multiple Select

Which of the following are advantages to having a nation with a diversified economy? (Select all that apply.)

• A diverse economy helps to prevent economic collapse if something happens to one industry, because the country has other ways to make money.

• A diverse economy ensures that most citizens will become wealthy.

• A diverse economy creates more job opportunities for people, since there is a need for a wider variety of skills.