The New Childrens Encyclopedia

INDUSTRY

Venezuela has some of

the world’s largest oil

and gas reserves and the

petroleum industry

accounts for 80 percent

of its exports. In Brazil,

many cars run on

ethanol, which is a fuel

made from sugar cane.

LIFE IN SOUTH AMERICA

137

MUSIC

The samba, tango, and bossa nova

are just some of the famous dances

that come from South America.

This couple is dancing the tango, a

dramatic dance that originated in the

slums of Buenos Aires in Argentina.

Tango music is played on a type of

accordion called a bandoneon,

accompanied by a piano and violin.

SOCCER

Soccer is a passion for people in

many South American countries—

from children playing soccer in the

streets up to fanatical support for

the big teams. Brazilian soccer is

famous for its fast-flowing and

attacking style of play. The national

team has won the World Cup

a record five times.

DID YOU KNOW? FASCINATING FACTS

3

There are nearly

137 million Roman

Catholics in Brazil—more

than in any other country

in the world.

2

The city of Ushuaia is the

southernmost city in the

world. It is situated on the

island of Tierra del Fuego at

the southern tip of Argentina.

4

La Paz in Bolivia is the

world’s highest capital

city at 11,942 ft (3,640 m)

above sea level.

5

Argentina was

named by the first

Spanish settlers, who

went there in search

of silver and gold.

The name comes from

the Latin word for

silver, argentum.

FOOD

Meat forms an important part

of the South American diet.

One traditional dish in Paraguay,

Uruguay, and Argentina is a

barbecue of sausages, steaks, and

chicken, called asado. A tea called

“mate” is popular in Southern

Brazil and is drunk from a gourd

through a silver straw.

PANAMA HAT

Despite the name, these

brimmed straw hats do not

actually come from Panama—

they are made in Ecuador.

TOURISM

Many people visit

Rio to see the

carnival or to

relax on the

famous beaches.

Other popular

tourist

attractions include Iguacu Falls

and the ancient Inca city of

Machu Picchu in Peru.

FARMING

Almost a third of all the world’s

coffee is grown in Brazil. Other

important South American crops

include bananas, cocoa, and

sugarcane. Chile

and Argentina are

important wine

producers.

1

Chile is the longest

and thinnest country

in the world. It is

2,610 miles (4,200 km)

long but only

112 miles

(180 km)

at its

widest

point.

CONTINENTS OF

THE WOLRD