World Cultures 11

Name:__Brian
Krepto______________________
Unit Latin America
Block:______2_
The Amazon Rainforest Internet Assignment
Purpose: This assignments goal is to expose you to basic facts about the Amazon rainforest as well as
introduce you to some of the wildlife and people that live inside it. You will also understand how the rainforest
affects the nations and people of South America and how it is facing unique challenges in the modern world.
Part I (Overview): Use www.worldwildlife.org/places/amazon and follow the directions carefully to
complete this assignment.
1. Review the photograph. Choose one descriptive word (adjective) that comes to mind and explain how it
relates to the image. Vibrant because of the rich sting colored feel to it.
2. Click on Overview and review the information, including the visuals. List the 8 nations that the
Amazon rainforest is located in. - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana,
Suriname and French Guiana, an overseas territory of France.

3. Click on Forest Habitat and review the information there, including the visuals. A forest can vary
based on several factors. What are these four factors? Latitude, Rainfall, Local Soil, Prevailing
Temperature
4. What makes rainforests special? They are the most biologically diverse and complex forests on earth.
5. Worldwide, how quickly is deforestation occurring? How quickly is it occurring in the Amazon? Use
statistics from the reading to explain your answer.
a. Worldwide 46 -58 million square miles of forests are lost each year.
b. Amazon 17% of forests covers lost are due to human activity.
6. Scroll down to the Why They Matter section. Scroll through the three images and review the captions.
List and explain why rainforests matter.
a. Trees hold in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
b. 80% of the worlds animal population can be found in the rain forest.
c. They offer human essentials necessary for survival.
7. Return to the main page (www.worldwildlife.org/places/amazon) and scroll down to the Species section.
Choose three animals found in the Amazon and describe them in the chart.
Animal
Description
River Dolphin
Found in multiple South American Countries, thrives in fresh water.
Jaguar
Good swimmers and use trees and water to survive.
Poison Dart Frog
Camouflage themselves very well and there are over one hundred of these frogs.
Part II (Native Peoples): Use www.survivalinternational.org/about/amazontribes to learn about the native
peoples of the Amazon rainforest.
8. How many people live in the Amazon rainforest, and how are they organized? More than 30 million
people that live in the Amazon rain forest, in 350 ethnic groups.

9. To what extent have they had contact with outsiders? Explain your response. Many live in urban areas,
but rely heavily on the Amazons resources. Many have never come into contact with the outside world
10. Create a t-chart that compares and contrasts your daily life with that of the people of the Amazon. Include
at least four points of comparison.
Amazon People
Me
Live in rivers
Many people also live on rivers
Rely on hunting
We go to the store for food
Learn how to survive in life
Go to school
Have little to no technology
Technology is very abundant here

11. Why are land rights so important to the Amazon tribes? Read the text and watch the video clip in the Land
= Life section to answer this question. They do not want their native land taken from them it should be a
right for them to keep their land.

12. Do you think most Americans agree with the viewpoint expressed by the woman in the video clip? Explain.
Yes many would agree that we have a very good life. While a good life to some is one that you can fit into.

Part III (Current Challenges): Use www.theguardian.com/environment/amazon-rainforest to research

some of the current challenges facing the Amazon rainforest. Please be mature in handling photographs of
native people, as their dress is quite different from ours!
13. Choose articles that interest you about each of the topics in the chart. Read them and complete the chart.
Challenge
Impact (2 sentences)
Possible Solutions (2 sentences)
Deforestation
There are a few countries that are unsure if
I say do not build the dam. If it aint broke
they should build a dam because it will help

dont fix it

out the country. However it would ruin the

Mining/Drilling

Crime

natives lifestyle.
People are mining for jewels and diamonds

Do not do this because it will make people

because there are things in the island that

money hungry, more than they already are.

are off high value.

Many tribes fighting over land because

Each tribe should be given their own rights

there are no rights. Many people are dying.

to prevent further problems.

14. Go to edition.cnn.com/2013/07/25/sport/football/football-brazil-world-cup-manaus/index.html and

review the article there. What challenges did the rainforest pose for Brazil in its efforts to prepare for the

2014 World Cup? There is a lot of pollution and trafficking in the rainforest. The people who constructed
the stadium had many worries about the stadium and its effect on the Amazon. Any protests that broke out
going against the construct of the stadium because of how close they were to the forest and its rivers.

15. How did the regions emphasis on environmental protection influence the stadium project? The parts
couldnt be made on the site. Instead they had to be made in other countries and shipped in so that there
wouldnt be any pollution. Also the plans had to work to make the stadium as eco friendly allowing it to
work cooperatively with the environment to help keep power.