| A | B |
|---|
| basin | low area surrounded by higher land |
| Selva | thick tropical forests |
| escarpment | a steep cliff between a higher and lower surface |
| sisal | plant fiber used to make rope |
| soccer | popular sport in Brazil |
| favelas | slum areas |
| Amazon | river located in Brazil |
| Amazon rainforest | covers the northern half of South America |
| llanos | Grassy plains that lie between the Andean and the Guiana highlands. |
| altitude | height above sea level |
| hydroelectric power | water generated electricity |
| Orinoco | Venezuela's most important river |
| cauillos | harsh militant rulers |
| Simon Bolivar | freed the northern part of the continent from Spanish rule |
| Maracaibo basin | lowland coastal area surrounds lake Maracaibo |
| Lake Maracaibo | largest lake in South America |
| Angel Falls | highest waterfall in the world |
| Guyana | about the size of Sout Dakota |
| Suriname | the smallest independent county in South America |
| French Guiana | considered part of France. |
| Paraguay | landlocked |
| Uruguay | "moderation in all things" |
| buffer state | small country located between larger , often hostile neighbors |
| gauchos | cowhands |
| yerbe mate | tea like drink |
| welfare state | a country that uses tax money to provide for its people. |
| Cassava | a plant with roots that can be eaten |
