| A | B |
|---|
| llanos | grassy plains in Venezuela |
| hydroelectric power | water-generated electricity |
| altitude | height above sea level |
| caudillos | harsh military rulers of Venezuela in 1800's and 1900's |
| Simon Bolivar | freed northern South America from Spanish rule |
| Lake Maracaibo | the largest lake in South America |
| Orinocco River | Venezuela's most important river |
| Caracas | capital of Venezuela |
Guyana,  | formerly British Guiana |
| Suriname, | formerly Dutch Guiana |
| basin | low area entirely surrounded by higher land |
| selva | Brazilian name for the rain forest |
| escarpment | steep cliff between a higher and lower surface |
| sisal | Brazilian plant fiber used to make rope |
| favela | Brazilian slum area |
| yerba mate | tea-like drink made from leaves of holly trees |
| landlocked | country without a sea coast |
| buffer state | small country located between larger, often hostile neighbors |
| welfare state | uses tax money to provide for its people |
| gaucho | cowhands in Uruguay |
| cassava | plant used to make tapioca |
| Gran Chaco | plains region of western Paraguay |
