South American and North American Massifs: Characteristics

South American and North American Massifs

Brasilia Massif

The Brasilia Massif is the most extensive plateau in South America, with the largest area of outcrop. Fractures are caused by the Amazon and La Plata rivers, which, on their journey, navigate the uneven terrain with jumps and falls. To the west, it is dominated by high and low plateaus. Biomes include forest and savanna. The population is sparse, mostly concentrated in the coastal strip.

Patagonian Massif

The Patagonian Massif covers the Andean Patagonia, south of the Colorado River. It presents as a large stepped plateau, descending from the Andes to the Atlantic, culminating abruptly in a steep coast. Its external appearance is varied, featuring plateaus, river valleys, ravines, and low, isolated hills. In the river valleys, irrigation supports the growth of fruit, vegetables, and fodder. Many rivers are used to generate hydroelectricity.

Paleozoic Areas: Appalachian Mountains

The Appalachian Mountains form a small barrier running in a northwest-southeast direction from Canada to the interior of the United States. Due to their age, the relief is worn and eroded. The area is a water scattering center, with small rivers used to generate hydroelectric power. Mixed and deciduous forests are exploited. The region is rich in coal and carbon, supporting a significant regional steel industry. These factors, coupled with a mild climate and geographic position, have favored a large concentration of people.

External Debt and Underdevelopment

Latin American countries often resort to loans from developed countries through institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. External debt is often more of an element of pressure and political domination by developed countries than a real economic problem.

Precambrian Areas

Canadian Shield

The Canadian Shield covers the northeast of Canada, the area around Hudson Bay, and part of Greenland. Given its age, the land has been eroded over millions of years, transforming it into a slightly undulating peneplain. Due to its latitude, two biomes develop: the tundra or cold steppe in the north, with a sparse population, and further south, the taiga or cold coniferous forest, which has the largest population density in the area of the San Lorenzo River and Great Lakes.

Guayania Massif

The Guayania Massif occupies Guiana, southeastern Venezuela, and a portion of northern Brazil. The landscape features table mountains. Its rivers flow into the Orinoco or the Amazon, navigating the terrain with waterfalls, some of which are used to generate hydroelectric power. The massif has large mineral reserves (iron, bauxite, uranium).