Text Book Back Questions and Answers - Chapter 1 Exploring Continents–North America and South America Term 3 7th Social Geography Guide Samacheer Kalvi Solutions - SaraNextGen [2024-2025]

Updated On May 15, 2024

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Chapter 1 - Exploring Continents – North America and South America - Term 3 - 7th Social Geography Guide Samacheer Kalvi Solutions - Text Book Back Questions and Answers

I. Choose the correct answer.

Question 1.
The ________________ separates North America from Asia
(a) Bering Strait
(b) Palk Straits
(c) Malacca Strait
(d) Gibraltar straits

Answer:
(a) Bering Strait

Question 2.

______ is known as the "sugar bowl of the world"
(a) Mexico
(b) USA
(c) Canada
(d) Cuba

Answer:
(d) Cuba

Question 3.
 ________ are the longest rivers in North America
(a) The Mississippi and Missouri rivers
(b) The Mackenzieriver
(c) The St. Lawrence river
(d) The Colorado river

Answer:
(a) The Mississippi and Missouri rivers

Question 4.
____ is the longest mountain chain in the world.
(a) The Andes
(b) TheRockies
(c) The Himalayas
(d) The Alps

Answer:
(a) The Andes

Question 5.

_____ basin gets rainfall every day because of its equatorial location
(a) The Mackenzie
(b) The Orinoco
(c) The Amazon
(d) The Parana

Answer:
(c) The Amazon
II. Fill in the blanks.
1. __________ $86 \mathrm{~m}$ below the sea level is the lowest part of the continent of North America.
2._________ is one of the worlds best fishing grounds.
3. The highest peak in the Andes is ________on the Chile - Argentina border.
4. _________ of the equatorial regions are called the "lungs of the world".
5. _____ is also known as the "coffee pot" of the world.

Answer:
1. Death valley is
2. Grand Bank
3. Mt Aconcagua
4. The Selvas
5. Brazil
III. Match the following

Answer:

IV. Give Reasons.

Question 1.
The eastern coast of North America particularly USA enjoys mild climate.
Answer:
The South and east is usually warm all the year round and the regions around the mouth of the Mississippi-Missouri and the Gulf Coast have summer rain from the North East Trades which blow on-shore in summer.

Question 2.
United States of America is known as "Melting Pot".
Answer:
United States of America is known as "Melting Pot" where hundreds of different cultures meet, blend and creating a new culture.

Question 3.
Though Quito and Amazon basin are in the same latitude Quito enjoys eternal Spring. Whereas Amazon basin is hot.
Answer:
1. The climate of the continent of South America has been closely influenced by the latitudes, attitudes and the proximity of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
2. It is hot in the Amazon basin as the equator passes through it whereas Quito, situated almost on the same latitude on the Andes, has "Eternal Spring".

3. That is, it has a pleasant climate throughout the year because of its high altitude at 9,350 feet or 2849.88 meter above the sea level.

Question 4.
Peru is one of the world's largest producers of tropical fish.
Answer:
1. Peru is one of the world's largest producers of tropical fish. Here the cool Humboldt Current helps in bring plankton, which is the main food for fishes.
2. Commercial deep sea fishing off of Peru's coastal belt of over $3000 \mathrm{~km}$.
3. Peruvian waters normally abound with sword fish, mackerel, yellow fin, pompano and shark.
4. More than 50 species are caught commercially. -
5. There are over 40 fishing ports on the Peruvian coast.
6. Paita and Callao are being the most important centers in Peru.
V. Distinguish between

Question 1.
The Rocky mountain and the Appalachian mountain.
Answer:

Question 2.
The Prairies and the Pampas grassland.

Answer:

Question 3.
Tundra and Taiga.
Answer:

VI. Put $(\checkmark)$ for the correct option

Question 1.
Assertion (A): Cotton grows well in southern and western states of North America.
Reason $(\mathrm{R})$ : Warm summer with frequent rainfall and fertile soil which provide favourable condition.
(a) Both $\mathrm{A}$ and $\mathrm{R}$ is correct.
(b) $\mathrm{A}$ is correct and $\mathrm{R}$ is wrong,
(c) $\mathrm{A}$ is wrong and $\mathrm{R}$ is correct.
(d) Both $\mathrm{A}$ and $\mathrm{R}$ is wrong

Answer:
(a) Both A and R is correct

Question 2.
Assertion (A) industries in the South America has developed rapidly.
Reason $(\mathrm{R})$ : The continent lacks infrastructure (especially transport) need for industrialization,
(a) Both A and R are correct.

(b) $\mathrm{A}$ is correct and $\mathrm{R}$ is wrong,
(c) $\mathrm{A}$ is wrong and $\mathrm{R}$ is correct.
(d) Both $\mathrm{A}$ and $\mathrm{R}$ are wrong

Answer:
(c) $\mathrm{A}$ is wrong and $\mathrm{R}$ is correct
VII. Answer the following.

Question 1.
Name the boundaries of North America.
Answer:
1. North America is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean in the West, the Atlantic Ocean in the east, Arctic Ocean in the north and South America in the south.
2. The North America is joined with the South America by the Isthmus of Panama.
3. The Bering Strait separates North America from Asia.

Question 2.
Write a note on Mackenzie River.
Answer:
The Mackenzie River is the second largest drainage basin of North America. It has it source from Great Slave Lake and drains into Arctic Ocean.

Question 3.
What type of fruits are cultivated in North America? Name some of them.
Answer:
1. Mainly Citrus Fruits are cultivated in Texas, California, Great Lakes regions and St. Lawrence Valley.
2. The important Fruits of North America are Cranberries, Blueberries, Concord Grapes, Strawberries, Gooseberries and the other fruits.

Question 4.
Give a short note about the lifestyle of an Eskimos.
Answer:

1. Eskimos live in the very cold and inhospitable region where plenty of fish varieties are available.
2. They were able to dress themselves in thick warm clothes made of fur, they live in igloos.
3. Their lives were very simple and they could not alter the environment to any extent.
4. They specially designed a house by ice and is known as igloos.

Question 5.
Which are the densely populated areas of North America?
Answer:
Densely populated areas: Eastern part of North America, Great Lakes region, Florida, California, Mexico and Central America are the mostly densely populated areas.

Question 6.
Name the physiographic divisions of South America.
Answer:
On the basis of topographical features, the continent may be divided into the following physiographic divisions:
1. The Andes Mountains
2. The River Basin or Central Plains
3. The Eastern Highlands

Question 7.
What is called " 4 'O clock rains"?
Answer:
In equatorial regions convectional rain occurs almost daily in the afternoons. It generally occurs at $4 \mathrm{pm}$ that's why it is known as 4' O Clock Rain.

Question 8.
Name the flora and fauna of equatorial forest in South America.
Answer:
1. Flora: Rubber, Mahogany, Ebony, Logwood, Brazil nuts and Ceiba.
2. Fauna: Anaconda, Armadillo, Piranha, Monkey, Snake, Crocodile and Parrots.

Question 9.
What is known as "Estancias"?
Answer:
The Breeds raised on large pasture lands is known as Estancias. These are divided into several paddocks. Besides this, there are small yards known as corrals where animals are sorted and branded. The owner is the Estanciera who has a number of gauchos.

Question 10.
Name the major export of South America.
Answer:
South Americas major exports are mostly primary commodities such as sugar, coffee, cocoa, 

tobacco, beef, corn, wheat, petroleum, natural gas, linseed, cotton, iron ore, tin and copper. South Americas products include mostly exported to North America and Europe.
VIII. Answer the following in a paragraph

Question 1.
Give an account of the climate of North America.
Answer:
1. The vast latitudinal extent from the Tropics to the Polar Regions makes the climate of North America as varied as that of Asia.
2. Unlike the Himalayas, the Rockies run north to south which do not form climatic barrier and do not prevent the icy winds from the Arctic region and penetrating the central plains which therefore have a very long cold winter and very short hot summer.
3. Precipitation occurs due to cyclonic storms.
4. The Arctic region is cold and mostly dry and has a very short summers and a very long bitterly cold winter.
5. As one proceeds southwards the short summers become warm but the winters are very cold.
6. The central plains have extreme climate from freezing conditions in winter to tropical heat in summer.
7. The South is usually warm all the year round and the regions around the mouth of the Mississippi-Missouri and the Gulf Coast have summer rain from the North East Trades which blow on-shore in summer.
8. The warm moist South Westerlies not only bring rainfall to the North West coast and also keep it warm.
9. The warm Alaskan Current keeps the North West coast ice free.
10. The State of California in USA has a Mediterranean Climate with moist winter and dry summers.

Question 2.
Describe the Heavy Engineering Industries in North America.
Heavy Engineering Industries:
Answer:

1. Industries which require heavy and bulky raw materials using enormous amounts of power, involvement of huge investment and large transport costs are called heavy industries.
2. These industries depend heavily on the Iron and Steel industry.
3. The important Heavy Industries are automobile industries, aircraft industries, ship building industries, Railway Wagon industries and farm equipment industries.
4. USA is the largest producer of automobiles.
5. The important Centers of heavy engineering industries are Detroit, Chicago, Buffalo, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Saint Louis, Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, and Atlanta in USA and Windsor in Canada.

Question 3.
Describe the drainage system in South America.
Answer:
1. Owing to the position of the Andes all the great rivers of the continent drain into the Atlantic.
2. The Pacific streams are short and swift but along the coastlands of Peru their waters are used for irrigation and to some extent for hydro-electric power. Amazon is the longest river of South America $(6,450 \mathrm{~km})$ and is the largest river system in the world.
3. This river has over a thousand of tributaries.
4. The rivers Rio Negro, Madeira and Tapajos are important tributaries.
5. At the point where it enters the sea the river is so wide and powerful that it flows even at a distance of $80 \mathrm{~km}$ into the high seas.
6. The Orinoco River originates in the Guiana Highlands and flows northwards into the  

Caribbean Sea.
7. The river Paraguay has the Parana and Uruguay rivers as the main tributaries which together form and known as the Platte River system.
8. All the rivers are navigable for quite some distance in the interior.

Question 4.
Write briefly about the major races in South America.
Answer:
1. South America contains the world s most mixed population.
2. Many people in South America are descended from European, especially the Spanish and Portuguese, who begin to arrive during the 15 th century.
3. The descendants of African slaves brought over by the Europeans. Native people still live in the mountain and the rainforests and keeping their own languages and traditions.
4. There are three major races found in South America and are
- American Indian
- European
- Blacks.
The mixed population of Native Indians and Europeans is known as 'Mestizo'.
5. The mixed population of European and the Blacks is called 'Mulato' and the mixture of Native Indians and Blacks is called 'Zambo'.
6. The current population of South America is $429,115,060$ ( 42.25 cores). Population density of South America is 21 persons per square kilometer.
7. South America is positioned 5th rank in total population among the continents
IX. Map skill

Question 1.
With the help of the map given in the text and an atlas, name the seas and bays in North America Answer:

Question 2.
Mark the rivers Amazon, Orinoco, Negro, Paraguay, Uruguay on a map of South America.

Answer:

X. Activity

Question 1.
Given below are some important cities with industries placed in brackets. Pick out the correct
answer from them.
(a) Pittsburgh (Textile, Iron and steel, Shipping)
(b) Chicago (Meat Packing, Woolen textile, Heavy Engineering)
(c) Ontario (Automobile, Paper, Cement)
(d) Chile (Oil refinery, Sugar, Cotton textile)
(e) Uruguay (Leather processing, Copper smelting, Dairy products)

Answer:
(a) Iron and steel
(b) Meat Packing
(c) Paper
(d) Oil refinery
(e) Dairy products

Question 2.
Write down the answers to the question given in blocks:
(a) Name the highest peak in South America.

Additional Questions
I. Choose the correct answer:

Question 1.
In ____ North America was discovered by Christopher Columbus.
(a) 1492
(b) 1491
(c) 1498
(d) 1496

Answer:
(a) 1492

Question 2.
The landmass was named America in ___________ after Italian explorer America Vespucci.
(a) 1506
(b) 1507
(c) 1508
(d) 1509

Answer:
(b) 1507

Question 3.
North America is the ___________ largest continent next to Asia and Africa
(a) second
(b) third
(c) fourth
(d) fifth

Answer:
(b) third

Question 4.
North America has ______ time zones
(a) 6
(b) 8
(c) 7
(d) 9

Answer:
(c) 7

Question 5.
The _____  small countries which lies to the south of Mexico are referred to as central America
(a) $\operatorname{six}$
(b) seven
(c) eight
(d) nine

Answer:
(b) seven

Question 6.
Death Valley is about ________ $\mathrm{m}$ below the sea level and is the lowest part of the continent of North America.
(a) 86
(b) 90
(c) 95
(d) 100

Answer:
(a) 86

Question 7.
Mount McKinley is about $\mathrm{m}$ ____ above the sea level and is the highest peak of North America.
(a) 6194

(b) 6195
(c) 6180
(d) 6185

Answer:
(a) 6194

Question 8.
The width of Rocky mountains varies from ________ to _________ kms.
(a) 100 to 500
(b) 110 to 480
(c) 115 to 485
(d) 120 to 490

Answer:
(b) 110 to 480

Question 9.
Mississippi and Missouri together form the ___________ longest river system in the world.
(a) sixth
(b) fourth
(c) fifth
(d) third

Answer:
(b) fourth

Question 10.
The warm Alaskan Current keeps the __________ coast ice free.
(a) Northwest
(b) Northeast
(c) Southwest
(d) Southeast

Answer:
(a) North West

Question 11.
Approximately __________ percentage of the total land area is under forest cover.
(a) 10
(b) 30
(c) 40
(d) 50

Answer:
(b) 30

Question 12.
North America accounts for approximately ____________ Percentage of the world's production of timber
(a) 20
(b) 30
(c) 40
(d) 50

Question 13.
Wheat was introduced by ___________ settlers in North America.
(a) European
(b) Spanish
(c) Italian
(d) Dutch

Answer:
a) European

Question 14.
North America is the largest producer of meat and about _______ of the world production.
(a) one fourth
(b) one sixth
(c) half
(d) three fourth

Answer:
(a) one fourth

Question 15.
North America produces about ______ percent of the world total milk and dairy products.
(a) 30
(b) 35
(c) 25
(d) 40

Answer:
(c) 25

Question 16.
The New England region contains _________ $\%$ woolen textile industries.
(a) 70
(b) 80
(c) 50
(d) 40

Answer:
(a) 70

Question 17.
North America is the ____________ largest produce of synthetic fibres.
(a) second
(b) third
(c) fourth
(d) fifth

Answer:
(a) second

Question 18.
The population density in North America is about ____________ present per sq.km.
(a) 20
(b) 19
(c) 18
(d) 17

Answer:
(a) 20

Question 19.
North America population is equivalent to ______________ $\%$ of the world total population.
(a) 4.75
(b) 4.76
(c) 4.77

(d) 4.78

Answer:
(c) 4.77

Question 20.
_________ has the biggest railway yard in the world.
(a) Chicago
(b) Vancouver
(c) Newyork
(d) San Francisco

Answer:
(a) Chicago

Question 21.
There are _____________ great rivers in south America that drain into Atlantic Ocean.
(a) three
(b) four
(c) five
(d) six

Answer:
(a) three

Question 22.
The _________________ is grown extensively on the Pampas of Argentina.
(a) maize
(b) wheat
(c) millets
(d) sugarcane

Answer:
(b) wheat

Question 23.
Brazil stands ___________ in the production of Coffee and in Cocoa in the world.
(a) first, third
(b) third, first
(c) fourth, sixth
(d) fifth, sixth

Answer:
(a) first, third

Question 24.
South America has _________________ varieties of fish that inhabit this river.
(a) 750
(b) 850
(c) 950
(d) 550

Answer:
(a) 750

Question 25.
There are over ___________ fishing ports on the Peruvian coast.
(a) 50
(b) 45
(c) 40
(d) 55

Answer:
(c) 40

Question 26.
River Amazon has ________ varieties of fish.
(a) 700
(b) 750
(c) 800
(d) 850

Answer:
(b) 750

Question 27.
South America contains _________ of the world's iron ore reserves.
(a) one seventh
(b) one fifth
(c) one sixth
(d) one third

Answer:
(b) one fifth

Question 28.
Brazil and Chile both have massive deposits of _______
(a) iron ore
(b) copper
(c) coal

(d) gypsum

Answer:
(a) iron ore

Question 29.
Brazil is estimated to have about ______________ $\%$ of the world export of iron ore.
(a) 10
(b) 15
(c) 16
(d) 14

Answer:
(b) 15

Question 30.
South America is positioned ______________ rank in totoal population among the continents
(a) 4 th
(b) $3 \mathrm{rd}$
(c) 5 th
(d) 8 th

Answer:
(c) 5 th

Question 31.
Population density of south America is ___________ personal per square kilometer.
(a) 20
(b) 22
(c) 21
(d) 24

Answer:
(c) 21

Question 32.
Chile is the ____________ largest producer of copper in the world.
(a) second
(b) third
(c) fourth
(d) fifth

Answer:
(b) third
II. Fill in the blanks:
1. ___________ is a continent of great physical diversity.
2. The ______ mountain range extends for about. the Panama Strait in the south.

3. The _______ and __________ rivers are the longest rivers in North America.
4. The ___________________ river is the second largest drainage basin of North America.
5. St. Lawrence has its origin in _______
6. The ___________ river forms the boundary between USA and Mexico.
7. Lake ________ is the largest fresh water lake in the world.
8. _________ is a well developed industry particular in Canada.
9. $\overline{\mathrm{Cuba}}$ is known as  _____________
10. Edible oil is extracted from __________
11. Cattle and pigs are fed with _________ and ______
12. The _________ current brings plenty of plankton which provides food for fish.
13. __________ is the largest producer and exporter of all kinds of paper in the world.
14. Rayon and other synthetic fibres are made up of cellulose obtained from _________ 
15. The important ports in west coast of North America are __________ and _________
16. The Great Lakes region along __________ waterway is the most important inland water wayin North America.
17. USA has the best laid ___________ in the world.
18. The Andes are rich in minerals like ___________ and ___________
19. The longest river in south America is _________
20. The Geo-climatic condition of are ideal for agriculture
21. Brazil is the largest producer of in _____ south america
22. Maize is also knows as ______
23. __________ and __________ are the most imortant crops of south america

24. Barley is a member of the ___________ family
25. The extensive tropical grasslands of south America are ___________  and _________
26. Quebracho tree yields __________
27. South America is rich in _______
28. Northern Chile has the world s only natural deposits of _______
29. Venezuela is rice in _________ products
30. Peru has some of biggest _________ mines of the world
31. The ________ and ___________ river of south America Provide cheap water transport
32. The temperate grasslands South America are Knows as ___________

Answer:
1. North America
2. Rocky, 4800
3. Mississippi and Missouri
4. Mackenzie
5. Lake Ontario
6. Rio Grand
7. Superior
8. Lumbering
9. sugar bowl of the world"

10. Soya beans
11. Potato and Sugar beet
12. Cold labarador
13. Canada
14. Wood pulp
15. Vancouver and san francisco
16. St. Lawrence
17. roadways
18. Copper and Tin
19. Amazon
20. Pampas
21. Sugar
22. Corn
23. Coffee and Cocoa
24 . grass
25. Lianos and Campos
26. tannis
27. Mineral
28. Sodium nitrate
29. Petroleum
30. copper
31. Amazon,la plate
32. Pampas
III. Match the following:

Question 1.

Answer:
1. e
2. d
3. b
4. a
5. c

Question 2.

Answer:
1. e
2. a
3. d
4. b
5. c

Question 3.

Answer:
1. c
2. d
3. b
4. e
5. a

Question 4.

Answer:
1. c
2. a
3. b
4. e
5. d
IV. Give reason.

Question 1.
Mississippi river has been given the nick name "The Big Muddy".
Answer:
1. The Mississippi river has been given the nickname "The Big Muddy" because it erodesa lot of sand and mud as it rushes down the Mountains.
2. Some of the States of the United States are named after the tributaries of two mighty rivers the Mississippi and Missouri.

Question 2.
The Climate of North America is as varied as that of Asia.
Answer:
The vast latitudinal extent from the Tropics to the Polar Regions makes the climate of North America as varied as that of Asia.

Question 3.
South America is also known as Latin America.
Answer:
Together with the Central America, South America is also known as Latin America, having been discovered and colonized mostly by the Latins, i.e., The Spanish and the Portuguese.

Question 4.
Cordilleras come under pacific ring of fire.
Answer:

The Cordilleras are also part of the Fire Ring of the Pacific. Because there are a number of active volcanoes and this area is also subject to earthquakes.

Question 5.
The selvas of the equatorial regions are called the lungs of the world.
Answer:
They are thick forests and provide fresh oxygen so are known as lungs of the world.
V. Distinguish between,

Question 1.
Rocky Mountain and Andes Mountain.
Answer:

Question 2.
Mississippi river and Amazon river.
Answer:

Question 3.
Bear Lake and Lake Titicaca.
Answer:

VI. Answer in one or two sentences

Question 1.
Name the prominent intermontane plateaus of North America.
Answer:
There are high intermontane plateaus between the ranges. The prominent ones are the Mexican plateau, the Colorado Plateau and the Columbian plateau.

Question 2.
Name the fold mountains of North America.
Answer:
Rockies and Appalachians.
Question 3.
What are westerlies?
Answer:
The Westerlies or anti-trades are prevailing winds from the west toward the east in the middle latitudes between 30 and 60 degrees latitude.

Question 4.
Write a note on Grand Banks.
Answer:
Grand Banks: The Grand Banks is among the worlds largest and richest resource areas, renowned for both their valuable fish stocks and petroleum reserves.

Question 5.
Write a note on heavy industries of North America.
Answer:
Industries which require heavy and bulky raw materials using enormous amounts of power, involvement of huge investment and large transport costs are called heavy industries.

Question 6.
Name the important centers of heavy engineering industries.
Answer:
The important Centers of heavy engineering industries are Detroit, Chicago, Buffalo, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Saint Louis, Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore, and Atlanta in USA and Windsor in Canada.

Question 7.
Name the world's important ports found in North America.

Answer:
Quebec City, Montreal, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Charleston and New Orleans are . the Worlds largest ports.

Question 8.
Write a note on Panama canal.
Answer:
1. Panama Canal: In 1914 a Canal was cut across the Isthmus of Panama for $80 \mathrm{kms}$ long which connects the Atlantic with Pacific Ocean.
2. It greatly reduced the distance between Europe and the West Coast of North and South America.

Question 9.
Name the busiest international airports of the world found in North America.
Answer:
New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Toronto, Montreal and Mexico City are some of the busiest international airports in the World.

Question 10.
Write about Trade in North America.
Answer:
1. North America trades mainly with Asia, Europe and Latin America.
2. Though Alaska belongs to the USA, it has to import practically every resource. It is being developed now due to its mineral wealth.
3. North Americas exports are mainly manufactured goods such as Industrial Machinery, Automobile, Paper, Fish, Arms and Ammunition, Aircraft, Telecom Equipments, Chemical, Plastics, Fertilizers, Wood Pulp, Timber, Crude Oil, Petroleum, Natural Gas, Aluminum, Nickel and Lead etc.,
4. The countries of North America Imports Tropical goods and Textiles from Asia and Africa. The countries of Europe, Japan, China and India are the major trading partners.

Question 7.
Name the world's important ports found in North America.

Answer:
Quebec City, Montreal, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Charleston and New Orleans are . the Worlds largest ports.

Question 8.
Write a note on Panama canal.
Answer:
1. Panama Canal: In 1914 a Canal was cut across the Isthmus of Panama for $80 \mathrm{kms}$ long which connects the Atlantic with Pacific Ocean.
2. It greatly reduced the distance between Europe and the West Coast of North and South America.

Question 9.
Name the busiest international airports of the world found in North America.
Answer:
New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Toronto, Montreal and Mexico City are some of the busiest international airports in the World.

Question 10.
Write about Trade in North America.
Answer:
1. North America trades mainly with Asia, Europe and Latin America.
2. Though Alaska belongs to the USA, it has to import practically every resource. It is being developed now due to its mineral wealth.
3. North Americas exports are mainly manufactured goods such as Industrial Machinery, Automobile, Paper, Fish, Arms and Ammunition, Aircraft, Telecom Equipments, Chemical, Plastics, Fertilizers, Wood Pulp, Timber, Crude Oil, Petroleum, Natural Gas, Aluminum, Nickel and Lead etc.,
4. The countries of North America Imports Tropical goods and Textiles from Asia and Africa. The countries of Europe, Japan, China and India are the major trading partners.

Question 11.
What are the main natural vegetation areas of south America?
Answer:
There are four main natural vegetation areas of South America and are the Amazon basin (the Selvas), the Eastern Highlands, the Gran Chaco and the slopes of the Andes.

Question 12.
Write a note on the coniferous forest of south America.
Answer:
The forests on the slopes of the Andes have coniferous such as pine, fir and spruce. These forests are also called Montana. They yield valuable softwood for the paper and pulp industry.

Question 13.
Write a note on Orinoco and Paraguay rivers.
Answer:
1. The Orinoco River originates in the Guiana Highlands and flows northwards into the Caribbean Sea.
2. The river Paraguay has the Parana and Uruguay rivers as the main tributaries which together form and known as the Platte River system.
3. All the rivers are navigable for quite some distance in the interior.

Question 14.
Write a note on Amazon river.
Answer:
1. Amazon is the longest river of South America $(6,450 \mathrm{~km})$ and is the largest river system in the world. This river has over a thousand of tributaries.
2. The rivers Rio Negro, Madeira and Tapajos are important tributaries.
3. At the point where it enters the sea the river is so wide and powerful that it flows even at a distance of $80 \mathrm{~km}$ into the high seas.

Question 15.
Define
1. Isthumus
2. Strait
3. Igloo
4. Selvas
5. Pampas.

Answer:
1. Isthumus - A narrow stretch of land joining two large land masses
2. Strait - A narrow stretch of water joining two large water bodies
3. Igloo - The specially designed a house by ice
4. Selvas - A tract of land covered by dense equatorial forest in the Amazon basin.
5. Pampas - A temperate grassland of South America.
VII. Answer in Detail.

Question 1.
Explain about Rocky mountains.

Answer:
The Rocky Mountains:
1. The western part of the continent is occupied by long ranges of young folded mountains interspersed with high plateaus, narrow valleys and broad interior basins.
2. This mountain range extends for about $4800 \mathrm{~km}$ from Alaska in the North to the Panama Strait in the South.
3. The width varies from 110 to $480 \mathrm{Kms}$.
4. They are parallel ranges and are known as the Rockies in the east and the Coast Range Mountains in the west.
5. In Mexico, they are called Sierra Madre.

6. The Rockies and the Coast Range are together called the "Western Cordilleras".
7. There are high intermontane plateaus between the ranges.
8. The prominent ones are the Mexican plateau, the Colorado Plateau and the Columbian plateau.

Question 2.
Write in detail about the drainage of North America.
Answer:
Drainage:
1. Many rivers flow across this land and some of them following the valleys are formed by the glaciers.
2. The Mississippi and Missouri rivers are the longest rivers in North America.
3. The Mackenzie River is the second largest drainage basin of North America. It has it source from Great Slave Lake and drains into Arctic Ocean.
4. St. Lawrence has its origin in Lake Ontario which flows north east and drains into the Atlantic Ocean.
5. The plateau of the west has been cut deeply by the River Columbia and its tributary which forms many gorges called Canyons.,
6. The most famous is the Grand Canyon cut by the River Colorado which all flows over the plateau of Columbia.
7. The River Yukon rising in the north-west of the Western mountain system is frozen for eight months in the year. .
8. The River Rio Grande flows into the Gulf of Mexico and forms the boundary between USA and Mexico.
9. The most important chain consists of five lakes. The biggest is Lake Superior and it is the largest freshwater lake in the world.
10. Lake Winnipeg, Great Bear Lake and Lake Athabasca are some of the other lakes in Canada.

Question 3.
Write in detail about the crops grown in North America.
Answer:
(i) Agriculture:

Though least proportion of the total workforce is engaged in agriculture Americas agriculture is most productive in the world. Wheat, Corn (Maize), Oats, Soybean, Barley and many other food crops are grown throughout the vast interior plains.
(ii) Wheat:

Wheat was introduced by European settlers in North America. It is grown extensively in the Prairies of North America. North America is the largest exporter of North America produces more than half of the world total Maize.
(iii) Barley and Oats:

These are temperate crops which withstand cold climate and need less water. The Barley is grown in the United States and are produced in Minnesota, North Dakota and Washington. Barley and Oats is used as cattle fodder.
(iv) Cotton:

Cotton grows well in Southern and Western States and it is dominated in Texas, California, Mississippi, South of the Prairies and the Mexico. Warm summer with frequent rainfall and fertile soil are favorable conditions for growth of cotton crop.
(v) Sugar cane:

Sugar cane is cultivated along the Gulf of Mexico, Parts of Central America and West Indies. It is an important Cash Crop of West Indies. Cuba is known as the "sugar bowl of the world" and it is the worlds largest exporter of sugar.
(vi) Soya beans:

It is raised in the same area where Maize is grown. It is used for extraction of edible $\mathrm{ml}$.
(vii) Potatoes and Sugar beet:

Prairie Region, North Dakota and Minnesota are the producers of Sugar Beets and Potatoes. Sugar beet is used for making Sugar. Potato and Sugar Beet are used to feed cattle and pigs.

Question 4.
Write about population density in North America.
Answer:
Density of population in North America is 19 person $/ \mathrm{Sq} . \mathrm{km}$.
Population and Density of North America

1. Densely populated areas: Eastern part of North America, Great Lakes region, Florida, California, Mexico and Central America are the mostly densely populated areas.
2. Moderate populated areas: Central part of United States, Central Highland, Highlands of Mexico, Central and western Canada are the Moderate populated areas.
3. Sparsely populated areas: Northern Canada, Alaska, Rocky Mountain regions and desert regions are sparsely populated areas.

Question 5.
Explain in detail about the physiographic divisions of south America.

Answer:
On the basis of topographical features, the continent may be divided into the following physiographic divisions:
The Andes Mountains:
1. The Andes are Fold Mountains like the Himalayas.
2. The highest peak in the Andes is Mount Aconcagua (an extinct volcano) on the ChileArgentina border which reaches at an elevation of $6,961 \mathrm{~m}$. In Chile, the mountains run very close to the coast.
3. The slopes are steep on the western side and gentle on the eastern side like Rockies in North America.
4. There are some active volcanoes like Cotopaxi $(5,991 \mathrm{~m})$ on the Andes range. The Andes are rich in minerals like Copper, Tin and Precious Gems including Emeralds.

The River Basins (or) the Central Plains:
1. Nearly half of the Continent is covered by the plains. Three great rivers drain into the Atlantic Ocean.
2. The biggest of them is the Amazon.
3. The Amazon basin consisting mainly of the alluvial deposits is the thickly forested part of the world.

The Eastern Highlands:
1. These are considerably older than the Andes and are mainly Plateau which is cut by many rivers.
2. They lie to the north and south of the Amazon River.
3. The Brazilian Highlands are found to the south of the Amazon basin.

4. They are gently rolling plateaus with steep cliffs along the east coast.

Question 6.
Explain about the mineral deposits of south America.
Answer:
Minerals:
1. South America is rich in minerals. These mineral deposits are unevenly distributed.
2. South America has many valuable deposits of minerals particularly of iron ore, manganese, petroleum, copper and bauxite. There are some active mines producing silver and gold.
3. Northern Chile has the world's only natural deposits of sodium nitrate an important ingredient of fertilizers.

Iron ore:
1. South America contains about one fifth of the world s iron ore reserves.
2. Brazil and Chile both have massive deposits of iron ore.
3. Brazil has the second largest iron ore deposits in the world after Russia, Brazil is estimated to have about $15 \%$ of the world export of iron ore.

Manganese:
1. Brazil also has large deposits of Manganese.
2. Manganese ore is mined at Lafaiete, Minas Gerais and in the Northern State of Amapa.

Petroleum:
1. Venezuela is rich in petroleum deposits.
2. Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Bolivia are the other valuable oilfields. Petroleum is the only mineral produced in substantial quantity.

Copper:
1. Chile is the third largest producer of copper in the world.
2. Copper provides over $40 \%$ of exports by value. Some of the biggest copper mines of the world are located in Peru.
3. It is found in the Atacama Desert.

Bauxite:
1. Brazil is the third largest bauxite producing country.
2. An important bauxite mining centre is located near the mouth of the Amazon River. Bauxite is used for aluminum production.

Question 7.
Explain about the industries of South America.
Answer:
Industries:
1. Industries in South America have developed slowly Argentina, Brazil and Chile are the most highly developed industrial countries in this continent.
2. The continent lacks infrastructure (especially transport) which is an essential need for Industrialisation. Railways and the roads could not be developed sufficiently owing to a rugged terrain.
3. In spite of having an abundance of natural resources, industrialisation started quite late in South America.

Question 8.
Explain about the Transport of South America.
Answer:
Transport:
Unlike North America, South America still does not have an adequately integrated transportation network. Significant efforts have been made to improve both the connection within the countries and the linkages between them.

Roadways:
1. South America has an extensive and rapidly expanding network of roads.
2. A Road linking Venezuela and Brazil allows north to south movement through the Amazon Basin.
3. Brazil continues to have the largest network of roads belonging to the Pan American Highway System which extends throughout the Americas.

Railways:
1. In most South American countries, railways have lost their dominant position of the major mode of transportation and have been replaced by the road networks that have developed rapidly since the $1960 \mathrm{~s}$.
2. Moreover, rail transport is plagued by operational problems as well as by obsolete equipment.
3. Many countries have two or more track gauges which impedes the efficient integration of the rails system.

Waterways:
1. Seaways have long been a vital component of the transport systems of South American countries.
2. Majority of imports and exports to and from the continent are moved by ship. South America has a number of outstanding natural harbours.
3. There are two inland waterways system of international importance. They are
- The Paraguay - Uruguay basin which includes territory in four countries and  

- The Amazon basin which includes six countries. Each has several thousand miles of navigable waterways..

Airways:
1. Airways have developed rapidly since World War II.
2. The increase is particularly significant with respect to passenger traffic and also handling of bulky freights.
3. All the South America capitals and most of the large cities are linked by direct air services to the major traffic centres of the United States and Europe.