South America:
Amerindian-Subsistence Culture Sphere

The Amerind-Subsistence Culture Sphere [smculind] is an elongated zone along the Andean spine. It is characterized by a subsistence economy, haciendas, and poor living conditions. Its climate [smclimat] includes high winds, bitter cold, and poor soils.

Where? [smculind]

• southern Colombia to northern Chile and northwestern Argentina
• the length of the Andes [smmtns]

Regional Characteristics

• approx. area of the Incan Empire [wwhearth]
• historically a feudal-hacienda socioeconomic structure
• Haciendas still survive
• whites and mestizos control economy
• Amerindians
  • majority of population
  • often landless
  • separate from Spanish culture
  • Aymara and Quechua languages [smpeobol] [smpeoper] [smpeoecu]
• some of the poorest areas in South America [smhdi] [wbgnpmap]
• poor environment: soils, water, elevation, cold