Adventures in Time and Place

Adventures in Time and Place
Grade 6: World
Infographic #16: Economy of the Americas
Page 628

Name___________________________________________ Date________________

1. Learn how population growth and distribution affect the economy in North and South America. Then see how the Americas compare to other regions of the world. Go to The Americas in a World Context.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/theamericas.html#world_context

Read the first three sections: "Economics and Demographics," "The People of the Americas," and "The Economy of the Americas."
Click to see graphs; then click the Back arrow.
Scroll up and click The Americas in a World Context Table.

Online Activity: Economic Change
Use the information from the Web site to answer the questions below. Type your answers into the spaces provided.

   1. About what percent of the world population lives in North America?

   2. About what percent of world economic output does its GDP represent?

   3. About what percent of the world population lives in South America?

   4. About what percent of world economic output does its GDP represent?

   5. Which sector—service, agriculture, or industry—accounts for the greatest share of the GDP of North and South America combined?

   6. In 1997, in which South American country did industry represent more than a 50% share of its GDP? In what other South American countries does industry play a big part in the economy?


   7. In which geographical regions is economic development growing quickly? Why does development occur more quickly in those areas?


   8. How does privatization of industries affect economic growth? Why?


   9. Which of the two regions, North or South America, showed an increase in GDP between 1970 and 1998? Do you think this trend will continue? Why?


   10. Which continent is second to North America in its GDP? Explain why.

2. Learn more about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). How does it affect trade among North American nations? Go to Office of NAFTA and Inter-American Affairs.
http://www.mac.doc.gov/nafta/index.htm

Click NAFTA Implementation. Then click and read Overview.
Click The NAFTA Text and then Chapter One.
After you read the chapter, click the Back arrow.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Return to the Main ONIA Webpage.
Click Hot News. Click and read one or two of the news stories about NAFTA.

Offline Activity: Neighborly Trade
Write a report reacting to a recent news story about the North American Free Trade Agreement. You, as the reporter, must include an explanation of NAFTA's purpose and how it is intended to strengthen the North American economy. Tell how recent news about NAFTA shows the interdependence of North American nations.