Question

For more than a decade, the Hidrovia project has proposed to dredge and canalize the Paraguay and Parana Rivers to create a 2,100-mile (3,400-kilometer) channel at least ten feet (three meters) deep throughout so that oceangoing ships could reach the interior of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Hidrovia's goal is to expand exports of soybeans, timber, iron ore, and other commodities from the interior. Zoltan Istvan, Drainage Plan Will Devastate South American Rivers, Groups Say How has geography affected human activities in the region Zoltan Istvan discusses? ​

Answer 1

Geography has influenced human activities in South America through projects like the Hidrovia, which utilizes the continent's major rivers to enhance export capabilities, that modify the landscape and economic practices while also impacting local ecosystems.

Step-by-step explanation:

Geography has played a significant role in shaping human activities in the region discussed by Zoltan Istvan, primarily through the development of the Hidrovia project. This project aims to modify the Paraguay and Paraná Rivers by dredging and canalization to create a navigable channel, facilitating the export of resources like soybeans and iron ore. Large rivers like the Amazon and tributaries have historically been vital for transport and trade due to the continent's challenging terrain and limited infrastructure. Projects like the Hidrovia exploit these natural waterways and augment them to meet economic demands. Canals significantly impact ecosystems by serving as corridors for the spread of non-native species and reshaping regional economies and landscapes to facilitate the movement of goods and foster economic development.