Amazon Info Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_River
http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761571466/Amazon.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Basin

Human Use of the SIHC - Tourism

Tourism is a key use of the SIHC, based on the natural beauty of the landscapes in this region.

The relief and climate of the Southern Alps makes it ideal for skiing. The cold winter temperatures and snow in the Alps has resulted in the development of several top class skiing facilities, such as Coronet Peak and Treble Cone.

The glaciers to the west of the Alps, such as Fox and Franz Josef are also a popular tourist attraction, with people from all over the world coming to see them. Some tourists choose to fly over them in helicopters to admire the view.

Tramping is another popular recreational activity that attracts tourists from all over the world. There are many tracks in and around the Alps (eg- the tracks in Mt Aspiring National Park) that people come to walk and admire the natural beauty of the landscape.

Skiing has changed the environment in many ways. Ski resorts and facilities such as chairlifts have been built on the many ski fields. Queenstown has recently built an international airport allow siiers to fly directly to Queenstown. Some slopes have been re-contoured by blasting to improve skiing, altering the relief of the area.

The glaciers have resulted in the building of accommodation and facilities for tourists within the landscape, such as the Fox Glacier Tourist Park.

Tramping within the region has led to the development of tracks through the land. These can alter the physical environment and change the land's appearance. Rubbish left b y trampers can also change the land's appearance (visual pollution).

SIHC Selcted Images

Volcanic Landscape - Maui, Hawaii

Climate - Maui's climate is warm and moist. Showers are common although usually short. High rainfall is contributed to by the volcanic mountains that make up the island, as trade winds blow moisture in from the sea and drive it up the slopes to cool and condense.

Soils - Soil is fertile, volcanic and often moist due to tropical showers, consisting largely of ash erupted from the island's two volcanoes. The free-draining soil is useful for farming, and is made use of for growing sugarcane and pineapples.

Relief - The landscape is made up of steep sided volcanic mountains which have been eroded by wind and rain. Step ravines run down the sides, directing water down to the flat plain and shoreline below.

Vegetation - The vegetation is largely tropical due to the high rainfall and warm, stable temperatures. At high altitudes, mosses and grasses grow up the sides of the volcanic hills.