a region is a group of places that share one or more common characteristics. regions can be formed...

Unit 5: Latin America

• A region is a group of places that share one or more common characteristics.

• Regions can be formed around common physical or cultural features

• There are three types of regions… – formal, functional, or perceptual

5 Themes Quick Review: Regions

• The people of Latin America are united primarily through:– The Spanish language– The Roman Catholic religion– THIS IS A FUNCTIONAL REGION!

• These cultural behaviors were brought to the region in the 1500s by the Spanish conquistadores.

United Through Culture

•This region corresponds to all nations south of the Rio Grande, consisting of, Mexico and Central America (in North America), South America, and the countries of the Caribbean.

•9 % of the world’s people live in Latin America.

Where Is Latin America?

Latin America

Central AmericaCaribbean

SouthAmerica

MEXICO

Please follow along and add new information to your notes as we go.

Vamonos!

Chapter 10: Mexico

Mexico has 31 states, and 1 Federal District

Physical Features

• Peninsula- land with water on three sides.

• Mexico has 2 large peninsulas:–Baja California –Yucatan

What is a Peninsula?

Landforms in Mexico

• Mexico is about 3 times the size of Texas

• Most of Mexico is a plateau.• Three mountain ranges border the

Mexican Plateau: Sierra Madre Oriental, Sierra Madre Occidental, and the Sierra Madre del Sur.

• Coastal plains separate the mountains from the sea.

• Mexico City is Latin America’s largest city- and the 2nd largest city in the world!

Mexico City

20,000,000 live here!

Central America and the Caribbean

Follow along and add new

information as we go.

No problems, mon!

Latin America

MEXICO

CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEA

N

Central America is part of the North American continent.

This region has seven countries.

Central America is an isthmus that joins North and South America.

The Caribbean islands are divided into the Greater and Lesser Antilles.

Quick Review!What is the difference between an island and an archipelago?

What is the difference between an isthmus and a strait?

Answer:An island is land

surrounded by water. An archipelago is a chain of islands.

An isthmus is a narrow strip of land that connects two larger landmasses. A strait is a narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water.

LandformsTectonic processes have shaped the

region, and it is very mountainous.Many islands are the tops of volcanic

mountains.Some islands have active volcanoes.Some islands began as coral reefs.

Island of Montserrat under volcanic ash

Coral Reef

ClimateCentral America

and the Caribbean are located in the low latitudes, or tropics.

Dry winters and rainy summers are common.

Climate zones are affected by elevation and the rain shadow effect.

Not Always ParadiseEnvironmental Disasters include earthquakes, volcanoes, and hurricanes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7bTnKjFZQY

Design a Postcard

Your postcard is your entrance ticket to class tomorrow.

Kimberly Rose5110 Walzem Rd. San Antonio, TX 78218

Dear Ms. Rose,

I have seen two human features and these two physical features.Wish you could see them too.

Don’t forget you must have’s 2 physical features (40pts) 2 human features (40 pts) and color/neatness (20 pts) = 100pts

POPULATION FACTS

•About 9% of the world’s population lives in Latin America.

PHYSICAL SOUTH AMERICA

LANDFORMS AND BIOMES

• Mountains: The Andes extend along the Pacific coast of South America. They were formed by tectonic activity.

• Altiplano: high plateau

• Grasslands: Llanos and Pampas

• Desert: Atacama

ECOSYSTEMS

Related words: low “lats,” elevation, rain shadow

Atacama Desert

Highlands

tropical rain forest

THE ANDES

Re

SOUTH AMERICA’S GRASSLANDS

Related words: prairie, plains, agriculture, arable

llanos

pampas

RIVERS, LAKES AND WATERFALLS

• Three large river systems drain the eastern part of the continent: Amazon, Orinoco, Paraná•Major lakes include:Titicaca, Maracaibo, Poopó• Waterfalls found along the tepuis: Angel Falls (world’s tallest!)

TEPUIS AND ANGEL FALLS

Related words: plateau, fall line, elevation

THE AMAZING RAIN FOREST

sustains more than 50% of the world's plant and animal species

produces oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide

ecotourism supports local economies

provides common products like chocolate, rubber, sugar, cinnamon, and

provides medicines and potential medications

SENHOR… THE RAINFOREST

IMAGES OF THE RAINFOREST

CHALLENGES FOR THE AMAZON BASIN• The Amazon basin is rich in natural resources, such as

rubber, lumber, and even oil.• Countries must use plans that support sustainable

development goals in this region.• This means that economic interests must be balanced

with environmental concerns.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Msqfw5nCmJo&feature=related

LANDFORMS

The Andes extend along the Pacific coast of South America. They were formed by tectonic activity.

Altiplano

Tepuis-Angel Falls

Llanos Gran Chaco Pampas

ALTIPLANO (HIGH PLATEAU)

In west central South America in the central Andes Mountains

Average height of 12,300 feet with many active volcanoes and a cool arid and semi-arid climate

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SajamaPark.jpg

TEPUIS-ANGEL FALLS

It is the world's highest waterfall, with a height of 3,212 ft and a plunge of 2,648 ft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_falls

ECOSYSTEMS

South America has the largest tropical rain forest in the world.

Highland climates of the Andes vary with elevation Atacama Desert