chapter 8: the physical geography of latin...
TRANSCRIPT
Maya ruins at Palenque, Mexico
Latin AmericaLatin America
U N I T 33
176 U n i t 3
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT—
Latin America reflects a unique blend of world
cultures, including Native American, European,
and African. In turn, Latin America’s diverse
cultures have spread to other parts of the
world. For example, the languages, music,
foods, and arts of Latin America have pro-
foundly influenced life in the United States.
Today, many Americans are of Latin American
descent and maintain close ties to their heri-
tage. In addition, Americans and Latin
Americans are close trading partners. They
share democratic values based on human
rights and revolt from European rule.
To learn more about Latin America
and its impact on your world, view the World
Regions video “Latin America.”
World Regions Video
NGS ONLINEwww.nationalgeographic.com/education
Spanning more than 85 degrees of latitude, Latin America encompasses Mexico, Central America, theCaribbean Islands, and South America. It is a region ofstartling contrasts.
High mountains run from northern Mexico through the heartof Central America.The higher peaks of the Andes course downSouth America’s western side.
Elsewhere, broad plateaus span huge areas.At still lower eleva-tions, plains dominate the landscape.These great grasslands, suchas the pampas in Argentina and the llanos in Venezuela andColombia, are ideal for grazing cattle and sheep.
But when people think of Latin America, it’s often rain foreststhat come to mind. Eternally wet, intensely green,and bursting with life, rain forests cover parts ofmany Caribbean islands and Central Americancountries.Yet none of these compare to theAmazon rain forest of Brazil. Drained by theAmazon River, this lowland forest covers one-thirdof South America and is home to nearly half of theworld’s plant and animal species.
What Makes LatinAmerica a Region?
Like a cartoon come to life, abrightly colored toucan callsout from a leafy perch in aCosta Rican rain forest. A tou-can’s enormous beak has ser-rated edges that help the birdget a good grip on slippery-skinned fruits.
1
1 2
3
U N I TREGIONAL ATLAS3
178 U n i t 3
Rust-red terraces curve aroundthe Carajás iron mine, in Brazil.This mine boasts the world’slargest deposit of high-qualityiron ore. Tin, copper, silver, oil,and natural gas are amongLatin America’s other importantnatural resources.
Like jagged teeth in some enormous jaw, the snow-covered peaks of the Andesguard South America’s westernflank. The world’s longest moun-tain chain, the Andes stretch theentire length of the continent.
2 3 4
4
On the plains of Paraguay,cowboys known as vaquerosround up cattle before drivingthem to fresh pastures. Thewestern part of Paraguay, theGran Chaco, is a grassland area where cattle roam onlarge ranches.
U n i t 3 179
Mix of Old and New
Music fills the air as a youngEcuadoran plays the panpipe, a traditional Andean instru-ment. Many of the people wholive in the Andes are NativeAmericans—descendants of the Inca and other groups that flourished here before the arrival of Europeans.
3
1
2
U N I TREGIONAL ATLAS3
180 U n i t 3
Latin America is a region where cultures have collided and combined. Maya,Aztec, and Inca civili-zations flourished here long ago.Then Europeansarrived in the late 1400s. For more than 300 years,Spain and Portugal controlled most of Latin America.They forced new laws, new languages, and a new reli-gion onto the region’s inhabitants.Yet native culturessurvived by blending with those of the conquerors.
Today, the faces, costumes, and cus-toms of many Latin Americans revealtheir mixed heritage.
This is a region of developingnations—countries in the process of becoming industrialized. LatinAmerica’s urban population is increas-ing rapidly as people flock from thecountryside to modern, bustling cities.
1
Arms outstretched as if inblessing, a huge statue ofJesus keeps watch over thesprawling city of Rio deJaneiro, Brazil. Most LatinAmericans are Catholic, a legacy from the days ofSpanish and Portuguese rule.
Villages and farms dot thehighlands near Cuzco, Peru.The economies of many LatinAmerican countries are stillbased largely on agriculture,though manufacturing andother industries play anincreasingly important role.
2 3 4
4
A glass-covered bridge links ahotel to a convention center,part of a new business com-plex in Monterrey, Mexico.Among Latin American coun-tries, Mexico has been one ofthe quickest to modernize andindustrialize.
U n i t 3 181
182 U n i t 3
Latin America
U N I TREGIONAL ATLAS3
PHYSICAL
Aconcagua22,834 ft.(6,960 m)
PuertoRico
LesserAntilles
Trinidad
Gal´apagos Is.
Isla Grandede Chilo´e
A M A Z O N
B A S I N
MATO GROSSOPLATEAU
S E L V A S
PATA
GO
NIA
Falkland Is.(Islas Malvinas)
Vald´es Peninsula
South Georgia I.Cape Horn
Tierradel Fuego
BR
AZ
I LI A
N
HI G
HL
AN
DS
AN
DE
S
GUIANA HIGHLANDS
LLANOS
C a t i n g a sPa
ntan
al
Mos
quit
oCo
ast
Cape S˜ao Tom´e
Maraj´o I.
W E S T
I ND
I ES
Hispaniola
Yucat´anPeninsula
SIERRAM
ADRE
SIERRAM
ADREOCCIDENTAL
ORIEN
TAL
MEXICANPLATEAU
SIERRA MADREDEL SUR
BajaCalifornia
GreaterAnt i l les
AtacamaDesert
Isthmus ofPanama
AN
DE
S
AN
DE
S
P
AM
PA
S
GRAN
CHACO
LaM
onta ˜n a
Bermuda Is.Rio Grande
Amazon R.
Xin
guR
.A
ragu
aia
R.
Putum ayo R.U
rugu
ay
R.
Sala
do
R.
Negro R.
M
adei
raR.
Paran
a R.
S˜ao
Fra
ncisc
o R.
Par
agua
yR
.
Río de la Plata
LakeTiticaca
LakeMaracaibo
Lake Nicaragua
Atlantic
Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Pacific
Ocean
Gulf ofMexico
Gulf of
C aribbean Sea
Honduras
FRENCH GUIANA
GUATEMALAEL SALVADOR
COSTA RICA
NICARAGUA
PANAMA
CUBA
BAHAMAS
HAITI DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
COLOMBIA
VENEZUELA
ECUADOR
PERU
BOLIVIA
CHILE
B R A Z I L
URUGUAY
ARGENTINA
PARAGUAY
GU
YANA
SU
RINAME
HONDURASBELI
ZE
JAMAICA
MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
TROPIC OF CAPRICORN
TROPIC OF CANCER
EQUATOR
30°N
20°N
10°N
10°S
20°S
30°S
0°
120°W 100°W 80°W 60°W 40°W
Lambert Azimuthal Equal-Area projection1,000
0
0
1,000
km
mi.N
Elevation Profile
Sea level
2,000 m
4,000 m
6,000 m
8,000 m
6,562 ft
13,123 ft
19,685 ft
26,247 ft0 mi.
0 km 500
500
ANDES MATOGROSSOPLATEAUAMAZON
BASINBRAZILIAN
HIGHLANDS
POLITICAL
N
FRENCH GUIANA
BERMUDA
Gal´apagos Islands
Falkland Islands(Islas Malvinas)
South Georgia Island
Fr.
Fr.U.S.
U.K.
Ecua.
U.K.
U.K.
Fr.
U.K.
U.S. & U.K.
Guadeloupe
MartiniquePuertoRico
CaymanIs.
AN
DE S
AMAZON BASIN
BRAZILIAN
HIGHLANDS
MATOGROSSOPLATEAU
S e l v a s
PATA
GO
NIA
P A M P A S
AN
DE
S
Virgin Islands
Quito
MexicoCity
Guatemala City
Belmopan
San SalvadorManagua
San Jos´e
Tegucigalpa
PanamaCity
HavanaNassau
Port-au-Prince
Kingston
SantoDomingo
Port-of-Spain
Bogot´a
Cali
Rio de Janeiro
Porto Alegre
S˜ao Paulo
Belo Horizonte
Curitiba
Recife
Caracas
ParamariboCayenne
Georgetown
Brasília
Asunci´on
MontevideoBuenosAires
SantiagoValparaíso
Rosario
La Paz
Sucre
Lima
Guadalajara
Monterrey
Medellín
Salvador
Río
G rande
Amazon R.Negro R.
Madei
ra
R.
Paran
a R.
Pa
ragu
ay
Río de la Plata
R.
LakeTiticaca
Pacific
Ocean
Atlantic
Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Caribbean Sea
Gulf ofMexico
N O R T H A M E R I C A
BA
H
AM
A S
GUATEMALA
BELIZE
EL SALVADOR
COSTA RICA
NICARAGUA
HONDURAS
PANAMA
CUBAHAITI
JAMAICA
DOMINICANREPUBLIC
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
DOMINICA
ST. LUCIA
BARBADOSGRENADA
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
COLOMBIA
VENEZUELA
GUYANA
SURINAME
ECUADOR
PERU
BOLIVIA
CHILE
ARGENTINA
B R A Z I L
URUGUAY
MEXICO
PARAGUAYTROPIC OF CAPRICORN
TROPIC OF CANCER
EQUATOR
30°N
20°N
10°N
10°S
20°S
30°S
40°S
0°
120°W 100°W 80°W 60°W 40°W
Lambert Azimuthal Equal-Area projection1,000
0
0
1,000
km
mi.
National capitalTerritorial capitalMajor city
StudyMAP
U n i t 3 183
1. Through which country do most SouthAmerican rivers flow?
2. What European and North American coun-tries have territories in Latin America?
Latin America
U N I TREGIONAL ATLAS3
POPULATION DENSITY
30°N
20°N
10°N
10°S
20°S
30°S
40°S
50°S
0°
120°W 100°W 80°W
60°W 40°W
20°STROPIC OF CAPRICORN
TROPIC OF CANCER
EQUATOR
Pacific Ocean
Atlantic
Ocean
Atlantic
OceanCaribbean Sea
Gulf ofMexico
Falkland Islands(Islas Malvinas)
South Georgia Island
Gal´apagosIslands
Quito
Barranquilla
C´ordoba
ManausGuayaquil
MexicoCity
Guatemala City
San Salvador
Tegucigalpa
Tijuana
Havana
Port-au-Prince
Kingston
SantoDomingo
San Juan
Bogot´a
Cali
Rio de Janeiro
Porto Alegre
S˜ao Paulo
Belo Horizonte
Curitiba
Recife
Fortaleza
Caracas
Brasília
Asunci´on
MontevideoBuenosAires
Santiago
Valparaíso Rosario
La Paz
Bel´em
Lima
Guadalajara
Monterrey
Medellín
Maracaibo
Salvador
Georgetown
Santa Cruz
Paramaribo
San Jos´e
PanamaCity
Managua
Nassau
Cayenne
Sucre
NORTH AMERICA
U.K.
U.K.
Ecua.
N
Lambert Azimuthal Equal-Area projection1,000
0
0
1,000
km
mi.
Cities(Statistics reflect metropolitan areas.)
Per sq. mi.Per sq. kmOver 100
50–100
25–50
1–25
Under 1
Uninhabited
Over 250
125–250
60–125
2–60
Under 2
Uninhabited
Over 5,000,000
2,000,000–5,000,000
1,000,000–2,000,000
250,000–1,000,000
Under 250,000
184 U n i t 3
ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
30°N
20°N
10°N
10°S
20°S
30°S
40°S
0°
120°W 100°W 80°W 60°W 40°W
TROPIC OF CAPRICORN
TROPIC OF CANCER
EQUATOR
Pacific
Ocean
ATLaNTIC
OCEaN
Atlantic Ocean
Caribbean Sea
Gulf ofMexico
W e s t I n d i e s
Gal´apagos Is.
N O R T H A M E R I C A
Falkland Is.(Islas Malvinas)
South Georgia I.
Monterrey
GuadalajaraMexico City
Guatemala City
Barranquilla
Havana
SantoDomingo
Caracas
Quito
Bogot´a
Cali
Medellín
La Paz
Sucre
Lima
Asunci´on
Santiago
MontevideoBuenos Aires
RosarioPorto Alegre
S˜ao PauloCuritiba
Rio de Janeiro
Belo Horizonte
Salvador
Recife
Fortaleza
Bel´em
Brasília
FRENCH GUIANA
GUATEMALA
BELIZE
EL SALVADOR
COSTA RICA
NICARAGUA
HONDURAS
PANAMA
COLOMBIA
VENEZUELA
GUYANASURINAME
ECUADOR
PERU
BOLIVIA
CHILE
ARGENTINA
B R A Z I L
URUGUAY
MEXICO
PARAGUAY
N
N
Bananas
Fruit
Grapes
FruitCotton
CottonBananas
Rice
CoffeeTobacco
Corn
QuinoaCorn
Rice
CornTobaccoSugarcaneRice
Sugarcane
CottonRiceCacao
Rubber
Cacao
Vanilla Rice
Nuts
Bananas
RiceSugarcane
Cacao
Sugarcane
CornCoffee
Sugarcane
Coffee
CoffeeCacao
CoffeeCotton
Coffee
BananasCoffee
Corn
CottonCotton
TobaccoCoffee
RiceCoffee
CacaoSugarcaneSugarcane
Cattle
Cattle
Cattle
Cattle
Cattle
Sheep
Sheep
Sheep
Rubber
Bananas
N
Lambert Azimuthal Equal-Area projection1,000
0
0
1,000
km
mi.
Land UseCommercial farmingSubsistence farmingLivestock raisingForestsManufacturing and tradeCommercial fishingLittle or no activity
Resources
Coal
Petroleum
Natural gas
Uranium
Iron ore
Tin
Zinc
Bauxite
Nickel
Copper
Lead
Manganese
Gold
Silver
N
StudyMAP
U n i t 3 185
1. Where are most of the coal deposits inLatin America located?
2. Which areas of Latin America are mostdensely populated?
English
Spanish
English, Creole
English
Portuguese
Spanish
ManufacturedGoods
Iron Ore
100,000394 per sq. mi.152 per sq. km
37,500,00035 per sq. mi.14 per sq. km
300,00058 per sq. mi.23 per sq. km
300,0001,620 per sq. mi.626 per sq. km
300,00029 per sq. mi.11 per sq. km
8,500,00020 per sq. mi.8 per sq. km
171,800,00052 per sq. mi.20 per sq. km
15,400,00053 per sq. mi.20 per sq. km
43,100,00098 per sq. mi.38 per sq. km
170 sq. mi.440 sq. km
1,073,514 sq. mi.2,780,401 sq. km
5,359 sq. mi.13,880 sq. km
166 sq. mi.430 sq. km
8,865 sq. mi.22,960 sq. km
424,162 sq. mi.1,098,580 sq. km
3,300,154 sq. mi.8,547,399 sq. km
292,135 sq. mi.756,626 sq. km
439,734 sq. mi.1,138,511 sq. km
English
Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
Spanish
East Caribbean
Dollar
Peso
BarbadosDollar
BahamianDollar
BelizeDollar
Boliviano
Real
Peso
Peso
Parliamentary Democracy
Republic
Parliamentary Democracy
Parliamentary Democracy
Parliamentary Democracy
Republic
FederalRepublic
Republic
Republic
Metals
Pharma-ceuticals
Meat
Foods
Machinery
Sugar
Foods andLivestock
Copper
Machinery
Machinery
Machinery
Machinery
Sugar
Petroleum
Buenos Aires
Nassau
Bridgetown
Belmopan
La Paz
Sucre
Brasília
Santiago
Bogot´a
St. John's
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
BAHAMAS
BARBADOS
BELIZE
CHILE
ARGENTINA
BOLIVIA
BRAZIL
COLOMBIA
Crude Oil
PetroleumProducts
COUNTRY *
AND CAPITAL
FLAG AND
LANGUAGE
POPULATION
AND DENSITYLANDMASS
MAJOR
EXPORT
MAJOR
IMPORTCURRENCY GOVERNMENT
COUNTRY PROFILES
* COUNTRIES AND FLAGS NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
Latin America
U N I TREGIONAL ATLAS3
186 U n i t 3
Colón
Peso
East Caribbean
Dollar
East Caribbean
Dollar
Sucre
Colón
FrenchFranc
Quetzal
Peso
CommunistState
Republic
Republic
Republic
Republic
Republic
OverseasDepartmentof France
Republic
Parliamentary Democracy
Spanish
Spanish
English, FrenchManufactured
GoodsBananas
3,700,000188 per sq. mi.73 per sq. km
11,300,000264 per sq. mi.102 per sq. km
100,000262 per sq. mi.101 per sq. km
290 sq. mi.751 sq. km
19,730 sq. mi.51,100 sq. km
42,803 sq. mi.110,860 sq. km
8,600,000456 per sq. mi.176 per sq. km
18,815 sq. mi.48,731 sq. km
12,900,000118 per sq. mi.46 per sq. km
6,400,000788 per sq. mi.304 per sq. km
100,000678 per sq. mi.262 per sq. km
13,000,000309 per sq. mi.119 per sq. km
109,483 sq. mi.283,561 sq. km
8,124 sq. mi.21,041 sq. km
131 sq. mi.339 sq. km
42,042 sq. mi.108,889 sq. km
Spanish
Spanish,Quechua
Spanish
English, French
Spanish,Mayan Languages
200,0006 per sq. mi.2 per sq. km
34,749 sq. mi.89,999 sq. kmFrench
Ferronickel
Shrimp
Sugar
Petroleum
PetroleumTransportEquipment
Foods
Foods
Foods
Petroleum
Coffee
Coffee
CoffeeRaw
Materials
RawMaterials
Bananas
San Jos´e
Havana
Roseau
Santo Domingo
Quito
San Salvador
Cayenne
St. George's
GuatemalaCity
COSTA RICA
CUBA
DOMINICA
DOMINICANREPUBLIC
EL SALVADOR
ECUADOR
GUATEMALA
GRENADA
FRENCH GUIANA(FRANCE)
COUNTRY *
AND CAPITAL
FLAG AND
LANGUAGE
POPULATION
AND DENSITYLANDMASS
MAJOR
EXPORT
MAJOR
IMPORTCURRENCY GOVERNMENT
* COUNTRIES AND FLAGS NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
FOR AN ONLINE UPDATE OF THIS INFORMATION, VISIT GEOGRAPHY.GLENCOE.COM AND CLICK ON “TEXTBOOK UPDATES.”
U n i t 3 187
GuyanaDollar
Gourde
Lempira
Guaraní
Peso
Cordoba
Balboa
Nuevo Sol
JamaicanDollar
Republic
Republic
Republic
Parliamentary Democracy
Republic
Republic
FederalRepublic
Republic
Republic
700,0008 per sq. mi.3 per sq. km
7,000,000650 per sq. mi.251 per sq. km
6,700,000155 per sq. mi.60 per sq. km
2,600,000624 per sq. mi.241 per sq. km
99,600,000132 per sq. mi.51 per sq. km
5,200,000104 per sq. mi.40 per sq. km
83,000 sq. mi.214,969 sq. km
10,714 sq. mi.27,750 sq. km
43,278 sq. mi.112,090 sq. km
756,062 sq. mi.1,958,201 sq. km
4,243 sq. mi.10,989 sq. km
50,193 sq. mi.129,999 sq. km
ManufacturedGoods
ManufacturedGoods
ManufacturedGoods
Alumina
5,700,00036 per sq. mi.14 per sq. km
26,100,00053 per sq. mi.20 per sq. km
157,046 sq. mi.406,749 sq. km
496,224 sq. mi.1,285,220 sq. km
2,900,000100 per sq. mi.39 per sq. km
29,158 sq. mi.75,519 sq. km
Sugar
Machinery
Machinery
Machinery
Machinery
Machinery
Machinery
Machinery
Bananas
Coffee
Bananas
Cotton
English
English, Creole
Spanish
Spanish,Native American
Languages
Spanish
French, Creole
Spanish,Quechua, Aymara
Spanish, Guaraní
Spanish
Georgetown
Port-au-Prince
Tegucigalpa
Kingston
MexicoCity
Managua
PanamaCity
Asunci´on
Lima
JAMAICA
NICARAGUA
GUYANA
HONDURAS
HAITI
MEXICO
PERU
PARAGUAY
PANAMA
Copper
Crude Oil
COUNTRY *
AND CAPITAL
FLAG AND
LANGUAGE
POPULATION
AND DENSITYLANDMASS
MAJOR
EXPORT
MAJOR
IMPORTCURRENCY GOVERNMENT
COUNTRY PROFILES
* COUNTRIES AND FLAGS NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
Latin America
U N I TREGIONAL ATLAS3
188 U n i t 3
Bolivar
SurinameGuilder
Trinidad andTobagoDollar
Peso
U.S.Dollar
U.S. Dollar
EastCaribbean
Dollar
EastCaribbean
Dollar
EastCaribbean
Dollar
U. S.Commonwealth
Republic
Republic
Parliamentary Democracy
Parliamentary Democracy
Parliamentary Democracy
Republic
U.S. Territory
FederalRepublic
3,900,0001,139 per sq. mi.440 per sq. km
40,000281 per sq. mi.108 per sq. km
200,000656 per sq. mi.253 per sq. km
100,000757 per sq. mi.297 per sq. km
400,0007 per sq. mi.3 per sq. km
1,300,000656 per sq. mi.253 per sq. km
3,400,00049 per sq. mi.19 per sq. km
24,600,00070 per sq. mi.27 per sq. km
3,456 sq. mi.8,951 sq. km
139 sq. mi.360 sq. km
239 sq. mi.619 sq. km
151 sq. mi.391 sq. km
63,039 sq. mi.163,271 sq. km
1,981 sq. mi.5,131 sq. km
352,143 sq. mi.912,050 sq. km
68,498 sq. mi.177,410 sq. km
ElectronicGoods
Spanish, English
English
English, French
English, French
Dutch
English
Spanish
Spanish
120,917 713 per sq. mi.276 per sq. km
134 sq. mi.347 sq. kmEnglish
ChemicalProducts
Machinery
Petroleum
Bauxite
Machinery
Machinery
Machinery
Petroleum
Foods
Foods
Bananas
RawMaterials
Bananas
Wool
ChemicalProducts
Pharma-ceuticals
San Juan
Basseterre
Castries
Kingstown
Paramaribo
Port-of-Spain
Montevideo
Caracas
CharlotteAmalie
PUERTO RICO(U.S.)
URUGUAY
ST. LUCIA
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
SURINAME
VENEZUELA
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
TRINIDAD ANDTOBAGO
VIRGIN ISLANDS (U.S.)
Crude Oil
COUNTRY *
AND CAPITAL
FLAG AND
LANGUAGE
POPULATION
AND DENSITYLANDMASS
MAJOR
EXPORT
MAJOR
IMPORTCURRENCY GOVERNMENT
FOR AN ONLINE UPDATE OF THIS INFORMATION, VISIT GEOGRAPHY.GLENCOE.COM AND CLICK ON “TEXTBOOK UPDATES.”
* COUNTRIES AND FLAGS NOT DRAWN TO SCALE
U n i t 3 189
�
GLOBALCONNECTION
LATIN AMERICA AND THE UNITED STATES
FOOD CROPS
190 U n i t 3
If you’ve had cornflakes, French fries, or a choco-late bar recently, you can thank Latin America.That’s because these foods all are made from cropsthat originated there.
About 10,000 years ago, Native Americans in what is now Mexicogathered ears of wild corn for food. Between 5000 B.C. and 3500 B.C., theydomesticated the plants and began raising them. Corn became a staple inthe diets of the Maya and Aztec peoples. Gradually, corn cultivation spreadfrom Mexico, eventually reaching the northeastern part of North America.
When European colonists arrived on America’s eastern shores,Native Americans taught them how to grow this crop. It’s been animportant part of American agriculture ever since. In fact, the United
States now leads the world in corn production.Roughly 2,000 years ago, people in South America’s Andes
began cultivating potatoes, which are native to that area.When Spanish and English explorers arrived in the 1500s,they sampled potatoes and then carried some back to
their homelands. It took a while for Europeans to develop ataste for these strange-looking tubers. But by the 1700s,
potatoes were widely grown, especially in Ireland. Immigrantsfrom Europe brought potatoes to the American colonies.
Chocolate is made from the seeds of cacao, a tree native to theAmazon River basin. How and when cacao seeds arrived in Central
U N I TREGIONAL ATLAS3
▲ Pod containingcacao seeds
America remains a mystery, but we doknow that cacao came to play a majorrole in Maya and Aztec cultures.TheAztec believed that cacao seeds werea gift from heaven.The seeds wereground up to make a rich beveragecalled xocoatl (shoh•KOH•ahtl).However, the drink wasn’t sweet.It was rather bitter and spiced with chili peppers!
In 1519 the Spanish explorerHernán Cortés was served a cup of xocoatl by an Aztec ruler.WhenCortés returned home, he took cacaoseeds with him and introduced thedrink to Spain. The Spanish made afew alterations.Their “chocolate”wassweetened with sugar and flavoredwith cinnamon and vanilla. For about80 years, the Spanish kept their newbeverage a secret. Once word got
out, though, a chocolate craze spread across Europe.When chocolate first arrived in the American colonies, it was an expensive
European delicacy that only the wealthy could afford.Then in 1765,cacao seeds began to be imported directly, and
relatively cheaply, from the West Indies.Finally, the average American was able
to afford what the Aztec believedwas the “food of the gods.”
▲ Guatemalan farmer carrying cornstalks
GeoJournalAs you read this chapter, use your journal to describe the geographic features of LatinAmerica. Choose strong, vivid terms to capturethe beauty, grandeur, and economic impor-tance of the physical features of the region.
Chapter Overview Visit the Glencoe WorldGeography Web site at tx.geography.glencoe.comand click on Chapter Overviews—Chapter 8 to preview information about the physicalgeography of the region.
The Land
A Geographic ViewOn the AmazonI watched the river. Each boat carried a tiny cross-section of Amazon society. . . . Canoes driftedpast. Small wooden passengerboats or traders mumbled theirsmoky way downstream. No matter how blue the sky, the river never caught the color in its reflection; it was loaded withsediment carved from the Andes.Logs and brush and whirlpoolsmoved past in endless flow,and river dolphins rolled ahead of us.
—Jere van Dyk, “Amazon: South America’sRiver Road,” National Geographic, February 1995
From the headwaters of the Peruvian Andes to the Atlanticcoast of Brazil, the Amazon River winds about 4,000 miles (6,400 km)through the heart of South America. This mighty river, the world’ssecond longest, is only one prominent feature of Latin America’slarge and varied landscape. In this section you will explore theregion’s physical geography: mountains, islands, coastal lowlands,plains, and waterways.
A Vast RegionLocated in the Western Hemisphere south of the United States,
Latin America has a land area of about 8 million square miles(20,700,000 sq. km)—nearly 16 percent of the earth’s surface. Thecountries of the region share a heritage of settlement by Europeans,especially those from Spain and Portugal. Most of these settlersspoke Spanish or Portuguese—languages based on Latin, the lan-guage of the ancient Roman Empire, which gives the region its name.
Guide to ReadingConsider What You KnowNews accounts of natural disastersin Latin America describe thedestruction caused by hurricanes,earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.What geographic factors might makethe region vulnerable to such naturaldisasters?
Read to Find Out• How do geographers divide the large
region known as Latin America?
• What factors have shaped the formation of Latin America’s landforms?
• How has the Latin American land-scape influenced patterns of humansettlement?
• What natural resources make LatinAmerica an economically importantregion?
Terms to Know• cordillera • gaucho
• altiplano • hydroelectric
• escarpment power
• llano • estuary
• pampa
Places to Locate• Amazon River • Mexican
• Middle America Plateau
• Central America • Patagonia
• West Indies • Mato Grosso
• South America Plateau
• Sierra Madre • Rio Grande
• Andes • Río de la Plata
C h a p t e r 8 193
View from the top of the IguaçuFalls, Brazil
Brazilian riverboat
194 U n i t 3
Geographers usually divide Latin America intothree areas—Middle America, the Caribbean, andSouth America. Middle America consists of Mexicoand the seven countries of Central America, thestretch of land that links the landmasses of Northand South America. The Caribbean islands, alsoknown as the West Indies, fall into three groups—the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles, and the LesserAntilles. The continent of South America is by farthe largest land area of Latin America. AmongSouth America’s 13 countries, Brazil is the largestin both land area and population.
Mountains and PlateausOne of Latin America’s most distinctive land-
forms is its towering mountains. Thrustingupward in countless folds and ridges, this moun-tainous profile begins in North America as theRocky Mountains and extends all the way to SouthAmerica’s southern tip. The mountains’ nameschange as you move south. In Mexico they are theSierra Madre; in Central America, the CentralHighlands; and in South America, the Andes.
Latin America has such a rugged landscapebecause much of the region sits along the PacificRing of Fire, where plates of the earth’s crust havecollided for billions of years. These collisions haveformed mountains and volcanoes and have causedtremendous earthquakes. They continue to changethe landscape today. In 1999, for example, a strongearthquake reduced to rubble many towns and vil-lages in northwestern South America.
Despite obstacles, the mountains and plateausof Latin America have been places of human set-tlement for thousands of years. People wanting to
escape the heat of the lowland areas have beendrawn to cooler mountain climates. They alsohave been attracted by the mountains’ rich naturalresources—water, volcanic soil, timber, and miner-als. Historically, Latin America’s rugged terrainhas tended to block movement and trade and toisolate regions and peoples. In recent decadesradio, television, air transport, and the Internethave begun to break down old physical barriers.
Mountains of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean
Look at the physical-political map on page 195.Notice that Mexico’s Sierra Madre consists of twomountain ranges—the Sierra Madre Oriental(“Eastern”) and the Sierra Madre Occidental(“Western”)—that meet near Mexico City to formthe sharp-peaked Sierra Madre del Sur (“of theSouth”). These ranges surround the densely popu-lated Mexican Plateau, which covers much of cen-tral Mexico. In the plateau’s southern area, the mildclimate, fertile volcanic soil, and adequate rainfallhave attracted human settlement for thousandsof years.
Farther south, the Central Highlands, a chain ofvolcanic mountains, rise like a backbone acrossCentral America. Many Caribbean islands are alsopart of this mountain range, which extends acrossthe bed of the Caribbean Sea. The islands are actu-ally volcanic peaks that rise above sea level. Someof these volcanoes are still active, which can makeliving on these islands hazardous.
Andes of South AmericaNone of Latin America’s other mountains com-
pare with the 4,500-mile (7,242-km) stretch of theAndes along the western edge of South America.Their extent makes the Andes the world’s longestmountain range, as well as one of the highest, withsome peaks rising to more than 20,000 feet (6,096 m)above sea level. The Andes consist of severalranges that run parallel to one another like deepfolds in a carpet. Such parallel ranges are calledcordilleras (KAWR•duhl•YEHR•uhs).
In Peru and Bolivia, the spectacular Andespeaks encircle a region called the altiplano, whichmeans “high plain.” In southern Argentina, hillsand lower flatlands form the plateau of Patagonia.
Latin America is aboutthree times the size ofthe continental UnitedStates.
Caribbean Sea
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LakeTiticaca
Amazon R.
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EQUATOR
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MAP STUDY
Latin America: Physical-Political
Find NGS online map resources @ www.nationalgeographic.com/maps
National boundaryMountain peak
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1. Interpreting Maps What physical features surround the Mexican Plateau?
2. Applying Geography Skills Which South American rivers flow through high-lands areas? Lowlands areas?
vast that it spans several climate and vegetationzones. On the eastern edge of the Brazilian Highlands, the plateau plunges sharply to theAtlantic Ocean, forming a steep cliff or slope calledan escarpment.
Lowlands and PlainsNarrow coastal lowlands wind their way along
the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean and also hemthe Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America.One of the longest strips of coastal plain in LatinAmerica lies along Brazil’s Atlantic coast. In north-eastern Brazil, this plain is about 40 miles (60 km)wide but narrows considerably as it winds south-ward. Between Rio de Janeiro and the southeasternseaport of Santos, the plain disappears entirely, onlyto reappear and widen again near Brazil’s borderswith Uruguay and Argentina. Hemmed in by high-land escarpment, Brazil’s coastal plain has been amajor area of settlement and economic activitysince the 1500s.
Inland areas of South America hold vast grass-lands: the llanos (LAH•nohs) of Colombia andVenezuela, and the pampas of Argentina and
Wildlife expert William Franklin describes thewindswept Patagonia region at the southern endof South America:
“ The sky is full of mountains in thiscountry. I often get a sore neck fromadmiring these Andean peaks as wetrek on foot and horseback over theplains and hills. The wind is our con-stant companion; locals advise that ifyou want to see Patagonia, just standstill and it will all blow past you.”William Franklin, “Patagonia Puma:
The Lord of Land’s End,” NationalGeographic, January 1991
Highlands of BrazilEastern South America is marked by broad
plateaus and valleys. The Mato Grosso Plateau, asparsely populated plateau of forests and grass-lands, spreads over much of Brazil and across thewest to Bolivia and Peru. East of the Mato GrossoPlateau lie the Brazilian Highlands, a plateau so
The Coast of Brazil Ipanema Beach inRio de Janeiro is a popular tourist area.
Place Describe the physical environment inwhich Rio de Janeiro is located.
C h a p t e r 8 197
Uruguay. Both plains areas provide wide grazinglands for beef cattle. Ranchers on large estatesemploy cowhands, called llaneros in the llanos andgauchos in the pampas, to drive great herds of cattleacross the rolling terrain. Known for its fertile soil,the pampas region is one of the world’s major“breadbaskets,” producing an abundance of wheatand corn. Many people in the pampas region growcrops on small- and medium-sized farms.
Water SystemsLike a massive circulatory system, Latin America’s
many waterways serve as arteries that transportpeople and goods to different parts of the region andthe world. Most of the region’s major rivers are inSouth America. One important exception is the RioGrande, or Río Bravo del Norte (“Wild River of theNorth”), which forms part of the long borderbetween Mexico and the United States.
Economics
Rivers of South AmericaMiddle America’s rivers are generally small, but
the rivers that cross South America are gigantic. TheAmazon is the Western Hemisphere’s longest river
and carries ten times the water volume of the Mis-sissippi River. Hundreds of smaller rivers join theAmazon as it journeys from the Andes to theAtlantic Ocean. These rivers together form theAmazon Basin, which drains parts of Bolivia, Peru,Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela, as well asBrazil. Despite the tremendous force of water at itsmouth, the Amazon is navigable. Oceangoing shipscan travel upstream as far as 2,300 miles (3,701 km)from the Atlantic coast.
The Paraná, Paraguay, and Uruguay Riverstogether form the second-largest river system inLatin America. This system drains the rainy easternhalf of South America. Important commercialhighways, these three rivers provide inland waterroutes and hydroelectric power—electricity gener-ated from the energy of water—for Argentina,Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. After cours-ing through inland areas, the three rivers flow into abroad estuary, an area where the tide meets a river
Student Web Activity Visit the Glencoe WorldGeography Web site at tx.geography.glencoe.com and click on Student Web Activities—Chapter 8 for an activity about the physical geography of Costa Rica.
The Gaucho Argentine cowhands known asgauchos ride the pampas herding livestock, themajor agricultural product of Argentina.
Human-Environment Interaction How doesterrain in Argentina support cattle ranching?
198 U n i t 3
current. This estuary, the Río dela Plata (“River of Silver”),meets the Atlantic Ocean.Buenos Aires, the capital ofArgentina, and Montevideo,the capital of Uruguay, liealong the Río de la Plata.
LakesLatin America has few large
lakes. The region does includethe world’s highest navigable lake,Lake Titicaca (TEE•tee•KAH•kah), inthe Andes of Bolivia and Peru. Lake Titi-caca lies about 12,500 feet (3,810 km) abovesea level. The area surrounding Lake Titicaca wasone of the centers of early Native American civi-lization. It holds many architectural remains fromthe distant past. Lake Maracaibo (MAH•rah•KY•boh) in Venezuela is regarded as South America’slargest lake, even though it is actually an inlet of theCaribbean Sea. Lake Maracaibo and the surround-ing area contain the most important oil fields inVenezuela. The largest lake in Central America isLake Nicaragua, which lies between Nicaragua andCosta Rica.
Natural ResourcesLatin America has significant natural resources,
including minerals, forests, farmland, and water.Major deposits of oil and natural gas lie in rock
Checking for Understanding1. Define cordillera, altiplano,
escarpment, llano, pampa, gau-cho, hydroelectric power, estuary.
2. Main Ideas Use a table like theone below to describe LatinAmerica’s three main geographicareas. Then choose one area, andexplain how it differs from theother two.
Critical Thinking3. Identifying Cause and Effect How
do the physical features of LatinAmerica affect everyday life? Give examples.
4. Drawing Conclusions Why doesmuch of South America have thepotential to produce hydroelectricpower?
5. Making Inferences What factorsmake Latin America important tothe global economy?
Analyzing Maps6. Region Study the physical-political
map on page 195. What part ofSouth America is dominated by mountains?
Geographic Area Physical Features
7. Effects of Landforms Thinkabout the physical featuresof South America. Write a descriptive paragraphexplaining how landformsaffect the course of SouthAmerica’s water systems.
Applying Geography
beds located in mountain val-leys and in offshore areas,
especially along the Gulf ofMexico and in the southernCaribbean Sea. These de-posits help make Mexicoand Venezuela leading oilproducers.
Latin America’s mineralwealth was first mined by
Native American peoples andlater by European colonists. The
foothills along Venezuela’s OrinocoRiver contain large amounts of gold.Brazil also is rich in gold, while Peru and
Mexico are known for silver. Mines in Colombiahave been producing the world’s finest emer-alds—precious green stones composed of beryl-lium—for more than 1,000 years. Even LatinAmerica’s nonprecious minerals have great eco-nomic value. Chile is the world’s largest exporterof copper, and Jamaica is a leading source of baux-ite, the main ore of aluminum. Bolivia and Brazilhave large reserves of tin.
Not all of Latin America’s countries share equallyin this bounty. Geographic inaccessibility, lack ofcapital for development, and deep social and polit-ical divisions keep many of the region’s naturalresources from being developed fully or distributedevenly. The challenge for Latin Americans in thefuture is how to overcome these obstacles andmake the best use of the region’s natural resources.
Gold mask fromEcuador, about 500 B.C.–A.D. 500
C h a p t e r 8 199
Guide to ReadingConsider What You KnowMost of Latin America’s people livein an area between the Tropic ofCancer and the Tropic of Capricorn,an area that includes the Equator.What types of climate and vegeta-tion would you expect to find in thisbroad area?
Read to Find Out• Which climate regions are repre-
sented in Latin America?
• How do Latin America’s locationand landforms affect climateseven within particular regions?
• How are the natural vegetationand agriculture of Latin Americainfluenced by climatic factors?
Terms to Know• canopy
• tierra caliente
• tierra templada
• tierra fría
Places to Locate• Amazon Basin
• Colombia
• Venezuela
• Argentina
• Uruguay
• Atacama Desert
Climate andVegetation
A Geographic ViewExploring Chile’s MountainsGreen was the color we leastexpected when we landed on[Chile’s] Sarmiento [ranges]. . . .Mosses and lichens carpeted therocks above an iceberg-litteredbay. . . . After several days ofexploring, our progress thwartedby glacial canyons and snarlyice-falls, we discovered a routeto the peaks. . . . To reach theridge, we had to hack throughrain forest, our skis catchingon limbs, our boots slipping off logs.
—Jack Miller, “Chile’s Uncharted Cordillera Sarmiento,” National Geographic, April 1994
Diverse climates make Latin America a region of sharpcontrasts. To reach the glacial peaks of Chile’s Cordillera Sarmiento,for example, climbers must trek through nearly impenetrable tropicalvegetation. Steamy rain forests, arid deserts, grassy plains, and sandybeaches are all part of the region. In this section you will learn aboutLatin America’s various climate regions and how the region’s cli-mates and landforms together influence natural vegetation and thegrowing of crops.
Climate and Vegetation RegionsMuch of Latin America lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the
Tropic of Capricorn. As a result, vast areas of the region have someform of tropical climate with lush green vegetation. Yet, evenwithin the Tropics, mountain ranges and wind patterns create avariety of climates and natural vegetation in Latin America. The
Sarmiento peak and bay
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200 U n i t 3
Latin America: Climate Regions Latin America: Natural Vegetation
maps above show Latin America’s climate regionsand natural vegetation zones.
Tropical RegionsA tropical rain forest climate and vegetation dom-
inate southern Mexico, eastern Central America,some Caribbean islands, and parts of South America.Hot temperatures and abundant rainfall occur year-round. In the Amazon Basin, this combinationresults from the area’s location on the Equator andthe patterns of the prevailing winds.
The Rain ForestWet tropical areas of Latin America have a
dense cover of rain forest, or selva as it is called inBrazil. Latin American rain forests contain a vari-ety of trees, including tropical hardwoods, palms,
tree ferns, and bamboos. In Latin America’s tropi-cal rain forest areas, broad-leafed and needle-leafed evergreen trees are so close together thattheir crowns form a dense canopy, or a continu-ous layer of leaves. The canopy may soar to 130feet (40 m) and is so dense that sunlight seldomreaches the forest floor. Plants beneath the canopymust be shade tolerant.
The Amazon Basin, with Earth’s largest rainforest, covers about one-third of South America. Itis also the world’s wettest tropical plain. Heavyrains drench much of the densely forested low-lands throughout the year, but especially betweenJanuary and June. During the months of heavyrainfall, large areas crossed by the Amazon Riverare often severely flooded. In Brazil, the width ofthe river ranges between 1 and 6 miles (1.6 and
MAP STUDY
Find NGS online map resources @ www.nationalgeographic.com/maps
Tropical rain forestTropical savanna
SteppeDesert
Marine west coastMediterraneanHumid subtropical
Highlands (climatevaries with elevation)
Tropical
Dry
Mid-Latitude
2. Applying Geography Skills What are the pre-dominant types of natural vegetation between theTropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn?
Tropical forest
Chaparral
Deciduous and mixeddeciduous-coniferousforest
Coniferous forest
Tropical grassland
Temperate grassland
Desert scrub anddesert waste
Highlands (vegetationvaries with elevation)
1. Interpreting Maps What area of South Americahas a humid subtropical climate?
10 km) but enlarges to 30 miles (48 km) or moreduring annual flooding.
The Amazon rain forest shelters more species ofplants and animals per square mile than anywhereelse on Earth. One journalist described a recent sur-vey by scientists from the Smithsonian Institutionin Washington, D.C.:
“ Here at this one site on the Equator, inabout 1,500 acres, scientists havecounted 3,000 species of plants, 530species of birds, nearly 80 species of bats,and 11 species of primates. There arejaguars and other wild cats, tapir, deer,otters, capybaras, and agoutis. . . .”Virginia Morell, “The Variety of Life,”
National Geographic, February 1999
The Amazon rain forest is also a habitat for manyreptiles. The snakes there include boas and anacon-das. Iguanas and crocodiles also are found in manyrain forests. Rivers and streams teem with variedand abundant freshwater fish.
Tropical SavannaA tropical savanna climate is typical of the coast
of southwestern Mexico, most Caribbean islands,and north-central South America. These areashave hot temperatures and abundant rainfall butalso experience an extended dry season. In manytropical savanna areas, vast grasslands flourish.Some of these grasslands, such as the llanos ofColombia and Venezuela, are covered with scat-tered trees and are considered transition zonesbetween grasslands and forests.
History
The Humid SubtropicsA humid subtropical climate prevails over much
of southeastern South America, from Rio deJaneiro, Brazil, to the pampas of Argentina andUruguay. In this area, winters are short and mild,and summers are long, hot, and humid. Summersoccasionally bring short dry periods.
The vast pampas today consist primarily of shortgrasses but once had scattered trees. Spanish set-tlers brought cattle and horses to the pampas andcut down trees to set up ranches. Overgrazing
Diverse Vegetation Tropical forests(left) grow in the warm, rainy climate of Dominica in the Caribbean. In the arid AtacamaDesert of Chile (right), low shrubs grow among steaming geysers.
Human-Environment Interaction Would you expect these places to be denselypopulated? Why or why not?
202 U n i t 3
eventually left only short clumps of grass to anchorthe pampas soil, and dust storms periodically sweptover the region. Argentine farmers now plant alfalfa,corn, and cotton to hold the topsoil in place.
Desert and Steppe AreasParts of northern Mexico, coastal Peru and
Argentina, and the southeastern coast of SouthAmerica have desert climates and vegetation. InChile the rain shadow effect of the Andes has pro-duced the Atacama Desert, a region so arid that insome places no rainfall has ever been recorded. Inthe desert areas of Latin America, vegetation issparse. Prickly cacti and drought-resistant shrubs,however, have adapted to the harsh environment.
Parts of Latin America—northern Mexico, north-eastern Brazil, and south central South America— receive little rainfall but do not have desert climatesand vegetation. Instead, they have steppe climates—hot summers, cool winters, and light rainfall—andgrassy or lightly forested vegetation.
Elevation and ClimateAlthough Latin America lies in the Tropics, its
varied climates are more affected by elevation thanby distance from the Equator. Throughout theregion, Spanish terms are used to describe three dif-ferent vertical climate zones that occur as elevationincreases. Each of these three zones has its owncharacteristic natural vegetation and crops.
Averag
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MonthsMonthsDNOSAJJMAMFJDNOSAJJMAMFJ 0/0
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UNITED STATES
AR
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Buenos Aires, Argentina 34° S, 58° W89 ft (27 m) above sea level
Dallas, Texas, U.S.33° N, 97° W512 ft (156 m) above sea level
Source: National Climatic Data Center and Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center
GRAPH STUDY
Comparing Climate Regions: Argentina and the United States
2. Applying Geography Skills How mightclimate affect patterns of economic condi-tions in Argentina? In Texas?1. Interpreting Graphs What is the average
September temperature in each city?
The tierra caliente, or “hot land,” lies at eleva-tions between sea level and 2,500 feet (760 m).Average annual temperatures in these coastalareas and foothills range from 68° to 91°F (20° to33°C). In the rain forests of the tierra caliente, themain crops include bananas, sugar, rice, and cacao.
The tierra templada, or “temperate land,” liesbetween 2,500 and 6,500 feet (760 and 2,000 m).In this zone temperatures range between 60° and72°F (16° and 22°C). Broad-leafed evergreen trees
C h a p t e r 8 203
Checking for Understanding1. Define canopy, tierra caliente,
tierra templada, tierra fría.
2. Main Ideas Create a table to iden-tify, locate, and describe LatinAmerica’s climate regions. Thenwrite a sentence that describes eachzone’s features and vegetation.
Critical Thinking3. Making Inferences Why might
some Latin Americans live in areasin which climate and agricultureare unfavorable?
4. Determining Cause and EffectHow does elevation affect climateand vegetation in Latin America?
5. Comparing and Contrasting Com-pare the pampas to your region.How do climate and vegetationhelp define the economic activitiesin each place?
Analyzing Maps6. Place Study the vegetation map
on page 200. Which two types ofvegetation cover most of SouthAmerica?
Climate Region Location Characteristics
Humid Subtropical
7. Effects of Climate Write a paragraph describing the effects of climate on economic activities in a particular Latin Americancountry. Then map the loca-tions of these activities.
Applying Geography
Sea Level
PacificOcean
CaribbeanSea
Sierra MadreOriental
Sierra MadreOccidental
Tierra templada 2,500 feet (760 m) Coffee, corn, citrus fruit
Tierra fría 6,500 feet (2,000 m) Potatoes, wheat, applesTierra fría 6,500 feet (2,000 m) Potatoes, wheat, apples
Tierra caliente 0 feet (0 m) Bananas, cacao, sugarcane, rice
MexicoCity
DIAGRAM STUDY
Mexico: Vertical Climate Zones
2. Applying Geography Skills How might increas-ing elevation affect the type and distribution ofresources found in each vertical climate zone?
at lower levels give way to needle-leafed, cone-bearing evergreens at upper levels. In the tierra tem-plada, the most densely populated of the verticalclimate zones, coffee and corn are the main crops.
Land at 6,500 to 10,000 feet (2,000 to 3,048 m) isknown as the tierra fría, or “cold land.” At this ele-vation, frosts are common during winter months.However, crops such as potatoes and barley growwell here. Above the tierra fría, conditions are moredifficult for agriculture or human habitation.
1. Interpreting Diagrams What kind of crops aregrown in the tierra caliente? The tierra templada?
204 U n i t 3
The Glencoe Skillbuilder Interactive Workbook,
Level 2 provides instruction andpractice in key social studies skills.
Identifying Cause-and-EffectRelationshipsIdentifying cause-and-effect relationships involves considering
how and why an event occurred. A cause is the action or situa-tion that leads to the event. An effect is the result or conse-quence of an action or situation.
Learning the SkillCause-and-effect relationships
may be simple or complex. Sev-eral causes can produce a singleeffect. For example, a forest firemay be caused by a seriesof events or conditions. Hotweather and lack of rain makegrass and wood dry and flam-mable. The day the fire startedmight have been windy, andthe wind might have blownsparks from a camper’s fire tosome dry grass.
Similarly, one event can pro-duce several effects. A largeforest fire can destroy animalhabitats. It can also suddenlyreduce plant cover, making theland more susceptible to ero-sion from wind and rain. Alarge fire can also be expensiveto fight and damaging tohomes and businesses, harmingthe economy of an entireregion.
Sometimes one event causesseveral other events in a chainreaction. A traffic accident on ahighway may cause anotheraccident, which causes anotheraccident, and so on. Strings ofcausal relationships are calledcause-and-effect chains.
Follow these steps to identifycause-and-effect relationships:
• Ask questions about whyevents occur.
• Identify the outcomes ofevents.
• Look for clues that indicate acause-and-effect relationship.Words and phrases such asbecause, as a result of,brought about, as a conse-quence, therefore, and thuscan help you identify cause-and-effect relationships.
Practicing the SkillIdentify one cause and one
effect associated with each ofthe events or conditions listedbelow.
1. The 1999 earthquake inColombia
2. The formation of severalCaribbean islands
3. Limited access to the richmineral resources of theAmazon Basin
4. Cold temperatures in thetierra fría
• Hot weather and • Animal habitats lack of rain make destroyed.grass and wood dry and flammable.
• Natural factors such
• Soil erosion
as lightning strikes
increases due to
or wind can ignite
loss of plant cover.
or fuel a fire.
• Expense of fighting
• Careless campers
the fire and the loss
and hikers may
of homes andbusinesses harms the
leave a fire region’s economy.
unattended.
Causes Forest Fire Effects
Use the library or the Internet toresearch volcanic activity in LatinAmerica.Then explain the causes andeffects of a volcanic eruption by cre-ating a graphic like the one above.
C h a p t e r 8 205
Key Points• Latin America includes Middle America, the
Caribbean, and South America.
• Latin America’s physical features include highmountain ranges, less rugged highlands, vastcentral plains, and volcanic islands.
• The water systems of Latin America, especiallythe mighty rivers of South America, are key tohuman activity in the region.
• Although the region is rich in natural resources,geographic, political, and economic obstacleshave kept resources from being developed fullyor shared equally.
Organizing Your NotesCreate a table like the onebelow to help you organizeinformation about the physicalfeatures of Latin America.
Terms to Know• canopy• tierra caliente• tierra templada• tierra fría
Key Points• Much of Latin America lies in the Tropics;
however, landforms and wind patterns give the region great climatic diversity.
• Tropical climates such as tropical forest andtropical savanna are the most common climatesin Latin America.
• The natural vegetation of Latin America con-sists mainly of rain forests and grasslands.
• The tropical highlands in Latin America includethree vertical climate zones that are based onlatitude and elevation.
Organizing Your NotesCreate an outline using the for-mat below to help you organizeyour notes for this section.
Terms to Know• cordillera• altiplano• escarpment• llano• pampa• gaucho• hydroelectric
power• estuary
SECTION 1 The Land (pp. 193–198)
SECTION 2 Climate and Vegetation (pp. 199–203)
SUMMARY & STUDY GUIDE
Physical Feature Location
Mexican Plateau
Andes
Rio Grande
Amazon River
Río de la Plata
Climate and Vegetation
I. Climate and Vegetation RegionsA.Tropical Regions
1. The Rain Forest
II.
Andean peaks in northern Chile
Reviewing Key TermsWrite the key term that best completes each ofthe following sentences. Refer to the Terms toKnow in the Summary & Study Guide on page 205.
1. The Andes consist of parallel mountainranges, or __________.
2. The high plain encircled by the Andes ofBolivia and Peru is known as the __________.
3. The plateau of the Brazilian Highlandsplunges sharply to the Atlantic Ocean, form-ing a steep cliff called an __________.
4. Cattle are raised on the broad grasslandscalled __________ in Colombiaand Venezuela and __________ inArgentina and Uruguay.
5. The Río de la Plata is typical ofan ___________, an area wherethe tide meets a river current.
6. Highlands climates are dividedinto vertical zones, includingthe hot __________, the temper-ate __________, and the cold__________.
Reviewing FactsSECTION 1
1. What are the three major geo-graphic areas within LatinAmerica?
2. What three island groups makeup the West Indies?
3. Which three rivers flow into theRío de la Plata?
SECTION 24. What are the eight climate
regions of Latin America?
5. What factors determine whyLatin America’s highlands climateis divided into three zones?
6. Where is the world’s largestrain forest located?
7. What are South America’s twomain grassland areas called?
206 U n i t 3
Critical Thinking1. Making Generalizations Write a gener-
alization that describes the kinds of economicactivities you would expect to find in grass-lands areas, using Latin America as an example.
2. Analyzing Information Identify andexplain the factors affecting the location ofdifferent types of economic activities in LatinAmerican countries.
3. Comparing and Contrasting Use a Venndiagram to compare the climate and vegeta-tion found in Latin America’s tropical areas.
Tropical Savanna Tropical Rain ForestBoth
Locating PlacesLatin America: Physical Geography
Match the letters on the map with the physical features of Latin America.Write your answers on a sheet of paper.
1. Amazon River2. Lake Titicaca3. Rio Grande4. Hispaniola
5. Lake Maracaibo6. Río de la Plata7. Gulf of Mexico8. Pampas
9. Caribbean Sea10. Orinoco River11. Mexican Plateau
AH
D
F
I
K
G
J
B
E
C
60°W80°W 40°W100°W120°W
40°S
20°N
20°S
0°
TROPIC OF CANCER
TROPIC OF CAPRICORN
EQUATOR
Azimuthal Equidistant projection
1,000
1,0000
0
mi.
km
N
ASSESSMENT & ACTIVITIES
Use the climograph below and your knowl-edge of geography to answer the question.
1. Based on the information shown in the climograph, which statement aboutthe months of April and November isaccurate?
A The average temperature and amount ofrainfall are about the same.
B It is hotter and drier in November.C The average temperature is about the
same, but it is wetter in November.D The amount of rainfall is about the same,
but it is hotter in November.
Study the information shown on theclimograph for average temperatureand monthly precipitation. Then look
carefully at the data for the months of April andNovember. Compare the amount of precipitation for the two months. As a result, you will be able toeliminate some of the statements.
C h a p t e r 8 207
Using the Regional AtlasRefer to the Regional Atlas on pages 184–187.
1. Location What river makes up a majorpart of the boundary between Mexico andthe United States?
2. Place In terms of land use, why is therelittle to no activity along much of the Pacificcoast of South America?
Thinking Like a GeographerReview the economic activity map on page 187.Analyze the effects of physical and human geo-graphic processes on the development of LatinAmerica’s resources. Make three practical sugges-tions for improving resource development in theregion.
Problem-Solving ActivityProblem-Solution Proposal Working with agroup, contact media services to find out moreabout a recent natural disaster in Latin America.Investigate accounts of the disaster to determinewhether human activity made the disaster worse.In a report, describe the disaster’s impact and pro-pose ways to reduce the potential for damage inthe future.
GeoJournalDescriptive Writing Using the informationyou logged in your GeoJournal as you read,write a descriptive paragraph about one of thephysical features of the region. Use your text-book and the Internet as resources to make yourdescriptions vivid, accurate, and interesting.
Technology ActivityBuilding an Electronic Database
Collect facts about the countries of Latin Amer-ica, such as natural resources, climate, averageannual temperature, average annual rainfall,and natural vegetation. Create a database toorganize and analyze the data. From the data-base, develop a table that presents your analysis.
Self-Check Quiz Visit the Glencoe WorldGeography Web site at tx.geography.glencoe.comand click on Self-Check Quizzes—Chapter 8 toprepare for the Chapter Test.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Sa o Paulo, Brazil°F/°C In./Cm
Ave
rag
e M
on
thly
Tem
per
atu
re
Averag
e Mo
nth
ly Precipitatio
n
0/-18 0/0
20/-7 4/10
40/4 8/20
60/16 12/30
80/27 16/41
J F M A M J J A S O N D
6
2
Simulating Geographic Information Systems
Geographic infor-mation systems
(GIS) use computersoftware to createspecialized maps thatdisplay a range ofgeographic informa-tion about an area.The user first createsa database with fieldsfor images, such asdigitized maps andsatellite photos, and
statistical information, such as census figures orproperty taxes. The GIS software can then generatemaps to display the data, either separately or incombination.
GIS technology makes maps that can help peoplemanage resources, select sites for buildings, and plantransportation routes. If Mexico City’s governmentwants to add a new bus route, for example, an urbanplanner might input such data as population distribu-tion, traffic patterns, congested areas, and existingbus routes. After examining these data, displayed in“layers” on a computerized map, the planner cananalyze relationships and make an informed decisionabout the new bus route.
Materials• Overhead projector• Transparency markers• Seven blank 81/2″ × 11″ transparencies• Street map of your community• Computer
ProceduresIn this activity, you will simulate a GIS map, using data about your community. As a class,you will analyze the data to determine thebest emergency evacuation routes for yourcommunity.
1. Form three groups (A, B, and C). Eachgroup will collect a different type of data.
2. Each group should copy a street map of thetown or community onto a blank trans-parency. These will be the base maps. (Besure that each group uses the same map.)
3. Group A: Determine the locations of majorroads. Draw these roads on the blank over-lay transparency placed on top of the basemap. Color-code primary roads in blackand secondary roads in purple. Be sure to note specific features such as bridges,railroads, and high-water crossings.
4. Group B: Gather information on the pop-ulation distribution in the community.Locate residential areas, business districts,and shopping centers. Identify single-family homes and clusters of apartmentbuildings or college dormitories, and markthem on the overlay transparency. Color-code the areas or use symbols.
City planning is made easier with GIS technology.
GIS technologyallows layers of data drawnon a map to beturned on or off.
208 U n i t 3
C h a p t e r 8 209
Growing populations and limited roads mayindicate a need for more emergency routes.City planners look at traffic patterns in thecommunity and use GIS technology to helpidentify solutions.
List peak business hours and traffic rush hours, when roads may be crowded.
5. Group C: Gather information on thelocation of emergency shelters in the community. Use a symbol to indicate these shelters on the overlaytransparency. Also, identify physicalfeatures of the town, such as rivers,creeks, or mountains.
6. As a class, layer the overlay trans-parencies of each group over one base map on the overhead projector.Analyze the map and the data todetermine the best emergency evac-uation routes. Using a blank trans-parency taped over the other layers,draw the suggested emergency evacuation route(s) in red.
Lab Report
Find Out MoreIf you have access to an actual GIS program,use the program to determine the locationsof new bridges, roads, or schools in your community. Is the information you gatheredin questions 3 and 4 similar to or differentfrom that of the actual GIS program?
In Portland, Maine, researchersare working with the Federal ManagementAgency’s Project Impact to help minimize flooddamage. They are using GIS and handheld GPS(global positioning systems) to create a databaseof the city’s drainage systems. The project is partof a nationwide effort to minimize damage fromnatural disasters.
1. Which of the steps was the most time-
consuming? Why?
2. Which of the overlays provided you with
the most useful information? Explain.
3. What layers of information might you
need to determine the best location for
a new shopping center in your town?
4. Drawing Conclusions How do you think
GIS technology might help scientists
monitor earthquakes and perhaps prevent
heavy earthquake damage in the future?