Includes: Central America, Caribbean, & South AmericaMexico to southern Argentina (tip is Tierra del Fuego-”land of Fire”)

Why is it called Latin America?

The languages of early explorers (Spain & Portugal) have Latin origins as well as the language used by the Catholic Church was Latin.

37 countries make-up Latin America largest: Mexico, Brazil, & Argentina Latin America is twice the size of the United States 2/3 of Latin America lies within the tropics

Middle AmericaSierra Madres- Mother RangesMany volcanoes- 40+ eruptions in the past 20 years, along the western side of Central AmericaPlains are along both coasts. Lake Nicaragua- largest in Middle AmericaRivers- none of the rivers are navigable for ships

Caribbean IslandsIslands are the result of a mountain chain and volcanic activity along the boundary of the Caribbean Plate and the North American Plate.

Divided into 3 main groupsBahamas- 2000 pieces of land, 700 big enough to be called islands, only 20 inhabitedLesser Antilles- arc towards South America, contain volcanoesGreater Antilles (4 big islands)- mountains in center, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Jamaica

South AmericaAndes Mountains- 4,000 miles long- longest Plains- Llanos, Pampas, Cerrado- excellent areas for farmingMajor River Systems- Amazon, Orinoco, Parana

Numerous natural resources- oil, natural gas, gold, silver, aluminum ore, hydroelectric power, rain forest products

avocado banana grapefruit lemon

lime mango orange papaya

pineapple plantain sweet potato black pepper

cayenne chili pepper chocolate / cocoa (products)

cinnamon cloves ginger vanilla

cashew nuts coconut coffeerubber

chicle (chewing gum) ipecac quinine

FarmingSlash and Burn- today the method is still used and the rain forest is being destroyedTerraced farming- growing crops on mountain sides, look like steps

UrbanizationPeople moving into cities faster than the cities can handle and therefore slums and shanty towns are created on the outskirts of the city

Tourismpros- brings in money, provides jobscons- resort owners live elsewhere & profits are taken, large gap between rich tourist and poor residents