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Latin America Chapter 9: Physical Geography of Latin America

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Latin America 8 million square miles 16% of the earths surface Historical roots: Spain and Portugal Spanish and Portuguese based on Latin: Latin America

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3 distinct areas of Latin America Middle America a.Mexico b.Central America Caribbean a. Bahamas: Bahamas and Turks and Caicos b. Greater Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic) c. Lesser Antilles South America

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Map Activity Place countries found on page 186 to 189 on the attached maps

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Caribbean

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Lesser Antilles

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Greater Antilles

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South America

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Mountains Run the length from North America to South America Sierra Nevada in Mexico Sierra Madre: Occidental (Pacific Coast) Western Sierra Madre: Oriental: (Gulf Coast) Eastern Sierra Madre: del Sur: Of the South Andes Mountains in South America Formed by colliding tectonic plates (Cocos and Nazca) collide with North and South American Plates: Ring of Fire in the Pacific

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Sierra Madre (Occidental)

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Mountains as sanctuaries Places of human settlement Escape the heat from lowland climates Rich natural resources (water, volcanic soil, timber and minerals) Isolated peoples from one another Blocked trade and movement

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Additional Areas Mexican Plateau: fertile land area between the Sierra Madres in Mexico Central Highlands: volcanic mountains in Central America

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Mexican Plateau

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Central Highlands

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Andes Mountains Western edge of South America Worlds longest mountain chain cordilleras: extensive chain of mountains that run parallel to one another. From the Spanish word cordilla, or cord.

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Andes Mountains

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Mato Grosso Plateau Eastern South America Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru Sparsely populated

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Brazilian Highlands

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Lowlands and Coastal Plains Brazil: Atlantic Coast: major area of settlement Vast Grasslands: Ilanos: Columbia Pampas: Argentina and Uruguay Provide grazing area for cattle and produces wheat and corn Llaneros (cowhands) in the Llanos Gauchos: (cowhands) in the Pampas

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Brazilian Coastal Plain

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Llanos

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Pampas

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Water Systems Rivers Rio Grande: borders Mexico and United States Amazon: longest river in Western Hemisphere Parana, Paraguay, and Uruguay Rivers form the second largest river system in Latin America Important sources of hydroelectric power: electricity generated from the energy of water Estuary: an area where the tide meets a river current (Rio de la Plata: river of Silver) Buenos Aires and Montevideo lie along the Rio de la Plata

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River Systems

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Rio de la Plata

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Lake Titicaca: Worlds highest lake

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Lake Maracaibo: largest lake in South America

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Lake Nicaragua

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Natural Resources of Latin America Minerals (gold and silver) Forests Farmland Water Oil Natural gas

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Climate and Vegetation Rain forests Arid deserts Grassy plains Sandy beaches

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Tropical Climate: arrow indicates equator

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Varied climatic regions in Latin America

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Tropical Region Southern Mexico Eastern Central America Some Caribbean islands Parts of South America Hot Temperatures Abundant rainfall

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Tropical Rainforest Trees form dense canopies (trees that cover and block out sunlight to the trees below them) Covers 1/3 of South America Worlds wettest tropical plain 80-120 inches of rain per year

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The Rain Forest

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Mouth of the Amazon River

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Tropical Savannah Coast of southwestern Mexico Most Caribbean islands North-central South America Illanos of Columbia and Venezuela Characteristics Hot temperatures Abundant rainfall Extended dry season

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Tropical Savannah: Llanos

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Humid Subtropics Southeastern South America (Rio de Janeiro to Argentina and Uruguay) Winters (Short and Mild) Summers (Long, hot and humid) Pampas

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Gauchos

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Desert and Steppe Areas Northern Mexico Coastal Peru and Chile SE Argentina Atacama Desert: no rainfall Steppe: Northern Mexico and NE Brazil and Scentral S. America receive little rainfall. Steppe Climate: hot summers, cool winters, and light rainfall

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Desert

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Atacama Desert (Chile)

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Elevation and Climate Vertical climate zones Tierra Caliente: sea level to 2,500 ft 68 degrees to 91 degrees Average rainfall Bananas, sugar, rice, and cacao. Tierra Templada: 2,500 feet to 6,500 feet 60 and 72 degrees Coffee and corn are grown Tierra Fria 6,500 to 10,000 feet Frost is common during winter months Potatoes and barley