Physical Features of Physical Features of

Latin America and the Latin America and the CaribbeanCaribbean

Latin AmericaLatin America

Latin America includes Mexico, Latin America includes Mexico, Central America, South America, and Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.the Caribbean.

Latin America is a cultural region Latin America is a cultural region because the most commonly spoken because the most commonly spoken languages are Spanish and languages are Spanish and Portuguese, and the religion of the Portuguese, and the religion of the area is Catholicism. area is Catholicism.

The Amazon RiverThe Amazon River

……second longest river in the world. second longest river in the world. ……flows mainly through Brazil.flows mainly through Brazil. ……carries the greatest volume of water of carries the greatest volume of water of

any other river in the world.any other river in the world. Volume refers to the amount of water.Volume refers to the amount of water.

The Caribbean SeaThe Caribbean Sea

……is part of the Atlantic Ocean.is part of the Atlantic Ocean. ……located between Cuba and South located between Cuba and South

America.America. ……is a popular tourist destination!is a popular tourist destination!

The Gulf of MexicoThe Gulf of Mexico

……is part of the Atlantic Ocean.is part of the Atlantic Ocean. ……is located along the Mexican, Texas, is located along the Mexican, Texas,

Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida coasts. Florida coasts.

……the Mississippi and Rio Grande Rivers the Mississippi and Rio Grande Rivers empty into the Gulf of Mexico.empty into the Gulf of Mexico.

The Pacific OceanThe Pacific Ocean

……is the world’s largest ocean.is the world’s largest ocean. ……located on the western coasts of located on the western coasts of

Latin America.Latin America.

The Panama CanalThe Panama Canal

… … was built through the Isthmus of was built through the Isthmus of Panama. An Isthmus is a narrow piece of Panama. An Isthmus is a narrow piece of land that connects two large bodies of land that connects two large bodies of land: N. America and S. America. The land: N. America and S. America. The canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.…is a transportation corridor!Oceans.…is a transportation corridor!

The Andes MountainsThe Andes Mountains

……are located along South America’s are located along South America’s western coast.western coast.

……are the world’s longest continuous are the world’s longest continuous mountain chain.mountain chain.

The Sierra Madre MountainsThe Sierra Madre Mountains

……are the main mountain range of Mexico.are the main mountain range of Mexico. ……are made up of three mountain chains: are made up of three mountain chains:

Sierra Madre Occidental (W),Sierra Madre Occidental (W),

Sierra Madre Oriental (E), and Sierra Madre Sierra Madre Oriental (E), and Sierra Madre del Sur (Southern coast).del Sur (Southern coast).

The Atacama DesertThe Atacama Desert

……is the driest place on Earth.is the driest place on Earth. ……is located along the coast of Chile.is located along the coast of Chile.

Atlantic OceanAtlantic Ocean

World’s second largest ocean. World’s second largest ocean. Located on the eastern coast of Latin Located on the eastern coast of Latin America.America.