1. Physical Geography of Latin America Chapter 8

2. Physical Map Page 190 Page 190

3. Political Map Page 192 Page 192

4. The Land of Latin America Lots of mountains and high lands affects where people settle Lots of mountains and high lands affects where people settle South of the US South of the US 8 million square miles and 16% of the Earth’s surface 8 million square miles and 16% of the Earth’s surface MIDDLE AMERICA WHICH IS MEXICO TO PANAMA MIDDLE AMERICA WHICH IS MEXICO TO PANAMA THE CARIBBEAN THE CARIBBEAN SOUTH AMERICA SOUTH AMERICA

5. Mountains of Latin America MANY MANY Mountain chain in Mexico is called the SIERRA MADRE (#2 ON PHYSICAL MAP) Mountain chain in Mexico is called the SIERRA MADRE (#2 ON PHYSICAL MAP) In Central America are CENTRAL HIGHLANDS In Central America are CENTRAL HIGHLANDS In South America: the ANDES (#8 ON PHYSICAL MAP) In South America: the ANDES (#8 ON PHYSICAL MAP) Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire= MTS, VOLCANOES, AND EARTHQUAKES Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire= MTS, VOLCANOES, AND EARTHQUAKES Still people have settled here for 1000s of years because of cooler climates than other parts of the region and rich natural resources (WATER, VOLCANIC SOIL, TIMBER AND MINERALS) Still people have settled here for 1000s of years because of cooler climates than other parts of the region and rich natural resources (WATER, VOLCANIC SOIL, TIMBER AND MINERALS) Isolated mountain communities are better able to communicate with others now because of TV, cell phones, and Internet Isolated mountain communities are better able to communicate with others now because of TV, cell phones, and Internet

6. Middle America: The Mexican Plateau Surrounds the Sierra Madre Mts in Central Mexico Surrounds the Sierra Madre Mts in Central Mexico Densely populated Densely populated Mild climate Mild climate Fertile volcanic soil Fertile volcanic soil Decent amount of rainfall Decent amount of rainfall

7. In Caribbean: Central Highlands Farther south Farther south Chain of volcanic peaks that crosses Central America Chain of volcanic peaks that crosses Central America Many of Caribbean Islands are part of this Many of Caribbean Islands are part of this Some of islands are still active volcanic peaks Some of islands are still active volcanic peaks

8. The Andes Mountains in South America Longest mountain chain in the world Longest mountain chain in the world Also one of the highest. Also one of the highest. 4500 MILES LLONG 4500 MILES LLONG On left side of South America along the Pacific Coast On left side of South America along the Pacific Coast Cordilleras: mt ranges that run parallel to each other Cordilleras: mt ranges that run parallel to each other This makes settlements here isolated and mountain villages tends to have age old customs This makes settlements here isolated and mountain villages tends to have age old customs

9. Brazilian Highlands in South America Vast area with warm climate Vast area with warm climate Open spaces make it ideal to raise livestock Open spaces make it ideal to raise livestock On the eastern side of South America On the eastern side of South America Near coast becomes an escarpment: a steep slope Near coast becomes an escarpment: a steep slope This makes most people in Brazil have to live along the coast This makes most people in Brazil have to live along the coast

10. Low Land Located along coasts of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Atlantic and Pacific Coasts Located along coasts of the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Atlantic and Pacific Coasts

11. Plains Llanos is the inland grasslands of Columbia and Venezuela Llanos is the inland grasslands of Columbia and Venezuela The pampas of Argentina and Uruguay is known for its fertile soil and it produces a lot of the world’s wheat and corn and provides grazing for cattle The pampas of Argentina and Uruguay is known for its fertile soil and it produces a lot of the world’s wheat and corn and provides grazing for cattle

12. Water Systems of Latin America Latin America’s waterways provide an important connection among the countries of the region Latin America’s waterways provide an important connection among the countries of the region Transports goods and people to different parts of region and the world Transports goods and people to different parts of region and the world Most of major river systems are found in South America Most of major river systems are found in South America

13. the Amazon (#7 on map) 4000 MILES long 4000 MILES long Runs through middle of South America Runs through middle of South America Is the world’s second longest river Is the world’s second longest river Parts of it can’t be navigated Parts of it can’t be navigated Hundreds of rivers join the Amazon at the Amazon Basin (add to physical map) which drains an area of over 2 million square miles Hundreds of rivers join the Amazon at the Amazon Basin (add to physical map) which drains an area of over 2 million square miles

14. Second Longest River System in Latin America PARANA River (11) PARANA River (11) PARAGUAY River(10) PARAGUAY River(10) URUGUAY RIVER URUGUAY RIVER All drain the rainy eastern side of South America All drain the rainy eastern side of South America Is important commercial water routes Is important commercial water routes Provides hydroelectricity Provides hydroelectricity The three rivers flow into the Rio de la Plata which dumps into the Atlantic Ocean (#12) The three rivers flow into the Rio de la Plata which dumps into the Atlantic Ocean (#12)

15. Rio Grande River Found in Mexico where rivers are generally small with it being the one exception Found in Mexico where rivers are generally small with it being the one exception forms part of the border between MEXICO AND THE US. forms part of the border between MEXICO AND THE US. Mexicans call it the Rio Bravo Del Norte Mexicans call it the Rio Bravo Del Norte

16. Panama Canal Human made river in Middle America Human made river in Middle America #3 ON MAP #3 ON MAP Very important for trade Very important for trade Built across the isthmus of Panama Built across the isthmus of Panama Allows ships to travel b/t the Atlantic and Pacific without requiring to go all way around South America Allows ships to travel b/t the Atlantic and Pacific without requiring to go all way around South America

17. The Titicaca (#9) (TEETEECACA) Lake Lake Found in the Andes of Bolivia and Peru Found in the Andes of Bolivia and Peru is the world’s highest elevated navigable lake. is the world’s highest elevated navigable lake.

18. Lake Maracaibo is in VENEZUELA is in VENEZUELA Is considered South America’s largest lake Is considered South America’s largest lake It and its surrounding area is Venezuela’s oil fields It and its surrounding area is Venezuela’s oil fields

19. Natural Resources of Latin America Has lots of natural resources Has lots of natural resources They are spread out unevenly They are spread out unevenly There are also issues on how to develop them (money, terrain, fighting) There are also issues on how to develop them (money, terrain, fighting)

20. Energy Resources Some Latin American countries are among the world’s leaders Some Latin American countries are among the world’s leaders Major deposits of oil and natural gas are found in mountain valleys or offshore areas along the Gulf of Mexico and Southern Caribbean Sea (#1 and #4 on map) Major deposits of oil and natural gas are found in mountain valleys or offshore areas along the Gulf of Mexico and Southern Caribbean Sea (#1 and #4 on map) This helps the economies of Mexico and Venezuela This helps the economies of Mexico and Venezuela

21. MINERAL RESOURCES Also lots of Also lots of In Venezuela there are large amounts of GOLD In Venezuela there are large amounts of GOLD In Peru and Mexico SILVER In Peru and Mexico SILVER In Columbia EMERALDS In Columbia EMERALDS Chile is world’s largest exporter of COPPER Chile is world’s largest exporter of COPPER Jamaica is leading producer of BAUXITE (MAIN SOURCE OF ALUMINUM) Jamaica is leading producer of BAUXITE (MAIN SOURCE OF ALUMINUM)

22. issues concerning Latin America’ s resources Unevenly distributed Unevenly distributed Ex: most oil found in Mexico and Venezuela Ex: most oil found in Mexico and Venezuela Cannot get to because of mountains or other highland areas Cannot get to because of mountains or other highland areas Some countries lack money for development Some countries lack money for development Deep social and political divisions result in fighting over resources Deep social and political divisions result in fighting over resources Challenge is to overcome obstacles and make best use of the resources Challenge is to overcome obstacles and make best use of the resources

23. Climate and Vegetation of Latin America

24. Vertical Climate Zones of Latin America Differences in elevation create 5 different climate zones in SOME parts of Latin America Differences in elevation create 5 different climate zones in SOME parts of Latin America Though this region is located in the tropics some areas are more affected by elevation than how close are to equator Though this region is located in the tropics some areas are more affected by elevation than how close are to equator You will see different types of soil, crops, livestock and climate You will see different types of soil, crops, livestock and climate These zones are found in the highlands of Middle America and Western South America These zones are found in the highlands of Middle America and Western South America

25. TIERRA HELADA Frozen land Frozen land Zone of permanent snow and ice on peaks of Andes Zone of permanent snow and ice on peaks of Andes Found only in South America Found only in South America

26. PUNA cold cold Some grasses grow Some grasses grow Raise sheep, llamas, and alpacas here Raise sheep, llamas, and alpacas here Found only in South America Found only in South America

27. TIERRA FRIA Cold Cold Winter frosts are common Winter frosts are common Potatoes and barley grow there Potatoes and barley grow there This is highest climate zone in Middle America on the Mexican Plateau This is highest climate zone in Middle America on the Mexican Plateau

28. TIERRA TEMPLADA Temperate land Temperate land Broad leaf evergreens lower parts Broad leaf evergreens lower parts Needle leafed cone bearers higher parts Needle leafed cone bearers higher parts Most densely populated Most densely populated Grow coffee and corn as main crops Grow coffee and corn as main crops

29. TIERRA CALIENTE “Hot land” “Hot land” Rain forests are found here Rain forests are found here Bananas, sugar, rice, and cocoa Bananas, sugar, rice, and cocoa

30. Climate and Vegetation Regions

31. Tropical Wet Tropical Wet dominates much of the region Tropical Wet dominates much of the region High temps and abundant rainfall year round High temps and abundant rainfall year round Location on the Equator and the prevailing winds carry warm moist air from the Atlantic Ocean Location on the Equator and the prevailing winds carry warm moist air from the Atlantic Ocean Main type of vegetation here is rain forest Main type of vegetation here is rain forest

32. Amazon Basin Tropical rain forest is here and it is largest in world Tropical rain forest is here and it is largest in world Heavy rain falls most of the year and river often floods Heavy rain falls most of the year and river often floods Has dense layers of leaves=canopy often grows in rain forest as trees grow close and grow up to 150 ft and keeps sunlight from reaching forest floor Has dense layers of leaves=canopy often grows in rain forest as trees grow close and grow up to 150 ft and keeps sunlight from reaching forest floor Shelters more species of plants and animals per square mile than anywhere else on Earth Shelters more species of plants and animals per square mile than anywhere else on Earth

33. Tropical Dry Typically found along the coasts of southwestern Mexico, the Caribbean Islands and North Central South America Typically found along the coasts of southwestern Mexico, the Caribbean Islands and North Central South America High temperatures High temperatures Abundant rainfall with an extended dry season Abundant rainfall with an extended dry season Grasslands grow here Grasslands grow here Also may be scattered with reeds Also may be scattered with reeds Are also transition zones to forests like llanos in Columbia Are also transition zones to forests like llanos in Columbia Soils are not very fertile or suitable for large scale agriculture Soils are not very fertile or suitable for large scale agriculture Flood control and water supply projects have helped Flood control and water supply projects have helped

34. Humid Subtropical Southeastern South America Southeastern South America Winters are short and cool with mild temperatures Winters are short and cool with mild temperatures Summers are long, hot and humid Summers are long, hot and humid Rainfall is common but it can be heavier in summer Rainfall is common but it can be heavier in summer Short grasses Short grasses Once had lots of trees but were cleared out and overgrazed with cattle Once had lots of trees but were cleared out and overgrazed with cattle Plant alfalfa, corn, and cotton to hold topsoil in place Plant alfalfa, corn, and cotton to hold topsoil in place

35. Dry Climates Either Desert of Steppe Either Desert of Steppe

36. Desert Parts of Northern Mexico, coastal Peru, Chile, and Southeastern Argentina Parts of Northern Mexico, coastal Peru, Chile, and Southeastern Argentina Along coast shifting winds and cold Peru Current combine to create dry coastal deserts Along coast shifting winds and cold Peru Current combine to create dry coastal deserts Cold air and high elevations result in little precipitation Cold air and high elevations result in little precipitation Some desert areas have poor soil and cacti and drought resistant shrubs grow Some desert areas have poor soil and cacti and drought resistant shrubs grow On west coast is Atacama Desert On west coast is Atacama Desert

37. Atacama Desert Coastal desert Coastal desert in the Andes Mts in the Andes Mts in some places no rainfall has ever been recorded in some places no rainfall has ever been recorded dense fog called camanchaca helps vegetation grows dense fog called camanchaca helps vegetation grows The lomas thrives here (meadows on the desert) The lomas thrives here (meadows on the desert)

38. Steppe climates Found in northern Mexico, Brazil, and South Central South America Found in northern Mexico, Brazil, and South Central South America hot summers hot summers cool winters cool winters light rainfall light rainfall Vegetation that is grassy or lightly forested Vegetation that is grassy or lightly forested

39. Essay Questions Describe the major natural resources of Latin America. Describe the major natural resources of Latin America. Explain some problems associated with the natural resources of Latin America. Explain some problems associated with the natural resources of Latin America.