1. Physical Geography of Latin America
SSWG7b. Describe the location of major physical features and their impact on Latin America.

2. Mountains/Highlands
Major Features: Andes Mountains, Brazilian Highlands, Sierra Madre Occidental, Sierra Madre Oriental
Second highest mountains in the world are the Andes
Andes divided into 3 chains mostly in Chile
Occidental (west)—steep with canyons & varying climates
Oriental (east)—tall, isolated and dry
Brazilian Highlands—made from volcanic lava

3. Mountains/Highlands
Andes Mountains
Brazilian Highlands

4. Mountains/Highlands
Occidental
Oriental

5. Plateaus Major Features: Mato Grasso Plateau, Patagonia
Patagonia semi-arid plateau known for nomadic herding
Mato Grasso Plateau area where a lot of native people live.

6. Plateaus
Mato Grasso
Patagonia

7. Plains/Basins Major Features: Amazon Basin, Pampas, Llanos
Pampas is flat prairie like area mostly in Argentina
Pampas—major economic area for agriculture & herding
Amazon Basin—full of rare plants and possibilities for medications.

8. Plains/Basins
Amazon Basin
Pampas

9. Rivers Major Features: Amazon, Paraguay, Parana
Amazon is the largest river in the world with lots of tributaries
Runs through most of Brazil
Paraguay River starts in Mato Grasso Plateau
Mostly used for minor trading

10. Rivers
Amazon River
Piranha!

11. Seas/Gulfs Major Features: Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico
Caribbean Sea has many of the islands of the West Indies
Caribbean Sea area’s primary income is tourism
Gulf of Mexico—9th largest body of water in world
Recent ecological damage

12. Seas/Gulfs
Caribbean Sea
Gulf of Mexico

13. Additional Water Features
Major features: Panama Canal, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean
Panama Canal built to lessen travel time for goods
Essentially connects the Atlantic & Pacific (through the Caribbean Sea)
Built from 1904 to 1914
Oceans are part of eco-tourism

14. Additional Water Features
Panama Canal
Pacific Ocean

15. Deserts Major Feature: Atacama Desert
Northern Chile between ocean and Andes
Almost no vegetation
Less than 1 inch of rain per year
Rich in minerals

16. Deserts
Atacama Desert

17. Additional Features
Major Feature: Baja California, Yucatan Peninsula, Tierra del Fuego, Galapagos Islands, Easter Island
Tierra del Fuego is an archipelago with cold climate
Tierra del Fuego—known for sheep
Galapagos—Darwin & diversity
Easter Island—big statues
Yucatan Peninsula—known for beach vacations
Baja California is actual a part of Mexico

18. Additional Features
Baja California
Tierra del Fuego

19. Additional Features
Galapagos Islands
Easter Island