1. I. Climate and vegetation Most of the region lies between Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn

2. A. Tropical Regions This climate and vegetation dominate southern Mexico, eastern Central America, Caribbean Islands, and parts of South America Hot temp. and lots of rain year round

3. B. The Rainforests Wet tropical areas – dense cover of rainforests Includes tropical hardwoods, palms, tree ferns, and bamboos broad leafed and needle leafed evergreen trees Creates a canopy – a continuous layer of leaves

5. Amazon Basin covers largest rainforest, 1/3 of South America Months of heavy rains during June and July leads to severe flooding of the Amazon R. Normally 1 to 6 mi. across,

6. -reaches up to 30 mi. during flooding

7. Habitat for many reptiles…

9. Anaconda

11. C. Tropical Savanna Located in SW Mexico and Caribbean Is., and north central South America Hot temp. and lots of rain but also has dry seasons Vast grasslands like the Llanos in Columbia and Venezuela

12. D. Humid Subtropics Much of SE South America – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to the pampas of Argentina and Uruguay Winters: short, mild Summers: long, hot, humid

13. Mainly short grasses and few trees. Europeans grazed cattle on ranches. Overgrazing left short clumps of grass and dust storms sweep the nation.

14. E. Desert and Steppe Areas Northern Mexico, coastal Peru and Chile Rain Shadow Effect of the Andes produced the Atamaca Desert – no rainfall ever recorded

15. Northern Mexico, NE Brazil, and south central South America – receive little rainfall, but are steppe climates with hot summers, cool winters and light rainfall.

16. II. Elevation and Climate Climate varies due to elevation Tierra caliente – hot land between sea level and 2500 ft. Temp. 68 to 91 and rainforests Crops: bananas, sugar, rice, cacao

17. Tierra templada – temperate between 2500 ft and 6500 ft. Temp. 60 to 72 Broad-leafed evergreen trees lower level Needle-leafed cone bearing trees at upper level Most densely populated of all 3 zones and has coffee and corn as main crops

18. Tierra fria – cold land, 6500 to 10000 ft. Temp. frost common during winter Crops: potatoes and barley grow well.