Latin America: Economic & Political Characteristics Francisci WG.4

Economic & Political Characteristics Latin America has a diverse range of mineral resources and industries. Chile has Copper. Venezuela and Brazil have iron ore. Oil can be found in Mexico, Venezuela and Ecuador. Industries: farming, sugar, bananas, mangoes, coffee beans, rubber wheat, cattle, sheep, metal and chemical industries, food processing and textiles.

Economic & Political Characteristics Very diverse economies in Latin America. There is great disparity between the rich and the poor. Disparity: Wide range of income distribution. Subsistence Farming: Small plot where a farmer grows only enough food to feed his own family (maize, wheat or potatoes).

Economic & Political Characteristics Farming in Latin America is very limited (only 6% of the land). Terraced Farming: Farming practiced by carving out steps in the mountainside. Plantation: An agricultural estate usually worked by resident laborers who grow cash crops: a product grown on plantations specifically for exporting (coffee beans, tobacco).

Economic & Political Characteristics Ejidos: Large communally owned farms that are operated by community residents. Cattle ranching on the grassy pampas provides meat and wool. Gauchos: Cowboys that work on cattle ranges in the pampas and llanos.

Economic & Political Characteristics The Amazon Rain Forest is being cut down at an alarming rate. The population of Latin America is growing so fast that the rainforests are being cleared of trees for more land. Deforestation: depletion of forest resources by human interaction. Slash-and-Burn Agriculture: The practice of cutting down trees and burning the stumps in order to create fields or to sell timber for a profit.

Economic & Political Characteristics Megacity: A large metropolitan city with a population of more than 10 million people (ex. Mexico City). Many people moving to Mexico City for jobs. Most do not find jobs and end up living in the outskirts of the city called shantytowns. Mexico City has an enormous pollution problem with smog: haze of smoke and fog coming from factories.

Economic & Political Characteristics The Panama Canal runs through the Isthmus of Panama and connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Major trade route Shortened the distance that ships had to travel to pass between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Economic & Political Characteristics Memberships: North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): Economic alliance created in 1989 that reduces trade barriers between Mexico, United States and Canada. Organization of American States (OAS): Political organization made up of countries from the western hemisphere that works for peace and democracy.