Climate & Vegetation

Key Physical Features Vocabulary Cordilleras – several ranges that run parallel to each other (Andes Mtns) Altiplano – ”high plain”; in Peru & Bolivia, Andes encircle this area Highlands of Brazil – form a steep slope called an escarpment (great for raising livestock) Inland grasslands – llanos (Columbia & Venezuela) & pampas (Argentina & Uruguay) = GRAZING FOR CATTLE Andes Mountains formed by collision of South American & Nazca tectonic plates

Important Bodies of Water Rio Grande – border of Mexico & U.S. The Panama Canal – man made connection between Atlantic & Pacific Ocean Lake Maracaibo – holds Venezuela’s oil fields & largest lake Hydroelectric power from Parana, Paraguay & Uruguay Rivers (2nd largest river system that drains rainy east half of S. America

Climate & Vegetation Variety of climates Vegetation range includes Cold peaks of Andes Hot & Humid Amazon Rainforest Dry, desert-like northern Mexico & Southern Chile Vegetation range includes Grasslands Largest rainforest in the world Desert scrub & mosses of the tundra

Why is there so many different climates & types of vegetation? Spans a great distance on each side of Equator (latitude) Big changes in elevation due to massive mountains Warm currents of Atlantic & cold currents of Pacific Ocean affect climate

Tropical Climate Zones Produce rain forests & grasslands (Savannas) Rainforests = Central America, Caribbean, South America Savannas = South America

Tropical Wet Climate Zones Rain Forests – dense forests made up of different specials of trees Unique & biodiverse Variety of plants & animals living in balance = ecosystem Hot & rainy year round Amazon Rainforest = hottest Trees grow together to form canopy

Tropical Wet & Dry Known as savannas – grasslands with trees Tropical & subtropical regions Hot climates with seasonal rain Brazil, Columbia, Argentina

Dry Climate Zones Found in Mexico & South America ONLY 2 types – Semiarid & Desert

Dry Climate Zones – Semiarid Generally dry with some rain Vast, Semiarid, grass-covered plains Sometimes desert shrubs grow here Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina

Dry Climate Zones - Desert Parts of northern Mexico, coast of Peru Atacama Desert – Northern Chile Patagonia Area Desert – Southern Argentina Shrubs growing in gravel or sand

Mid-Latitude Climate Zones Moderate; located south of the equator, from Rio de Janeiro southward 4 types Humid subtropical Mediterranean Marine West Coast Highlands

Humid Subtropical Rainy winters & hot, humid summers Parts of Paraguay, Uruguay, southern Brazil, southern Bolivia, northern Argentina Varied vegetation

Mediterranean Hot, dry summers with cool, moist winters West coast of Chile Low shrubs & small trees

Marine West Coast Cool, rainy winters & mild, rainy summers Coast of southwestern South America (southern Chile & Argentina) Forests are typical vegetation THINK: Washington or Oregon coast

Highlands Vary from moderate to cold depending on elevation Other factors influence climate such as wind, sunlight, landscape Mountains of Mexico & South America

Elevation Climate Zones Tierra Helada – zone of permanent snow & ice on peaks of Andes Puna - Grazing sheep, llamas, alpacas w/ grass & no trees Tierra Fria – widely spaced evergreen trees & dense scrub; winter frosts common Middle America’s highest climate zone Tierra Templada – “temperate”; broad-leafed & needle-bearing evergreens; most densely populated of zones Tierra Caliente – coastal areas & foothills with some trees; some rainforests here too