(The name Latin America refers to languages)

Natural Resources Important to the economy Natural resources are a part of every country’s economy. Mexico natural resources Petroleum Silver Gold Copper Zinc Lead Limestone

Trade Important to Latin America. NAFTA was put in place to reduce trade barriers between Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

Removal of natural resources creates environmental problems Venezuela Area and water pollution related to the PdVSA oil development Untreated sewage wastes Fertilizer run-off Mexico City Sinking land Overcrowding Brazil Deforestation (industrial purposes, farming and grazing land)

Economics Tradition—from the past Market—controlled by private individuals and corporations Command—controlled by the government

Economics Since nations in Latin America and Europe use different currencies, they must determine a system of how much goods are worth in each nation’s currency. An exchange rate is the price of one country’s currency in terms of another which is important for international trade.

Economics Investing money in better machinery, technology, and education will result in an increase in Gross Domestic Product for Latin America. The ability of Latin American inventors to use resources and take risks developing new goods and services is related to the concept entrepreneurship.

Economics A country’s standard of living and the literacy rate of that country are related because the lower the literacy rate, the lower the standard of living. The best indication that Brazil’s standard of living was improving would be determined by a higher literacy rates. Cuba has a command economy. Brazil has a market economy.

Aztecs Important to the history and culture of Latin American Aztecs built beautiful floating gardens, called chinampas, to grow food. Montezuma was the leader of the Aztecs.

Incas Pizarro led 180 men to search for the Incas. His goal was to conquer their gold-rich empire. When Pizarro reached the Incan highlands, he tricked the Incas, Atahualpa into visiting his camp. The Spanish captured him and killed him in front of his people. Even though the Incan society was productive and organized, it was ruled by kings who were worshipped as gods. The Incas had trading routes and had the largest empire in the Americas.

Incas (continued) Europeans were able to conquer the indigenous people using the following: Christianity Horses Guns Cannons Slavery

Columbian Exchange Global transfer of foods, plants, and animals during the colonization of the Americas. Exchanging foods allowed items such as potatoes and corn to become part of the European’s staple diet.

Columbian Exchange Great spread of disease; Introduction of new agricultural items; Introduction of the horse were all directly related to the Columbian Exchange in Latin America Europe benefitted from the Columbian Exchange because they had a larger variety of crops. The largest direct impact on the culture and economy of colonial Latin America were the African slaves.

Columbia Exchange African slaves affected the development of the Americas because  they combined parts of African culture with existing culture. A long term impact of European contact with Latin America is that European countries gained land and empires in Latin America were destroyed.

Columbia Exchange The demand for goods and services rise. Trading globally lead to increased movement of people seeking wealth or fleeing for religious persecution Europe population exploded

Columbia Exchange Population moved to center of trade Trade expansion-exchange of cultures through goods, people, technologies, ideas, and diseases.

Revolution Cuban Revolution impacted Cuba's economy through the new government that took control of most of the countries resources. Cuban Revolution led to increased conflict with the U.S. Zapatistas: A Mexican group that is known for using modern technology and guerilla tactics to promote their opposition to the current government. The techniques used by the Zapatistas in Mexico has increased support of the Zapatistas in poor areas of Mexico.

Geography Andes Mountains and rain forests are trade barriers of South America. The Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea are the two closest bodies of water in relation to Central America. Ecotourism means to gain a profit from providing tours of an environment without disturbing or destroying the environment. Portugal had the most influence on the development of Brazil.

Geography The Panama Canal is located in Panama. Andes Mountains stretches over 5,000 miles along South America’s Western coast. Hurricanes, earthquakes, sinking land, and landslides are natural disasters that plague Latin America. El Nino is a current that brings warm ocean currents.

Geography Important landforms : Important Countries Amazon River, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Ocean, Panama Canal, Andes Mountains, Sierra Madre Mountains, and Atacama Desert. Important Countries Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, and Venezuela

Affects of natural resources, climate, location, and population distribution Most populated cities in Mexico are near water sources. Most people in Mexico live in valleys along Mexico’s southern coastal areas have better climate. More people live in eastern and southern Brazil because more resources are found there.

More Culture Culture is comprised of language, religion, dance, music, art, clothing, and foods. Criollos were people who came to Mexico from Spain. The Spanish Criollos were born in the Americas.

And even more Culture The Roman Catholic Church has played a primary role in Latin America. Latin America has been influenced by many cultures because of the influx of European countries during exploration and colonization. This influx lead to a mixing or blending of today’s Latin American and Caribbean culture. Slaves brought to the area also added to the culture.

Culture (continued) Triangular trade (three-stages) Atlantic trade that carried goods and enslaved people between Europe, Africa and the Americas. Stage 1: Europeans shipped manufactured goods from Europe to Africa to trade for slaves and gold. Stage 2: Ships carried enslaved Africans to the Americas. Stage 3: Ships carried sugar and other agricultural products back to Europe.

Culture (continued) The Zapatistas continue to work for freedom for the indigenous people of Mexico. They use guerilla warfare and political movements to create change.

Culture (continued) The blending of ethnic groups has created a unique mixture of races that has slowly formed a new identity for the area. The modern-day religions, languages, and cultural aspects of Latin America result from blending of European, African, and Indigenous cultures over time. Latin America a region based on the languages of Portuguese and Spanish because the Portuguese and the Spanish colonized much of the region, passing their language to the people.

Culture (continued) Latin America is a region based on the languages of Portuguese and Spanish because the Portuguese and the Spanish colonized the area and passed on their languages. If someone wanted to visit several Latin American countries, the two languages BEST for them to study to prepare would be Spanish and Portuguese.

Culture (continued) Language and religion change after interaction with the Spanish and Portuguese; Spanish and Portuguese languages and religions became dominant in the region. Christianity spread through Latin America as a result of Spanish and Portuguese interaction.

Caste System Consisted of peninsulares, criollo, and mestizos

Important People Raul Castro is the leader of Cuba Hidalgo helped liberate Mexico L’Ouverture helped Haiti gain its freedom Jose’ de San Martin fought for Argentina’s independence. Bolivar is the independent leader who helped to free South America: Venezuela, Columbia, Bolivia, and Ecuador