B.A. Discussion Questions Think, Pair, Share – spend about 2 mins discussing with someone sitting next to you. Do the following groups have a responsibility to help save places like the rainforest? Country or City Government Companies the World The US You
CH Latin America
Regions If we look at physical geography Latin America has four distinct regions: A.Mexico B.Central America C.The Caribbean D.South America
Mexico Landforms Mexico is a large country 3 times the size of Texas Most of the country is made up of a rugged central plateau, called the Mexican Plateau Yucatan Peninsula Mexico’s flattest region
Mexican Landform Cont. 3 mountain ranges border the Mexican Plateau: 1. Sierra Madre Oriental in the east 2. Sierra Madre Occidental in the west 3. Sierra Madre del Sur in the south
Central America and Caribbean Landforms Central America is an isthmus (narrow strip of land connecting two large land areas w/water located on both sides) Looking at the map… What 2 landmasses does it connect? What body of water lies to the West? East?
Central America and Caribbean Landforms Rugged terrain makes travel and communication difficult Narrow plains Tectonic forces shape both regions Some areas are mountainous and include active volcanoes
Caribbean Cuba - largest island in the Caribbean Cuba Countries such as Puerto Rico Haiti Dominican Republic
South America Landforms Plains cover much of South America Pampas Wide grasslands Eastern edge of Argentina
South America Landforms Amazon River Basin World’s largest tropical humid climate region 2,000,000 square miles in area Holds the largest tropical rain forest in the world Vital source of oxygen for the planet Thinly populated area Home of small groups of native people Ex: Amazonians More than 150 inches of rain each year Equal to 12 ½ feet!!
Amazon River Basin Development Agriculture and mining important for development Large amounts of land used for ranching 17,000 sq miles of land are cleared each year Problems with Development 1. Deforestation threatens the region’s unique plant and animal life 2. Threatens the life of the Amazonians 3. Coffee (Brazil) production has depleted the nutrients from the soil
Wildlife Anacondas, bats, jaguars, monkeys, piranhas, parrots, and boa constrictors
South America Landforms Andes Mountains Extends along Pacific Coast Area known for volcanic eruptions and earthquakes Altiplano – lies between Andes Mtns Means “High Plateau” 12,000 ft. above sea level Widest part of Andes
South America Bodies of Water Lake Titicaca Freshwater lake located on border of Bolivia and Peru 3,200 sq. miles
Bodies of Water cont. Amazon River World’s largest river in volume Drains into Amazon Basin Much is navigable, which means large boats can travel up it to transport goods to the cities located along its banks.
Climate Most of Latin America is in the low latitudes, near the equator. The two predominant climate zones in Latin America are: A. Tropical Wet B. Tropical Wet and Dry A. Rainy and Dry seasons B. Temps seldom vary more than 10° between seasons However, most of Mexico has an arid to semi-arid climate.
Latin American Climates Why these climates??? 1. High pressure systems during winter bring dry weather = little rainfall 2. The Caribbean coast gets full effect of the moist trade winds 3. A summer rainy season happens when low pressure cells begin to move north across the region. 4. Elevation
El Nino Variation in the ocean and atmospheric temps in the Pacific Ocean. When ocean temps increase (warm), ocean currents can reverse and impact the weather in Latin America. Consequences: Increased rainfall in Southern US =flooding drought in West Pacific Brush fires in Australia
Natural Disasters Deadly natural hazards exist in Central America & the Caribbean. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions Part of the Ring of Fire Hurricanes and Tropical Storms occur in late summer Cause destructive winds, flooding, and mudslides
2005 Hurricane Emily wrecks a small airplane