Physical Geography of Latin America SSWG7b. Describe the location of major physical features and their impact on Latin America.
Mountains/Highlands Major Features: Andes Mountains, Brazilian Highlands, Sierra Madre Occidental, Sierra Madre Oriental Second highest mountains in the world are the Andes Andes divided into 3 chains mostly in Chile Occidental (west)—steep with canyons & varying climates Oriental (east)—tall, isolated and dry Brazilian Highlands—made from volcanic lava
Mountains/Highlands Andes Mountains Brazilian Highlands
Mountains/Highlands Occidental Oriental
Plateaus Major Features: Mato Grasso Plateau, Patagonia Patagonia semi-arid plateau known for nomadic herding Mato Grasso Plateau area where a lot of native people live.
Plateaus Mato Grasso Patagonia
Plains/Basins Major Features: Amazon Basin, Pampas, Llanos Pampas is flat prairie like area mostly in Argentina Pampas—major economic area for agriculture & herding Amazon Basin—full of rare plants and possibilities for medications.
Plains/Basins Amazon Basin Pampas
Rivers Major Features: Amazon, Paraguay, Parana Amazon is the largest river in the world with lots of tributaries Runs through most of Brazil Paraguay River starts in Mato Grasso Plateau Mostly used for minor trading
Rivers Amazon River Piranha!
Seas/Gulfs Major Features: Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico Caribbean Sea has many of the islands of the West Indies Caribbean Sea area’s primary income is tourism Gulf of Mexico—9th largest body of water in world Recent ecological damage
Seas/Gulfs Caribbean Sea Gulf of Mexico
Additional Water Features Major features: Panama Canal, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean Panama Canal built to lessen travel time for goods Essentially connects the Atlantic & Pacific (through the Caribbean Sea) Built from 1904 to 1914 Oceans are part of eco-tourism
Additional Water Features Panama Canal Pacific Ocean
Deserts Major Feature: Atacama Desert Northern Chile between ocean and Andes Almost no vegetation Less than 1 inch of rain per year Rich in minerals
Deserts Atacama Desert
Additional Features Major Feature: Baja California, Yucatan Peninsula, Tierra del Fuego, Galapagos Islands, Easter Island Tierra del Fuego is an archipelago with cold climate Tierra del Fuego—known for sheep Galapagos—Darwin & diversity Easter Island—big statues Yucatan Peninsula—known for beach vacations Baja California is actual a part of Mexico
Additional Features Baja California Tierra del Fuego
Additional Features Galapagos Islands Easter Island