LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba, and Brazil

GPS and E.Q. GPS: SS6G3 The student will explain the impact of location, climate, distribution of natural resources, and population distribution on Latin America and the Caribbean. E.Q.: How do location, climate, distribution of natural resources, and population distribution impact Latin America and the Caribbean?

Mexico

Mexico: Location South of U.S. (Central America): main trading partner is U.S.

Mexico: Location Largest Spanish-speaking country in the world

Mexico: Location 2 nd largest country in Latin America

Mexico: Location Bounded by Pacific Ocean (west), Gulf of Mexico & Caribbean Sea (east): 7 (actually there are 42!) seaports – good for shipping

Mexico: Climate Varies with location: – cooler in Sierra Madre Mountains – warmer at beaches – dry & hot in deserts

Mexico: Climate Most people – live on Central Plateau – In cities (urban areas) – 75%

Mexico: Natural Resources Oil – 10 th largest exporter in world – Provides 1/3 of Mexican government’s budget (from July to September 2012 their oil company profited $1.86 billion!!!!!)

Mexico: Natural Resources Silver – 1 of world’s largest exporters of silver – 15% of world’s silver is mined here

Mexico: Natural Resources Fruits, vegetables, coffee, cotton – Challenges – little rain, little arable soil, little $ for equipment

Mexico: Natural Resources Beautiful beaches= Tourism

Mexico: Natural Resources ¾ of Mexico’s trade is with U.S.A.

Venezuela

Venezuela: Location Northeast South America

Venezuela: Location Coastline on Caribbean Sea & Atlantic Ocean

Venezuela: Location 4 major ports – easy to ship goods

Venezuela: Location Panama Canal is nearby

Venezuela: Climate Hot, tropical all year (just above equator)

Venezuela: Climate In Andes Mountains it gets cold

Venezuela: Climate Rain is May-October Drier along coast, rainier in mountains

Venezuela: Climate 88% of people live in urban areas on northern coast Most people work in service jobs

Venezuela: Natural Resources Fishing

Venezuela: Natural Resources NOT farming –poor soil

Venezuela: Natural Resources Oil – 6 th largest exporter in the world – 50% of government’s budget is from oil – used to improve health, education, roads, & telephones – Problem: oil has caused pollution

Brazil ALE&feature=player_embedded# ALE&feature=player_embedded#!

Brazil: Location Eastern South America

Brazil: Location Coastline on Atlantic Ocean – good for shipping/trade (7 seaports!)

Brazil: Location Amazon River flows through it

Brazil: Location Amazon rain forest, sandy beaches, beautiful cities – good for tourism

Brazil: Natural Resources Only 7% of the land is arable, but… – 1/3 of world’s coffee is produced here – Oranges, papayas, sugar cane, soybeans – 2 nd largest food exporter in world

Cuba

Cuba: Location 90 miles south of Florida

Cuba: Location Largest island in West Indies

Cuba: Location Gulf of Mexico on northwest; Atlantic Ocean on northeast; Caribbean Sea on south

Cuba: Climate Tropical – warm/hot all year; breezy

Cuba: Climate Rainy season May-October; dry season November-April

Cuba: Climate Target for hurricanes (June 1-November 30)

Cuba: Climate 76% of people live in urban areas (cities) – Work in manufacturing & service

Cuba: Natural Resources 28% of land is arable – Sugar cane – most important export for last 200 years – Coffee, fish, fruits, tobacco (cigars)

Cuba: Natural Resources Fishing

Cuba: Natural Resources Tourism – beautiful beaches

Cuba: Communist Government controls/owns most farms & businesses.

Cuba: Communist U.S.S.R. supported Cuba till U.S.S.R. collapsed in 1991; now Venezuela helps by selling them oil at reduced cost.

Cuba: Communist Cuba can’t sell enough goods to buy all its people need.

Cuba: Communist Sometimes government orders businesses & factories to close or shuts off electricity.