1. Climate and Vegetation
The Physical Geography of Latin America
Chapter 8, Section 2

2. Climate and Vegetation Regions
Much of Latin America lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn
Mountain ranges and wind patterns create a variety of climates and natural vegetation.
Tropical rain forest climate and vegetation dominate S. Mexico, E. Central America, some of the Caribbean and South America

3. The Rain Forest
Trees are so close together they form a canopy – a continuous layer of leaves
May grow to 130 ft and grow so close together that light cannot get to the forest floor
The Amazon Basin covers 1/3 of South America
World’s wettest tropical plain
Rains throughout the year but especially between January and June.
Areas can become flooded around the Amazon River
In Brazil the river ranges between 1 to 6 miles but enlarges to 30 miles or more during flooding.
The rain forest shelters more species of plants and animals than any other place on earth.

4. Tropical Savanna
Coast of southwestern Mexico, most Caribbean Islands, and north-central South America.
Hot temperatures and a lot of rainfall but have an extended dry season.
Vast grasslands
Llanos of Colombia and Venezuela
Covered in scattered trees and are considered transition zones between grasslands and forests.

5. The Humid Subtropics Southeastern South America
From Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to the pampas of Argentina and Uruguay.
Winters are short and mild
Summers are long, hot and humid.
Bring short dry periods
Pampas consist primarily of short grasses but once had scattered trees.
Spanish settlers cut down the trees to set up ranches
Overgrazing has destroyed the vegetation and there have many dust storms

6. Desert and Steppe Areas
Parts of northern Mexico, coastal Peru and Chile, and the southeastern coast of Argentina have desert climates and vegetation.
In the Atacama Desert there are some places where no rainfall has ever been recorded
Northern Mexico, northeastern Brazil, and south central South America have steppe climates
Hot summers, cool winters, and light rainfall
Grassy or lightly forested vegetation

7. Elevation and Climate
Climates are more affected by elevation than by distance from the Equator.
There are three vertical climate zones
Tierra caliente – “hot land”
Elevation between sea level and 2,500 ft
Temperatures range between 68°F to 91°F
In rain forest the main crops are bananas, rice and cacao.
Tierra templada – “temperate land”
Lies between 2,500 and 6,500 ft
Temperature ranges between 60°F and 72°F
Evergreens at upper levels
The most densely populated
Main crops are corn and coffee
Tierra fria – “cold land”
Frosts are common during winter months
Crops – potatoes and barley