1. Latin America
Unit 3

2. Cultural Geography of
Latin America
Ch. 10

4. Human Characteristics
The region's population of 520 million people lives in 33 countries
It includes a mix of Native Americans, Europeans, Africans, and Asians.
European colonists settled in areas earlier ruled by Native American empires, only to be overturned through independence movements in all but a few Caribbean island countries.
Today indigenous language, religion, art, and lifestyles have been blended with those of Europe and Africa.

6. Population Distribution & Density
South America’s Populated Rim: Most S. Americans live on the coastal edges of the continent.
The “Populated Rim” provides favorable climates, fertile land, and access to transportation
Population Density
Patterns of human settlement in Latin America vary from sparsely populated Brazilian rain forests and Chilean deserts to the "populated rim" with mega-cities
Most countries in S. America have large area & low population density. Most countries in the caribbean are small and much more densley populated

9. Migration Migrating North Internal Migration
Immigrants come from all parts of the world in search of opportunities
Many Latin Americans migrate legally & ilegally to the US looking for opportunities
Internal Migration
Many Latin Americans are migrating to the cities
In search of better jobs, or because of a shortage of fertile land

12. The Growth of Cities The Urban Setting Urban Challenges
Most Latin Americans live in cities
Mexico City is the largest city in the region (18,000,000)
Other large cities:
Caracas, Venezuela; Montevideo, Uruguay; Santiago, Chile; Sao Paulo & Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; & Havana, Cuba
Urban Challenges
Immigrants seeking a better life for themselves have overcrowded cities
Living conditions are poor
Resources are strained

14. Native American Empires
Prior to the arrival of Europeans, Native Americans lived in highly structured civilizations ruled by emperors
Three Native American empires developed sophisticated civilizations in Latin America
the Maya of Central America
the Aztec of Mexico
the Inca of the Peruvian

15. The Maya The Aztec The Inca
Dominated Mexico & northern Central America from AD
Built many cities & based economy on agriculture & trade
Skilled at math & had a system of writings based on glyphs
Mysteriously disappered
The Aztec
Arose in central Mexico in the 1300s & lasted until early 1500s
Capital was Tenochtitlan (present day Mexico City)
Highly structured class system headed by emperor, military, & officials
The Inca
Existed from 1200s to 1500s in the Andes Mountains
Skilled terrace farmers
Built roads, temples, & forts
Had no written language (used quipu)

16. Mayan

17. Tikal in Guatemala

18. Inca

19. Inca city of Machu Pichu

20. Macchu Picchu in Peru

23. Empires to Nations European Conquests Colonial Economies
The first Europeans settlers, mostly from Spain and Portugal, first arrived in the late 1400s and dominated the future development of Latin American countries.
Africans followed in the 1500s
Came as forced laborers to work on plantations in Brazil and the West Indies.
Asian immigrants
first settled in the 1800s and formed ethnic communities in Mexico, Cuba, Peru, and Brazil.
Colonial Economies
Spanish and Portuguese settlers established colonial economies that relied on Native Americans and enslaved Africans to work their plantations, ranches, and mines.
Resentment against European rule fueled a drive for independence
Gaining Independence
Most of Latin America broke free of colonial rule by the mid-1800s, with a few Caribbean island countries remaining under foreign control

28. History and Government
Era of Dictatorships
Latin America’s wars for independence led to the emergence of a new kind of leader
Cuadillo-or dictator ruled with the backing of the military & wealthy landowners
Movements for Change
During the 1900s the formation of industries, RR, & the expansion of trade brought wealth to Latin America’s upper classes
In 1959 the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro introduced Communism
In many countries independence ushered in an era of dictatorships, which are slowly giving way to democratically elected governments

31. Cultures and Lifestyles
Religion
While Roman Catholicism has been the dominant religion in Latin America since the colonial era, many Latin Americans have blended indigenous customs with those introduced by Europeans and Africans.
Art
Various art forms, including murals and music, also reflect a mixture of Native American, African, and European influences.
Family
Latin American life revolves around ties to the community and the extended family.
Leisure Time
Latin Americans enjoy a variety of leisure activities, including soccer, jai alai, and baseball, and festivals such as Rio de Janeiro's Carnival.

35. Cathedral in Mexico

36. Cathedral in Mexico

37. Steel Drums

38. Gauchos in Argentina

41. Steel Drum Band

42. THE END