1. Global History & Geography Br. Siraj February 28, 2019
What are the Physical, Economic and Cultural Geography of Latin America?
Global History & Geography
Br. Siraj
February 28, 2019

2. Physical Geography of L. America
Map
of Latin
America

3. Topography Mountains Highlands & Plateaus
Andes in South America: 2nd highest mountain range in the world
Sierra Madres: Mexico
Sierra Madre del Sur: Central America
Highlands & Plateaus
Central Plateau between Sierra Madres
Guiana Highlands & Brazilian Highlands

4. Topography
Desert:
Atacama, Driest Desert in the world
Sechura desert
Tropical Rainforest: Amazonia – the largest rainforest in the world.
Bodies of Water - Rivers
Amazon
Orinoco
Rio de la Plata
Lakes:
Maracaibo
Titicaca
Texcoco
Chapala

5. Economic Characteristics
Mostly Dependent on Europe
Very Rich in all Sorts of Natural Resources
Remained mostly Agricultural until the 20th Century - Latifundio
Agricultural Products:
Banana, Cacao, Coffee, Corn, Cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, fish, wheat.
Cattle/Beef

6. Economy of Latin America
Industry
Some countries are becoming industrialized
Brazil – Most industrialized
Mexico & Venezuela – petroleum producer
Argentina – Dairy products and Beef
Chile – Textile
Part of Regional Cooperation [NAFTA]

7. What are the Cultural Characteristics of Latin America?
Global History & Geography
Br. Siraj
28 February 2019

8. Population Concentration
There is a very uneven distribution of population in Latin America.
Most people live in more temperate coastal plains and highland plateaus.
The Amazon Basin, southern Patagonia desert and desert wasteland of Northern Mexico are not well populated.

9. Cultural Geography of Latin America
Population Diversity
Mixed (Native Americans and Europeans and African): Mexico, Central America, Venezuela, and Brazil
Mainly European: Argentina, Uruguay and Costa Rica
Mostly Native American: Guatemala, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador
Mostly African: The Caribbean

10. Social Structure of Latin America
It is very hierarchical
Wealthy upper class include landowners, industrialists, bankers, and businesspeople.
Their number is small, but they control important political, economic and social institutions.
A middle class of professionals, government officials, and military officers began to develop here in some countries.
Majority are lower class comprising of Native Americans, Africans, Mestizos and Mulattoes.

11. Cultural Geography of Latin America
Urbanization
Many new Cities are growing
Crime and Health Hazard (pollution)
High growth of population
Internal migration is high
Pressure on Natural resources – creates tension between authorities and Native tribes.

12. Cultural Geography of Latin America
Religion:
The first people of Latin America were polytheistic.
Today mostly Catholic
There are Muslim, Jewish and Protestant minorities
Languages – Mostly Romance [Latin]
Spanish
Portuguese
French
Others: English, Dutch, etc.

13. Homework
Describe the pattern of population settlement in Latin America and its social characteristics.