1. Climate & Vegetation

2. Key Physical Features Vocabulary
Cordilleras – several ranges that run parallel to each other (Andes Mtns)
Altiplano – ”high plain”; in Peru & Bolivia, Andes encircle this area
Highlands of Brazil – form a steep slope called an escarpment (great for raising livestock)
Inland grasslands – llanos (Columbia & Venezuela) & pampas (Argentina & Uruguay) = GRAZING FOR CATTLE
Andes Mountains formed by collision of South American & Nazca tectonic plates

3. Important Bodies of Water
Rio Grande – border of Mexico & U.S.
The Panama Canal – man made connection between Atlantic & Pacific Ocean
Lake Maracaibo – holds Venezuela’s oil fields & largest lake
Hydroelectric power from Parana, Paraguay & Uruguay Rivers (2nd largest river system that drains rainy east half of S. America

4. Climate & Vegetation Variety of climates Vegetation range includes
Cold peaks of Andes
Hot & Humid Amazon Rainforest
Dry, desert-like northern Mexico & Southern Chile
Vegetation range includes
Grasslands
Largest rainforest in the world
Desert scrub & mosses of the tundra

5. Why is there so many different climates & types of vegetation?
Spans a great distance on each side of Equator (latitude)
Big changes in elevation due to massive mountains
Warm currents of Atlantic & cold currents of Pacific Ocean affect climate

6. Tropical Climate Zones
Produce rain forests & grasslands (Savannas)
Rainforests = Central America, Caribbean, South America
Savannas = South America

7. Tropical Wet Climate Zones
Rain Forests – dense forests made up of different specials of trees
Unique & biodiverse
Variety of plants & animals living in balance = ecosystem
Hot & rainy year round
Amazon Rainforest = hottest
Trees grow together to form canopy

8. Tropical Wet & Dry Known as savannas – grasslands with trees
Tropical & subtropical regions
Hot climates with seasonal rain
Brazil, Columbia, Argentina

9. Dry Climate Zones Found in Mexico & South America ONLY
2 types – Semiarid & Desert

10. Dry Climate Zones – Semiarid
Generally dry with some rain
Vast, Semiarid, grass-covered plains
Sometimes desert shrubs grow here
Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina

11. Dry Climate Zones - Desert
Parts of northern Mexico, coast of Peru
Atacama Desert – Northern Chile
Patagonia Area Desert – Southern Argentina
Shrubs growing in gravel or sand

12. Mid-Latitude Climate Zones
Moderate; located south of the equator, from Rio de Janeiro southward
4 types
Humid subtropical
Mediterranean
Marine West Coast
Highlands

13. Humid Subtropical Rainy winters & hot, humid summers
Parts of Paraguay, Uruguay, southern Brazil, southern Bolivia, northern Argentina
Varied vegetation

14. Mediterranean Hot, dry summers with cool, moist winters
West coast of Chile
Low shrubs & small trees

15. Marine West Coast Cool, rainy winters & mild, rainy summers
Coast of southwestern South America (southern Chile & Argentina)
Forests are typical vegetation
THINK: Washington or Oregon coast

16. Highlands Vary from moderate to cold depending on elevation
Other factors influence climate such as wind, sunlight, landscape
Mountains of Mexico & South America

18. Elevation Climate Zones
Tierra Helada – zone of permanent snow & ice on peaks of Andes
Puna - Grazing sheep, llamas, alpacas w/ grass & no trees
Tierra Fria – widely spaced evergreen trees & dense scrub; winter frosts common
Middle America’s highest climate zone
Tierra Templada – “temperate”; broad-leafed & needle-bearing evergreens; most densely populated of zones
Tierra Caliente – coastal areas & foothills with some trees; some rainforests here too