The Physical Geography of Latin America Chapter 8, Section 1

Western Hemisphere 8 million sq miles 16% of the Earth’s land surface Share a heritage of settlement by Europeans – Mostly from Spain and Portugal – Spoke Spanish and Portuguese Both languages are based in Latin Latin America is divided into three areas: – Middle America – Central America – South America

Regions of Latin America Central America The Caribbean South America South America

Satellite Image of Latin America

One of Latin America’s most distinctive landforms is its towering mountains. Mexico – Sierra Madre Central America and South America – Andes Mountains Latin America has a rugged landscape. – A lot of the region sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire Plates of the earth’s surface have collided for billions of years The collisions have formed mountains and volcanoes and have caused earthquakes Natural resources: – Water, volcanic soil, timber, and minerals

Mountains and Peaks Andes Mts. Sierra Madres Mts. Guiana Highlands Brazilian Highlands Patagonian Plateau

Mexico – Sierra Madre has two mountain ranges Sierra Madre Oriental (Eastern) Sierra Madre Occidental (Western) Meet near Mexico City to form the Sierra Madre del Sur (of the South) – Mexican Plateau Covers most of central Mexico Central America – Central Highlands – a chain of volcanic mountains Caribbean Islands – The islands are volcanic peaks that rise above sea level – Some volcanoes are still active

The Sierra Madres, Mexico

Guianan Highlands, Venezuela

4,500 miles along the western edge World’s longest mountain range and one of the highest – Some peaks rise 20,000 ft above sea level Consists of several ranges that run parallel to one another like deep folds in a carpet. – These are called cordilleras. Altiplano – “high planes” – Encircled by the Andes in Peru and Bolivia Patagonia – Argentina plateau

Andes Mountains (Peru)

The Eastern Flank of the Andes

Llamas in the Andes

Mato Grosso Plateau – Sparsely populated plateau of forests and grasslands – Spreads over Brazil and across the west of Bolivia and Peru Brazilian Highlands – Large plateau – It is in several climate and vegetation zones – In the east it plunges into the Atlantic Ocean forming an escarpment.

Brazil – Plain lies along Atlantic coast – In the north it is 40 miles wide but becomes smaller as it moves south South American grasslands: – Llanos of Colombia and Venezuela – Pampas of Argentina and Uruguay – Both supply grazing lands for beef cattle. Ranchers on large estates employ cowhands – Llaneros in the llanos – Gauchos in the pampas – Pampas are known as one of the world’s major “breadbaskets” Produce wheat and corn

Waterways serve as transportation for people and goods Most of the regions major rivers are in South America Rio Grande – Rio Bravo del Norte – Forms part of the border between Mexico and the US

The Amazon River is the Western Hemisphere’s longest river and carries ten times the water volume of the Mississippi River. – Other rivers are connected to the Amazon Form the Amazon River Basin – Drains part of Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil. – Travels from the Andes to the Atlantic Parana, Paraguay, and Uruguay Rivers together form the second-largest river system in Latin America – Provide water routes and hydroelectric power – Flow into a broad estuary – an area where the tide meets a river current. Called the Rio de la Plata – Meets the Atlantic Ocean

Bodies of Water Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean Gulf of Mexico Caribbean Sea Amazon R. Orinoco R. Uruguay R. Magdalena R. Sao Francisco R. Lake Titicaca Lake Maracaibo Rio de La Plata Parana R.

The world’s highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca, in the Andes of Bolivia an Peru. – Lies about 12,500 ft – One of the centers of the early Native American civilizations Lake Maracaibo – Venezuela – South America’s largest lake – Inlet for the Caribbean Sea – Contains the most important oil fields in Venezuela Lake Nicaragua – Largest lake in Central America – Lies between Nicaragua and Costa Rica

Minerals, forests, farmland and water Gulf of Mexico and the southern Caribbean Sea – Major deposits of oil and natural gas lie in the rock beds located in mountain valley and in offshore areas. – Makes Mexico and Venezuela leading producers of oil Minerals were first mined by Native American peoples and later by European colonists Venezuela foothills contain gold. Brazil has gold Peru and Mexico are known for silver Colombian mines produce the world’s finest emeralds Chile is the world’s largest producer of copper