Section 1-4 Click the Speaker button to listen to the audio again.

Section 1-6 A Vast Region Latin America covers 8 million square miles of land, from the United States- Mexico border to the southern tip of Argentina in South America.  The name “Latin America” refers to the languages (Spanish and Portuguese, derived from Latin) spoken in this geographic region.  Geographers divide Latin America into three regions: Middle America, the Caribbean, and South America. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information. (pages 193–194)

Section 1-8 Mountains and Plateaus Latin America’s rugged landscape is the result of its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where plates of the earth’s crust have collided for millions of years, causing earthquakes and creating mountains and volcanoes. (pages 194–196)

Section 1-9 Mountains of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean Mexico’s Sierra Madre and the Central Highlands in Central America rise above the landscape of Middle America.  Many Caribbean islands are part of the Central Highlands mountain range. Mountains and Plateaus (cont.) Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information. (pages 194–196)

Section 1-10 Andes of South America The Andes mountain ranges run along the western edge of South America and are the world’s longest mountain range (4,500 miles).  Their parallel ranges, called cordilleras, are arranged in deep folds.  In southern Argentina, hills and lower flatlands form a plateau known as Patagonia. Mountains and Plateaus (cont.) Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information. (pages 194–196)

Section 1-11 Highlands of Brazil Much of Brazil consists of broad plateaus, such as the Mata Grosso Plateau and the Brazilian Highlands. Mountains and Plateaus (cont.) (pages 194–196)

Section 1-13 Narrow coastal lowlands hem the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America. Lowlands and Plains (pages 196–197)

Section 1-14 Click the Speaker button to listen to the audio again. (pages 196–197) Lowlands and Plains (cont.)

Section 1-15 Inland areas of South America hold vast grasslands that provide wide grazing for beef cattle. (pages 196–197) Lowlands and Plains (cont.)

Section 1-16 Lowlands and Plains (cont.) (pages 196–197) Click the Speaker button to listen to the audio again.

Section 1-18 Rivers of South America Navigable rivers, such as the Amazon, serve as transportation routes and provide hydroelectric power.  Lakes Latin America has few large lakes.  Lake Titicaca in the Andes of Bolivia and Peru is the world’s highest navigable lake. Water Systems Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information. (pages 197–198)

Section 1-20 Latin America’s significant natural resources include minerals, forests, farmlands, and water.  Major deposits of oil and natural gas occur along the Gulf of Mexico and southern Caribbean Sea.  Mexico and Venezuela are leading petroleum producers. Natural Resources Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information. (page 198)

Section 1-21 Venezuela’s Orinoco River area contains 11 percent of the world’s gold.  Brazil is also rich in gold, and Peru and Mexico are known for their silver deposits.  Chile is the world’s leading exporter of copper.  Geographic inaccessibility, lack of capital, and social and political divisions hinder fuller development and distribution of natural resources in Latin America. Natural Resources (cont.) Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information. (page 198)

Section 2-3 Click the Speaker button to listen to the audio again.

Section 2-5 Climate and Vegetation Regions Most of Latin America lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn; thus, much of its area has a tropical climate. However, there is a great variety of climates in the region.  Tropical Regions Mexico, eastern central America, some Caribbean islands, and such parts of South America as the Amazon Basin have a tropical rain forest climate and vegetation, with hot temperatures and abundant rainfall occurring year-round. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information. (pages 199–202)

Section 2-6 The Rain Forest The Amazon Basin, with the earth’s largest rain forest, covers one-third of South America and has trees that form a dense canopy that soars as high as 130 feet over the forest floor.  Tropical Savanna In the tropical savanna climate typical of the coast of southwestern Mexico, most Caribbean islands, and north-central South America, the grasslands have hot temperatures, abundant rainfall, and a dry season lasting several months. Climate and Vegetation Regions (cont.) Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information. (pages 199–202)

Section 2-7 The Humid Subtropics In the humid subtropical climate of southeastern South America, the winters are short and mild, and the summers are long, hot, and humid. Climate and Vegetation Regions (cont.) (pages 199–202)

Section 2-8 Desert and Steppe Areas Parts of northern Mexico and the southwestern region of South America have desert climates and vegetation; in Chile the rain shadow effect of the Andes has produced the dry, arid Atacama Desert, whereas other areas have a steppe climate, with hot summers, cool winters, and light rainfall. (pages 199–202) Climate and Vegetation Regions (cont.)

Section 2-9 (pages 199–202) Climate and Vegetation Regions (cont.) Click the Speaker button to listen to the audio again.

Section 2-11 Elevation and Climate The climates of Latin America depend more on elevation than on distance from the Equator.  The tierra caliente lies between sea level and 2,500 feet and has average annual temperatures from 68  F to 91  F. The main crops include bananas, sugar, rice, and cacao. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information. (pages 202–203)

Section 2-12 The tierra templada lies between 2,500 and 6,500 feet and has average daily temperatures between 60  F and 72  F. Coffee and corn are the main crops.  In the tierra fría, frosts are common in the winter months. Potatoes and barley grow at these elevations. Elevation and Climate (cont.) Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the information. (pages 202–203)

End of Section 2