The Physical Geography of Latin America Landforms & Resources I. Mountains & Highlands A. Andes B. Sierra Madre C. Highlands II. Lowlands & Plains A. Llanos B. Pampas C. Cerrado III. Water Systems A. Orinoco B. Amazon C. Parana IV. Islands A. Greater Antillies B. Lesser Antillies V. Resources A. Hydroelectric Power

Mountains 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. The Andes Mountains of South America are part of a chain of mountain ranges that run down the Pacific coast of North, Central, and South America. The Andes Mountains have made settlement along the Pacific coast more difficult. This is world’s longest mountain range (4,500 miles). The section in North America is known as Rockies while the section in Mexico is known as the Sierra Madre.

Highlands – made up of the mountainous or hilly sections of a country. Highlands in Venezuela are responsible for Angel Falls the worlds tallest waterfall Much of Brazil consists of broad plateaus, such as the Mata Grosso Plateau and the Brazilian Highlands. These highlands are responsible for the impressive Iguacu Falls. In southern Argentina, hills and lower flatlands form a plateau known as Patagonia.

In Colombia and Venezuela, they are called llanos. South America has plains that offer rich soil for growing crops and abundant grasses for grazing livestock. In Colombia and Venezuela, they are called llanos. In Brazil, the plains are called cerrado. In Argentina and Uruguay, they are known as pampas. A flat terrain and moderate rainfall make them suitable for farming. Much of this land is being developed.

Argentina’s beef is considered amongst the world’s finest. The well know cowboys of Argentina’s Pampas are Called Gauchos. In other parts of Latin America they are known as Charros.

The countries of Central America and the Caribbean do not have extensive river systems, except for the Rio Grande which forms a border between the United States and Mexico. However, South America has three major river systems. Orinoco Amazon Parana Despite the large number of rivers, Latin America has few large lakes.

Orinoco River Amazon River Orinoco River – the northernmost river system in South America. Winds mainly through Venezuela – flows more than 1500 miles Amazon river – flows about 4000 miles west to east emptying in the Atlantic. Carries more water to the ocean than any other river in the world. It’s branches start in the Andes Mountains. Fed by 1000 tributaries Parana River begins in the highlands of southern Brazil. Travels about 3000 miles south and west through Paraguay and Argentina, where it is fed by other rivers and then turns eastward. Amazon River

The Caribbean Islands consist of three major groups: the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles,and the Lesser Antilles. These islands together are sometimes called the West Indies. The Greater Antilles is made up of the larger islands in the Caribbean. It is made up of Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. The Island of Hispaniola is divided between the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The Lesser Antilles is made up of the smaller islands in the region southeast of Puerto Rico. They are divided up into Windward Island and Leeward Islands Windward Islands – face winds that blow across them. Leeward Islands – enjoy a more sheltered position from the prevailing northeasterly winds.

Latin America is rich in agricultural and forest resources. Geographic inaccessibility, lack of capital, and social and political divisions hinder fuller development and distribution of natural resources in Latin America. Latin America is rich in agricultural and forest resources. The mineral resources of Latin America include gold, silver, iron, copper, bauxite, tin, lead, zinc, and nickel. In addition, precious gems, titanium, and tungsten are mined.

Hydroelectric Power-electricity generated from the energy of water. Energy Resources - Oil, coal, natural gas, uranium, and hydroelectric power are plentiful in Latin America. Hydroelectric Power-electricity generated from the energy of water.

The Physical Geography of Latin America Climate and Vegetation Tropical Regions Amazon Basin Rain Forest Canopy Dry Regions Atacama Mild Regions Elevation and Region

Latin America has varied climate zones and vegetation Latin America has varied climate zones and vegetation. This is due to several factors. First, Latin America spans a great distance on either side of the equator. Second, massive mountains create big changes in altitude. Third, warm Atlantic currents and cold Pacific currents affect the climate.

Rain forests – dense forests made up of different species of trees. The tropical climate zones of the region produce both rain forests and tropical grasslands. Rain forests are abundant in Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. Rainforest are found near the Equator in Tropical Wet Climate regions where it is hot and rainy all year long. Rain forests – dense forests made up of different species of trees. The largest rain forest is the Amazon rain forest. It covers more than two million square miles of South America. Rain forests contain many exotic plants and animals. Scientists have counted more than 2,500 varieties of trees in the Amazon rain forest. Living in these rain forests are anacondas, jaguars, and piranhas. Most of the animals of the rainforest live in the canopy (uppermost layer or branches).

Rainforest

The tree-dotted grasslands called savannas are common in tropical and subtropical regions. These grasslands are called Llanos, Cerrado, and Pampas in South America. Deserts can be found in northern Mexico and along the coast of Peru. The Atacama Desert is in northern Chile is a rainshadow desert caused by the Andes mounatins. Argentina’s southern zone, Patagonia, contains a desert.

Moderate climates (like Houston’s Humid Subrtopical Climate) are found in the southern part of South America (Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Southern Brazil) A highland climate is experienced in the Andes and Sierra Madre mountain ranges. Here the colder climate is a result of the high elevation.

Children of the Tropics: El Niño / La Niña NOT a storm, but actually a climate pattern or occurrence every few years in the Equatorial-Tropical Pacific Ocean El Nino – abnormal warming La Nina – abnormal cooling

The Physical Geography of Latin America Human Environment Interaction I. Agriculture reshapes the Environment A. Slash and Burn B. Terraced Farming II. Urbanization III. Tourism A. Advantages B. Disadvantages

Native peoples in Latin America used the slash-and-burn technique to clear fields. They cut and burn trees, brush, and grasses to clear fields to plant. Today, farmers practice the same method. As they move into the Amazon River basin, they clear land for farming in the rain forest.

Terraced Farming Terraced farming is an ancient technique for growing crops on hillsides or mountain slopes. Terraces are like wide steps cut into hillsides or slopes. Each wide step creates a flat area where crops can grow.

Throughout Latin America, people are moving from rural areas into the cities. Today, Latin America is as urban as Europe or North America. Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay are the most highly urban countries in South America. In these countries, more than 85 percent of the people live in cities. There are many large cities in South America. Six of them rank among the region’s largest. But the biggest city in Latin America is Mexico City.

People move to the cities in the hope of improving their lives People move to the cities in the hope of improving their lives. Many people in rural areas struggle to make a living. They work very hard, but grow barely enough to keep themselves and their families alive. Factors that “push” people to leave rural areas include poor medical care, poor education, and low-paying jobs. Factors that “pull” people toward cities include higher paying jobs, better schools, and better medical care. Cities throughout the region have similar problems. Slums are growing. Often, unemployment and crime increase. In addition, there are high levels of air pollution and shortages of drinkable water.

Tourism is a growth industry for Latin America Tourism is a growth industry for Latin America. Every year, millions of tourists visit the resorts of the region. Local people are hired as guides, or to staff the ships, hotels, stores, and restaurants. These activities bring money into the region and employ local people. Tourism causes problems as well. The gap between rich tourists and less well-off local residents can produce resentment and hostility. Local governments can run up large debts borrowing money to build airports, harbors, hotels, and resorts.