Latin America Unit 3

Cultural Geography of Latin America Ch. 10

Human Characteristics The region's population of 520 million people lives in 33 countries It includes a mix of Native Americans, Europeans, Africans, and Asians. European colonists settled in areas earlier ruled by Native American empires, only to be overturned through independence movements in all but a few Caribbean island countries. Today indigenous language, religion, art, and lifestyles have been blended with those of Europe and Africa.

Population Distribution & Density South America’s Populated Rim: Most S. Americans live on the coastal edges of the continent. The “Populated Rim” provides favorable climates, fertile land, and access to transportation Population Density Patterns of human settlement in Latin America vary from sparsely populated Brazilian rain forests and Chilean deserts to the "populated rim" with mega-cities Most countries in S. America have large area & low population density. Most countries in the caribbean are small and much more densley populated

Migration Migrating North Internal Migration Immigrants come from all parts of the world in search of opportunities Many Latin Americans migrate legally & ilegally to the US looking for opportunities Internal Migration Many Latin Americans are migrating to the cities In search of better jobs, or because of a shortage of fertile land

The Growth of Cities The Urban Setting Urban Challenges Most Latin Americans live in cities Mexico City is the largest city in the region (18,000,000) Other large cities: Caracas, Venezuela; Montevideo, Uruguay; Santiago, Chile; Sao Paulo & Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; & Havana, Cuba Urban Challenges Immigrants seeking a better life for themselves have overcrowded cities Living conditions are poor Resources are strained

Native American Empires Prior to the arrival of Europeans, Native Americans lived in highly structured civilizations ruled by emperors Three Native American empires developed sophisticated civilizations in Latin America the Maya of Central America the Aztec of Mexico the Inca of the Peruvian

The Maya The Aztec The Inca Dominated Mexico & northern Central America from 250-900 AD Built many cities & based economy on agriculture & trade Skilled at math & had a system of writings based on glyphs Mysteriously disappered The Aztec Arose in central Mexico in the 1300s & lasted until early 1500s Capital was Tenochtitlan (present day Mexico City) Highly structured class system headed by emperor, military, & officials The Inca Existed from 1200s to 1500s in the Andes Mountains Skilled terrace farmers Built roads, temples, & forts Had no written language (used quipu)

Mayan

Tikal in Guatemala

Inca

Inca city of Machu Pichu

Macchu Picchu in Peru

Empires to Nations European Conquests Colonial Economies The first Europeans settlers, mostly from Spain and Portugal, first arrived in the late 1400s and dominated the future development of Latin American countries. Africans followed in the 1500s Came as forced laborers to work on plantations in Brazil and the West Indies. Asian immigrants first settled in the 1800s and formed ethnic communities in Mexico, Cuba, Peru, and Brazil. Colonial Economies Spanish and Portuguese settlers established colonial economies that relied on Native Americans and enslaved Africans to work their plantations, ranches, and mines. Resentment against European rule fueled a drive for independence Gaining Independence Most of Latin America broke free of colonial rule by the mid-1800s, with a few Caribbean island countries remaining under foreign control

History and Government Era of Dictatorships Latin America’s wars for independence led to the emergence of a new kind of leader Cuadillo-or dictator ruled with the backing of the military & wealthy landowners Movements for Change During the 1900s the formation of industries, RR, & the expansion of trade brought wealth to Latin America’s upper classes In 1959 the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro introduced Communism In many countries independence ushered in an era of dictatorships, which are slowly giving way to democratically elected governments

Cultures and Lifestyles Religion While Roman Catholicism has been the dominant religion in Latin America since the colonial era, many Latin Americans have blended indigenous customs with those introduced by Europeans and Africans. Art Various art forms, including murals and music, also reflect a mixture of Native American, African, and European influences. Family Latin American life revolves around ties to the community and the extended family. Leisure Time Latin Americans enjoy a variety of leisure activities, including soccer, jai alai, and baseball, and festivals such as Rio de Janeiro's Carnival.

Cathedral in Mexico

Cathedral in Mexico

Steel Drums

Gauchos in Argentina

Steel Drum Band

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