Chapter 9 Section 1 Land and Resources Latin America Chapter 9 Section 1 Land and Resources
Mountains and Highlands Andes Mountains Part of chain that extends from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego Contains many active volcanoes Runs down western edge of South America Barrier to movement Highlands Guiana Highlands Brazilian Highlands In south-east, also prevented settlement of interior
Nicaraguan volcanoes
Plains Llanos Cerrados Pampas Columbia and Venezuela Brazil Grassy, treeless, Used for grazing cattle and farming Cerrados Brazil Suitable for farming, plentiful rainfall, Largely undeveloped, settlement encouraged by government Pampas Argentina and Uruguay Rich soil Produce cattle and wheat Gaucho culture similar to western US
Upper Llanos, Venezuela
Llanos
Rivers
Rivers of Latin America Rio Grande is largest in Central America South America has 3 major river systems Orinoco Amazon Parana 1,500 miles Drains Columbia and Venezuela 4,000 miles Begins in Andes Carries more water than any other river 3,000 miles Begins in S. Brazil highlands South and west thru Paraguay and Argentina Ends in Rio de la Plata estuary btwn Arg. and Uruguay
Parana wetlands
Giant otters, Orinoco delta
Major Caribbean Islands Bahamas Hundreds of small islands off Florida coast Great Antilles Larger islands Cuba Jamaica Hispaniola Puerto Rico Lesser Antilles Smaller islands – divided into 2 groups Windward Islands – face the wind Leeward islands – sheltered from wind
Leeward and Windward islands
Resources of Latin America Mineral resources Gold, silver, iron, copper, tin, lead, nickel, and bauxite (aluminum ore) Precious gems – emeralds, sapphires, rubies Leader in mining of raw materials, mostly for export Energy resources Oil, coal, natural gas Mexico, Venezuela - major oil reserves Hydroelectric power
Slaves mining gold in Latin America
Strip mine, South America
Population Density