The Physical Geography of Latin America Ch 8 PP

The Land Ch 8 PP

A Vast Region Located in the Western Hemisphere Land area – 8 million sq. miles Latin America made up of 3 parts Middle America Central America & Mexico Caribbean (aka. the West Indies) Bahamas, Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles South America Only 2 landlocked countries Paraguay & Bolivia Ch 8 PP

Mountains & Plateaus Mountains of Mexico, Central America, & Caribbean Sierra Madre Oriental (Eastern), Occidental (Western), & del Sur (of the south) These mountains surround the densely populated Mexican Plateau Central Highlands Ch 8 PP

Mountains & Plateaus (Cont.) Andes Mtns. Of South America World’s longest mountain range!!! Also cordilleras Altiplano – means high plain – Peru & Bolivia Patagonia – plateau in Argentina Highlands of Brazil Mato Grosso Plateau Brazilian Highlands Escarpments – steep cliff or slope Ch 8 PP

Lowlands & Plains Grasslands Llanos – Colombia & Venezuela Employ llaneros Pampas – Argentina & Uruguay Employ gaunchos Ch 8 PP

D. Water Systems Rivers Rio Grande – river that forms the border between Mexico & U.S Amazon River – largest river in the world!!! Rivers provide power – hydroelectric power Ch 8 PP

Water Systems (Cont.) Lakes Waterfall Lake Titicaca – highest navigable lake – Andes Lake Maracaibo – S. America’s largest lake – Venezuela Waterfall Angel Falls – highest waterfall in the world - Venezuela Ch 8 PP

E. Natural Resources Oil & natural gas Gold – Venezuela & Brazil Silver – Peru & Mexico Emeralds - Colombia Copper - Chile Bauxite – Jamaica Tin – Bolivia & Brazil Ch 8 PP

Climate & Vegetation Ch 8 PP

Climate & Vegetation Regions Tropical Regions Rain Forest Amazon Basin What forest is located here? Canopy – continuous layer of leaves Tropical Savanna Ch 8 PP

Climate & Vegetation Regions (Cont.) Desert & Steppe Areas Atacama Desert – Chile – one of the driest places on earth! Ch 8 PP

Elevation & Climate Tierra Caliente – hot land Tierra Templada – temperate land Tierra Fria – cold land Ch 8 PP