Physical Features of Latin America

Purple – South America Red – Middle America Yellow – Caribbean Green – Central America

8 mil sq. miles (~equal to N.A.) Physical Geography 8 mil sq. miles (~equal to N.A.) Made up of Middle America and South America Caribbean sometimes debated as part of MA

Physical Geography Caribbean aka West Indies 3 parts: Lesser Antilles, Greater Antilles, & Bahamas Brazil is largest and most pop. of SA’s 13 countries

Mountains/Highlands Mountains formed by crust collision - sits on Ring of Fire

Why would ppl settle here? Cooler climates Rich in resources… like what?? Water, fertile soil, forests, minerals Protection Cordilleras- Parallel mountain ranges cordilleras

Mountains contd. Mexico’s Sierra Madre Sierra Madre Oriental (eastern) & Sierra Madre Occidental (western) meet at Sierra Madre del Sur Surrounds Mexican Plateau Mild climate, volcanic soil in South= settlement

Mountains cont. Most Caribbean islands part of Central Highlands (range goes across sea) Volcanic islands Some still active