The Physical Geography of Latin America Chapter 8 The Physical Geography of Latin America

Chapter Intro 1

Chapter Objectives Describe the dominant landforms and natural resources of Latin America. Discuss Latin America’s climate and vegetation.

A Geographic View

Climate and Vegetation Section 2

Objectives List the climate regions that are represented in Latin America. Describe how Latin America’s location and landforms affect climates even within particular regions. Discuss how the natural vegetation and agriculture of Latin America are influenced by climatic factors.

Terms to Know Canopy Tierra Caliente Tierra Templada Tierra Fría

Places to Locate Amazon Basin Colombia Venezuela Argentina Uruguay Atacama Desert

A Geographic View

Climate and Vegetation Regions Most of Latin America lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn; thus, much of its area has a tropical climate. However, there is a great variety of climates in the region. Tropical Regions Mexico, eastern central America, some Caribbean islands, and such parts of South America as the Amazon Basin have a tropical rain forest climate and vegetation, with hot temperatures and abundant rainfall occurring year-round.

Climate and Vegetation Regions The Rain Forest The Amazon Basin, with the earth’s largest rain forest, covers one-third of South America and has trees that form a dense canopy that soars as high as 130 feet over the forest floor. Tropical Savanna In the tropical savanna climate typical of the coast of southwestern Mexico, most Caribbean islands, and north-central South America, the grasslands have hot temperatures, abundant rainfall, and a dry season lasting several months.

Climate and Vegetation The Humid Subtropics In the humid subtropical climate of southeastern South America, the winters are short and mild, and the summers are long, hot, and humid.

Climate and Vegetation

Summary - Section 1 Latin America includes Middle America, the Caribbean, and South America. Latin America’s physical features include high mountain ranges, less rugged highlands, vast central plains, and volcanic islands. The water systems of Latin America, especially the mighty rivers of South America, are key to human activity in the region. Although the region is rich in natural resources, geographic, political, and economic obstacles have kept resources from being developed fully or shared equally.

Summary – Section 2 Much of Latin America lies in the Tropics; however, landforms and wind patterns give the region great climatic diversity. Tropical climates such as tropical forest and tropical savanna are the most common climates in Latin America. The natural vegetation of Latin America consists mainly of rain forests and grasslands. The tropical highlands in Latin America include three vertical climate zones that are based on latitude and elevation.