Adapted From National Geographic edited by Sterling D.

Agriculture Latin America’s rich ag. Traditions present modern-day challenges Latin America struggles Unevenly distributed farmland Economic inequality Dependence on exports Banana, sugarcane, coffee

Latifundia and minifundia Farmland is unevenly distributed between small groups of the wealthy and larges groups of small campesinos. Campesinos- rural farmers and workers Latifundia- Large agricultural estates owned by wealthy families or corporations which are highly commercialized Minifundia- Small plots of land farmed, but not always owned, by campensinos to feed their families Which would likely produce more goods?

Cash Crops do well in Latin America, cash crops are crops produced in large quantities to be sold or traded Latin American cash crops Fertile Highlands- includes countries like Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, and Colombia. Leading export is coffee Tropical coastal areas- bananas Major risks involved in agriculture Severe weather like droughts, floods, and volcanic eruptions Hurricane Mitch of 1998 What is the danger of having one or two cash crops?

Mostly developing or third world countries This means that these countries are still shifting from agriculture to manufacturing Some of these countries have a good service industry: tourism Industrial Growth Limited by physical features-Andes, Rain Forest Also limited by Political instability Mexico and Brazil are the most developed Maguiladoras Manufacturing firms set up by foreign countries 3200 are in Mexico alone There is a lot of controversy surrounding them. Why?

Latin America’s physical geography and political instability adversely effect transportation and communication. Transportation/Highway system Pan-American Highway-capital cities Trans-Andean Highway-Chile and Argentina Trans-Amazonian Highway-Amazon Rail Road/Air travel Rail roads are falling apart Air travel is a young industry and slowly growing

Communications The communication network includes Newspaper, radio, television Very censored Telephones There are few land line phones, most cell phones belong to young people in urban areas Computers and internet Mexico and Brazil have the most personal computer use. Why? Likely to expand-new internet hud in Dominican Republic How does education effect Communication?

Latin America depends on trade to get natural resources, manufactured goods, and foods they cant produce. NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement. Mexico, US, and Canada, 1992 sign in effect 1994 Controversy CAFTA Central American Free Trade Agreement. US and 6 other Latin American Countries Same goal and controversy as NAFTA

Foreign Debt 1960s and 1970 economic expansion Falls through in 1980 Crippled many countries Some of the countries effected are getting help from International Monetary fund and World Bank. A similar event happened in US history. What was it?

National Geographic: World Geography and Cultures, Glenco, Teacher Wraparound Edition by Richard G. Boehm, Ph.D. Soyinsider.com Latin American Physical map Standards 9-12.G.2.2A. Students are able to evaluate how humans interact with t2.heir environment 9-12.G.2.4A. Students are able to compare and contrast the differing characteristics in developing and developed countries.