Latin America Landforms and Resources

Landmass Latin America reaches from the border of the U.S. and Mexico to the southern tip of South America Latin America reaches from the border of the U.S. and Mexico to the southern tip of South America

Mountains and Highlands Andes Mountains Andes Mountains –Located in South America –Part of a chain of mountain ranges that run through the western portion of the Americas (Rockies, Sierra Madre, Andes) –Barrier to movement into the interior in western South America –These mountain ranges were home to some of the most important civilizations in the hemisphere

Plains for Grain and Livestock Llanos Llanos –Located in Colombia and Venezuela –They are grassy, treeless areas used for livestock, grazing, and farming –Similar to the Great Plains and pampas of Argentina

Plains on the Amazon River Basin Plains on the Amazon River Basin –Cerrado Savannas with flat terrain and moderate rainfall that make them suitable for farming Savannas with flat terrain and moderate rainfall that make them suitable for farming Pampas of Argentina Pampas of Argentina –Areas of grassland and rich soil –Found in northern Argentina and Uruguay –Main production is cattle and wheat grain

Amazon and other Rivers North America North America –Rio Grande- forms part of the border between the U.S. and Mexico South America South America –Orinoco- located in the northern part of Venezuela; flows into Atlantic –Amazon- flows eastward across central lowlands and empties into the Atlantic Carries more water to the ocean than the next seven largest in the world combined Carries more water to the ocean than the next seven largest in the world combined

Islands of the Caribbean Consist of 3 major groups: Consist of 3 major groups: –Bahamas –Greater Antilles –Lesser Antilles All together are sometimes called the West Indies and are what Columbus discovered when he came to the western hemisphere All together are sometimes called the West Indies and are what Columbus discovered when he came to the western hemisphere

Bahamas Bahamas –Made up of hundreds of islands of islands off the southern tip of Florida and Cuba –Nassau is the capital Greater Antilles Greater Antilles –Larger islands in the Caribbean –Include Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico

Lesser Antilles Lesser Antilles –Smaller islands in the region –Divided into the Windward Islands and Leeward Islands Windward- face winds that blow across them Windward- face winds that blow across them Leeward- enjoy a more sheltered position from the winds Leeward- enjoy a more sheltered position from the winds

Resources of Latin America Mineral Mineral –Gold, silver, copper, bauxite, tin, lead, and nickel Energy Energy –Oil, coal, natural gas, uranium, and hydroelectric power Venezuela and Mexico have major oil reserves Venezuela and Mexico have major oil reserves