1. Physical Features of Latin America

2. Standards
SS6G1 The student will locate selected features of Latin America and the Caribbean
a. Locate on a world and regional political-physical map: the Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Panama Canal, Amazon River, Andes Mountains, Sierra Madre Mountains, and Atacama Desert

3. Standards
SS6G1 The student will locate selected features of Latin America and the Caribbean
b. Locate on a world and regional political-physical map the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, and Venezuela.

4. Essential Questions
What are the major physical-political features of Latin America and the Caribbean?
Where are the major physical-political features of Latin America and the Caribbean located on a map?

5. Physical Features of Latin America and the Caribbean
Latin America includes Mexico, Central America, and South America
The islands of the Caribbean are also considered to be part of Latin American
The region is called Latin America because the languages spoken there (mostly Spanish & Portuguese) developed from the Latin language.

7. The Amazon River Second-longest river in the world
Flows primarily through Brazil in South America
Carries the greatest volume of of any river in the world

8. The Caribbean Sea An arm of the Atlantic Ocean
Located between Cuba and South America
Islands in the Caribbean Sea are popular tourist destinations because of their beautiful beaches and mild tropical climate

9. Caribbean Sea

10. Gulf of Mexico Another arm of the Atlantic Ocean
Cradled by Mexico and the south U.S. coastline from Texas to Florida
The Mississippi River and Rio Grande are two major rivers that empty into the gulf

11. Pacific Ocean Largest and deepest of the world’s five oceans
Larger than the total land area of the world

12. Panama Canal Built through the Isthmus of Panama
Allows ships to travel easily between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans

13. Andes Mountains
A chain of mountains along the western edge of South America
Longest continuous mountain range in the world

14. Sierra Madre Mountains
Main mountain range in Mexico
Has three major chains – the Sierra Madre Oriental (in the east), the Sierra Madre Occidental (in the west), and the Sierra Madre del Sur (along the southern coast)

15. Atacama Desert Known as the driest place on Earth
Located at a high elevation along the coast of Chile
Average temperature is 72 by day and 39 by night
Parts of the desert have never had rain (as long as records have been kept)