1. LATIN AMERICAN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
The Americas – refers to both North and South American continents (the Western Hemisphere)
North America is technically everything above South America including all the islands

2. Is the U.S. apart of Latin America?
Latin is a language, thus Latin America is a language region
Is the U.S. apart of Latin America?

3. WEST INDIES / CARIBBEAN
1492 Columbus thought he had landed Indonesia or islands off the coast of India
- thus the people were Indians
- later area; the West Indies or
the Caribbean
The Caribbean Islands are separated into two regions
GREATER ANTILLES – This includes Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico
LESSER ANTILLES – This region is made up of dozens of tiny island nations

4. CENTRAL AMERICA
Central America – isthmus connecting North America with South America
Although parts of Mexico are considered to be Central America it is often left out
Central America ranges from Guatemala to Panama

5. MIDDLE AMERICA
Middle American -Refers to everything between the United States and the continent of South America
This includes Central America as well as the Caribbean Islands

6. SOUTH AMERICA South America - continent with 13 countries
Pope Alexander VI settled claims between Spain and Portugal with Line of Demarcation gave Spain 180° west of line, Portugal everything to the east
Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) moved the line 800 miles west
Brazil is the only Portuguese speaking country in Latin America

7. ANGEL FALLS
Angel Falls – at 3,212 feet it is the tallest water fall in the world
Forming in Venezuela from the Guiana Highlands
AKA – Paradise Falls (UP)

8. Fresh water in the Atlantic Ocean
AMAZON RIVER BASIN – Second largest river in the world but largest in volume containing 20 % of the world’s total fresh water. Located in Brazil along the equator.
Fresh water in the Atlantic Ocean

9. AMAZON RIVER

12. BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS
Upland region making up most of Brazil south of the Amazon

13. ANDES MOUNTAINS Longest mountain range in the world
It starts in Venezuela down the west coast of southern Chile

14. LAKE TITICACA Highest navigable lake in the world (12,500ft)
On top of the Andes mountains and forms the border between Peru and Bolivia

15. GRAN CHACO
Semiarid region in Northern Argentina, parts of Bolivia and Paraguay

16. What direction are the Prevailing Winds?
ATACAMA DESERT
Also located on the Tropic of Capricorn
Never had a recorded rain drop
Driest place on Earth
It is a Rain Shadow formed by the Andes Orographic Effect
What direction are the Prevailing Winds?

17. PAMPAS
Low flat land with fertile soil for agriculture and open grasslands for ranching
Located between 30° and 40° latitude
Gauchos are Argentine cowboys

18. PATAGONIA Southern most region of South America
Starting at about 42° latitude
This region has stepping plains with little soil and landforms carved by glaciation

19. THE CARIBBEAN OR WEST INDIES
REVIEW
What is this region called?
LESSER ANTILLIES
MIDDLE AMERICA
THE CARIBBEAN OR WEST INDIES
LATIN AMERICA
SOUTH AMERICA
CENTRAL AMERICA