1. Latin America- Physical

3. Landforms Land Bridge-
a strip of land that connects two larger landmasses, enabling migration of plants and animals to both areas.
Ring of Fire- Western Mexico is part of ring of fire.

4. Water systems
Northern Mexico- has a dry climate with few permanent water ways
Lerma River- Mexico’s most important river
Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of California

5. Climate, and biomes Three factors influence Mexico’s climate:
Regional high-pressure systems
Northeast trade winds
Vertical climate zones- occur as elevations increase
Mexico has a variety of biomes

6. Mexico’s economy- natural resources
Silver and other minerals
Leading petroleum-producing country

7. Central America

8. Landforms Central America has three distinct belts: Isthmus of Panama
Pacific Lowlands
Caribbean Lowlands
Central Highlands
7,000 islands are considered part of the mainland’s Central Highlands
Isthmus of Panama
it connects North and South America and separates the Caribbean Sea (Atlantic Ocean) from the Gulf of Panama (Pacific Ocean)

9. = Central Highlands
Caribbean Lowlands
Pacific Lowlands

10. Water systems
Inland lakes and waterways are important to Central America's growth and development
providing transportation
drinking water
irrigation
hydroelectric power
Commercial fishing and the use of other marine resources in the Caribbean Sea have increased international trade.

11. Water system Panama Canal Human made
allows ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans without having to travel around South America's Cape Horn

12. Climates
Much of Central America has a tropical wet climate with rainforests found in many of the regions
A tropical dry climate is found on many of the Caribbean Islands
The climate and ecosystems of some parts of central America are affected by elevation.

13. resources
Nickel
Iron ore
Fish
Timber
Petroleum

14. South America

15. Landforms
South America’s diverse landscape is marked in the west by the high peaks of the Andes and in the east by broad plateaus and valleys.
The cordillera established natural boundaries that resulted in the development of isolated groups.

17. Landforms continue
Narrow coastal lowlands rim the Atlantic and the Pacific coasts.
Inland grasslands like the llanos and the pampas provide fertile soil and plains for cattle to graze.

18. Water systems
The Amazon flows 4,000 miles through the heart of South America and is its longest river.
Hundreds of smaller rivers join the Amazon to form the Amazon Basin.

19. Water systems
The Parana, Paraguay, and Uruguay Rivers drain the rainy eastern half of South America.
The Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical wetlands.
Lake Maracaibo and Lake Titicaca are South America’s largest lakes

20. Climates, biomes and resources
Diverse climates make South America a region of contrasts.
El Niño affects the climate in South America by creating unusually warm ocean currents, and can have negative effects on
Coastal weather
Fishing
Agriculture

21. Natural Resources
The physical geography dictates each country’s access to natural resources.

22. Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest shelters more species of plants and animals than anywhere on earth.
The Lungs of The Planet