1. Chapter 9 Section 1 Land and Resources
Latin America
Chapter 9 Section 1
Land and Resources

2. Mountains and Highlands
Andes Mountains
Part of chain that extends from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego
Contains many active volcanoes
Runs down western edge of South America
Barrier to movement
Highlands
Guiana Highlands
Brazilian Highlands
In south-east, also prevented settlement of interior

4. Nicaraguan volcanoes

5. Plains Llanos Cerrados Pampas Columbia and Venezuela Brazil
Grassy, treeless,
Used for grazing cattle and farming
Cerrados
Brazil
Suitable for farming, plentiful rainfall,
Largely undeveloped, settlement encouraged by government
Pampas
Argentina and Uruguay
Rich soil
Produce cattle and wheat
Gaucho culture similar to western US

8. Upper Llanos, Venezuela

9. Llanos

10. Rivers

11. Rivers of Latin America
Rio Grande is largest in Central America
South America has 3 major river systems
Orinoco
Amazon
Parana
1,500 miles
Drains Columbia and Venezuela
4,000 miles
Begins in Andes
Carries more water than any other river
3,000 miles
Begins in S. Brazil highlands
South and west thru Paraguay and Argentina
Ends in Rio de la Plata estuary btwn Arg. and Uruguay

12. Parana wetlands

14. Giant otters, Orinoco delta

15. Major Caribbean Islands
Bahamas
Hundreds of small islands off Florida coast
Great Antilles
Larger islands
Cuba
Jamaica
Hispaniola
Puerto Rico
Lesser Antilles
Smaller islands – divided into 2 groups
Windward Islands – face the wind
Leeward islands – sheltered from wind

17. Leeward and Windward islands

18. Resources of Latin America
Mineral resources
Gold, silver, iron, copper, tin, lead, nickel, and bauxite (aluminum ore)
Precious gems – emeralds, sapphires, rubies
Leader in mining of raw materials, mostly for export
Energy resources
Oil, coal, natural gas
Mexico, Venezuela - major oil reserves
Hydroelectric power

19. Slaves mining gold in Latin America

20. Strip mine, South America

21. Population Density