1. The Physical Geography of Latin America
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2. The Land
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3. A Vast Region Located in the Western Hemisphere
Land area – 8 million sq. miles
Latin America made up of 3 parts
Middle America
Central America & Mexico
Caribbean (aka. the West Indies)
Bahamas, Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles
South America
Only 2 landlocked countries
Paraguay & Bolivia
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4. Mountains & Plateaus Mountains of Mexico, Central America, & Caribbean
Sierra Madre Oriental (Eastern), Occidental (Western), & del Sur (of the south)
These mountains surround the densely populated Mexican Plateau
Central Highlands
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5. Mountains & Plateaus (Cont.)
Andes Mtns. Of South America
World’s longest mountain range!!!
Also cordilleras
Altiplano – means high plain – Peru & Bolivia
Patagonia – plateau in Argentina
Highlands of Brazil
Mato Grosso Plateau
Brazilian Highlands
Escarpments – steep cliff or slope
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6. Lowlands & Plains Grasslands Llanos – Colombia & Venezuela
Employ llaneros
Pampas – Argentina & Uruguay
Employ gaunchos
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7. D. Water Systems
Rivers
Rio Grande – river that forms the border between Mexico & U.S
Amazon River – largest river in the world!!!
Rivers provide power – hydroelectric power
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8. Water Systems (Cont.) Lakes Waterfall
Lake Titicaca – highest navigable lake – Andes
Lake Maracaibo – S. America’s largest lake – Venezuela
Waterfall
Angel Falls – highest waterfall in the world - Venezuela
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9. E. Natural Resources Oil & natural gas Gold – Venezuela & Brazil
Silver – Peru & Mexico
Emeralds - Colombia
Copper - Chile
Bauxite – Jamaica
Tin – Bolivia & Brazil
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10. Climate & Vegetation
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11. Climate & Vegetation Regions
Tropical Regions
Rain Forest
Amazon Basin
What forest is located here?
Canopy – continuous layer of leaves
Tropical Savanna
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12. Climate & Vegetation Regions (Cont.)
Desert & Steppe Areas
Atacama Desert – Chile – one of the driest places on earth!
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13. Elevation & Climate Tierra Caliente – hot land
Tierra Templada – temperate land
Tierra Fria – cold land
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