1. Latin America

3. Executive Summary
The Shape of the Land
Climates and People
Mexico

4. The Shape of the Land A. A Vast Region
1. Latin refers to the language that is common root for Spanish and Portuguese
2. Sub regions
i. Mexico / Central America
ii. Caribbean
iii. South America
3. Falkland Islands and French Guiana are ruled by foreigners

19. The Shape of the Land B. Major Landforms 1. Mountains and Landforms
a. La Cordillera: backbone of South America
b. Mount Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in Latin America
c. Earthquakes and Volcanoes
i. ‘Ring of Fire’
ii. Paricutin

29. The Shape of the Land B. Major Landforms 2. Lowlands a. Amazon Basin
i. 40% of South America
ii. World’s largest rain forest
b. Pampas
i. Grassy plains
ii. Uruguay to Argentina
c. Regionalism: geographical barriers prevent contact with other groups

39. The Shape of the Land C. Great Rivers 1. Amazon
a tributaries feed Amazon
b miles long
c. Deep and wide
2. Orinoco
3. Rio de la Plata or “River of Silver”

43. Climates and People A. Varied Climates 1. Tropical climates
a. Characteristics
1) Hot / Humid
2) Excessive rain
3) Rain forests
b. Places
1) Amazon
2) Caribbean
3) Central America

45. Climates and People 2. Temperate climates a. Characteristics
1) Hot summer
2) Cool winter
3) Seasons
b. Places
1) Argentina
2) Uruguay
3) Paraguay

46. Climates and People 3. Dry climates a. Characteristics 1) Dry
2) Lack of trees
b. Places
1) Baja Peninsula
2) Patagonia
3) Atacama Desert

51. Climates and People B. Elevation and Climate
1. Tierra caliente: closest to sea level or “hot land”
a. Yucatan Peninsula
b. Amazon Basin
c. Grow bananas, sugarcane, other tropicals
2. Tierra templada: to 6000 ft
a. Parts of Mexico
b. Parts of Andes
c. Coffee and tobacco

52. Climates and People 3. Tierra fria: above 6000 ft
a. Mexico City, Bogota
b. Wheat, barley, potatoes
C. Natural Resources
1. Minerals
a. Gold and silver
b. Copper
c. Emeralds

55. Climates and People 2. Energy Resources a. Oil 1) Mexico 2) Venezuela
3) Brazil

65. Climates and People 3. Agricultural Resources a. Cash crops i. Bananas
ii. Sugar cane
iii. Coffee
b. Lumber
4. Problems of economic development
* Hurricane Mitch, Honduras banana production down more than 50%