1. Physical Geography of Latin America

2. Latin America =
Mexico to Chile

3. Mexico to Panama and Caribbean Islands
Middle America =
Mexico to Panama and Caribbean Islands

4. Central America =
Guatemala to Panama

5. South America =
Colombia to Chile

6. Caribbean / West Indies

7. Effect of landforms on population distribution
Why are there low population densities in the colored areas?

8. General Pattern of Landforms
What physical feature is in the
red circles?
What physical feature is in the purple circles?
yellow circles?
From west to east, what are the general pattern of landforms in South America

9. Formation of the Andes
Mountains
What type of plate boundary forms the Andes mountains?

10. Grasslands Llanos In what country do you find the Llanos?
In what country do you find the Cerrado?
In what country do you find the Pampas?
Cerrado
Pampas

11. Rainforest Biome

12. The three major island groups of the Caribbean: Bahamas, GreaterAntilles, Lesser Antilles

13. Isthmus of Panama/Land bridge/Panama Canal
What is an isthmus and why does the term apply to Panama?
What two oceans does the Panama Canal connect?
How does the Panama Canal shorten shipping distances?

14. You will need to know the pattern of climates / distribution of climate zones (text page 194)

15. Factors influencing climate: Latitude
What special line of latitude is located on the green line?
What special line of latitudes are on the yellow and purple lines?
How does latitude influence the climate of Latin America or anywhere else on the globe?

16. Factors influencing climate: Altitude
What physical feature is responsible for South America’s highland climate?

17. Factors influencing climate: Prevailing Winds
Locate the red line on the climate map below.
Why is there a wetter climate just to the northeast and southeast of the red line. At the same time, there are drier climates to the northwest and southeast of the line. Your answer needs to contain the words “prevailing winds” and “Andes mountains”

18. Factors influencing climate: Distance from Ocean
How does distance from major oceans influence climate?

19. Factors influencing climate: Ocean Currents
Using the image to the right, explain the differences between the coastal temperatures of Pacific Latin America and those of Atlantic Latin America.

20. Humbolt Current Cold ocean current off Chile and Peru
Moderates coastal climates
Keeps coast very dry (cold air = less moisture)
Helps create the Atacama desert
Humbolt Current

21. Factors influencing climate: Great Mt. Barriers/Orographic Effect
Look back to the Prevailing Winds slide for a orographic effect recap

22. El Niño Ocean off S. America warmer than normal
Causes world wide climate change
About every 4-6 years