1. The Physical Geography of Latin America
Chapter 8, Section 1: The Land

2. Important Vocabulary
Cordillera: several ranges that run parallel to each other in the Andes Mountains.
Altiplano: the high plains. Peru and Bolivia.
Escarpment: the eastern highlands plunge to the Atlantic Ocean.
Llano: South America’s inland grasslands. Colombia and Venezuela.
Pampa: lands for grazing. Argentina and Uruguay.
Hydroelectric Power: electricity generated from moving water.

3. Latin America Nearly 8 million square miles.
Divided into three sub- regions: Middle America (Mexico to Panama), the Caribbean, and South America.

4. Landforms Mountains were formed from colliding plates (Ring of Fire).
In Mexico (Sierra Madre), in Central America (Central Highlands), and South America (Andes).
Rich natural resources.

5. Lowlands and Plains Narrow coastal lowlands.
Most live along the coast.
South American plains have fertile soil; wheat and corn.

6. Water Systems Waterways transport people and goods.
Provides hydroelectric power.
Amazon River flows 4,000 miles.
The Panama Canal, linking east and west.

7. Natural Resources Venezuela, Brazil; Mexico – oil and natural gas.
Gold in Venezuela, silver in Mexico and Peru, emeralds in Colombia; copper in Chile.

8. The Physical Geography of Latin America
Chapter 8, Section 2: Climate and Vegetation

9. Important Vocabulary
Tierra Helada: frozen land, zone of permanent snow and ice. Peaks in the Andes.
Puna: cold zone with some grasses for grazing.
Tierra Fria: cold land between 6,000-12,000 feet. Potatoes and barley grown.

10. Vocabulary (Cont’d)
Tierra Templada: temperate, evergreen land between 2,500-6,000 feet. Densely populated; coffee and corn crops.
Tierra Caliente: hot land between sea-level and 2,500 feet. Rainforests with bananas, sugar, rice, and cacao (cocoa beans).
Canopy: trees that grow close together in a rainforest.

11. Elevation and Climate Latin American climates affected by elevation.
Most land is in tropical climate with lush vegetation.
High temperatures and a lot of rainfall.

12. Climate and Vegetation
There is a drier, tropical climate.
Subtropical climate: mild winters and hot, humid summers.
There are desert regions.

13. Atacama Desert & Amazon Rainforest