1. Unit 6: Latin America

2. 5 Themes Quick Review: Regions
A region is a group of places that share one or more common characteristics.
Regions can be formed around common physical or cultural features
There are three types of regions…
formal, functional, or perceptual

3. United Through Culture
The people of Latin America are united primarily through:
The Spanish language
The Roman Catholic religion
THIS IS A FUNCTIONAL REGION!
These cultural behaviors were brought to the region in the 1500s by the Spanish conquistadores.

4. Where Is Latin America?
This region corresponds to all nations south of the Rio Grande, consisting of, Mexico and Central America (in North America), South America, and the countries of the Caribbean.
9 % of the world’s people live in Latin America.

5. MEXICO
Latin America
Central America
Caribbean
South
America

6. Please follow along and add new information to your notes as we go.
Mexico
Please follow along and add new information to your notes as we go.
Vamonos!

7. Mexico has 31 states, and 1 Federal District

8. Physical Features

9. What is a Peninsula? Peninsula- land with water on three sides.
Mexico has 2
large peninsulas:
Baja California
Yucatan

10. Landforms in Mexico Mexico is about 3 times the size of Texas
Most of Mexico is a plateau.
Three mountain ranges border the Mexican Plateau: Sierra Madre Oriental, Sierra Madre Occidental, and the Sierra Madre del Sur.
Coastal plains separate the mountains from the sea.

13. Mexico City
Mexico City is Latin America’s largest city- and the 2nd largest city in the world!
20,000,000 live here!

15. Central America and the Caribbean
Follow along and add new information as we go.
No problems, mon!

17. Central America is part of the North American continent.
This region has seven countries.
Central America is an isthmus that joins North and South America.

18. The Caribbean islands are divided into the Greater and Lesser Antilles.

19. Quick Review! What is the difference between an isthmus and a strait?
What is the difference between an island and an archipelago?

20. Answer:
An island is land surrounded by water. An archipelago is a chain of islands.
An isthmus is a narrow strip of land that connects two larger landmasses. A strait is a narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water.

21. Island of Montserrat under volcanic ash
Landforms
Tectonic processes have shaped the region, and it is very mountainous.
Many islands are the tops of volcanic mountains.
Some islands have active volcanoes.
Some islands began as coral reefs.
Island of Montserrat under volcanic ash
Coral Reef

22. Climate
Central America and the Caribbean are located in the low latitudes, or tropics.
Dry winters and rainy summers are common.
Climate zones are affected by elevation and the rain shadow effect.

23. Not Always Paradise
Environmental Disasters include earthquakes, volcanoes, and hurricanes.

24. Population Facts
About 9% of the world’s population lives in Latin America.

26. Physical South America

27. Landforms and Biomes
Mountains: The Andes extend along the Pacific coast of South America. They were formed by tectonic activity.
Altiplano: high plateau
Grasslands: Llanos Pampas
Desert: Atacama

28. Ecosystems Related words: low “lats,” elevation, rain shadow
tropical rain forest
Ecosystems
Highlands
Atacama Desert
Related words: low “lats,” elevation, rain shadow

29. The Andes

30. South America’s Grasslands
llanos
pampas
Related words: prairie, plains, agriculture, arable

31. Rivers, Lakes and Waterfalls
Three large river systems drain the eastern part of the continent: Amazon, Orinoco, Paraná
Major lakes include:Titicaca, Maracaibo, Poopó
Waterfalls found along the tepuis: Angel Falls (world’s tallest!)

32. Tepuis and Angel Falls
                
Related words: plateau, fall line, elevation

33. The Amazing Rain Forest

34. Senhor… The Rainforest
sustains more than 50% of the world's plant and animal species
produces oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide
ecotourism supports local economies
provides common products like chocolate, rubber, sugar, cinnamon
provides medicines and potential medications

35. Images of the Rainforest
                                           

36. Challenges for the Amazon Basin
The Amazon basin is rich in natural resources, such as rubber, lumber, and even oil.
Countries must use plans that support sustainable development goals in this region.
This means that economic interests must be balanced with environmental concerns.

37. Landforms
The Andes extend along the Pacific coast of South America. They were formed by tectonic activity.
Altiplano
Tepuis-Angel Falls
Llanos
Gran Chaco
Pampas

38. Altiplano (High Plateau)
In west central South America in the central Andes Mountains
Average height of 12,300 feet with many active volcanoes and a cool arid and semi-arid climate

39. Tepuis-Angel Falls
It is the world's highest waterfall, with a height of 3,212 ft and a plunge of 2,648 ft

41. Ecosystems
South America has the largest tropical rain forest in the world.
Highland climates of the Andes vary with elevation
Atacama Desert