1. Physical Geography of Latin America

2. STANDARD
SSWG1. Explain why physical characteristics of place such as landforms, bodies of water, climate, and natural resources act as contributing factors to world settlement patterns.

3. Countries/Continents in Latin America: Mexico, Central America, South America, Caribbean

4. Why would we group Mexico in with Latin America if Mexico is part of the continent of North America?

5. Latin America
Spans from U.S./Mexico border to Tierra del Fuego (Southernmost point of South America) – 7,000 miles
Encompasses part of North America, all of South & Central America, & Caribbean Islands
Made up of highlands, lowlands, rainforests, plains
Bounded by Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic & Pacific Ocean

6. Key Physical Features

7. Andes Mountains Stretch entire length of South America
S. Tip of Chile to Columbia
Highest Peak = Aconcagua (23,000 feet)
Isolates west coast of South America from rest of continent
South America’s highest mountains

8. Amazon Basin 2.7 million square miles (barely smaller than U.S.)
Rivers, streams & creeks that flow into Amazon River
Brazil, parts of Columbia/Peru/Bolivia
Extremely biodiverse
Historical settlement = small populated communities
Chainsaws & bulldozers = modern human development

9. Atacama Desert Driest non-polar desert Rain may not fall for years
Plateau west of Andes, East of Pacific
Primarily in Chile

10. Pampas Primarily in Argentina; also in Uruguay and Brazil
Vast plain dominated by grasslands & rich soil
300,000 square miles
Arid region to west, humid region (precipitation) to the east

11. Two bordering oceans = Pacific & Atlantic
Mountain Chain running through Mexico = Sierra Madres
Where does the Amazon River empty? Atlantic Ocean
What two continents does Latin America span?

13. The Caribbean Major Islands of Caribbean The Bahamas
The Greater Antilles
The Lesser Antilles

14. Natural Resources of Latin America
3 types
Mineral – Gold & Silver
Energy – Oil & Natural Gas
Agricultural – Timber
South America is among world leaders in mining of natural resources
What is the benefit of having natural resources?

15. How do natural resources & landforms contribute to climate & vegetation?