1. Regents Review Geography

2. Latin America Features- Andes Mountains- 2 nd tallest mountain chain in the world (home of Incas). Amazon river- 2 nd longest river Las Pampas- fertile grasslands of Argentina. Impact- Regionalism Amazon Rain forest and deforestation Island climates conducive to growing sugar- led to European imperialism.

3. Africa Sahara Desert- desertification, obstacle to travel and trade. The Nile River- Egyptian civilization. Smooth coastline- no natural harbors. Makes trade difficult. Rivers- cataracts make trade difficult. Abundant natural resources- led to European imperialism. *Very diverse topography

4. India Subcontinent- part of the continent of Asia separated by geography. Himalayan Mountains- separate India from Asia. Major rivers start there. Prevented spread of Hinduism. Indus and Ganges- early civilizations. Ganges- holy river for Hindus. Monsoons bring heavy rain. Cause flooding.

5. China Geography created belief in ethnocentrism. Most live in southeast because of geography and monsoons. Grow rice because of monsoons. Himalayan Mountains- act as barrier. Terrace farming. Yellow River- “China’s Sorrow”- silt causes flooding and famine.

6. Japan 85% mountainous- most people live on the coast. Creates overcrowding. No natural resources- led to imperialism. Archipelago- chain of islands. Located in the Ring of Fire.

7. Southeast Asia A large peninsula and most is an archipelago. Abundant natural resources led to imperialism. Monsoons- bring rain for crops, but can cause flooding.

8. Europe Britain- island location. Caused the start of the Industrial Revolution. During WWII protected from invasion. Poland- Great European Plain- no natural barriers. Hitler conquered in 26 days. Pyrenees and Alps separated and created many languages and cultures.

9. Former Soviet Union Landlocked- does not have access to a warm water port all year round- Peter and Catherine the Great- goal to gain a warm water port (Baltic & Black Sea). Rivers flow north and freeze- prevent trade. Russian steppes compared to savannas (Africa) & Las Pampas (Latin America). Cold climate- led to defeat of Napoleon and Hitler.

10. Middle East Arid climate- hot and dry Fertile Crescent- area between Tigris and Eurphrates rivers (Mesopotamia). The “Cradle of Civilization” and The Birthplace of religion. Natural resources- oil. Unequal standards of living between nations with oil and those without. N. Africa is part of this region- Sahara desert and Nile River.