Machu Picchu, Peru Photo by Linda Hammon

Latin America Latin America can be divided into 3 sub-regions:

Central America & Mexico (Mexico + 7 Countries)

The Caribbean (Bahamas, Greater/Lesser Antilles, West

Indies)

South America

Economy of Latin America • Very large gap between the wealthy & the

poor in Latin America.

• By 2050 the largest economies in the world: China, United States, India, Brazil, & Mexico.

• Poverty = one of this region’s main challenges. Ecotourism (Costa Rica)

• Silver (Mexico)

• Cottage industries

• Emeralds (Colombia)

• Petroleum (Mexico & Venezuela)

Economy • Ecotourism – What is it?

• Farming and hunting (Atlantic nations)

• Sugar cane, cacao and rice (tropical areas)

• Grains & livestock (plains/plateaus)

• Coffee, coca & potatoes (higher elevations)

Altitudinal zonation is found in this region.

•Grassy pampas of Argentina are the source of much of

that country’s wealth.

Breadbasket of Argentina.

Human Development Index

• Dark Blue = Very high • Blue = Medium • Light Blue = Low • White = Very low • Grey = data unavailable

Energy Resources • Mexico & Venezuela: Oil

• Many rivers & waterfalls = hydroelectric power

• The Atacama desert: rich copper deposits

• Many other mineral resources in LA.

Lake Maricaibo in Venezuela

Itaipu Dam

Brazil

Population

Population projections:

http://populationpyramid.net/Colombia/2010/

•Major

rural to

urban

movement

of people in

this area.

Some of the

indigenous

Amerindian

groups today

•

•

Gauchos/Argentina

Buenos Aires

Scenes from

Chile

Easter Island

Santiago

Scenes in

Peru

Photos by Linda Hammon

Andean Condor

Lima

Cuzco Photos by Linda Hammon

Cuzco, Peru

Photos by Linda Hammon

Latin America Political Systems • Latin America is made up mostly of “presidential republics”.

However, many are very corrupt presidents.

•Colombia = issues with corrupt businesses and government.

Colombia

Environment/Nature

1. How do physical features impact climate & vegetation?

2. How do physical/environmental factors influence settlement patterns?

Regions of

Latin America

Central America

The Caribbean

South America

Bodies of

Water

Atlantic Ocean

Pacific Ocean

Gulf of Mexico

Caribbean Sea

Amazon R.

Orinoco R.

Lake Titicaca

Rio de La Plata

Parana R.

Main source of the Amazon River (Iquitos, Peru)

Lake Titicaca

Lowlands & river

basins to the east of

the Andes.

Valleys Plains and

Basins

Amazon Basin

•Lowlands of the Amazon River

basin hold many rich, natural

resources.

• The Amazon River Basin is the

largest rainforest in the world. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olmzzWo0wps

Water Resources: The Amazon River

•Destruction of the Amazon Basin is accelerating at an alarming

rate.

In the isolated regions of the Guiana

Highlands (as in the Amazon River

Basin), there are many indigenous

groups.

Many live on protected reserves, as not

to disturb their lifestyle.

•The resources are very valuable

in this region

Fires burning in the Amazon Basin

Scientists

believe that

the cure for

almost every

disease can be

found within

the rainforest.

Photos by Linda Hammon

Scenes in the Amazon Rainforest

Mountains and

Peaks

Andes Mts.

Sierra Madres Mts.

Guiana Highlands

Brazilian Highlands

Patagonian Plateau

Andes Mtn Range

World’s Highest Range

Outside of Asia

•Most people live below

11,500 feet.

Cuzco, in Peru, is at

11,000 feet. La Paz, in

Bolivia is over 11,000

feet.

Scenes in Bolivia

•Bolivia has one of two of the highest (elevation)

airports in the world.

Altitudinal zonation is found in this region.

•Climates vary from

tropical moist to

highlands.

Two views of

Patagonia –

the glaciers

and desert.

Argentina

•Climates are diverse –

from tropical moist to dry.

•Central Chile has a Mediterranean climate – productive

farms and grazing lands are found here.

Deserts

The Atacama Desert is kept dry by:

• Humboldt current

• East of Chilean Coast Range

• West of Andes

Cities

Mexico City

Havana

Port-au-Prince

Panama City

Santiago

Lima

Buenos Aires

Brasilia

Rio De Janiero

Caracas

Bogota

Mexico City

Manaus is the largest city in

the Amazon rainforest.

Opera House in Manaus

Others

Falkland Islands

Cape Horn

The Panama Canal

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vi19z4LEi0

Angel Falls-

Highest

uninterrupted

waterfall in the

world is located in

Venezuela

Panama Canal

•Off the coast of Ecuador are the Galapagos Islands

•The Galapagos Islands are used for research and ecotourism

bringing much needed revenue into Ecuador’s economy.

Environment/Nature

1. How do physical features impact climate & vegetation?

2. How do physical/environmental factors influence settlement patterns?