LATIN AMERICA Sarah Urevig Mexico Landforms Sierra Madre

LATIN AMERICA Sarah Urevig

Mexico ■ Landforms – Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range runs through Mexico mostly the west side and south side. – Copper Canyon – Sierra Madre del Sur is a mountain range in southern Mexico. – Baja Peninsula ■ Bodies of Water – Pacific and Atlantic Ocean – Gulf of Mexico – Caribbean Sea – Gulf of Tehuantepec – Gulf of California – – Balsas River The Rio Grande Lake Chapala Lake Cuitzeo

Mexico ■ Religions – Roman Catholic (88%) – Protestant (5%) ■ Languages – Most Mexicans speak Spanish but there are other indigenous languages

Mexico ■ Economic Strengths – The Mexican economy is trying to enhance efficiency and liberalizing investment governments. ■ Standard of living – GDP is $9, 000 – Life expectancy is 69(male) and 76(female). – 92% literacy rate – Lacks in health care options. – Urbanization level is 75% ■ Governments – Mexico’s government is divided into 3 levels, the Federal Union, the state government, and the municipal government. – The Federal Union has three branches, executive, legislative, and judiciary.

Mexico ■ History – A Spanish expedition came to Mexico to enrich themselves with gold. They ruled for 300 years. – During the French Revolution, Spanish power declined. Mexico gained Independence on September 16, 1810. – Mexico became a country on October 4, 1824. ■ Environmental Concerns – Drinking water sources are polluted in the north. – There is a lack of waste disposal facilities. – Groundwater depletion in the Valley of Mexico. ■ Key Element of Culture – The people of Mexico put high value on family, distant or close, and enjoy having celebrations with them.

Central America ■ Landforms – Central America is a land bridge connecting North and South America. – Sierra Madre de Chiapas mountain range. – Cordillera Isabelia mountain range. ■ Bodies of Water – Lake Nicaragua – Gulf of Fonseca – Gulf of Honduras – Panama Canal – Lake Managua

Central America ■ Religion – The majority of people are Roman Catholic. – The rest of the people are Protestant with some other trace religions. ■ Language – Most people speak Spanish. – Other people speak indigenous languages.

Central America ■ Economic Strengths – Central America is growing. – They project that their GDP will reach 4. 75%. ■ Standard of Living – Life expectancy is around 70 years old. – Literacy rate is 77. 3% – GDP is an average of $1, 716. 00. ■ Governments – Some of Central America is a republic. Guatemala has a constitutional democratic republic and so does Honduras. Costa Rica has a democratic republic and Panama has a constitutional democracy. Belize has a parliamentary democracy.

Central America ■ History – Spanish explorers arrived in the 1500’s. Settlers built towns and churches. – Independence came to Spanish Central America in the 1820’s. – In the early 1900’s, the US built the Panama Canal across central Panama. ■ Environmental Concerns – Deforestation is a major concern. – They also struggle with pollution and soil erosion. ■ Key Element of Culture – Latin America has many races because people were brought to Latin America during slavery of other migrations.

Bahamas ■ Landforms – The Bahamas are a group of coral islands. – The highest point is located on Cat Island, which is 206 feet above sea level. – There is one small river on the Andros island. ■ Bodies of water – Atlantic Ocean – Straits of Florida – Caribbean Sea

Bahamas ■ Religion – 70% Protestant – 13% Christian – 12% Roman Catholic ■ Language – They speak English.

Bahamas ■ Economic Strengths – The economy here depends on tourism. ■ Standard of Living – GDP is $25, 049. – Literacy rate is 98%. – Life expectancy is 70. ■ Governments – Unitary Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy. – Monarch is Elizabeth II – Governor-General is Sir Arthur Foulkes – Prime Minister is Hubert Ingraham

Bahamas ■ History – During proprietary rule, The Bahamas became a haven for pirates, including Blackbeard. – After American independence, Loyalists and their slaves moved to The Bahamas. These Loyalists established plantations on some islands and became a political force in the capital. ■ Environmental Concerns – coral reef decay – waste disposal – water pollution ■ Key Element of Culture – Regattas are important social events in many family island settlements. They usually feature one or more days of sailing by old-fashioned work boats, and a celebration.

Greater Antilles ■ Landforms – Islands – Volcanoes – Mountains – Pico Duarte on the island of Hispaniola. ■ Bodies of water – Caribbean Sea – Atlantic Ocean

Greater Antilles ■ Religion – The Taíno people spirituality centered on the worship of zemís which are spirits or ancestors. ■ Language – Taino Language

Greater Antilles ■ Economic Strengths – Strong health care and education systems. ■ Standard of Living – GDP is $20, 649. – Literacy rate is about 99%. – Life expectancy is about 79 years. ■ Governments – Democratic Republic.

Greater Antilles ■ History – Cuba was first inhabited by American Indians. – It was a Spanish colony until the Spanish. American War. ■ Environmental Concerns – High demands of water and energy resources. – Marine pollution. ■ Key Element of Culture – They enjoyed wearing gold pennants.

Lesser Antilles ■ Landforms – The Lesser Antilles are a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. – Mountains ■ Bodies of water – Caribbean Sea – Atlantic Ocean

Lesser Antilles ■ Religion – Mainly Roman Catholic ■ Language – English is the official language.

Lesser Antilles ■ Economic Strengths – Manufacturing is important. ■ Standard of Living – GDP is about $17, 455. – Literacy rate is about 99%. – Life expectancy is about 70. ■ Governments – Republic

Lesser Antilles ■ History – Christopher Columbus encountered the island of Trinidad on 31 July 1498. – Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence from the United Kingdom on 31 August 1962. ■ Environmental Concerns – Pollution deforestation, soil erosion, and wildlife depletion. ■ Key Element of Culture – Trinidad and Tobago is the birthplace of calypso music and the steelpan.

South America ■ Landforms – Amazon Basin – Andes Mountains – Atacama Desert – Brazilian Shield – Cape Horn ■ Bodies of water – Pacific and Atlantic Ocean – Scotia Sea – Amazon River – Lake Titicaca

South America ■ Religion – Roman Catholic – Christianity – Protestant ■ Language – Most speak Spanish but English, Dutch, and French are also official languages.

South America ■ Economic Strengths – Imports and domestic production. ■ Standard of Living – GDP is about $9000. – Literacy rate is about 85%. – Life expectancy is about 77. ■ Governments – South American governments have drifted to the political left which supports social equality.

South America ■ History – In 1494, a treaty divided it between Spain and Portugal. – The Spanish focused on the west because the Inca lived there. – They gained independence between 1810 and 1830. ■ Environmental Concerns – Pollution and deforestation. ■ Key Element of Culture – South American nations have a rich variety of music.