Physical Geography of Latin America Chapter Nine General

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Physical Geography of Latin America Chapter Nine

Physical Geography of Latin America Chapter Nine

General Overview of Latin America � Runs from Mexico to Tierra Del Fuego which

General Overview of Latin America � Runs from Mexico to Tierra Del Fuego which is over 7000 miles � Includes all of Central and South America and the Caribbean Islands � Bordered by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea � Video

Mountains and Highlands �Andes Mountains ◦ Runs the entire length of North, Central, and

Mountains and Highlands �Andes Mountains ◦ Runs the entire length of North, Central, and South America �North America – Rocky Mountains �Mexico – Sierra Madre �South America – Andes ◦ They keep people from moving across into the interior of South America ◦ Was the home of the Incas in Peru

Mountains and Highlands �Highlands – Mountainous or hilly sections of a country �Guiana Highlands

Mountains and Highlands �Highlands – Mountainous or hilly sections of a country �Guiana Highlands – In the northeast region of South America

Plains of Latin America �Llanos of Columbia and Venezuela ◦ Grassy treeless areas used

Plains of Latin America �Llanos of Columbia and Venezuela ◦ Grassy treeless areas used for livestock and farming �Amazon River Basin ◦ In the interior of Brazil ◦ Known as the cerrado ◦ Vast savannas with moderate rainfall perfect for farming ◦ Had been ignored but now the Brazilian government is encouraging settlement

Plains of Latin America �Pampas ◦ Found in northern Argentina and Uruguay ◦ Main

Plains of Latin America �Pampas ◦ Found in northern Argentina and Uruguay ◦ Main products – wheat and cattle ◦ Gauchos �Accomplished horsemen �Very similar to the cowboys in the United States

Gauchos

Gauchos

Rivers of Latin America � Central America and the Caribbean ◦ These areas do

Rivers of Latin America � Central America and the Caribbean ◦ These areas do not have large river systems ◦ Unlike South America, they do not depend on rivers for transportation ◦ River to know – Rio Grande (border of Mexico and United States)

Rivers of Latin America �Orinoco River ◦ Runs through northern half of South America

Rivers of Latin America �Orinoco River ◦ Runs through northern half of South America ◦ Flows 1500 miles to the Atlantic ◦ Forms part of the border between Venezuela and Columbia �Parana River ◦ Starts in the highlands of southern Brazil ◦ Flows 3000 miles to the Atlantic ◦ Known as the Rio de la Plata in Uruguay

Rivers of Latin America �Amazon River ◦ Flows 5000 into the Amazon River ◦

Rivers of Latin America �Amazon River ◦ Flows 5000 into the Amazon River ◦ Starts in the Andes near the Pacific Ocean ◦ Fed by 1000 tributaries ◦ Carries more water to the ocean than any other river

Islands of the Caribbean �Made up of three groups of islands: �Bahamas – hundreds

Islands of the Caribbean �Made up of three groups of islands: �Bahamas – hundreds of islands south of Florida �Greater Antilles – Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti) �Lesser Antilles – Southwest of Puerto Rico ◦ Windward Islands – Winds blow across them ◦ Leeward Islands – Sheltered from winds

El Nino �Weather pattern caused by warm water off the coast of South America

El Nino �Weather pattern caused by warm water off the coast of South America �Causes warm winters in US and other abnormal weather �Can cause problems around the world

Resources of Latin America �Energy Resources ◦ Oil, natural gas, hydroelectric power �Mineral resources

Resources of Latin America �Energy Resources ◦ Oil, natural gas, hydroelectric power �Mineral resources ◦ Gold, silver, iron, copper, tin, lead, nickel ◦ Also have gems and titanium ◦ Among the world’s leaders in raw material production �Problems in Latin America ◦ Much of what is produced is owned by other countries ◦ What is produced is exported away

Slash-and-Burn Farming � Clear cutting trees, brush, and grass. Then burning the refuse. �Began

Slash-and-Burn Farming � Clear cutting trees, brush, and grass. Then burning the refuse. �Began by the Pre-Columbian native Americans �Problems with Slash-and-Burn ◦ Soil is used up quickly ◦ People move and do it again. This destroys even more land

Terraced Farming �Ancient way of growing crops on the sides of hills and mountains

Terraced Farming �Ancient way of growing crops on the sides of hills and mountains �Farmers cut flat areas into the sides of mountains and plant crops on them �Cuts down on soil erosion

Urbanization �People in Latin America are rapidly moving from rural to urban areas. �Most

Urbanization �People in Latin America are rapidly moving from rural to urban areas. �Most urbanized countries – Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay �Push-Pull Factors ◦ Push factors – Poor medical care, poor education, low paying jobs, and rich own all the land ◦ Pull factors – Better jobs, schools, and medical care

Urbanization �Latin America has many large cities ◦ Rio de Janeiro ◦ Buenos Aries

Urbanization �Latin America has many large cities ◦ Rio de Janeiro ◦ Buenos Aries ◦ Mexico City – 30 million people in entire metropolitan area �Problem with rapid growth ◦ Slums & pollution ◦ Strain on the infrastructure

Tourism �Advantages of tourism ◦ Brings visitors who spend money ◦ Provides jobs �Disadvantages

Tourism �Advantages of tourism ◦ Brings visitors who spend money ◦ Provides jobs �Disadvantages ◦ ◦ of tourism Pollution Uses lots of land Governments can create debt Other countries own resort areas so money goes out of the country