The Physical Geography of Latin America Chapter 8

The Physical Geography of Latin America Chapter 8, Section 1: The Land

Important Vocabulary • Cordillera: several ranges that run parallel to each other in the Andes Mountains. • Altiplano: the high plains. Peru and Bolivia. • Escarpment: the eastern highlands plunge to the Atlantic Ocean. • Llano: South America’s inland grasslands. Colombia and Venezuela. • Pampa: lands for grazing. Argentina and Uruguay. • Hydroelectric Power: electricity generated from moving water.

Latin America • Nearly 8 million square miles. • Divided into three subregions: Middle America (Mexico to Panama), the Caribbean, and South America.

Landforms • Mountains were formed from colliding plates (Ring of Fire). • In Mexico (Sierra Madre), in Central America (Central Highlands), and South America (Andes). • Rich natural resources.

Lowlands and Plains • Narrow coastal lowlands. • Most live along the coast. • South American plains have fertile soil; wheat and corn.

Water Systems • Waterways transport people and goods. • Provides hydroelectric power. • Amazon River flows 4, 000 miles. • The Panama Canal, linking east and west.

Natural Resources • Venezuela, Brazil; Mexico – oil and natural gas. • Gold in Venezuela, silver in Mexico and Peru, emeralds in Colombia; copper in Chile.

The Physical Geography of Latin America Chapter 8, Section 2: Climate and Vegetation

Important Vocabulary • Tierra Helada: frozen land, zone of permanent snow and ice. Peaks in the Andes. • Puna: cold zone with some grasses for grazing. • Tierra Fria: cold land between 6, 000 -12, 000 feet. Potatoes and barley grown.

Vocabulary (Cont’d) • Tierra Templada: temperate, evergreen land between 2, 500 -6, 000 feet. Densely populated; coffee and corn crops. • Tierra Caliente: hot land between sea-level and 2, 500 feet. Rainforests with bananas, sugar, rice, and cacao (cocoa beans). • Canopy: trees that grow close together in a rainforest.

Elevation and Climate • Latin American climates affected by elevation. • Most land is in tropical climate with lush vegetation. • High temperatures and a lot of rainfall.

Climate and Vegetation • There is a drier, tropical climate. • Subtropical climate: mild winters and hot, humid summers. • There are desert regions.

Atacama Desert & Amazon Rainforest