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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/Lessor Antilles, West

Indies)

South America

Economy Ecotourism (Costa Rica)

Silver (Mexico)

Farming and hunting (Atlantic nations)

Cottage industries

Sugar cane, cacao and rice (tropical areas)

Grains & livestock (plains/plateaus)

Coffee, coca & potatoes (higher elevations)

Emeralds (Colombia)

Petroleum (Mexico & Venezuela)

•Grassy pampas of Argentina are the source of much of

that country’s wealth. It is considered the breadbasket of

Argentina.

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

Human Development Index

Dark Blue = Very high

Blue = Medium

Light Blue = Low

White = Very low

Grey = data unavailable

•Major

rural to

urban

movement

of people in

this area.

Economy

There is a very large gap between the wealthy & the poor in Latin America.

By 2050 the largest economies in the world will be as follows: China, United States, India, Brazil, and Mexico.

Poverty continues to be one of this region’s main challenges.

History

Indigenous people had advanced civilizations.

By the end of the 16th century: LA colonized primarily by settlers from Spain & Portugal.

European Exploration

Diseases brought by the Europeans, wiped out many of the indigenous.

Intermixing common

European colonists + indigenous = mestizo

African + indigenous = mulatto

Europeans/Whites are the largest single group

•Spanish heritage is strong

in the Andean Nations as is

the Indian (Inca) heritage.

European culture still seen in LA today

Languages= Spanish & Portuguese

Portuguese is spoken only in Brazil

Most Latin Americans are Christians, mostly Roman Catholic

Population is rapidly growing

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.

•Many problems are found here with corrupt businesses

and government.

Colombia

Scenes in Bolivia

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

airports in the world.

•Most people live below

11,500 feet.

Cuzco, in Peru, is at

11,000 feet. La Paz, in

Bolivia is over 11,000

feet.

Climate and Vegetation

Latin America is made up of : Tropical rainforest, Savannah, Desert, Highland Humid Subtropical & Steppe climates.

The Atacama desert is the world’s driest

The largest rainforest in the world is in the Amazon river basin. It covers about 1/3 of S.A.

Highlands- For every 1000 ft. of elevation, temperature decreases by 3 degrees.

•Climates vary from

tropical moist to

highlands.

Two views of

Patagonia –

the glaciers

and desert.

Argentina

•Climates are diverse –

from tropical moist to dry.

Andes

Mtn Range

•Lowlands and river basins

are to the east of the Andes.

•The Atacama Desert

is found on the

western side of the

Andes.

Lake Titicaca

•

Altitudinal zonation is found in this region.

•Central Chile has a Mediterranean climate – productive

farms and grazing lands are found here.

Water Resources: The Panama Canal

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

Angel Falls-

Highest

uninterrupted

waterfall in

the world is

located in

Venezuela

Panama Canal

•Lowlands of the Amazon River

basin hold many rich, natural

resources.

• The Amazon River Basin is the

largest rainforest in the world.

Water Resources: The Amazon River

Main source of the Amazon River (Iquitos, Peru)

•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

living there. Many live on protected

reserves, as not to disturb their lifestyle,

but civilization, unfortunately, is making

its way into their region.

•The resources are very valuable

in this region

Fires burning in the Amazon Basin

The flowering four-o’clock

contains substances

used to treat rheumatism.

Photos by Linda Hammon

Scenes in the Amazon Rainforest

Floating lily pads on the Amazon

Photo by Linda Hammon

Some of the

indigenous

Amerindian

groups

Manaus is the largest city in

the rainforest.

Opera House in Manaus

Ruins at Machu Picchu Photos by Linda Hammon

•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.