Latin America and The Caribbean

A Closer Look….

Mexico

Capital: Mexico City

• The Location of Mexico…– Mexico is the second-largest country by size

and population in Latin America….but…the Largest Spanish -speaking country in the world.

– Bordered by the pacific on the west and the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean to the east, Mexico has a great opportunity to trade internationally.

– Mexico has seven major Seaport which allows easy trade of oil and other goods to be shipped across seas.

– Mexico’s main trading partner is the US, sharing a border has been beneficial to both countries.

Climate of Mexico• Mexico’s climate changes

according to its location: because of the Sierra Mountains, deserts in the north, tropical beaches, plains and plateaus, the people of Mexico experience many different weather patterns.– Some tropical areas receive more than

40 inches of rain in a year and the north remains dry most of the year.

• Most people live in the central part of Mexico because this plateau offers arable land, major cities, and is a large manufacturing center. – Located here is Mexico

city(capital) and service industries where many people can find jobs.

– 75 percent of the population live in urban areas because farming is becoming very challenging with little rainfall and unproductive soil as well as little money for modern equipment and fertilizers.

Natural Resources• Oil is Mexico’s most important natural

resource. Mexico is the worlds 10th largest exporter of oil. Revenue from oil exports make up 1/3 of the Mexican government’s budget. 1.7 million barrels are shipped out everyday.

• Silver is another major resource for Mexico. Silver mines in Mexico produce about 15 percent of the silver sold in the world each year.

• Other exports include fruits, vegetables, coffee, and cotton.

• Mexico’s economy also benefits from many tourists. Mexico’s location south of the U.S allows for the U.S to make up for 3/4 ‘s of Mexico’s trading.

Venezuela( Capital: Caracas )

• Location– Venezuela is bordered by the

Caribbean Sea to the North, Guyana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Colombia to the west.

– The coastline to the north allows easy access to trade with other countries. With its four major Ports, oil can be easily loaded and shipped to the US and Europe.

– The panama Canal provides a shortcut to the Pacific Ocean and trade with Asian countries.

Climate of Venezuela• Venezuela’s location

just north of the equator and within the tropics gives it a hot, tropical climate all year long.

• Where the Andes touch Venezuela is where temperatures will fall to near freezing.

• The rainy season is from May to October.

• Dry climates along the coast only allow for about 16 inches of rain a year.

• 88% of the population is in the urban areas in the northern part of the country.

• Urban areas have a lot of poverty and professionals.

• Within the large middle class, 75% of the people make their living in service jobs: education, health care, and hotel, transportation and trade businesses.

Natural Resources!• Fishing along the coast

and in Venezuela’s largest Lake: Lake Maracaibo make up a large portion of Venezuela’s economy.

• Little arable land only allows for about 10% of the population to be in the farming industry.

• Venezuela is the world’s 6th largest oil exporter and produces about 2.8 barrels per day.

• 90% of the government’s revenue comes from exporting oil. – This money is then

used to improve health care and education services. Roads and telephone networks also benefit from the oil industry.

Common Problems• Venezuela and Mexico have similar

problems.–Millions of people in both countries are

living in poverty.– There is little or no health care and

children do not have the opportunity to receive a good education.

– Both countries depend heavily on the oil industry so when price of oil goes down, government revenue goes down.

– Environmental issues that come with oil production are pollution of land and air.

Comparing Mexico and Venezuela• Use what you have just learned to further compare

and contrast the location, climate, Natural resources, population, and trade of these two countries.

Mexico Venezuela

Location

Climate

Natural Resources

Population

Area

Where people live

Trade

Mexico Venezuela

Location ~ Southern border of US.~ Coastline includes the pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea.~ Most north in Latin America~ Very mountainous, large central plateau, warm tropical beaches and dry deserts.~Land is dry, only 12% is arable~ earthquakes and volcanic activity.

~ Northeast part of S.A~ Coastline: Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.~ Just north of Equator~mountains in the north, central plains, with plateaus and low mountains in the south.

Climate ~ dry and warm-can vary by region~ Hottest June – August~Wettest June - August

~hot, tropical climate~cooler in the mountains~ rain varies by region(16 inches on coast, over 100 in the mountains.

Natural Resources

Petrolium, natural gas, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, and timber

Petrolium, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds

Population

About 111,000,000 About 28,000,000

Area About 760,000,000 square miles

About 350,000,000 square miles

Where people live

~ Urban: 77%~ Rural: 23%~ nearly 20% of the people live in the are of Mexico City~2nd most populated in Latin America~Largest Spanish-speaking country in the world.

~ Urban: 88%~ Rural: 12%~ Caracas is the largest city~ Most people live in the northern highlands, along the coast.

Trade ~ mix of new and old industries~ recently expanded railroads, airports, and electric generating plants.~ 7 major seaports~ exports: manufactured goods, oil and oil products, silver, fruits, vegetables, coffee, and cotton~ tourism

~ 90% of money made exports comes from oil.~ 4 Major seaports~ other exports: bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic Manufactures~ tourism

Brazil Capital: Brasilia

• Brazil is the largest Country in Latin America.(land and population)

• Located on the eastern side of South America along the Atlantic Ocean, and having the Amazon R., Brazil has a lot of accessibility to other countries.

• Brazil shares a border with almost every country in South America and is located close to the Panama Canal. Again, it’s location only helps its trade relationships.

• Brazil has seven Seaports and trades cars and other transportation equipment with other countries.

• Other Exports include iron ore and shoes.

• With the U.S being on top, Brazil also trades with China, Argentina, Germany, and the Netherlands.

• Tourism is growing in Brazil. The Amazon rainforest draws many visitors to see its animals, plants, and other natural wonders.

• Brazil has sandy beaches and a warm climate.

• Rio de Janeiro and San Paulo are two of Brazil’s most popular cities.

The Climate of Brazil• Brazil’s location on the

equator gives Brazil the climate it needs to support the world’s largest rainforest.

• The Climate is mostly hot and tropical and further from the equator the climate becomes more temperate.

• Most Brazilians live along the coast. Because of poor roads through the forest and the middle of Brazil, 80% of the people live within 200 miles of the coast.

• Brazil’s cities are clustered along the coast.

• About 30% of the people work in Health care, education, or government

• 30% in transportation, communication and trade.

• Very few farmers, 85% of the people live in Urban areas.

Natural Resources• Only 7% of Brazil’s

land is arable! • However….Brazil

makes the most of it.

– They Produce 1/3 of the worlds Coffee

– Lead the world in Oranges, papayas and Sugarcane.

– Soybeans and also important for trade.

Cuba (Capital: Havana)• Cuba is an island

located 90 miles south of Florida.

• The 700 mile long island is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

• Cuba is the largest island in the West Indies.

• 76% of Cubans live in Urban areas and 25% of them live in Havana.

• Manufacturing and service jobs such as education, health care, government and tourism are popular in the Urban areas.

• Its positioning on the ocean has allowed trading to be a dominant factor in its economy.

Cuba’s Climate• Cuba’s Climate can be

characterized as tropical but it is controlled by the trade winds.

• Rainy Season: May to October

• Dry Season: November to April

• Because Cuba is a tropical climate, it is warm to hot all year long but the winds help provide relief from the heat.

• Hurricanes are also very common in Cuba.

• Warm tropical waters help give the storms energy.

• Hurricane Season is June 1 through November 30.

Natural Resources• 28% of the land

is arable:– Sugarcane is one

of the major sources of income for Cuba.

– Other exports include: Coffee, fish, and tobacco.

– Cuban Cigars are popular worldwide because of the quality of Cuba’s tobacco.

• Tourism is one of Cuba’s fastest growing industries.

• Cuba has a wonderful and beautiful natural landscape with beaches anyone would love. Most tourist come from Canada, Europe and Latin America.

Cuba’s Struggles• Cuba is Communist: the

government owns and controls most farms and businesses.

• The Soviet Union helped support Cuba for years, however, Cuba faced Difficult times after the Soviet Union Collapsed in 1991.

• Cuba’s exports did not bring in enough revenue to support the people.

• Venezuela helps by selling oil to Cuba at a reduced price.

• To help save energy, the government also orders Blackouts: when all electricity in a region is cut off.

Brazil Cuba

Location

Climate

Natural Resources

Population

Area

Where people live

Trade

Brazil Cuba

Location - Eastern Side of South America along the Atlantic Ocean-Equator crosses through the north- mostly flat to rolling lowlands; some mountains, plains and hills- Largest in Latin America- 7% arable land.

-Caribbean Island about 90 miles south of FL.- Mostly flat to rolling plains, rugged hills and mountains in SE.- mostly flat to rolling plains- Largest island in the West Indies- about 28% arable land.

Climate -Mostly hot, tropical- temperate (mild temperature) in the south

-tropical; controlled by the trade winds.- dry season(Nov.-April)- Wet season(May – Oct.)

Natural Resources

- bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber

- cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land.

Population

About 191,000,000 About 11, 000,000

Area About 3,300,000 square miles

About 43,000 square miles

Where people live

-Urban: 84%- Rural: 16%- most populated country in Latin America- largest Portuguese-speaking country in the world- most Brazilians live along the coast; 80% live within 200 miles of the ocean.- Nearly all cities and large towns are in the coastal area.

-Urban: 76%- Rural: 24%- Havana is the largest city-About 20% of the Cubans live in Havana.

Trade -7 major seaports- exports: transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos and sugar.- the U.S is the largest trading partner- tourism is a also a large part of the economy.

-3 major seaports- exports: sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish, medical products, citrus, coffee- Venezuela is the largest trading partner- tourism is also a large part of the economy.

Environmental Issues…Everything comes with a cost…

• Mexico City and it’s Air Pollution:– Over the last 100 years, Mexico City has changed

from being known for it’s clear skies and views of snowcapped mountains to being a city that has the one of the world’s worst areas of air pollution.

– Many Children develop lung disease and breathing problems, most adults do not even come outside.

– The population is over double the population of Georgia.• Factories• Over 3 million cars

–These factors send pollution such as lead, sulfur dioxide, an carbon monoxide into the air.

Mexico City cont…• One reason for this problem is Geography: the

city is built in a bowl-shaped crater of an extinct volcano (Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt in the high plateaus of south-

central Mexico)• The intense sunlight Creates SMOG and because of

the high elevation the air is thin so the exhaust from the cars and factories gets trapped in the valley.

• What is the Government doing…?– Drivers must leave their cars at home– Carpool and public transportation is encouraged– Inspection of cars– Finding ways to improve the fuels for energy.