SS6G3 The student explain the impact of location, climate, distribution of natural

resources, and population distribution on Latin America and the Caribbean.

a.Compare how the location, climate, and natural resources of Mexico and Venezuela

affect where people live and how they trade.b. Compare how the location, climate, and natural resources of Brazil and Cuba affect

where people live and how they trade.

Life and Work in Latin America

Where Do You Live?Our daily lives are affected by where we

live. The location of our country, the climate, and our natural resources make an impact on our lifestyle and the jobs we hold.

All of the above also affects our country’s trading partners.

MexicoMexico is a land of varying geography and

climate. The capital city, Mexico City, is located

on a plateau. This is where most of the population lives.

Mexico City is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world.

Working in MexicoThe location, climate, and natural

resources determines where the citizens of Mexico live and work.

Only 12% of Mexico’s land is arable ( fit for farming), but where they do farm they are able to be very productive.

Crops: coffee, tobacco, cotton, fruits, and vegetables.

Working in MexicoAbout 75% of Mexicans live in urban (cities)

areas. They moved there to find employment in factories.

Maquiladoras are foreign owned factories located on the border of Mexico and the United States. Their workers take parts and assemble them into marketable products.

Tourism is very important to Mexico’s economy. Resort towns like Cancun and Acapulco support a thriving tourist industry.

Mexico’s Natural ResourcesSilver, copper, lead, iron and oilMexico’s most valuable natural resource is

oil/petroleum. Petroleum is drilled along the coast of the

Gulf of Mexico.

VenezuelaVenezuela’s geography places a role in its

varied climate.Most of Venezuela is hot and humid, but

as you travel higher into the mountains the temperatures cool off.

May – November is Venezuela’s rainy season.

Most Venezuelans live in cities along the coast of the Caribbean Sea and in the nearby mountains.

The capital city is Caracas. Many people moved there to find jobs.

Venezuela’s EconomyVenezuela’s economy is supported by oil.

Rich deposits of oil/petroleum are found near Lake Maracaibo and in the plains of the eastern part of the country. This state run industry provides many jobs.

Brazil: South America’s GiantBrazil is not only South America’s largest

country, but it has the highest population and wealthiest economy.

Brazil’s terrain (landscape) does not vary much. It has mountain on the eastern coast, but it is best known for the Amazon rain forest. The rain forest covers 2/3rds of the country.

Brazil has a warm and humid climate.

BrazilMost Brazilians live near the Atlantic coast

and in the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. (JOBS)

Southwestern Brazil is home to the large farms called plantations. Their single crops are grown to sell around the world. They grow oranges, coffee, and other crops.

Brazil’s natural resources, like iron ore, are located in the SW part of the country.

Trans-Amazon HighwayBrazil’s rain forest was sparsely populated

until the government built the Trans-Amazon highway. It connects the coast of Brazil to Peru.

Brasilia, the new capital city that was built just south of the Amazon Basin. This caused lots of controversy because much of rainforest habitat was destroyed .

CubaLife in Cuba, the largest island in the West

Indies, is very tropical.The climate is warm, semi-tropical, with

good rainfall. Mountains cover 1/4th of the island with the

rest covered in rolling plains.

Agriculture in CubaCuba has some of the richest soil in the

Caribbean.They grow: sugarcane, coffee beans, and

tobacco. Sugar is Cuba’s most important crop.

Where Cubans Live75% of Cubans live in urban areas,

especially the capital city of Havana. They work in factories that: 1) make clothing, 2) process sugar, and 3) make cigars.

Cuba has a communist government that owns and controls the country’s farms and businesses.

Trade SecretsCountries trade with their neighbors

because it keeps costs down; it does not cost as much to ship

Mexico sends 80% of its exports to the USA.

Mexico is an important source of petroleum for the USA.

Venezuela’s main trading partners are the USA, Brazil, and Colombia.

The USA provides much of Venezuela’s food since they are not strong in agriculture.

Trade Secrets (continued)Brazil’s location on the Atlantic Ocean

allows it to ship products easily around the world.

Brazil’s two top trading partners are the USA and Argentina.

Cuba does NOT trade with the USA…a trade embargo has been in place since the 1960s.

Cuba trades heavily with Venezuela and communist China.