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.