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Contents

Chapter Introduction

Section 1 The Land

Section 2 Climate and Vegetation

Chapter Summary & Study Guide

Chapter Assessment

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Chapter Intro 1

Section 1-4

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Section 1-6

A Vast Region• Latin America covers 8 million square

miles of land, from the United States-Mexico border to the southern tip of Argentina in South America.

• The name “Latin America” refers to the languages (Spanish and Portuguese, derived from Latin) spoken in this geographic region.

• Geographers divide Latin America into three regions: Middle America, the Caribbean, and South America.

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(pages 193–194)

Section 1-8

Mountains and PlateausLatin America’s rugged landscape is the result of its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where plates of the earth’s crust have collided for millions of years, causing earthquakes and creating mountains and volcanoes

(pages 194–196)

Section 1-10

• Andes of South America The Andes mountain ranges run along the western edge of South America and are the world’s longest mountain range (4,500 miles).

Mountains and Plateaus (cont.)


(pages 194–196)

Section 1-12

What advantages and disadvantages does Latin America’s rugged landscape offer to residents?

The mountains provide abundant natural resources and relief from the heat of the lowlands, but they impede travel and communications, create natural hazards, and make construction of infrastructure difficult.

Mountains and Plateaus (cont.)

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(pages 194–196)

Section 1-14


(pages 196–197)

Lowlands and Plains (cont.)

Section 1-15

• Inland areas of South America hold vast grasslands that provide wide grazing for beef cattle.

(pages 196–197)


Section 1-16


(pages 196–197)Click the Speaker button

to listen to the audio again.

Section 1-18

• Rivers of South America Navigable rivers, such as the Amazon, serve as transportation routes and provide hydroelectric power.

• Lakes Latin America has few large lakes.

Water Systems


(pages 197–198)

Section 1-20

• Latin America’s significant natural resources include minerals, forests, farmlands, and water.

• Major deposits of oil and natural gas occur along the Gulf of Mexico and southern Caribbean Sea.

• Mexico and Venezuela are leading petroleum producers.

Natural Resources


(page 198)

Section 1-21

• Venezuela’s Orinoco River area contains 11 percent of the world’s gold.

• Brazil is also rich in gold, and Peru and Mexico are known for their silver deposits.

• Chile is the world’s leading exporter of copper.

• Geographic inaccessibility, lack of capital, and social and political divisions hinder fuller development and distribution of natural resources in Latin America.

Natural Resources (cont.)


(page 198)

Section 1-28

Analyzing MapsRegion Study the physical-political map on the right. What part of South America is dominated by mountains?

The western part, especially near the coast, is dominated by the Andes.


Section 2-3


Section 2-4

The rain forests of Latin America are the source of many medicines. For example, the poisonous bark of certain curare plants is used to treat such diseases as multiple sclerosis and other muscular disorders, and as a surgical anesthetic. Scientists use the chemical structures of rain forest plants as models from which they can synthesize drug compounds. Rain forest plants also aid in research. Some plant compounds show scientists how cancer cells grow, for example.

Section 2-5

Climate and Vegetation RegionsMost of Latin America lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn; thus, much of its area has a tropical climate. However, there is a great variety of climates in the region. • Tropical Regions Mexico, eastern

central America, some Caribbean islands, and such parts of South America as the Amazon Basin have a tropical rain forest climate and vegetation, with hot temperatures and abundant rainfall occurring year-round.


(pages 199–202)

Section 2-6

• The Rain Forest The Amazon Basin, with the earth’s largest rain forest, covers one-third of South America and has trees that form a dense canopy that soars as high as 130 feet over the forest floor.

• Tropical Savanna In the tropical savanna climate typical of the coast of southwestern Mexico, most Caribbean islands, and north-central South America, the grasslands have hot temperatures, abundant rainfall, and a dry season lasting several months.

Climate and Vegetation Regions (cont.)


(pages 199–202)

Section 2-7

• The Humid Subtropics In the humid subtropical climate of southeastern South America, the winters are short and mild, and the summers are long, hot, and humid.


(pages 199–202)

Section 2-8

• Desert and Steppe Areas Parts of northern Mexico and the southwestern region of South America have desert climates and vegetation; in Chile the rain shadow effect of the Andes has produced the dry, arid Atacama Desert, whereas other areas have a steppe climate, with hot summers, cool winters, and light rainfall.

(pages 199–202)


Section 2-9

(pages 199–202)



Section 2-11

Elevation and Climate• The climates of Latin America depend

more on elevation than on distance from the Equator.

• The tierra caliente lies between sea level and 2,500 feet and has average annual temperatures from 68F to 91F. The main crops include bananas, sugar, rice, and cacao.


(pages 202–203)

Section 2-12

• The tierra templada lies between 2,500 and 6,500 feet and has average daily temperatures between 60F and 72F. Coffee and corn are the main crops.

• In the tierra fría, frosts are common in the winter months. Potatoes and barley grow at these elevations.

Elevation and Climate (cont.)


(pages 202–203)

Section 2-13

Why do you think most Latin Americans live in the tropical zones rather than high in the Andes Mountains?

It is easier to survive in a tropical climate. People can grow food, and they will not suffer from severe winters. High in the mountains, the temperatures are much colder, and farming is much more difficult. Travel, communications, and access to services such as education, cultural events, and health care are all more difficult.

Elevation and Climate (cont.)


(pages 202–203)

Section 2-14

Checking for Understanding

__ 1. Spanish term for “cold land”; the highest altitude zone of Latin American highlands climates

__ 2. Spanish term for “hot land”; the lowest altitude zone of Latin American highlands climates

__ 3. top layer of a rain forest, where the tops of tall trees form a continuous layer of leaves

__ 4. Spanish term for “temperate land”; the middle altitude zone of Latin American highlands climates

A. canopyB. tierra

calienteC. tierra

templadaD. tierra fría

Define Match each definition in the left column with the appropriate term in the right column.

D

B

A

C

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Chapter Assessment 13


Locating PlacesMatch the letters on the map with the physical features of Latin America.__1. Amazon River__2. Lake Titicaca__3. Rio Grande__4. Hispaniola__5. Lake Maracaibo__6. Río de la Plata__7. Gulf of Mexico__8. Pampas__9. Caribbean Sea__10. Orinoco River__11. Mexican Plateau

DICEHKGFJAB

Chapter Assessment 14


Which Latin American country supplies 25 percent of the world’s coffee?

Brazil supplies 25 percent of the world’s coffee.

Chapter Maps and Charts: Comparing Climates

Chapter Maps and Charts: Mexico

Political Map Transparency 3

Daily Focus Skills Transparency 8-2


Quito; temperatures get colder with increased altitude

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Documents

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lakes latin america

andes of south america

middle america

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natural resources cont

inland areas of south