Introducing the Region

1. Introducing the Region Physical Features Of Latin America Almost every physical feature on Earth can be found in this vast region.

2. Latin America Sub Regions Mexico and Central America Caribbean Islands South America

3. Mexico Central America South America Mexico connects to South America by a long land bridge called Central America

4. Physical Features Mexico ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ Sierra Madre Oriental ∆ ∆ ∆ ∆ Baja California ∆ ∆ MEXICAN PLATEAU Sierra Madre Occidental ∆=Mountains ● Yucatan Peninsula

5. Central America PHYSICAL FEATURES Isthmus of Panama connects Central America to South America The Panama Canal: Built in the 1900’s, it allows ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans without going around all of South America.

6. Caribbean Islands There are over 7000 dots of land in this island group. Many of these islands are on top of mountains called volcanic islands.

7. South America Physical Features Amazon River Amazon River: world’s second longest river. Andes Mountains: line the western side Lake Titicaca: highest lake in the world Atacama Desert: one of the driest places on Earth. Angel Falls: world’s highest waterfall. Water drops for 2/3 of a mile.

8. Climate Zones of Latin America • Latin America is a region of • many climates. • 1. It spans a huge range of latitudes. • Low latitudes: Tropical Climate • Middle latitudes: Temperate Climate • 2. It has a wide range of altitudes. • Low elevation: may have Tropical Climate • High elevation: colder climate

9. Vegetation Zones of Latin America With so many climates, Latin America is home to an incredible variety of plants. Most common: broadleaf evergreen forest Mexico & Central America: Desert Scrub Caribbean Islands: Tropical grasslands South America: The largest vegetation Zone in S.A. is the Amazon rainforest. The Broadleaf evergreen forest is home to more Kinds of plants than any place on Earth.

10. Latin America Human Geography ● 33 countries ● 500 million people ● Largest country in Latin America is Brazil ● Most people speak Spanish or Portuguese

11. History of Latin America ●First Americans were probably hunters and gatherers from Asia. ●In 5oo B.C.E, the Maya created civilizations in Mexico and Central America. ●Four hundred years later, the Aztecs built their empire in Mexico which reigned from 1325-1519 C.E. ●From 1438-1533 C.E., the Incas built a large empire that spread down the western coast of South America. ●In the early 1500’s, Spain conquered the Aztecs and Inca empires.

12. History of Latin America…. ●From 1500-1800, Spain and Portugal ruled most of Latin America ●From 1791-1825, Wars of Independence to place. Many countries outlawed slavery. ●From 1830-1980, military dictators controlled most of Latin America. Dictators are sole rulers that are interested in power and care little about the rights or welfare of their people. ●In 1980, Democracies replace dictatorships. However, Latin America has many problems. Poverty is widespread, schools are poor, governments are not stable, and living standards are low. ● The right to vote, has brought hope for a better future!

13. Latin America Timeline 1325-1519C.E Aztec Empire 1980’s DEMOCRACY 25,000-10,000B.C.E Hunters & Gatherers 1781-1825 Wars of Independence 1500’s-1800’s Spain & Portugal ruled 500B.C.E-900C.E Mayan Civilization 1830-1980 dictatorship 1438-1533C.E. Inca Empire

14. Population Density of Latin America 1950 ● 167 million people ● rural farmers. 2000 ●523 million people ●population tripled ●Latin America becomes more urban 2050 ●783 million people (estimate) *Most Latin Americans are Christians. However, there are many other major religions.

15. Economic Activity Livestock Raising Trade and Bartering Subsistence Farming

16. Economic Resources Mining for Uranium In the Andes Mountains Hydroelectric Power Oil Refinery in Venezuela

17. Tourism-Ecuador Plantations Land Use Commercial Farming Forestry