Exploring Latin America: Geography, Economy, and Culture

1. What are the Physical, Economic and Cultural Geography of Latin America? Global History & Geography Br. Siraj January 4, 2020

2. Physical Geography of L. America Map of Latin America

3. Topography • Mountains • Andes in South America: 2nd highest mountain range in the world • Sierra Madres: Mexico • Sierra Madre del Sur: Central America • Highlands & Plateaus • Central Plateau between Sierra Madres • Guiana Highlands & Brazilian Highlands

4. Topography • Desert: • Atacama, Driest Desert in the world • Sechura desert • Tropical Rainforest: Amazonia – the largest rainforest in the world. • Bodies of Water - Rivers • Amazon • Orinoco • Rio de la Plata Lakes: • Maracaibo • Titicaca • Texcoco • Chapala

5. Economic Characteristics • Mostly Dependent on Europe • Very Rich in all Sorts of Natural Resources • Remained mostly Agricultural until the 20th Century - Latifundio • Agricultural Products: • Banana, Cacao, Coffee, Corn, Cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, fish, wheat. • Cattle/Beef

6. Economy of Latin America • Industry • Some countries are becoming industrialized • Brazil – Most industrialized • Mexico & Venezuela – petroleum producer • Argentina – Dairy products and Beef • Chile – Textile • Part of Regional Cooperation [NAFTA]

7. What are the Cultural Characteristics of Latin America? Global History & Geography Br. Siraj 4 January 2020

8. Population Concentration • There is a very uneven distribution of population in Latin America. • Most people live in more temperate coastal plains and highland plateaus. • The Amazon Basin, southern Patagonia desert and desert wasteland of Northern Mexico are not well populated.

9. Cultural Geography of Latin America • Population Diversity • Mixed (Native Americans and Europeans and African): Mexico, Central America, Venezuela, and Brazil • Mainly European: Argentina, Uruguay and Costa Rica • Mostly Native American: Guatemala, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador • Mostly African: The Caribbean

10. Social Structure of Latin America • It is very hierarchical • Wealthy upper class include landowners, industrialists, bankers, and businesspeople. • Their number is small, but they control important political, economic and social institutions. • A middle class of professionals, government officials, and military officers began to develop here in some countries. • Majority are lower class comprising of Native Americans, Africans, Mestizos and Mulattoes.

11. Cultural Geography of Latin America • Urbanization • Many new Cities are growing • Crime and Health Hazard (pollution) • High growth of population • Internal migration is high • Pressure on Natural resources – creates tension between authorities and Native tribes.

12. Cultural Geography of Latin America • Religion: • The first people of Latin America were polytheistic. • Today mostly Catholic • There are Muslim, Jewish and Protestant minorities • Languages – Mostly Romance [Latin] • Spanish • Portuguese • French • Others: English, Dutch, etc.

13. Homework • Describe the pattern of population settlement in Latin America and its social characteristics.