Download 08WGC Chapter 08

Introduction
Section 1:
The Land
Section 2:
Climate and Vegetation
Visual Summary
News accounts of natural
disasters in Latin America
describe the destruction
caused by hurricanes,
earthquakes, and volcanic
eruptions. A study of the
physical geography of
Latin America will explain
the factors that make the
region vulnerable to such
natural disasters.
Section 1:
The Land
The physical
environment affects
people and their
activities. The rugged
Andes and the massive
rivers of Latin America
influence human
settlement in the region.
Section 2: Climate and
Vegetation
Physical processes
shape Earth’s surface.
Location and landforms
result in vertical climate
zones and tropical areas
in Latin America.
The Land
This section discusses the
landforms, water systems, and
natural resources of Latin
America, and how these
features have influenced human
settlement in the region.
The Land
• cordillera
• llano
• altiplano
• pampas
• escarpment • hydroelectric
power
• isolate
• parallel
• volume
The Land
A. Andes
B. Mexican Plateau
C. Mato Grosso Plateau
D. Brazilian Highlands
E. Amazon River
F. Río de la Plata
G. Rio Grande
The Land
Latin America is divided
into how many sub-regions?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Six
A. A
B. B
C. C
0%
0%
0%
D. D
A
B
C
0%
D
Landforms
Latin America’s rugged landscape has
affected settlement of the region.
• Mountains form the most distinctive landforms in
Latin America.
– Sierra Madre
– Central Highlands
– The Andes
The Andes and the Ring of Fire
Landforms (cont.)
• Lowlands and plains
– coastal lowland
– the llanos
– the pampas
Elevation Profile
What is the name of the world’s
longest and highest mountain chain?
A. Highlands of Brazil
B. Andes
C. Himalayans
D. Sierra Madres
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
Water Systems
Latin America’s waterways provide a vital
link among the region’s countries.
• Important waterways include:
– Amazon River
– Río de la Plata
– Rio Grande
– Panama Canal
Latin American Water Systems
Which South American river forms part of
the border between Mexico and the U.S.?
A. Río de la Plata
B. Paraguay
C. Rio Grande
D. Amazon River
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
Natural Resources
Latin America has abundant natural
resources but faces obstacles to
development.
• Some Latin American countries are among the
world’s leading producers of energy and mineral
resources.
Latin American Oil Reserves by Country
Which of the following do you think is
the main obstacle to developing all of
Latin America’s natural resources?
A. Geographic
inaccessibility
B. Political instability
C. Lack of capital
A. A
B. B
C. 0%
C
0%
A
B
0%
C
Climate and Vegetation
Location and landforms affect
climate and vegetation regions
in Latin America, but human
activity has modified forest
cover and land use patterns.
Climate and Vegetation
• tierra helada • tierra templada
• puna
• tierra caliente
• tierra fría
• canopy
• dominate
• specific
• adapt
Climate and Vegetation
A. Amazon Basin
B. Atacama Desert
Climate and Vegetation
How many different climate
zones do you think exist in
Latin America?
0%
D
D. 5
C
C. 4
B
B. 3
A. A
B. B
C. C
0%
0%
0%
D. D
A
A. 2
Elevation and Climate
Differences in elevation create five diverse
climate zones in Latin America.
• The five vertical climate zones found in the highlands
of Middle America and western South America are
the:
– tierra helada and the puna
– tierra fría
– tierra templada
– tierra caliente
Vertical Climate Zones
In which climate zone are you more
likely to find rainforests?
A. Puna
B. Tierra fría
0%
D
A
0%
A
B
C
0%
D
C
D. Tierra caliente
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
C. Tierra templada
Climate and Vegetation Regions
Although much of Latin America is located
in the Tropics, the region has diverse
climates and vegetation.
• Tropical climates:
– Tropical wet—The Amazon Basin
– Tropical dry
Climate and Vegetation Regions (cont.)
• Midlatitude climate:
– Humid subtropical
• Dry climate:
– Desert—The Atacama Desert
– Steppe
Latin American Climate Regions
The Amazon rain forest shelters more
species of plants and animals per
square mile than anywhere on Earth.
A. True
B. False
A. A
B. B
0%
B
A
0%
A. Mexican Plateau
• Surrounded by
Sierra Madre
• Mild climate, good
soil, adequate
rainfall
• Has attracted
human settlement
for years
B. Caribbean Islands
• Volcanic mountains
• Part of the Central
Highlands
• Experiences
hurricanes that form
in the Atlantic Ocean
C. Oil and Natural
Gas Resources
• Important economic
resources for some
countries in the
region
• Not distributed
equally; only a few
countries benefit
D. Amazon River
• Longest river in
North and South
America
• Amazon Basin
drains into Atlantic
Ocean
• Important
transportation route
from the Atlantic into
Brazil’s interior
E. Andes
• World’s longest
mountain ranges
• Rugged terrain has
made movement
difficult
• Tectonic activity
causes earthquakes
and volcanic
eruptions
• Vertical climate
zones have
attracted human
settlement because
of cooler climates
and rich natural
resources
F. Amazon Rain Forest
• World’s largest rain
forest–covers onethird of South
America
• Trees grow close
together to form a
dense canopy
• Heavy rains occur
throughout the year
• Shelters more
species of plants and
animals per square
mile than anywhere
else on Earth
G. Paraná, Paraguay,
and Uruguay Rivers
• Provide important
commercial
transportation routes
• Provide hydroelectric
power for the area
• Form the Rio de la
Plata where rivers
flow into the Atlantic
Ocean
H. Pampas
• Plains and grassland
area provides grazing
for beef cattle
• Wheat and corn are
grown in the rich coil
of the pampas for
export around the
world.
Quito;
temperatures get
colder with
increased altitude
cordillera
parallel chains or ranges of
mountains
altiplano
Spanish for “high plain”; a region in
Peru and Bolivia encircled by the
Andes peaks
escarpment
steep cliff or slope between a higher
and lower land surface
llano (LAH•noh)
fertile grassland in inland areas of
Colombia and Venezuela
pampas
grassy, treeless plains of southern
South America
hydroelectric power
electrical energy generated by falling
water
tierra helada
Spanish term for “frozen land”; a zone
of permanent snow and ice on the
peaks of the Andes
puna
a treeless, windswept tableland or
basin in the higher Andes
tierra fría
Spanish term for “cold land”; the
highest altitude zone of Latin
American highlands climates
tierra templada
Spanish term for “temperate land”;
the middle altitude zone of Latin
American highlands climates
tierra caliente
Spanish term for “hot land”; the
lowest altitude zone of Latin American
highlands climates
canopy
top layer of a rain forest, where the
tops of tall trees form a continuous
layer of leaves
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