Transcript 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 To navigate within this Presentation Plus! product: Click the Forward button to go to the next slide. 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