Transcript Mon. Nov. 28th View and Study the following presentation. u1_pp1

Latin America’s
Geographic Understandings
© 2011Clairmont Press
Locating
Physical Features
of Latin America
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Pacific Ocean
Gulf of Mexico
Caribbean Sea
Sierra Madre
Mountains
Panama Canal
Andes Mountains
Atacama Desert
Amazon River
Pacific Ocean
 The Pacific Ocean is the largest
ocean in the world.
 It touches North America, South
America, Asia, and Australia.
 It serves as the western border of
Central and South America. Much
of the coastline is a volcanic plate
boundary called the “Ring of
Fire.”
 It is a major component of
international trade.
 Its currents greatly affect the
climates of the region. It brings
rain to some locations and drains
the moisture away from others.
Gulf of Mexico
 The Gulf of Mexico borders the states of
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and
Texas in the southern U.S.
 It borders the northeastern coast of Mexico,
north of the Yucatan Peninsula.
 The Gulf of Mexico:
 is a gateway to the Mississippi River, the
Caribbean Sea, and the Panama Canal.
 serves as a major tourist destination for Mexico.
 contains oil under its seabed, shrimp in its
waters, and fish such as the famed blue marlin.
 The Gulf waters eventually move up the Gulf
Stream and northeastward across the Atlantic
bringing warmth and moisture to Europe.
Link: Gulf of Mexico
Caribbean Sea
 The Caribbean Sea may be best known
for its “paradise” locations and
beautiful islands. which draw millions
of tourists each year.
 The region has struggled economically
because of the lack of natural
resources.
 The nations of the Caribbean depend
upon travelling Europeans, Asians,
and most of all North Americans.
 Major Caribbean island nations are
Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican
Republic and Haiti, and the American
protectorate Puerto Rico.
 The larger group of islands are called
the Greater Antilles and the smaller
more southern group are called the
Lesser Antilles.
The clear waters of the Caribbean Sea
Link: Caribbean Sea map
Sierra Madre Mountains
 The Sierra Madre Mountains are
actually a pair of ranges called the
Occidental and Oriental ranges.
 The Sierra Madre Mountains are a
semi-arid mountain range in the
north and a more rainforest-like
climate in the south.
 The Sierra Madre Mountains
surround the city of Mexico City,
Mexico.
 They were home to the early native
cultures of the region.
Image: Christian Frausto Bernal on WikiCommons
Panama Canal
 Though the Panama Canal is a man-made physical feature, its importance
cannot be understated.
 Construction of the canal was first attempted by the French but proved to be too
costly in lives and money.
 The canal was later completed by the United States with the help of both
Americans and the Panamanian people.
 The canal is controlled by the Panamanian government.
 Millions of goods every year travel the route connecting the Atlantic to the
Pacific.
Andes Mountains
 Rugged, extreme, and jagged; just
a few of the adjectives used to
describe the Andes Mountains.
 The Andes are a relatively
youthful mountain range.
 They were created by the collision
of the Pacific Plate and the South
American Plate.
 The mountains are famed for their
picturesque landscapes, barren
stretches of land, and renown to
climbers for their challenging
climbs.
 The region of Patagonia is known
to be one of the most extreme
climate regions in the world.
Machu Picchu in the Andes Mountains was a
stronghold used by the Inca to escape the Spanish
Conquistadors.
Link: Machu Picchu photo
Link: Patagonia map
Atacama Desert
 The Atacama Desert borders the
Pacific Ocean and stretches 600
miles along western Peru.
 The cool water current of the
Pacific Ocean drives moisture
northward from the southwestern
location of South America to
North America. This drains
moisture from the Atacama
region.
 The Atacama desert is home to
over 1 million people and a
temporary home for penguins!
Link: “The Driest Place on Earth”
Photo: Christian Van Der Henst from WikiCommons
Amazon River
 The largest fresh water
source on Earth, home to
billions of species, and
some of the most remote
areas on Earth; the Amazon
River is arguably the most
recognizable and unique
river in the world.
 The Amazon Rainforest
surrounds the Amazon
River and is a vital
resource to South America.
Link: Amazon River
Link: Amazon River map
Photo by Kozumel on Flikr