Latin America Geography SS6G1 The student will locat

1
Latin America Geography

• SS6G1 The student will locate selected features
  of Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Locate on a world and regional political-physical
  map Amazon River, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of
• Mexico, Pacific Ocean, Panama Canal, Andes
  Mountains, Sierra Madre Mountains, and Atacama
• Desert.
• Locate on a world and regional
  political-physical map in the countries of
  Bolivia, Brazil,
• Colombia, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, and Venezuela.

How does the physical geography of Latin America
and the Caribbean affect where people live?
2
Hook

• Examine each of the 5 pictures to the left. Write
  a brief description of each then try and guess
  which Latin American physical feature is shown.

3
Background

• Latin America designates all of those countries
  and territories in the Americas where a Romance
  language(i.e., languages derived from Latin, and
  hence the name of the region) is spoken Spanish,
  Portuguese, and French, and the creole
  languages based upon these. Strictly considering
  this definition, Quebec, in Canada, is part of
  Latin America as well. But this region is rarely
  considered so, since its history, distinctive
  culture and economy, and British-inspired
  political institutions are generally deemed too
  closely intertwined with the rest of Canada.
• In one sense, Latin America refers to
  territories in America where the Spanish or
  Portuguese languages prevail Mexico, most of
  Central and South America, and in the Caribbean.
  The region was home to many indigenous peoples
  and advanced civilizations, including the Aztecs,
  Toltecs, Caribs, Tupi, Maya, and Inca. The golden
  age of the Maya began about 250, with the last
  two great civilizations, the Aztecs and Incas,
  emerging into prominence later on in the early
  fourteenth century and mid-fifteenth centuries,
  respectively. The Aztec empire was ultimately the
  most powerful civilization known throughout the
  Americas, until its downfall in part by the
  Spanish invasion.
• By the end of the sixteenth century Spain and
  Portugal had been joined by others, including
  France, in occupying large areas of North,
  Central and South America, ultimately extending
  from Alaska to the southern tips of the
  Patagonia. European culture, customs and
  government were introduced, with the Roman
  Catholic Church becoming the major economic and
  political power to overrule the traditional ways
  of the region, eventually becoming the only
  official religion of the Americas during this
  period.

• What language group will you find throughout
  Latin America? What are the main languages spoken
  in this region?
• Quebec is rarely considered to be a part of Latin
  America, although in reality it I s, why?
• What were the names of the some of the Ancient
  Civilizations of Latin America? What happened to
  them?
• What were some of the changes brought to Latin
  America from their European Conquers?

4

1. What is the title of this map tell us? What types
   of things will you find on this map?
2. By examining this map, what are the mountain
   ranges you will find in Latin America? Which is
   the largest?
3. What physical feature lies west of the worlds
   longest mountain range? How would you describe
   this feature?
4. The Amazon River is the 2nd longest river in the
   world. What are some unique things you notice
   about it?
5. There are many major waterways around Latin
   America, name what you believe are the 3 most
   important and tell why you think they are
   important.

5
Political Geography

1. In which hemispheres will you find Latin America?
2. in which continent do Brazil, Bolivia, Columbia,
   and Venezuela located?
3. Panama and Haiti are not located on the same
   continent as the others. Where are they located?
4. Latin America is made up of 3 regions. Examine
   the map what do you think these 3 regions are
   called?
5. What important physical features are near many of
   these countries? How do they help those that live
   there and their economy?

6
The Caribbean Islands

1. What island group is Haiti a part of?
2. The Caribbean is made of many islands, what is
   one thing that makes Haiti uniquely different
   than the others?
3. What do you think about Haitis location makes it
   desirable for tourism? How do you think this
   affects their economy?
4. Besides tourism what other things do you think
   contribute to Haitis economy?
5. Given that Haiti is small in size and surrounded
   by water what do you think are some challenges
   their economy faces? Why

7
Mexico

1. What country is Mexicos neighbor to the north?
2. The Sierra Madres are found in 3 different parts
   of Mexico. What are their names and locations?
3. What feature lies in between the Sierra Madres?
   Since Mexico is so mountainous make an inference
   on why this feature might be significant?

8
Panama Canal On August 15th, 1914, the Panama
Canal opened, connecting the worlds two largest
oceans and signaling Americas emergence as a
global superpower. American ingenuity and
innovation had succeeded where, just a few years
earlier, the French had failed disastrously. But
the U.S. paid a price for victory.

1. The Panama Canal can be found in which country?
2. The canal connects two waterways, what are these
   two waterways?
3. Examine the picture of the canal lock system
   above. Describe the way t he canal works to allow
   travel through it.
4. What is the purpose of the canal ? Why do you
   believe the canal to be so important to the world
   economy?

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Task
Using your text book and/or an atlas, create a
chart for the political features and physical
features. In your chart include a column for
your features, a column for a description, a
column for their location, and a column for an
interesting fact.
Feature Description Location Fact

•  
• Physical Features
• Andes Mountains
• Sierra Madre Mountains
• Amazon River
• Caribbean Sea
• Gulf of Mexico
• Pacific Ocean
• Atlantic Ocean
• Atacama Desert
• Panama Canal
•  

Political Feature (Countries) South
America Caribbean Islands Mexico/Central
America Panama Haiti Bolivia Mexico Cuba Brazil Ve
nezuela Colombia
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Task Option 2

• Choose 3 physical features and 3 countries. In
  paragraph form (or outline form) answer the
  following question about each place or landform.
• How does the physical geography of Latin America
  and the Caribbean affect where people live?
• Include reasons why people might live their.
  Focus on their location, surrounding areas, and
  possible economic benefits.