Transcript Life and Work in Latin America

Life and Work in Latin America
SS6G3 The student explain the impact of location, climate, distribution of
natural resources, and population distribution on Latin America and the
Caribbean.
a.
Compare how the location, climate, and natural resources of Mexico
and Venezuela affect where people live and how they trade.
b.
Compare how the location, climate, and natural resources of Brazil
and Cuba affect where people live and how they trade.
Where Do You Live?
 Our daily lives are affected by where we live. The
location of our country, the climate, and our natural
resources make an impact on our lifestyle and the jobs
we hold.
 All of the above also affects our country’s trading
partners.
Mexico
 Mexico is a land of varying geography and climate.
 The capital city, Mexico City, is located on a plateau.
This is where most of the population lives.
 Mexico City is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the
world.
Working in Mexico
 The location, climate, and natural resources determines
where the citizens of Mexico live and work.
 Only 12% of Mexico’s land is arable ( fit for farming), but
where they do farm they are able to be very productive.
 Crops: coffee, tobacco, cotton, fruits, and vegetables.
Working in Mexico
 About 75% of Mexicans live in urban (cities) areas. They moved
there to find employment in factories.
 Maquiladoras are foreign owned factories located on the border
of Mexico and the United States. Their workers take parts and
assemble them into marketable products.
 Tourism is very important to Mexico’s economy. Resort towns
like Cancun and Acapulco support a thriving tourist industry.
Mexico’s Natural Resources
 Silver, copper, lead, iron and oil
 Mexico’s most valuable natural resource is oil/petroleum.
Petroleum is drilled along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
Venezuela
 Venezuela’s geography places a role in its varied climate.
 Most of Venezuela is hot and humid, but as you travel
higher into the mountains the temperatures cool off.
 May – November is Venezuela’s rainy season.
 Most Venezuelans live in cities along the coast of the
Caribbean Sea and in
the nearby mountains.
 The capital city is Caracas. Many
people moved there to find jobs.
Venezuela’s Economy
 Venezuela’s economy is supported by oil. Rich deposits
of oil/petroleum are found near Lake Maracaibo and in
the plains of the eastern part of the country. This state
run industry provides many jobs.
Brazil: South America’s Giant
 Brazil is not only South America’s largest country, but it
has the highest population and wealthiest economy.
 Brazil’s terrain (landscape) does not vary much. It has
mountain on the eastern coast, but it is best known for the
Amazon rain forest. The rain forest covers 2/3rds of the
country.
 Brazil has a warm and humid climate.
Brazil
 Most Brazilians live near the Atlantic coast and in the cities of
Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. (JOBS)
 Southwestern Brazil is home to the large farms called
plantations. Their single crops are grown to sell around the
world. They grow oranges, coffee, and other crops.
 Brazil’s natural resources, like iron ore, are located in the SW
part of the country.
Trans-Amazon Highway
 Brazil’s rain forest was sparsely populated until the government built
the Trans-Amazon highway. It connects the coast of Brazil to
Peru.
 Brasilia, the new capital city that was built just south of the Amazon
Basin. This caused lots of controversy because much of rainforest
habitat was destroyed .
Cuba
 Life in Cuba, the largest island in the West Indies, is very tropical.
 The climate is warm, semi-tropical, with good rainfall.
 Mountains cover 1/4th of the island with the rest covered in rolling
plains.
Agriculture in Cuba
 Cuba has some of the richest soil in the Caribbean.
 They grow: sugarcane, coffee beans, and tobacco.
 Sugar is Cuba’s most important crop.
Where Cubans Live
 75% of Cubans live in urban areas, especially the capital city
of Havana. They work in factories that: 1) make clothing, 2)
process sugar, and 3) make cigars.
 Cuba has a communist government that owns and controls
the country’s farms and businesses.
Trade Secrets
 Countries trade with their neighbors because it keeps
costs down; it does not cost as much to ship
 Mexico sends 80% of its exports to the USA.
 Mexico is an important source of petroleum for the
USA.
 Venezuela’s main trading partners are the USA, Brazil,
and Colombia.
 The USA provides much of Venezuela’s food since they
are not strong in agriculture.
Trade Secrets (continued)
 Brazil’s location on the Atlantic Ocean allows it to ship
products easily around the world.
 Brazil’s two top trading partners are the USA and
Argentina.
 Cuba does NOT trade with the USA…a trade embargo
has been in place since the 1960s.
 Cuba trades heavily with Venezuela and communist
China.