Transcript LatinAmerica.ppt

Unit 5: Latin America
PreAp World Geography 20152016
MEXICO
Landforms
Guiding Question-Why is the Mexican Plateau considered
the heartland of Mexico?
Physical Geography of Mexico
Landforms
•Mexico, along with Central America, joins the
continents of North America and South America
with a physical feature called a land bridge.
•A land bridge is a strip of land that connects two
larger landmasses, enabling migration of plants
and animals to both areas.
•There are a variety of landforms in Mexico that
support large communities of people.
•The western side of Mexico is part of the Ring of
Fire, a hotspot of seismic activity.
Water Systems
Guiding Question-How does Mexico have few major rivers
and natural lakes?
Physical Geography of Mexico
Water Systems
•Northern Mexico has a dry climate with few
permanent waterways.
•The Lerma River is one of Mexico's most important
rivers.
•The Gulf of Mexico, along Mexico's east coast, is
home to a wide variety of sea life.
•The Gulf of California, on the western side of
Mexico, supports marine life such as whales, sea
turtles, and sharks.
Climate, Biomes, and Resources
Guiding Question-How does climate affect human
activities in Mexico?
Physical Geography of Mexico
Climate, Biomes, and Resources
•
Three factors that influence Mexico's climates are
regional high-pressure systems, northeast trade
winds, and vertical climate zones.
•
Vertical climate zones occur as elevation increases.
•
Mexico has a variety of biomes that support various
plant and animal life.
•
Minerals, especially silver, are important to Mexico's
economy.
•
Mexico is a leading petroleum-producing country.
History and Government
Guiding Question-What influenced Mexico’s political and
social structure?
Human Geography of Mexico
History and Government
•Regional distinctions from Maya, Aztec, and nomadic
people developed Mexican cultures seen today.
•In 1821 Mexico became the first Spanish territory to
win its independence.
•The current Mexican government is a federal republic
with power divided into three branches: legislative,
executive, and judicial.
•Over the past few decades, drug cartels have come to
control different regions of Mexico, leading to internal
warfare.
Population Patterns
Guiding Question-What factor’s have shaped Mexico’s
population patterns?
Human Geography of Mexico
Population Patterns
•The Spanish used Catholic missions to spread
Christian ideas and to expand communities in
Mexico.
•Spanish landowners took advantage of indigenous
communities, paying them little to work on their
estates, known as haciendas.
•Rural-to-urban migration over time has greatly
altered Mexico's population distribution; today 78
percent of Mexican citizens live in urban areas.
•Mexico City is the political capital of Mexico, as
well as the cultural and economic center of
Mexico.
Society and Culture Today
Guiding Question-How does Mexican society and culture
reflect the country’s colonial past?
Human Geography of Mexico
Society and Culture Today
•Mexican culture values family with many Mexican
homes holding three to four generations.
•In Mexico, men dominate while women's primary
obligation is the family.
•Mexico's arts are influenced by both the
indigenous cultures of their ancient history and the
new Spanish cultures.
•Murals are an important art form in Mexico with
Diego Rivera being one of Mexico's most famous
muralists.
Economic Activities
Guiding Question-How has Mexico’s place in the global
economy changed over time?
Human Geography of Mexico
Economic Activities
•Mexico has a higher standard of living than many
Latin American countries, yet industry,
transportation, and communication remain
challenges.
•Mexico, the United States, and Canada signed
NAFTA in 1992, improving Mexico's economy, yet
keeping it reliant on foreign countries.
•The illegal drug trade remains an influential part
of the Mexican economy.
Managing Resources
Guiding Question-Why are Mexico’s resources in
jeopardy?
People and Their Environment: Mexico
Managing Resources
•Mexico has many natural resources, yet obtaining
these resources has led to environmental
destruction.
•The growing population of Mexico demands more
food and water resources, which in turn causes
forests to be cut down and water to be in high
demand.
•Today, 50 percent of Mexico's population lives in
poverty as they struggle to find basic resources
like clean water, electricity, and garbage removal.
Human Impact
Guiding Question-How do human activities impact
Mexico’s environment?
People and Their Environment: Mexico
Human Impact
•Rapid growth in urban areas has created a
challenge for Mexico to keep up with basic
infrastructures such as proper waste disposal and
pollution.
•Toxic carbon emissions from cars has led to
serious pollution problems in Mexico City, often
leaving it in a gray haze.
•The government has made emissions regulations a
priority, but air pollution remains a serious health
concern in Mexico.
Addressing the Issues
Guiding Question-How are governments in Mexico
addressing environmental issues?
People and Their Environment: Mexico
Addressing the Issues
•
Recently, the citizens of Mexico have become more
politically active, wanting better living conditions and
environmental protection policies.
•
New government regulations have slowed the
destruction of natural resources, while supporting
farms and local businesses.
•
The Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and
Forest Degradation program reduces greenhouse
gases.
•
Muévete en Bici program protects the environment
and reduces pollution by encouraging the use of
bicycles.
CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE
CARIBBEAN
Landforms
Guiding Question-Why is the majority of Central America’s
people concentrated in the Central Highlands?
Physical Geography of Central America and the Caribbean
Landforms
• Central America has three distinct belts: the
Pacific Lowlands, the Caribbean Lowlands, and
the Central Highlands.
• The Isthmus of Panama is another distinctive
feature of Central America.
• More than 7,000 islands are considered part of
the mainland's Central Highlands.
Water Systems
Guiding Question-How are Central American rivers and
lakes important to the human systems of the area?
Physical Geography of Central America and the Caribbean
Water Systems
• Inland lakes and waterways are important to
Central America's growth and development,
providing transportation, drinking water,
irrigation, and hydroelectric power.
• One of the world's most important human-made
waterways, the Panama Canal, allows ships to
travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
without having to travel around South America's
Cape Horn.
• Commercial fishing and the use of other marine
resources in the Caribbean Sea have increased
international trade.
Climate, Biomes, and Resources
Guiding Question-How does its location in the Tropics
affect the climate of Central America and the Caribbean?
Physical Geography of Central America and the Caribbean
Climates, Biomes, and Resources
• Much of Central America has a tropical wet
climate with rainforests found in many of the
regions.
• A tropical dry climate is found on many of the
Caribbean islands.
• The climates and ecosystems of some parts of
Central America are affected by elevation,
resulting in vertical climate zones.
• Nickel, iron ore, fish, timber, and petroleum are
important natural resources found and used
throughout Central America.
History and Government
Guiding Question-How did colonialism influence the
history and government of Central America and the
Caribbean?
Human Geography of Central America and the Caribbean
European Conquests to Independence
• Christopher Columbus's voyages from 1492 to
1504 brought Spanish colonization.
• Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, and
Portugal also established colonies, wiping out
much of the Native American population.
• During the 1800s, the fight for independence
from European rulers began, resulting in new
countries.
• Today, many Central Americans have demanded
positive change in an effort to improve their
economies and living conditions.
Population Patterns
Guiding Question-How have migration and rapid growth
affected the population?
Human Geography of Central America and the Caribbean
Population Patterns
• Populations in this region blend many ethnic
groups.
• Since 1900, the number of people migrating away
from this region has risen because of the need to
escape civil wars, poor economies, and instability.
• A majority of the Central American population
lives in highland cities and towns, while the
population density of the Caribbean is among the
highest in Latin America.
• Despite economic difficulties and low life
expectancy, Central America has one of the
highest population growth rates in the world.
Society and Culture Today
Guiding Question-How have the traditions and beliefs of
indigenous people, Africans, and Europeans shaped
society and culture in Central America and the
Caribbean?
Human Geography of Central America and the Caribbean
Society and Culture Today
• A blending of language, traditions, and art is
found in Central America and the Caribbean.
• A majority of people are Roman Catholic,
although other religions also exist, such as
Protestantism, Hinduism, and Islam.
• The quality of education and health care varies
greatly from country to country and from urban to
rural areas.
• Artwork, music, and dance reflect the history of
both native and European cultures.
Economic Activities
Guiding Question-What economic factors have helped
maintain an unequal distribution of wealth in Central
America and the Caribbean?
Human Geography of Central America and the Caribbean
Economic Activities
• Wealth is unevenly distributed in Central America
and the Caribbean, with agriculture employing
many of the workers.
• Many countries in the region are still considered
developing countries.
• Recently, service and technology industries along
with ecotourism have grown rapidly.
Managing Resources
Guiding Question-How do growing human needs affect
resources and the environment in Central America and
the Caribbean?
People and Their Environment: Central America and the Caribbean
Managing Resources
• The ability of the region to provide water to a
growing population continues to be strained by water
shortages, access to freshwater, and legal issues.
• Hydroelectric power supplies increase production
and competitiveness in international trade;
however, this type of energy threatens the natural
environment.
• Although Central America has naturally fertile
soil, slash-and-burn cultivation destroys the fertile
land.
• Commercial logging contributes to deforestation,
threatening plants and organisms key to
medicines.
Human Impact
Guiding Question-Why is soil erosion and soil decline
such an issue in Central America and the Caribbean?
People and Their Environment: Central America and the Caribbean
Human Impact
• Central American and Caribbean cities are
experiencing rapid population growth resulting in
pollution, lack of jobs, inadequate housing, and
strained food and water supplies.
• The growing demand for food has increased
agriculture and has, in turn, eliminated natural
vegetation, leading to soil erosion and the use of
fertilizers.
• Increased hotel construction for the tourism
industry has lead to vegetation loss and soil
erosion as well as greatly threatening the livelihood
of coral reefs.
Addressing the Issues
Guiding Question-Why is biodiversity protection so
important in Central America?
People and Their Environment: Central America and the Caribbean
Addressing the Issues
• Solving conflicts over natural resources and
natural disaster preparation are challenges facing
this region.
• Deforestation must be addressed quickly; it is
predicted that rain forests may disappear within
40 years.
• Sustainable development and green businesses
are solutions that can be more environmentallyfriendly while also boosting local economies.
• Governments, international agencies, and grass
roots groups are implementing programs that
limit migration to cities and help to improve cities'
infrastructures.
SOUTH AMERICA
Landforms
Guiding Question-How has South America’s rugged
landscape both attracted and isolated people?
Physical Geography of South America
Landforms
• South America's diverse landscape is marked in
the west by the high peaks of the Andes and in
the east by broad plateaus and valleys.
• The cordillera established natural barriers that
resulted in the development of isolated groups.
• Narrow, coastal lowlands rim the Atlantic and
Pacific coasts.
• Inland grasslands like the Ilanos and the
pampas provide fertile soil and plains for cattle
to graze.
Water Systems
Guiding Question-How are South America’s river
important for economic development?
Physical Geography of South America
Water Systems
•
The Amazon flows 4,000 miles through the
heart of South America and is its longest river.
•
Hundreds of smaller rivers join the Amazon to
form the Amazon Basin.
•
The Paraná, Paraguay, and Uruguay Rivers
drain the rainy eastern half of South America.
•
The Pantanal is one of the world's largest
tropical wetlands.
•
Lake Maracaibo and Lake Titicaca are South
America’s largest lakes.
Climate, Biomes, and Resources
Guiding Question-How does climate affect human
activities in South America?
Physical Geography of South America
Climate, Biomes, and Resources
•
Diverse climates make South America a region
of contrasts.
•
El Niño affects the climate in South America by
creating unusually warm ocean currents, and
can have negative effects on coastal weather,
fishing, and agriculture.
•
The Amazon rain forest shelters more species of
plants and animals than anywhere else on
Earth.
•
The physical geography dictates each country’s
access to natural resources.
History and Government
Guiding Question-How have indigenous peoples and
Europeans contributed to the creation of modern
governments in South America?
Human Geography of South America
History and Government
•
The Inca Empire’s wealth and highly developed
infrastructure attracted Spanish conquistadors.
•
Portuguese, British, French, and Dutch settlers
also established colonies, which drastically
reduced indigenous populations.
•
In the 1800s, independence movements led by
Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín emerged.
•
Dictatorships dominated the postcolonial period.
•
Today, democratically elected governments
struggle with economic and social justice
issues.
Population Patterns
Guiding Question-How has South America’s physical
geography influenced its population patterns?
Human Geography of South America
Population Patterns
•
The once-high population growth has
moderated.
•
Most people live in cities in the coastal regions
where there is a favorable climate, fertile land,
and access to transportation.
•
Highly populated urban areas make finding jobs
and affordable housing difficult for migrants.
•
South America is experiencing brain drain to
North America and Europe, which is the loss of
many highly educated and skilled workers.
Society and Culture Today
Guiding Question-Why is South America one of the
world’s most culturally diverse areas?
Human Geography of South America
Society and Culture Today
•
South America is a blend of native, European,
Asian, and African languages and traditions.
•
The majority of people are Roman Catholic,
though less common religions include
Protestantism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism,
Shinto, Islam, and Eastern Orthodox
Christianity.
•
The quality of education and health care varies
greatly from country to country and from urban
to rural areas.
•
Indigenous crafts, art, and architecture reflect
the history of the native cultures.
Economic Activities
Guiding Question-How have South America’s role as a
cultural melting pot contributed to its unique cultural
elements?
Human Geography of South America
Economic Activities
•
Oil resources, agriculture, and mining of the
abundant natural resources all contribute to
South America’s economic development.
•
Manufacturing is growing rapidly, but physical
geography influences commercial activity.
•
Many countries in the region are still considered
developing countries.
•
Increased cooperation between countries
through trade partnerships and infrastructure is
improving economic growth.
Managing Resources
Guiding Question-How has management of forest and
agricultural resources impacted the environment in South
America?
People and Their Environment: South America
Managing Resources
•
While the use of natural resources has advanced
economic growth and increased stability, it has
also damaged the environment and the
biodiversity of South America.
•
Deforestation has destroyed almost 20 percent
of the Amazon rain forest, threatening nearly
half of all animal and plant species on Earth.
•
Monoculture and soil erosion contribute to
decreased soil fertility and desertification, which
reduces the area of nutrient-rich soils and
grasses needed to grow crops or to feed
livestock.
Human Impact
Guiding Question-Why does urban growth and
industrialization create environmental problems in South
America?
People and Their Environment: South America
Human Impact
•
Urban growth and industrialization have created
environmental pollution.
•
A lack of funding and organization often results
in a city’s lack of adequate plumbing
infrastructure necessary to deliver clean water
and remove sewage.
•
Illegal mining activity has grown as the value of
precious metals and raw materials has
increased, exacerbating the pollution problem.
Addressing the Issues
Guiding Question-How are people and governments
addressing environmental issues in South America?
People and Their Environment: South America
Addressing the Issues
•
Reducing the human impact on the environment
is critical to protecting biodiversity and
preserving the livelihood of the population.
•
Implementation of antideforestation laws and
farming management practices are among the
efforts underway to reduce drought and soil
erosion.
•
South America’s countries are working together
to address the problems related to
urbanization, to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, to develop public transport systems,
and to regulate the exportation of natural
resources.