Geography (Review)

favelas

Brazilian slum

History: South America

Conflict has been a common theme in the history of South America. Following its discovery by the Spanish and Portuguese, South America was colonized and controlled by Iberian governments. Economic restrictions and social injustices, however, bought dissatisfaction, and many colonies revolted against their mother countries. Yet, there was frequently little improvement under the rule of military juntas. Wealth and power were still mostly under the control of Europeans. The U.S., on its way to becoming a world power, asserted its influence here. Positive developments such as privatization, the election of democratic governments, and interior development were seen in the 1990s. Nevertheless, concerns about social injustice and human rights continue to plague the region, and economic development continues to be a focus. The South American Community of Nations was formed to foster economic cooperation.

Central America

https://internationalvla.sooschools.com/media/a_wgh_2016/4/ca-map.gif Panama, the region's southernmost country is strategically important to world trade. It controls the Panama Canal, which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Central America's diverse landscape can be characterized by three main landforms—its coastal plains, its interior mountains, and its Caribbean lowlands. The mountain regions are part of the Volcanic Axis of Central America. They are the site of much seismic activity producing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The climate of Central America is affected by elevation and air and water currents. Most places have two seasons—a rainy season and a dry season. Hurricanes and tropical storms frequently strike the coastal areas. The region's important natural resources include rain forests, fish, petroleum, copper, lead, zinc, gold, silver, and hydropower

subtropical

an area between thirty and forty degrees latitude with temperatures that remain above 32°F (0° C) year round

gross domestic product

(GDP) the value of goods and services made within a country

hectare

(ha) a unit of measure equal to 2.5 acres or 10,000 square meters

Politics

Although most of the nations in the countries of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean gained their independence from Europe in the 1900s, democracy did not prevail. Colonial class struggles remained. Political conflict is a common occurrence in the region. Although each country has its own specific problems, common problems include: insufficient farmland to feed the people; uneven distribution of wealth; corrupt governments; guerrilla warfare; lack of modern technology.

Where is the Panama Canal located?

Central America

History: Central America

Central America holds a very important strip of land on which the Panama Canal was built. The canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and shortens trading routes. Although the canal was built by the U.S., which controlled it until 2000, it has been a profitable enterprise for Panama. Economic development in Central America, however, has been hindered by unstable governments. Central America has little manufacturing and few mineral resources.

The group that has the smallest population in Ecuador and Peru, but controls the most money and power is _____.

European

Historical Perspective

Geography has had a major influence on the history of this region. For starters, the Europeans who first came here were looking for a shorter trade route to India. Once they arrived, however, they began to colonize the area.

These geographic factors make Panama's location significant.

It is an important trade route It controls the Panama Canal. It connects the continents of North and South America.

Most of the countries of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean are _____.

LDCs

Environmental and Society

People change the environment in which they live. Some of the changes are beneficial, some are harmful. Environmental problems in the region resulting from people's activities include: urbanization, land degradation, pollution, loss of biodiversity, and water shortages. Environmental problems affect farmland, forests, freshwater and marine ecosystems, and the atmosphere. The people and governments in this region face the challenge of implementing policies that protect the environment and its valuable natural resources. These policies must reflect the area's diverse interests, and also create a delicate balance between economic development and environmental protection.

_____________ is the official language of most of the countries in Latin America.

Spanish

History: Caribbean

The islands of the Caribbean were ruled by many different nations. Spanish, British, French, Dutch, and Danish settlers claimed the islands in the regions for their governments. Today, there are seventeen independent countries in the Caribbean, as well as a number of colonial dependencies, territories, and possessions. Some of the island nations, like Anguilla and Montserrat, are too small to survive without help. The Caribbean is a poor region, with few mineral resources on any of the islands. Trinidad, however, has large amounts of petroleum, making it the richest nation of the islands. Tourism is an important revenue source for the Caribbean islands and is the second most important industry of the islands after agriculture.

Economics

Three different economic systems are present in this region—traditional economies, market economies, and command economies. Countries in this region are working to increase their levels of economic development by: reducing their reliance on a single crop; promoting the use of modern technology; decreasing debt; lessening foreign control of their businesses.

Choose the countries that border Brazil.

Uruguay Suriname Peru Bolivia Argentina

junta

a group that controls the government

volcanic cone

a hill or mountain that builds up around the vent of a volcano

isthmus

a land bridge connecting two continents

primate city

a major urban area serving as the economic, political, and population center of a country

mangrove

a small tropical tree that grows in wetlands near salt water

llano

a treeless, grassy plain

Choose all the factors that make Central America important to U.S. foreign policy.

agricultural exports military bases the Panama Canal

Latin America's most culturally diverse areas are its _____.

cities

Where is air pollution the worst?

cities

Select all the following that are solutions to environmental problems in the region.

coordination of environmental efforts between sectors enforcement of environmental regulations sustainable land management practices

Sustainable land management practices are important because they _____.

ensure continued food production

salinization

higher than normal salt content in the soil

coral islands

islands formed by limestone skeletons of animals

caudillos

military rulers

Which factor is not a major environmental concern for Central America, South America, and the Caribbean?

negative population growth

Iberian

of Spain and Portugal

land degradation

reduced ability of the soil to support life

trade winds

steady air currents between about 30° north and south latitude and the equator

pampas

the grasslands of South America

subsistence farming

the growing of crops to provide for the needs of one's family

compaction

the pressing of soil particles closer together, reducing the amount of air between particles

The most valuable resources of the Caribbean islands are its ____________.

waters and beaches

Which two governments colonized most of South America?

Portugal & Spain

Which group colonized most of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America?

Portuguese

Culture

Cultural characteristics make regions unique and influence how people use the land on which they live. Most of the people who live in this region can trace their ancestry back to Native Americans, Europeans, or Africans. Other ethnicities include mestizos, mulattoes, and Asians. Cultural convergence of the diverse groups who live in the region has created a new, unique culture. The most culturally diverse places in the region are its cities. The influence of colonization is still strong in most places. Spanish is the official language in most countries, although Portuguese, English, Dutch, French, Hindi, Urdu, and traditional languages of the Native Americans are also spoken. Roman Catholicism is the most widely practiced religion, although African folk religions, Protestantism, Evangelism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism are also observed. In Central America, a small percentage of Europeans control most of the wealth and political power. Most of the people in the region are poor. There is, however, a small middle class, which is increasing. Native Americans have all but disappeared from the Caribbean, and the populations that do remain in Central and South America fear the loss of their cultural identity. In Brazil, reservations have been established for Native American communities.

Chart

Issue: Land - Problem: loss of farmland land degradation ownership rights Cause: erosion industrialization urbanization agricultural expansion population increase Possible Solution: sustainable land management practices public awareness Issue: Forest - Problem: agricultural expansion Cause: reforestation certification sustainable forest management payment for services effective enforcement Possible Solution: None Issue: Freshwater- Problem: water quality water shortages Cause: population increase agricultural expansion pumping of groundwater Possible Solution: unified approach to sustainable water management privatization of water resources payment for services efficient enforcement Issue: Marine - Problem: habitat conversion and destruction pollution loss of biodiversity Cause: population increases coastal development over fishing Possible Solution: preventing pollution from agriculture, land-based industry, or shipping limiting commercial fishing restricting coastal development Issue: Biodiversity - Problem: endangerment and extinction of species Cause: habitat loss or conversion introduction on non-native species illegal trade of endangered species Possible Solution: ecosystem protection ecosystem management Issue: Atmosphere - Problem: air pollution Cause: population increase increased economic development technological advances urbanization industrialization Possible Solution: use of renewable energy resources forest preservation and reforestation emission controls improved fuel efficiency catalytic converters for cars required coordinated efforts between sectors

The Caribbean

Scenic beaches, pleasant climate, and clear ocean waters make the Caribbean islands popular tourist destinations. This region, also known as the West Indies, is a place of many islands, which form an arc in the Caribbean Sea extending from Venezuela to Florida. It is comprised of three main island groups: the Greater Antilles; the Lesser Antilles; the Bahamas. The Lesser Antilles is further divided into two smaller groups, the Windward and Leeward islands. These names refer to the location of the islands relative to the trade winds. https://internationalvla.sooschools.com/media/a_wgh_2016/4/caribbean-island-groups-map.gif The landscape of the islands of the Caribbean is of two types—mountainous and flat. That's because they were formed by different physical processes. Many of the islands of the Greater and Lesser Antilles are volcanic mountaintops. Many of the islands of the Bahamas were formed from the limestone skeletons of coral polyps. With the exception of the northern islands of the Bahamas, the islands of the Caribbean are in the tropical climate region. Humidity here is high. The island climate is affected by ocean currents and trade winds. Hurricanes are a threat to the region, as are earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Among the most valuable natural resources of the Caribbean are its beautiful beaches and its clear ocean waters.

South America

South America, the world's fourth largest continent, is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Caribbean Sea to the northwest, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Its most distinctive physical features include: the Andes Mountains—the world's longest mountain range; the Amazon River—the world's largest river (in volume); Angel Falls—the world's highest waterfall; the Amazon Rainforest—the largest rain forest; and Lake Titicaca—the world's highest navigable lake. The countries of South America are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Interesting country facts include the following: Brazil is the largest country in South America. All the countries of South America border Brazil except Chile and Ecuador. Two South American countries are landlocked; they are Bolivia and Paraguay. Two countries are well-positioned geographically to take advantage of both Atlantic and Pacific trade routes; they are Argentina and Chile. Control of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake, is shared by Bolivia and Peru. The continent of South America contains many significant and interesting landforms. These include the Andes Mountains, the Amazon Basin, the Atacama Desert, the Guiana and Brazilian Highlands, Los Llanos, the Pampas, and Patagonia. Rivers cover three-fourths of the continent of South America. Its four largest rivers are the Amazon, the Rio de la Plata, the Orinoco, and the São Francisco. The climate of South America is diverse. It is affected by both El Nino and the Peru current. Although most of the continent receives enough rain, some areas are plagued by drought. The rain forests of South America are an immensely valuable resource. South America's mineral resources are valuable exports. As a result, some South American countries rely on one mineral exclusively for their economic development. In the past, this often has resulted in economic and political instability. South America is frequently threatened by natural hazards. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are a problem in many areas. Other hazards include El Nino, droughts, flooding, landslides, and tsunamis.

cay

a small, low island of coral or sand (also spelled key)

tropical storm

a strong thunderstorm with circular winds of thirty-nine to seventy-three m.p.h

cash crop

agricultural products grown to be sold

Settlement and Movement

The regions of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean were settled mostly by the Portuguese and the Spanish. When these Europeans arrived in the late 1400s and early 1500s, Native Americans already inhabited the region. As a result of harsh treatment and disease, their numbers decreased sharply, although concentrations of Native Americans can still be found in Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Guatemala. In the sixteenth century, the Europeans brought enslaved Africans to the region to work the plantations, and therefore many people of the Caribbean have African ancestry. The nineteenth and twentieth centuries brought people from more European countries to the area, and then Asians also began to arrive. Many people in the region are quite mobile. They migrate to other places in their own and other regions for political and economic reasons. They also emigrate to escape natural disasters. Just as in many other places in the world, wealth and power here are unevenly distributed. In some South American countries, such as Peru and Ecuador, Europeans make up only a small percentage of the population, but they control most of the wealth and power. Most of the population of Central America is concentrated in the interior plateaus and valleys. Conversely, the population centers of South America were in the highlands until the twentieth century. At this point, people began to move to the Atlantic lowlands in Argentina and the coastal cities, distributing the population more evenly. Countries such as Brazil provided incentives to people to develop unsettled land. Brasilia, Brazil's new capital, is in part a result of such development. Up until approximately the 1950s, most of the population lived in small villages. Life in rural areas became increasingly difficult in the mid-1900s as a result of population growth and the fact that mechanized agricultural technologies lessened available work. Many people therefore began to move to urban areas. Today, about three-fourths of the population of the region lives in cities. Many countries in this area have primate cities, such as Lima, Caracas, Guatemala City, Santiago, and Buenos Aires.