Geography Chapter 9
Define Andes Mountains
part of a chain of mountain ranges that run through the Western portion of North,Central, and South American. *Longest Mountain chain in the world*
cerrado
savanna's with flat terrain and moderate rainfall
infrastructure
the basic support systems needed to keep an economy going, including power, communications, transportation, water, sanitation, and education systems
Orinoco River
winds through the northern part of the continent, mainly in Venezuela *flows more than 1,500 miles* *the orinoco river valley most closely mimics the time of the dinosaurs*
How did the Andes Mountains affect settlement along the western coast of South America?
has a barrier to movement into the interior
What vegetation characterizes the Amazon River basin?
hot and humid
What factors have drawn people from the countryside into the cities of the region?
-higher paying job -better schooling -better medical care
What are some of the problems of cities in the region?
-slims spread over larger and larger urban areas -unemployment + crime increase -high levels of air pollutions from cars to factories -shortages of drinkable water as to local supplies are used up and underwater supplies or drained.
What are the steps in slash-and-burn farming?
1. Cut the trees, brush, and grasses to clear a field. 2.Burn debris and use the ashes for fertilizer for the soil. 3. Farmers plant crops for a year or two, which exhausts the soil.
What are two reasons for the variety of climate and vegetation found in Latin America?
1.Latin America spans a great distance on each side of the equator. 2.The massive mountains in the region.
llanos
A large, grassy, treeless area in South America, used for grazing and farming.
terraced farming
Ancient technique for growing crops on hillsides or mountain slopes
What effect might elevation have on growing crops and grazing livestock in the region?
Climates vegetation vary widely, depending on elevation. -elevation above which trees tend not to grow. (different crops/animals are suited for different elevations)
How are the landforms of the region both and advantage and disadvantage?
Mountains have been a barrier to settlement however rivers provide transportations and water.
What types of landforms are found in Latin America?
Mountains, Highlands, Rainforest, and lowlands
What are some of the advantages of tourism to the Caribbean?
New hotels, restaurants, boutiques, and other businesses have sprung. They bring money into the region and employs local people. (more jobs) Negative-Wage gap
What effect did the natural resources have on the development of the region?
These resources have drawn people to the region.
How have humans changed the environment in Latin America to make it more suitable for agriculture?
They burned the forest to clear land for planting and diverted streams to irrigate crops. They built raised fields in swampy area and carved terraces out of hillsides. (terraced farming + slash and burn)
What types of climate zones are found in Latin America?
Tropical Climate zones and Dry Climate Zones and Mid-Latitude Climate Zones
slash-and- burn
a way of clearing fields for planting by cutting trees, brush, and grasses and burning them
pampas
areas of grasslands and rich soil
rainforest
dense forest made up of different species of trees
Amazon River
flows about 4,000 miles from west to east, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean