Latin America & the Caribbean Test Review

the diversity (or lack of diversity) of the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean

nations in Latin America and the Caribbean do not solely rely on a single industry or economic activity in forming their economies.

why the Amazon Rainforest is suffering from deforestation

need for more farmland and a growing demand for timber

Colombia

northwest corner- llanos and Andes Shakira

Jamaica

owned by Spain and then England- speak English Rastafarian faith- Bob Marley

Bahamas

previously owned by British-speak English

role of water in the generation of energy in Latin America and the Caribbean

rivers have become important in the production of hydroelectric power

Isthmus of Panama

separates the Atlantic and Pacific oceans location of the Panama Canal

Food crop

simply crops that are grown to be eaten by the farmer or customers such as beans, corn, or vegetables.

Lesser Antilles

smaller islands earthquakes

El Salvador

smallest and most densely populated borders one ocean

Latino

someone from Latin America

Hispanic

someone from a Spanish-speaking country

Christ the Redeemer

statue of Christ city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. reminder of strong Christian faith

Altiplano

tall plain high plateau region in South America

Andes

tallest mountain range in Latin America longest mountain range in world along South America's west coast

Dia de Muertos

the Day of the Dead, celebrates those who have passed on. Mexicans decorate their faces in traditional ways as they have for centuries, but the holiday is celebrated in accordance to Catholic festivals.

explain the benefits of the Panama Canal.

the Panama Canal allowed these nations to ship their goods to the global market cheaply and efficiently because it decreased ocean crossing times

explain the role of the Equator in Latin America and the Caribbean.

the climates of Latin America and the Caribbean are extremely diverse due to elevation and location relative to the Equator.

Atlantic Ocean

the eastern coastlines Columbus's voyage across the Atlantic to the Caribbean and South America

why foreign investment became a problem in Latin America in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries

these businesses controlled economic and government policies

main natural resources of Latin America and the Caribbean

timber, fossil fuels, arable land and water

Llanos

treeless, grassy plains in northern South America. marshy wetlands, warm climate

Pacific Ocean

western coast of Latin America, major influences on the climates of the region

Pampas

wide plains of grasslands southeast of South America with mild climate

three vertical zones of Latin America

* Tierra Fria cold land (highest elevation) *Tierra Templada temperate land (mid elevation) *Tierra Caliente hot land (low elevation)

Describe the primary climates of Latin America

* tropical wet (warm high rainfall) * tropical wet-dry ( hot with rain but dry season) *humid subtropical ( temperate climate) * arid (dry)

Mexican Plateau

*in Mexico between Sierra Madre Occidental and the Sierra Madre Oriental *covered by Sonoran Desert *known as the Mexican Altiplano.

the largest nation in South America

Brazil

which nation has the largest population of Portuguese speakers

Brazil

Capital of Argentina

Buenos Aries

the most common language and religion of Latin America and the Caribbean

European languages- English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Dutch Roman Catholicism is the largest religion

Capital of Jamaica

Kingston

megacities in Latin America

Mexico City, Sao Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro

which areas of Latin America have large deposits of coal and oil

Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela

the negative consequences of urbanization in Latin America and the Caribbean

Shanty Towns Emigration

Paraguay River

flow through Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina and cover pampas

Parana River

flow through Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina and cover pampas

Subsistence farming

growing of food for only oneself and one's family

the importance of Simon Bolivar

helped free many Latin American countries from Spanish rule

Explain the difference in seasons between South America and North America

if you live in the continental United States and it is summer, in Argentina it would be winter!

explain the reasons Mexico and Brazil have less arable land than other countries in the region.

in Mexico the arid climates limit growth in Brazil the dense vegetation of the rainforest creates barriers to developing the land

why numerous cathedrals were constructed in Latin America

introduction of Roman Catholicism reflect European domination of the region as well as the merging of native and African influences into Roman Catholicism

Paraguay

landlocked country site of War of Triple Alliance

Cuba

largest Caribbean island revolution 1950s Fidel Castro and communism

Nicaragua

largest nation in Central America site of violent revolutions

Amazon River Basin

largest river system in the world by sheer volume surrounded by rainforest supplies many of the nations of South America with fresh water.

Itaipu Dam

located along the Parana River, on the border of Paraguay and Brazil. constructed to provide hydroelectric power for both Paraguay and Brazil.

Ecuador

located directly on Equator owns Galapagos Islands- Charles Darwin formed evolution theories

Venezuela

located in North largest producer and exporter of oil socialist state

Lucayan Archipelago

located in the Atlantic Ocean rather than the Caribbean Sea

Orinoco River

located in the north of the South American continent. tributaries of the river feed much of the llanos in the region

Argentina

located in the south largest Spanish speaking nation in region cattle -gauchos (cowboys)

Uruguay

located on Southeast 2nd smallest nation in South America

Lake Titicaca

located on the Altiplano, forming a boundary between Peru and Bolivia. world's highest lake.

Peru

located on western coast diverse climate due to Andes Inca civilization

Caribbean Sea

located south of the Greater Antilles, west of the Lesser Antilles, and north of South America. located on top of a major tectonic plate that results in earthquakes world's second-largest coral reef,

Costa Rica

means rich coast vacations and tourism

Puerto Rico

means rich port Spanish Empires most important colony US took after Spanish American War "freely associated commonwealth" of US

which areas of Latin America have a tropical wet climate

much of Latin America including Amazon Basin

the demographics of Latin America and the Caribbean

multiple ethnic and racial groupings-varied heritage, with European, indigenous, and African ancestors.

Cash crop

agricultural crops that are grown solely for economic purposes, such as cotton.

Panama

attaches Central America to South America Panama Canal

explain why Central America is considered a different subregion of Latin America.

because of its Mayan influences and tropical climate

explain why we use the term "Latin America."

because of the romance languages the region speaks.

Belize

borders one ocean tourism

Latin American musical genres that were influenced by African culture

calypso and reggae

Bolivia

center of South America- landlocked on Altiplano and La Paz is highest capital in the world

Greater Antilles

comprised of the largest islands in the Caribbean

the importance of the Panama Canal

cut crossing times between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans dramatically, allowing for cheaper shipping costs of trade goods.

which natural disasters are most damaging to Latin America and the Caribbean

earthquakes and hurricanes

Primary economic activity

economic activity based on the extraction of natural resources

which Latin American nations are known for widespread cattle ranching

Argentina and Brazil

Identify the driest non-polar desert in the world

Atacama Desert

which nations are located in the Lucayan Archipelago

Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

which nations are located in the Lesser Antilles

Barbados, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Grenada.

capital of Columbia

Bogotá

which nations belong to NAFTA

Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Capital of Venezuela

Carácas

quality of soil in Latin America and the Caribbean

Different countries in the region have varying amounts of arable land for various reasons- some have rich soil and some have dry or rainforests

the largest nation in the Caribbean

Cuba

which nations are located in the Greater Antilles

Cuba, the Isle of Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.

which nation suffered the largest slave revolt in history

Haiti

explain the difference between Hispanic and Latino.

Hispanic describes someone from a Spanish-speaking country, while Latino describes someone from Latin America.

Sierra Madres

In Mexico Sierra Madre Occidental, Sierra Madre Oriental, and Sierra Madre del Sur

Machu Picchu

Incan city Located in modern-day Peru-site of human sacrifices

Capital of Bolivia

La Paz (Peace)

Capital of Peru

Lima

the city in Latin America that suffers the most from air pollution

Mexico City

which city used to be the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan

Mexico City

which indigenous culture heavily influenced the nations of Guatemala and Honduras

Mayan

Tikal

Mayan archaeological site in modern-day Guatemala

Chichen Itza

Mayan city located in modern-day Mexico site of human sacrifices

what area of Latin America was ruled by the Aztecs when the Spanish arrived

Mexico

which nation has the most Spanish speakers in the world

Mexico

The capital of the Bahamas is?

Nassau

the largest nation in Central America

Nicaragua

Rio Bravo

Rio Grande forms part of the border between the United States and Mexico.

Major cities of Brazil

Rio de Janiero and Sao Paolo

Capital of Chile

Santiago

Slash-and-burn agriculture

a process by which undeveloped land with thick vegetation is cut down and then burned in order to create a layer of nutrient-rich ash to grow crops