Chapter 8 Study Guide: The Physical Geography of Latin America

Chapter 8 Study Guide for Apollo Team

Chapter 8 Study Guide for Apollo Team

Chapter 8 Latin America:  The Land

This section focuses on the landforms and natural resources of Latin America.

Chapter 8, Section 1

Terms to Know

cordillera A mountain range that runs parallel to another mountain range (page 194)

altiplano A high plain (page 194)

escarpment A steep cliff or slope (page 196)

llanos Grassy plains of Colombia and Venezuela (page 196)

pampas Grassy plains of Argentina and Uruguay (page 196)

gaucho A cowhand on the pampas (page 197)

hydroelectric power Electricity generated from the energy of water (page 197)

estuary An area where the tide meets a river current (page 197)

Physical Features of Latin America

Introduction (page 193) The Amazon River is the world’s second longest river. Other important features of Latin America include mountains, islands, coastal lowlands, plains, and waterways.

1.  Why is the Amazon River an important feature of Latin America?

A Vast Region (page 193) Latin America is in the Western Hemisphere, south of the United States that was settled by Europeans who spoke Spanish or Portuguese. These languages are based on Latin, which is why the region is called Latin America.

2.  Latin America is often divided into three areas:

A.  Middle America includes Mexico and seven countries in Central America.

B.  The Caribbean consists of island countries in the Caribbean Sea.

C.  South America is a continent, the largest land area of Latin America, and has         13 countries.

Into what areas is Latin America often divided?

Mountains and Plateaus (page 194) Mountains extend the entire length of Latin America. The rugged landscape of Latin America is caused by its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire. This is where plates of the earth’s crust have collided for thou- sands of years, creating mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes. Many people live in the mountains for the cool climate and natural resources.

The mountains of Latin America change names as you move south:

A.  The Sierra Madre Mountains are in Mexico.

B.  The Central Highlands are a chain of volcanic mountains in Central America. Many Caribbean islands are part of this range.

C.  The Andes of South America are the world’s longest mountain ranges.  They consist of cordilleras, or ranges that run parallel to each other.  The peaks in Peru and Bolivia encircle the Altiplano, or high plain.

There are four important plateaus in Latin America:

A.  Patagonia is a long plateau in Argentina.

B.  The Mexican Plateau has a mild climate, fertile soil, and plentiful rainfall.  The living conditions have attracted settlers for thousands of years.

D.  The Mato Grosso Plateau covers much of central Brazil.

E.  The Brazilian Highlands is a vast plateau in Brazil. Its eastern edge forms an escarpment, or a steep cliff or slope that plunges sharply to the Atlantic Ocean.

3.  What has caused the rugged landscape of Latin America?

Lowlands and Plains (page 196) Narrow lowland areas lie along most coasts of Latin America. Inland areas of South America have large grasslands. The llanos are vast grassy plains of Colombia and Venezuela. The pampas are grassy, treeless plains in Argentina and Uruguay. Cowhands called llaneros in the llanos and gauchos in the pampas drive herds of cattle across the plains. The pampas have fertile soil. Many crops are grown there.

4.       Where are the lowlands and plains of Latin America located?

Water Systems (page 197) Latin America’s waterways are used for transportation. The Rio Grande forms part of the border between Mexico and the United States. The Amazon River and smaller rivers that join it form the Amazon Basin of South America. Another river system is formed by the Paraná, Paraguay, and Uruguay Rivers. It provides hydroelectric power, or electricity generated from the energy of water. These rivers flow into an estuary, an area where the tide meets a river current, called the Río de la Plata.

5.       What do the water systems of Latin America provide the people of the region?

Natural Resources (page 198) Latin America’s natural resources include minerals, forests, farmland, and water. Its important minerals are oil, natural gas, gold, silver, emeralds, copper, bauxite, and tin.

6.       What important natural resources are found in Latin America?

Climate and Vegetation

This section focuses on the types of climate regions and vegetation found in Latin America.

Chapter 8, Section 2

Terms to Know

canopy A continuous layer of leaves (page 200)      

tierra templada Temperate land (page 203)

tierra caliente Hot land (page 203)      

tierra fria Cold land (page 203)

Introduction (page 199) Latin America has many climate regions. The climates and landforms affect the kinds of plants, trees, and crops that grow there.

What affects the kinds of plants, trees, and crops that grow in Latin America?

Climate and Vegetation Regions (page 199)

Much of Latin America lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Therefore, large areas of Latin America have some type of tropical climate with lush vegetation. The mountains and wind patterns, however, create a variety of climates and natural vegetation in the region. There are five major climate regions in Latin America:

A.  A tropical rain forest climate has hot temperatures and large amounts of rainfall year-round.  This climate is found in southern Mexico, eastern Central America, some Caribbean islands, and parts of northern South America.  A variety of trees grow in the rain forest, including tropical hardwoods, palms, tree ferns, and bamboo.  Trees grow so close together that they form a continuous layer of leaves called a canopy. The Amazon Basin—the earth’s largest rain forest— has more types of plants and animals than anywhere else on Earth.

B.  A tropical savanna climate has hot temperatures, large amounts of rainfall and a long dry season.  This climate is found in southwestern Mexico, most Caribbean islands, and north central South America. Many tropical savanna areas have vast grasslands.

C.   A humid subtropical climate has short, mild winters and long, hot, humid summers.  This climate is found over much of southeastern South America.  The pampas of this region are covered with short grasses. Farmers plant crops in this region to hold the topsoil in place.

D.  A desert climate is dry year-round.  This climate is found in parts of northern Mexico, coastal Peru, Argentina, and Chile.  There is little vegetation in this climate region, but prickly cacti and drought-resistant plants have adapted to the harsh environment.

E.  A steppe climate has hot summers, cool winters, and light rainfall.  The vegetation is grassy or lightly forested.  This climate is found in northern Mexico, northeastern Brazil, and south central South America.

What are the five major climate regions in Latin America?  Elevation and Climate (page 202)

(The climates of Latin America are more affected by elevation than by latitude. Spanish terms are used to describe three different vertical climate zones that occur as elevation increases.)

A.  Tierra Caliente (hotland) is at the lowest elevations between sea level and 2,500 feet.  Average temperatures range from 68 to 91degrees. Vegetation includes:  rain forest, and crops including bananas, sugar, rice, and cacao.

B.      Tierra Templada (temperate land) lies between 2,500 and 6,500feet.  Temperatures range from 60 to 72 degrees.  Vegetation includes broad-leafed and coniferous evergreens. Crops include coffee and corn. More people live in this vertical cli- mate zone than the other two because of the mild climate.

C.      Tierra Fría (cold land) lies between 6,500 and 10,000 feet.  Frosts are common during winter. Potatoes and barley grow well there.

How does elevation affect climate and vegetation in Latin America?

Chapter 7 The US and Canada Today: Study Guide for Apollo Students

Chapter 7 Study Guide for Apollo Team

Chapter 7 Study Guide for Apollo

Living in the United States and Canada

This section focuses on the economies of the United States and Canada.

Chapter 7, Section 1

Terms to Know

free market economy Economic system in which people can own, operate, and profit from their own businesses (page 157)

post-industrial Emphasizing service and high- technology businesses (page 158)

commodity An agricultural or mining product (page 158)

retooling Converting old factories for use in new industries (page 161)

pipeline A long network of underground or aboveground pipes (page 162)

monopoly Total control of an industry by one person or one company (page 162)

trade deficit The difference in value when a country’s imports exceed its exports (page 163)

tariff A tax on imported goods (page 163)

trade surplus The difference in value when a country’s exports exceed its imports (page 163)

Introduction (page 157) The United States and Canada have rich resources and technological skills to place them in the world’s top 10 economic powers.

1.       Why are the United States and Canada leading economic powers?

Economic Activities (page 157) The United States and Canada have free market economies. Individuals

and companies are allowed to own, operate, and make a profit from their businesses. In Canada the government owns and manages broadcasting and health care services. Private corporations provide these services for profit in the United States. Both countries are said to have post-industrial economies because they are moving from older ways of manufacturing to service and high-tech industries.

The United States has more cropland than any other country in the world. Canada has less land suitable for farming, but still devotes millions of acres to agriculture. Most farming in the United States and Canada is commercial. Agricultural goods, (commodities), are produced by large corporations for sale. Only 2 percent of Americans and 4 percent of Canadians work in agriculture. Many people cannot afford to be farmers, for several reasons. Modern farming requires expensive machines and fertilizers. Market prices for commodities are sometimes so low that farmers do not make a profit. Natural disasters, such as floods or droughts, can wipe out entire crops or herds overnight.

The United States and Canada produce large amounts of the world’s beef, milk, eggs, corn, wheat, and other grains. They export these products to markets around the world.

2.       Why do few people work in agriculture in the United States and Canada?

Manufacturing and Service Industries (page 160) Manufacturing makes up about 20 percent of the economies of the United States and Canada. The two countries produce and export large amounts

of transportation equipment and machinery. Robotics and computerized automation have changed manufacturing in the two countries. A greater amount of goods can be produced today with fewer workers than in the past.

The post-industrial economy of the region is growing quickly. About 75 percent of the people in the United States and Canada are now employed in service industries. Both countries produce high-tech equipment for use in computer sciences, telecommunications, and biotechnology. Many cities that were heavy industrial manufacturing centers are retooling. This means that they are changing old factories for use in new industries.

3.       How are cities adapting to a post-industrial economy?

Transportation and Communication (page 161) The United States and Canada have advanced transportation and communication systems. Both countries have invested heavily in the building and maintenance of highways, roads, and bridges. Urban transportation includes subways, elevated and commuter trains, cars, and buses. The region has a busy network of airlines, railroads, and buses for long-distance travel. Railroads and long-haul trucks carry freight. Pipelines, or long networks of underground or above ground pipes, carry much of the region’s gas and oil.

Canada’s broadcasting and telephone systems are publicly owned. In the United States, the government regulates private ownership of these industries in order to make sure that monopolies do not exist. A monopoly is total control over a type of industry by one person or one company. Most people own telephones, televisions, and radios. Computer use is also high in the region.

4.       What kinds of transportation and communications systems does the region have?

Trade and Interdependence (page 162) The United States and Canada trade with other countries because they produce surpluses of certain products. They export agricultural and manufactured goods and raw materials. Canada also exports seafood and timber products. The two countries are also major importing nations. Canada has a trade surplus. This means that it earns more from export sales than it spends for imports. The United States has a trade deficit because it spends more on imports than it earns from exports.

The United States and Canada are each other’s largest trading partners. In 1988 the two countries agreed to remove tariffs and other trade restrictions between them. In 1994 this agreement, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), included Mexico. NAFTA allows the free flow of labor among the three countries.

5.       Which country is the largest trading partner for the United States? For Canada?

United Against Terrorism (page 163) On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City’s World Trade

Center and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., stunned the United States and the rest of the world. Americans responded quickly to aid victims and rescue workers. To show their resolve and unity, Americans put up flags, attended candlelight vigils, and participated in prayer services. Political leaders and law enforcement officials took action to hunt down terrorists and to protect Americans from further attacks.

The United States won international support for a wide-ranging response to terrorism. The first military action of this war on terrorism began in Afghanistan, which harbored Osama bin Laden, the Saudi exile believed to be responsible for the September 11 attacks.

6.       Why did the first military action of the war on terrorism take place in Afghanistan?

People and Their Environment

Chapter 7, Section 2

Terms to Know

clear cutting Taking out whole forests when harvesting timber (page 165)

acid rain Precipitation that carries abnormally high amounts of acidic materials (page 166)

smog A visible haze caused by the sun’s rays interacting with automobile exhaust and industrial pollution (page 167)

groundwater Freshwater in the earth that supplies wells and springs (page 167)

eutrophication The process by which a body of water becomes rich in dissolved nutrients, leading to overgrowth of small plants (page 168)

Introduction (page 165) Strip mining and other resource-based industries can cause damage to the

environment. Today, these industries are working to limit damage to the environment.

1.       Which industries can cause damage to the environment?

Human Impact (page 165) The United States and Canada do not always wisely manage their natural resources.  Clear-cutting, or cutting down a whole forest for its timber, has destroyed many of the region’s old-growth forests. This practice endangers wildlife and causes erosion and flooding. Fishing has depleted many freshwater and ocean fisheries. Natural resource management includes watching the impact of human activity on the environment.

2.       What are two ways that human activity has damaged the environment of the region?

Pollution (page 166) Industrial development in the United States and Canada has interfered with the natural environment to cause pollution. Four types of human- made pollution are:

A.  Acid rain- is precipitation that carries unusually high amounts of toxic chemicals. It forms when pollution from cars, power plants, factories, and oil refineries reacts with water vapor in the air. Acid rain eats away at buildings, damages plants, and pollutes water and soil. Plant life and fish cannot survive in highly acidic waters.

Winds carry acid rain far from its source. Acid rain from the coal- burning factories of the Midwest blows eastward to the Adirondack Mountains. About 26 percent of the lakes in this region are acidic. Acid rain from the United States has also polluted many provinces in Canada.

B.  Smog adds to air pollution. As the sun’s rays interact with automobile and industrial exhaust, a visible haze known as smog appears. Smog damages or kills plants and irritates people’s eyes, throats, and lungs. To prevent the effects of smog, health officials measure the air quality of cities. If they find dangerous levels of smog, they issue smog alerts urging people to stay indoors.  Authorities also may restrict driving or industrial activity. Cars are now being designed that use energy sources other than fossil fuels. Lawmakers are working on laws that would reduce the amount of emissions released into the air. People are being encouraged to use public transportation.

C.  Water pollution in the region is caused by acid rain and by industrial and agricultural wastes that are dumped into rivers and streams. Sometimes these wastes find their way into the groundwater. This is the freshwater in the earth that supplies wells and springs.  Water pollution kills marine life, birds and other animals that live in wetlands. The pollution can harm the health of humans who use polluted water supplies.

Water pollution increases the process known as eutrophication. In this process a lake or other body of water becomes rich in dis- solved nutrients, causing the overgrowth of algae.  The algae use up the oxygen in the water, leaving too little oxygen for the fish to breath. Eutrophication can, over time, turn the lake into dry land.  The United States and Canada signed the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to reduce water pollution.  The United States has also passed the Clean Water Act to restore the quality of the nation’s waterways.

D. Global warming is a worldwide environmental concern whose causes are not completely understood. Effects of global warming include the melting of polar ice caps, thinning of sea ice, and thawing of permafrost.  When polar ice melts, ocean levels rise; this causes coastal and river flooding.  Thinning sea ice causes animals to move further north.  Thawing permafrost buckles the land and weakens the foundations of houses.  Warmer, higher seas cause changes in climate patterns, such as El Niño.

How has industrial development in the United States and Canada caused pollution of the environment?