Physical Geography of Latin America/Landforms and Resources
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Geography
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9th Grade
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Spencer Clark
Used 73+ times
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19 Slides • 8 Questions
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Physical Geography of Latin America
Landforms and Resources
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MOUNTAINS AND HIGHLANDS
Latin America stretches from the southern borders of the United States down to the southernmost tip of South America— almost 7,000 miles.
It is bounded by the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea.
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MOUNTAINS AND HIGHLANDS
The Andes Mountains of South America are part of a chain of mountain ranges that runs down the westernmost portion of North, Central, and South America.
There are many active volcanoes throughout the Andes.
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MOUNTAINS AND HIGHLANDS
The Andes Mountains have made settlement along the Pacific coast more difficult. They are a barrier to movement from the coast into the interior. As a result, more settlement in South America has occurred along the eastern and northern coasts.
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MOUNTAINS AND HIGHLANDS
Highlands are the mountainous or hilly sections of a country.
The Guiana Highlands are in the northeast of South America.
The Brazilian Highlands are in southeastern Brazil.
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Multiple Choice
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PLAINS FOR GRAIN AND LIVESTOCK
South America has areas of wide plains. The plains offer rich soil for growing crops and abundant grasses for grazing livestock.
The vast, grassy, and treeless plains of Colombia and Venezuela are called llanos.
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PLAINS FOR GRAIN AND LIVESTOCK
In Brazil the plains are called cerrado. A flat terrain and moderate rainfall make them suitable for farming.
The government of Brazil is encouraging settlers to move into the interior and develop this land.
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PLAINS FOR GRAIN AND LIVESTOCK
In Argentina and Uruguay, the plains are known as pampas.
The main products are cattle and wheat grain.
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Multiple Choice
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THE AMAZON AND OTHER RIVERS
South America has three major river systems.
The Orinoco River flows more than 1,500 miles to the Atlantic. It flows partly along the Colombia-Venezuela border.
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THE AMAZON AND OTHER RIVERS
The Amazon River is one of the world’s longest rivers. It flows about 4,000 miles eastward, across the central lowlands.
The Amazon River is fed by more than 1,000 smaller rivers. The Amazon carries more water to the ocean than the next seven largest rivers of the world combined.
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THE AMAZON AND OTHER RIVERS
The Paraná River has its origins in the highlands of southern Brazil.
It travels about 3,000 miles south and west through Paraguay and Argentina. It empties into the Atlantic.
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MAJOR ISLANDS OF THE CARIBBEAN
The Caribbean islands consist of three major groups: the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles, and the Lesser Antilles.
These islands together are sometimes called the West Indies.
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MAJOR ISLANDS OF THE CARIBBEAN
The Bahamas are made up of hundreds of islands. They lie off the southern tip of Florida and north of Cuba. They extend southeast into the Atlantic Ocean
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MAJOR ISLANDS OF THE CARIBBEAN
The Greater Antilles are made up of the larger islands of the Caribbean.
These include Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico.
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MAJOR ISLANDS OF THE CARIBBEAN
The Lesser Antilles are the smaller islands in the region southeast of Puerto Rico.
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RESOURCES OF LATIN AMERICA
The mineral resources of Latin America include gold, silver, iron, copper, bauxite, tin, lead, zinc, and nickel.
In addition, mines in this region produce precious gems, titanium, and tungsten. Many of these minerals are exported to other parts of the world.
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RESOURCES OF LATIN AMERICA
Oil, coal, natural gas, uranium, and hydroelectric power are plentiful.
Venezuela and Mexico have major oil reserves.
Mexico is able to export oil to other countries.
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RESOURCES OF LATIN AMERICA
Brazil is rich in hydroelectric power because of its many rivers and waterfalls. It is also rich in oil and gas.
Trinidad has discovered vast reserves of natural gas. These have attracted manufacturers to the island.
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RESOURCES OF LATIN AMERICA
In addition, Latin America is rich in agricultural resources and timber.
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Multiple Choice
Physical Geography of Latin America
Landforms and Resources
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