Physical Geography of Central and South America

Labelling

match the crop with the number of the region where it best grows.

• Bananas grow best between 0 feet (sea level) and 7,000 feet.

• Fruits grow best between 4,500 feet and 9,000 feet.

• Potatoes grow best between 7,000 feet and 12,500 feet.

• Cattle prefer an altitude between 9,000 and 13,000 feet.

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

Fruit

Potatoes

Cattle

Bananas

Labelling

Using the map, which contains the names of the tectonic plates of Central and South America, identify the plates shown on the map containing numbers. Match the name of the plate to its numbered region

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

Nazca

South American

Caribbean

Cocos

Multiple Choice

Which of the following measures the intensity of earthquakes?

• Seismic Scale

• 
  Richter Scale

• 
  Galapagos Scale

Multiple Choice

Which of the following presents a threat to the Amazon rainforest?

• deforestation

• 
  irrigation

• 
  rain shadows

Multiple Choice

A narrow strip of land that forms a link between two larger areas of land, with the sea on either side, is called a/an _____.

• 
  tectonic plate

• 
  isthmus

• 
  peninsula

Multiple Choice

A mountain range consisting of multiple parallel peaks, valleys, and ridges, represented on the map by dotted lines, is called _____.

• 
  plateaus

• 
  cordilleras

• 
  basins

Match

Match the weather pattern with its description.

• a weather pattern where the surface waters of the Pacific Ocean become warmer than usual and cause warmer-than-normal weather in Central and South America

• a weather pattern where the surface waters of the Pacific Ocean become cooler than usual and cause cooler-than-normal weather in Central and South America

• area where rainfall is reduced behind a mountain

El Niño

La Niña

Rain Shadow

• 
  

  El Niño

• La Niña

• Rain Shadow

Match

Match the term with its definition.

• 
  able to support new life

• soil washing away due to natural forces

• 
  how high above sea level an object or place is

• when two tectonic plates meet under great pressure, one plate is forced under the other, creating friction and melting rock

fertile

erosion

altitude

subduction

• 
  fertile

• 
  erosion

• 
  altitude

• subduction

Multiple Choice

This term is used to describe much of Central and South America and refers to the ability to support a wide variety of plant and animal species.

• 
  biodiverse

• 
  grazable

• 
  islas flotantes

Multiple Choice

_____ refers to the basic structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society. Examples include roads, power supplies, healthcare, and sanitation such as water and sewage.

• gaucho

• 
  infrastructure

• tributary

Labelling

Match the term with the area of the map that best matches the term.

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

Leeward

Windward

Hotspot

If you are a farmer looking to plant crops, which side of the mountain will have the best chance of successfully growing food?

Multiple Choice

Charles Darwin spent five years researching these islands off of the west coast of South America. They are home to species that had not been seen before. This voyage became the basis for his book On The Origin of Species, which explained the theory of evolution for the first time.

• Galapagos

• Caribbean

• 
  Falkland

Open Ended

Deforestation is a threat not only to forests and woodlands but to humans. Explain what deforestation is in your own words and why it is a threat to humans.

You can start your response with:

Deforestation, which is -------------, is a threat to humans because . . .