Overview of Latin Americawhslgrigg.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/1/5/13158546/physical...Physical Geography...
Transcript of Overview of Latin Americawhslgrigg.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/1/5/13158546/physical...Physical Geography...
Physical
Geography
of Latin
America
Latin America = Mexico to Chile
Middle America =
• Mexico to Panama and
Caribbean Islands
Central America =
• Guatemala to Panama
South America = Colombia to
Chile
Caribbean / West Indies
Effect of landforms on population distribution
Why are there low
population densities in
the colored areas?
General
Pattern of
Landforms
• What physical feature is in the
red circles?
• What physical feature is in the
purple circles?
• What physical feature is in the
yellow circles?
From west to east, what are the
general pattern of landforms in
South America
Formation of the Andes
• What type of plate
boundary forms the
Andes mountains?
Mountains
Grasslands Llanos
Cerrado
Pampas
In what country do you find
the Llanos?
In what country do you find
the Cerrado?
In what country do you find
the Pampas?
Rainforest Biome
The three major island groups of the Caribbean:
Bahamas, GreaterAntilles, Lesser Antilles
Isthmus of Panama/Land bridge/Panama Canal
• What is an isthmus and why does
the term apply to Panama?
• What two oceans does the Panama
Canal connect?
• How does the Panama Canal
shorten shipping distances?
You will need to
know the pattern
of climates /
distribution of
climate zones
(text page 194)
Factors influencing climate: Latitude
• What special line of latitude
is located on the green line?
• What special line of latitudes
are on the yellow and purple
lines?
• How does latitude influence
the climate of Latin America
or anywhere else on the
globe?
Factors influencing climate: Altitude
What physical feature is responsible
for South America’s highland climate?
Factors influencing climate: Prevailing Winds
Locate the red line on the climate map below.
• Why is there a wetter climate just to the northeast and
southeast of the red line. At the same time, there are drier
climates to the northwest and southeast of the line. Your
answer needs to contain the words “prevailing winds” and
“Andes mountains”
Factors influencing climate: Distance from Ocean
• How does distance
from major oceans
influence climate?
Factors influencing climate: Ocean Currents
Using the image to the right,
explain the differences
between the coastal
temperatures of Pacific
Latin America and those of
Atlantic Latin America.
Humbolt Current
• Cold ocean current off Chile and Peru
• Moderates coastal climates
• Keeps coast very dry (cold air = less moisture)
• Helps create the Atacama desert
Humbolt Current
Factors influencing climate:
Great Mt. Barriers/Orographic Effect
• Look back to the Prevailing Winds
slide for a orographic effect recap
El Niño
• Ocean off S. America warmer than normal
• Causes world wide climate change
• About every 4-6 years