Latin America
Cultural Characteristics
World Geography
WG.4
Indian Civilizations
Long before Europeans
came to Latin America
highly developed
civilizations lived in the
region.
Millions of people were
controlled under three
main empires:
• Aztec
• Inca
• Maya
MAYA
•
•
•
•
Lived on the Yucatan peninsula
Mostly farmers
Developed a calendar using mathematics and astronomy
Spanish paid little attention to them because their land had little gold &
silver
TIKAL
• Major Mayan settlement
• Located in present day
Guatemala
• The ruins of Tikal include
more than 3,000 structures
including palaces, temples,
ceremonial platforms, ball
courts, terraces, plazas,
avenues and steam baths
TOUR TIKAL
AZTEC
• Lived in the central valley of Mexico
• Aztec capital was Tenochtitlan which is
modern day Mexico City
• Had a vast empire that was a military
dictatorship which helped the
conquistadors (conquers from Spain)
take over
INCA
• Empire extended from Columbia
to Chile in the Andes Mountains
• Extensive highway system
• Used irrigation, guano, canals,
reservoirs & llamas to produce
enough food
• Harvest was divided into thirds:
– 1/3 to priest
– 1/3 to ruler
– 1/3 to community
Machu Picchu
• When discovered in
1911 it was totally
covered by vegetation
• Used to study
astrology
• May have been a
sacred place for
religious ceremonies
TOUR
MACHU PICCHU
~ Spanish conquistadors
arrived in Latin America
around 1519.
~ They were in search of
Gold, God & Glory
~ Agriculture was also
important . They turned
the Indians’ ejidos
(communal lands) into
large haciendas owned by
only the wealthy.
European
Colonization
Why were the Europeans able to
conquer the Indian empires?
1st:
Europeans had guns and
horses
2nd:
Formed military alliances
3rd:
Europeans brought diseases
such as smallpox
ROMAN
CATHOLICISM
• Roman Catholic missionaries tried to
convert the Indians over to
Christianity.
• They established missions in both the
city centers and rural areas.
• Today Catholicism remains the
primary religion in Latin America
MESTIZOS - people of mixed European & Indian ancestry
• Spanish and Indian cultures
“mixed” in Latin America
• Many of the European colonists
were men and they got lonely so
they “met” Indian women.
* Many Mexicans want
to emigrate out of
their country.
* WHY? Push factors
include poverty,
pollution & crime
* Better jobs are
available in the US so
Mexicans can send
money back to their
families
Out-Migration
Population Growth
The populations of many
Latin American
countries are growing
rapidly.
By looking at the
population pyramid
would you say
Venezuela is developed
or developing?_______
• It is very difficult to
rise up the social
ladder
• It is similar to India
• If you are born poor
you will probably
be poor the rest of
your life
• The rich and poor
do not mix socially
Rigid Social
Structure
Most cities are
located along the
coast.
In the large
megacities, squatter
settlements are
common.
Many people live very
closely together in
homes made of
whatever they can
find.
Types of Music
Music from this region has many
African influences
•calypso (Trinidad)
•steel drum bands (Trinidad)
• Listen to Caribbean Music Sample, "S Dwet"
•reggae (Jamaica) LISTEN
Many dances also come from
Latin America
• Salsa (Cuba & Puerto Rico)
• Merengue (Dominican Republic)