Latin America
Keys to Understanding
„
Latin America is twice
the size of the United
States
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„
Latin America
is made up of
„
„
„
„
„
Middle
America
Central
America
The Islands
of the
Caribbean
South
America
2/3 of Latin America is located within the Tropics
„
Between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn
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„
Many different and
difficult
environments are
found in Latin
America
„
„
„
„
„
Mountains
Deserts
Rainforests
Savannas and
prairies
Rich farmland
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„
Latin America
was home to
highly
developed
civilizations
„
„
„
Maya
Inca
Aztec
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5
„
Following European
contact in Latin
America, Spain and
Portugal were the
dominant colonial
powers for centuries
„
Influenced all aspects
of Latin American
development
„
„
„
„
„
Economy
Religion
Urbanization and
infrastructure
Legal and
government
Social structure
„
Most Latin
Americans are
descendants of
„
Indians
„
„
African slaves
„
„
mestizo
mulatto
European
immigrants
„
creole
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„
Many Latin
American
countries export
low-priced raw
materials and
import high
priced
machinery and
advanced
technology
„
Population
growth is a
serious
problem in
Latin America
„
40% of the
population is
under 15
years of age
7
„
Latin American
cities are some
of the fastest
growing urban
areas on the
planet
„
Mexico City is
currently one
of the world’s
largest cities
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