Latin America
Where does the latin in Latin America come from?
Physical Geography
 The study of the natural features of the earth’s surface,
especially in its current aspects, including land
formation, climate, currents, and distribution of flora
and fauna.
 EXAMPLES IN LATIN AMERICA
Andes Mountains (Peru)
The Eastern Flank of the Andes
Llamas in the Andes
The Sierra Madres, Mexico
Atacama Desert
The Panama Canal
Guianan Highlands, Venezuela
Amazon Rain Forest
Cattle Ranching on the Pampas
Brazilian Highlands
Patagonian Region (Chile)
Regions
of
Latin
America
The Caribbean
Central
America
South
America
Physical Geography
 Carribean Sea , Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean
 Sierra Madre Occidental Pampas, Patagonia, Sierra
Madre Oriental Amazon R., Rio de Plata, Andes Atlas
 Isthmus of Panama Brazilian Highlands,
Amazon
Basin, LAKE TITICACA, Cape Horn,
Mato Grosso Plateau, Atacama Desert, Galapagos Is.
Precipitation
Temperatures
Elevation
HUMBOLDT CURRENT
Peruvian Current
Humboldt Current
Peruvian Current
 A current of cold Antarctic water which is brought to the
surface by air currents.
 The water that is brought to the surface is nutrient
rich. It brings with it all the nutrients created from
sinking decomposed organic matter.
 During this season the water temperature drops from
around 70°F (21°C) to 80°F (27°C) – December to
May, down to around 65°F (18°C) to 75°F (23°C) –
June through November.
Vertical Climate (get your
map out)
Altitudinal Zonation:
Vertical Climate
The Tropical Hemisphere
What is El Nino?
(Happens every 2-7 yrs.)
When trade winds lose their strengths the ocean responds in
a several ways. Warm surface waters from the large, warm
pool east of Indonesia begin to move eastward. Moreover,
the natural spring warming in the central Pacific is allowed
to continue and spread eastward through the summer and
fall.
 As a result, the large central and eastern Pacific
regions warm up (over a period of about 6 months)
into an El Niño.
Children of the Tropics
El Nino

The Effects of El Nino

Effects of El Nino are
increased rainfall across the
southern tier of the US and
in Peru, which has causes
destructive flooding, and
drought in the West Pacific,
sometimes associated with
devastating brush fires in
Australia. Observations of
conditions in the tropical
Pacific are considered
essential for the prediction
of short term (a few
months to 1 year) climate
variations.

Graphic of El Nino
El Nino
 The El Niño
temperature
anomaly of
1997-98
(appearing
here as a red
band in the
Pacific
Ocean)
affected
weather
worldwide.
His sister, La Nina
 During La Niña years, the trade winds are unusually
strong due to an enhanced pressure gradient between the
eastern and western Pacific. As a result, upwelling is
enhanced along the coast of South America,
contributing to colder than normal surface waters over
the eastern tropical Pacific and warmer than normal
surface waters in the western tropical Pacific.
La Nina
Columbian Exchange
(old NAFTA)
NAFTA (North American
Free Trade Agreement)
 NAFTA has eliminated trade barriers, increased
investment opportunities, and established procedures for
resolution of trade disputes. Most important, it has
increased the competitiveness of the three countries
(Mexico, Canada, USA) involved on the global
marketplace.
Advantages of NAFTA
 NAFTA links 444 million people and produces $17
trillion in goods and services annually.
 Trade between the NAFTA countries tripled from $297
billion in 1993 to $1 trillion in 2007
Disadvantages of NAFTA
 Critics blame NAFTA for destroying American jobs and
lowering U.S. wages. Others accuse NAFTA of
exploiting Mexico's workers, destroying its farms and
polluting its environment.
 In addition, NAFTA increases the U.S. trade deficit
CAFTA
(Central American Free Trade Agreement)
 Eliminates 80% of tariffs
 This means things like computers and books, which are
usually more expensive in Central American countries
than in the US despite lower labor and other costs, will
come down in price.
Jared Diamond links
 European advantages over Incas
 Continental Shape