SS6G1: The student will be able to locate
selected features of Latin America and the
Caribbean
SS6G2: The student will discuss environmental
issues in Latin America and the Caribbean
SS6G3: The student will explain the impact of
location, climate, natural resources, and
population distribution on Latin America and the
Caribbean
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Locate on a world and regional political-physical map: Amazon
River, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Ocean, Panama
Canal, Andes Mountains, Sierra Madre Mountains, and
Atacama Desert
Locate on a world and regional political-physical map in the
countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Haiti, Mexico, Panama,
and Venezuela
Compare how the location, climate, and natural resources of
Mexico and Venezuela affect where people live and how they
trade
Compare how the location, climate, and natural resources of
Brazil and Cuba affect where people live and how they trade
Explain the major environmental concerns of Latin America
regarding the issues of air pollution in Mexico City, Mexico, the
destruction of the rain forest in Brazil, and oil-related pollution
in Venezuela
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How does the physical geography of Latin America and the Caribbean
affect where people live?
What is the impact of development and trade on the environment? (air
pollution in Mexico City destruction of rain forests in Brazil, and oilrelated pollution in Venezuela)
How has the physical geography and distribution of resources
influenced how people have lived in Latin America?
How has the distribution of natural resources affected the economies
of the Caribbean?
What are the major physical features of Latin America and the
Caribbean, and where are they located on a map?
What are the major countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, and
where are they located on a map?
How do the factors of climate, access to water, and natural resources
affect where Latin America and the Caribbean choose to live and work?
Why is this region known as Latin America?
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Latin America is made up of countries in central America, Mexico, the
Caribbean and the continent of South America
Latin America contains many key physical features:
 Rivers
▪ Amazon River
 Major water bodies
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Pacific Ocean
Caribbean Sea
Gulf of Mexico
Panama Canal
 Mountains
▪ Andes Mountains
▪ Sierra Madre Mountains
 Other landforms
▪ Atacama Desert
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Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Cuba
Haiti
Mexico
Panama
Venezuela
Other countries include: Peru, Jamaica, Puerto
Rico, Chile, Honduras, Ecuador, Uruguay and
Dominican Republic
MAP OF LATIN
AMERICA
ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES IN LATIN
AMERICA
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Oil Pollution
In Venezuela, oil
pollution is a major issue
Venezuela gets money
from selling oil
Their largest lake,
Lake Maracaibo, is
polluted often and shuts
down tourism to the
lake
The oil spills kill fish,
harm animals, and takes
money away from the
fishing industry
Many in the
Venezuelan government
are working to help stop
this problem
ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES IN LATIN
AMERICA
Amazon Rainforest
 In Brazil, the
rainforest has long
provided many rare
plants and animals
The forest is being
destroyed due to road
building, farmers
cutting down trees for
crops, cattle ranchers
and logging
Many of the animals
are becoming extinct
and the soil is being
ruined for crops
The Brazilian
government is working
to set aside areas for
preservation and to
plant new trees
Air Pollution
Mexico has high problems with air pollution and
Mexico City is one of the most polluted cities in
the world
The causes are emissions from vehicles and
factories
Mountains block the wind from blowing the
toxic air out the atmosphere
The city promotes public transportation,
subways and carpooling to help the problem
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Mexico
 Location
▪ Located south of the United States on the continent of North America
 Climate
▪ Mixture of dry climates due to deserts and tropical climates in the south
▪ Little rainfall for farming
 Natural Resources
▪ Silver, copper, lead, iron and oil
 Population Distribution
▪ Most Mexicans live in urban areas
▪ Many live in towns close to the U.S. for work
 Trade
▪ Mexico mostly exports to the United States
▪ Exports include oil, fruits and vegetables
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Venezuela
 Location
▪ Located in South America
 Climate
▪ Hot and humid, but cool in the mountains
▪ Has a regular rainy season
 Natural Resources
▪ Oil
 Population Distribution
▪ Most people live along the coast and near the mountain valleys
▪ Most people live in cities and towns
 Trade
▪ Exports oil to the U.S., Brazil and Colombia
▪ Imports food due to low agriculture
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Brazil
 Location
▪ On the eastern part of South America
▪ Largest country in South America
 Climate
▪ Warm and humid climate
 Natural Resources
▪ Iron ore, agriculture
 Population Distribution
▪ Most people live near the Atlantic coast and in cities
 Trade
▪ Brazil trades mostly with the U.S. and Argentina
▪ Exports include coffee, sugarcane and oranges
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Cuba
 Location
▪ Located below Florida
▪ Largest island in the West Indies
 Climate
▪ Semi tropical, good rainfall and moderate temperatures
 Natural Resources
▪ Farming
 Population Distribution
▪ Most live in towns and cities
▪ Poorer people live and work on farms
 Trade
▪ Does not trade with U.S. due to an embargo
▪ Trades with China and Venezuela
▪ Exports sugar, tobacco, nickel and fish