Latin America. Physical Geography

Transcription

1 + Latin America Physical Geography

2 + I. Landforms A. Caribbean & Central America 1. Mexico is dominated by two mountain chains, collectively called the Sierra Madre. A high plateau is situated in between. 2. The mountains of Central America are volcanic due to the subduction of the Cocos Plate underneath the North American plate (What type of boundary?). 3. Both Mexico and the countries of Central America are subject to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. 4. The Caribbean Islands are also affected by plate boundaries (What type of boundary?). Many of the islands of the Caribbean are volcanic islands (What type of landform created?).

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7 + I. Landforms B. South America 1. The Andes Mountains dominate the western edge of the continent. a. It is the 2 nd highest mountain chain in the world. b. Formed from the subduction of the Nazca plate underneath the South American plate (What type of boundary?) c. There are two ranges collectively called the Cordillera. 2. Two large plateaus: the Brazilian & Guiana Highlands are found on either side of the Amazon rainforest.

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9 Mato Grasso Plateau

10 + II. Climate A. The Latin America region extends through almost 90 degrees of latitude. This is the greatest north-south distance of any major world region. B. Mexico, the Caribbean & Central America 1. Lies within the tropics & dominated by Northeast Trade winds for about 2/3 of the year. This causes consistent warmth and humidity in the region. 2. Modified cold air masses called nortes sometime affect those regions farthest to the north. 3. The Caribbean Islands have windward and leeward sides affected by rainfall in the summer months. For example, in Jamaica, the windward side of the island receives about 130 inches/year while the leeward side receives only about 31 inches. 4. Hurricanes during the summer months are also a dominate weather occurrence.

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12 + II. Climate C. South America 1. In Brazil, the northern part of the country experiences a tropical rainy climate year-round. 2. North of Brazil, in the area of the Guiana Highlands a tropical wet/dry climate is more dominate. 3. However due to latitude, the northeastern corner of Brazil is prone to prolonged droughts. 4.In the southern part of Brazil the climate is more temperate, with a shorter growing season. 5. In northern Chile, the Atacama Desert is situated between the cold Humboldt Current in the Pacific and the Andes Mtn. It is one of the driest places on Earth. 6. The Patagonia region of Argentina is arid due to a cold water current off the southeast coast.

13 +II. Climate D. The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) 1. The ENSO is an episodic atmospheric & oceanic phenomenon of the Pacific Ocean near around the Equator. It is particular noticeable off the western coast of South America. 2. Normally, the waters off the west coast of S.A. are cool, air pressure type is subtropical high where air is descending causing the Trade winds. These winds push water off the coast towards the east. This causes cooler water to be brought up to the surface.

14 + II. Climate 3. On the other side of the Pacific, the pattern is quite different. Near Indonesia, water is piling up due to the winds, the western Pacific is about 2 10 inches higher than the eastern Pacific. The water is warm, and there are lots of thunderstorms and rain. 4. Every few years this normal pattern changes. Pressure changes in the western Pacific cause a decrease in the Trade winds and the warm water starts moving east towards S.A. This can take several months. When this warm water reaches S.A. It changes the pressure pattern and an ENSO event takes place. 5. While this I most noticeable in S.A., it affects weather patterns worldwide.

15 + II. Climate E. The majority of the high mountain ranges in S.A. are located within tropical latitudes. This creates vertical zones with distinctive climate and vegetation. This is called altitudinal zonation and is more obvious at the equator. 1. tierra caliente: from sea level to about 2,500 ft; warm to hot conditions, and tropical forest. 2. tierra templada: from 2,500 6,000 ft; mild to warn temperatures, deciduous forests. 3. tierra fría: from 6,000 12,000 ft; cold to mild temperatures, pine forests 4. tierra helada: 12,000 15,000; colder temperatures, grasslands 5. tierra nevada: 15,000 ft and up; snow cover year-round, even on the equator

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17 + III. River Basins A. Three major river systems dominate the S.A. 1. The Amazon River Basin A. The world s largest river by volume. 2. The Orinoco River Basin 3. The Paraná - Paraguay River Basin v=wrw5v55pwr0&spfreload=10%20message%3a%20json%20parse %20error%3A%20Unexpected%20EOF%20(url%3A%20https%3A %2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DWrW5V55pwR0)

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20 + IV. Natural Vegetation A. Tropical rainforest persists year-round in the Amazon River Basin, along the northern Pacific & Central American coasts, and on some of the Caribbean Islands. The world s largest expanse of rainforest is found in Brazil. B. The pampas are tall, lush temperate grasslands found in central Argentina & Uruguay. C. The llanos are tropical grasslands found in northern S.A. mainly in Venezuela & Colombia.

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24 + V. Natural Resources A. The Andes Mtns. provide considerable mining opportunities for metal ores such as gold, silver, & copper. This was a major reason for the colonization of S.A. by Spain & Portugal. B. The pampas provide good soil for agriculture and grazing land for livestock. C. The rivers combined with the natural relief provide opportunities for hydroelectricity. D. Offshore drilling of oil and natural gas near Venezuela.

25 + VI. Environmental Problems A. Deforestation is a major issue in Brazil. Tropical rainforests contain the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. 1. Desire for land to farm has caused thousands of acres of the rainforest to be destroyed through a process called slash-andburn. 2. To help offset economic losses in Brazil from leaving the rainforest untouched, many nations have agreed to take on some of Brazil s debt in a program called debt-for-nature.

26 + VI. Environmental Problems B. Air pollution is a major problem in Mexico City, Mexico. 1. Temperature inversions caused by the surrounding landforms keep the air from mixing and it fills with pollution from factory and vehicle exhausts.

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