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Latin America

Physical Geography of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean

Chapter 7, Section 1

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Mountains and Islands

  • The Region of Latin America includes Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands.
    • Middle and South America

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  • Much of Latin America was colonized by the Spanish and Portuguese.

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  • Languages were derived from Latin, which is why it is called Latin America.

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Mountains and Islands

  • Mexico has two major mountain ranges.
    • Sierra Madre Occidental
    • Sierra Madre Oriental

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  • Mexico sits on three large tectonic plates.
    • Causes earthquakes and volcanoes.

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  • The Mexican Plateau makes up to 40% of Mexico.
    • Most of Mexico’s people live here.

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Mountains and Islands

  • Mexico has few major rivers.
    • Largest river is the Rio Grande, which borders Texas.

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  • Central America is an isthmus.
    • A narrow piece of land that connects two large land masses.
      • (North America and South America)

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  • Most of Central America is hilly known as highlands.

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  • Central America also is on the edge of tectonic plates.
    • Earthquakes, volcanoes on Pacific Coast.

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Mountains and Islands

  • Caribbean Islands are East of Central America.

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  • Bahamas are a archipelago.
    • A chain of almost 700 islands.

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  • Greater Antilles include Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic), and Puerto Rico.

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  • Lesser Antilles includes the remaining smaller islands.

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Mountains and Islands

  • Many Lesser Antilles islands are actually the tops of small, underwater mountains.

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  • Mountains and highlands make up the interior surrounded by plains known as highlands.

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Climate and Vegetation

  • Half of Mexico lies south of the Tropic of Cancer. Temperatures are generally warmer and constant.
    • Tropical rain forests.

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  • Northern half has greater variations.

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  • Dry deserts are in the Northwest and Northern Mexican Plateau.

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  • In Mexico’s mountains, the temperature increases with the elevation.

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Climate and Vegetation

  • All of Central America is located in the tropical zone.

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  • The plains along the Caribbean coast receive the most rain.
    • Climate is perfect for rain forests.

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  • Higher elevations have cooler temperatures.

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  • Winds from the Caribbean Sea bring heavy rains on the Eastern side of mountains.
    • Western sides are drier.

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Climate and Vegetation

  • Forests of pines and oaks grow in mountains.

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  • Desert shrubs grow in drier areas.

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  • Winds are a big part of the climate of the Caribbean Islands.
    • Water stays warm
    • Warm winds blow across the islands keep temperatures constant.

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  • Elevation in the mountains allows for diverse plant life as well.

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Homework

  • Look at map and timeline on P. 196-197

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  • Read p. 198-203

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  • Answer #1, 3-7

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