Key Terms
Which ancient civilization thrived along the west coast of South America?
Incas
Which two European countries colonized most of Latin America?
Spain and Portugal
Which mountains run along the West Coast of South America?
Andes
Why do many people in poverty drop out of school?
Sometimes their families cannot afford to keep them in school, and sometimes their families need them to work to support the family.
What are the only two countries in the Americas that are not included in Latin America?
USA and Canada
Which civilization thrived in Central and Southern Mexico from 1250 - 1521 CE?
Aztecs
After the Spanish conquest of Latin America, who were the natives ruled by?
Governors who took their orders by the king and queen of Spain.
Which river flows through South America and holds more water than any other river in the world?
Amazon
What is an income gap?
The difference in quality of life enjoyed by the wealthy compared to the poor.
Which Latin American country has the largest population? Which has the 2nd-largest population?
Brazil; Mexico
Which ancient civilization thrived in Southern Mexico and Central America from 250 BCE - 850 CE?
Mayas
After Latin American countries won their independence, who were they mostly governed by?
Small groups of Spanish colonists
Which waterfall, located in Venezuela, is the tallest waterfall in the world?
Angel Falls
Describe the homes of many people in poverty.
Little or no electricity; little or no plumbing; dirt floors; one-room building that the whole family shares; a wood-burning stove that fills the home with toxic smoke; little protection from the cold; vulnerable to being destroyed by natural disasters.
Which two Latin American countries have longer life expectancies than the US?
Chile, Costa Rica
Who was the Mexican president who took some land from the wealthy and gave it to the poor?
Benito Juarez
They were conquered in the 1500s; they revolted in the 1800s.
Which lake, located on the border of Peru and Bolivia, is the highest boatable lake in the world?
Lake Titicaca
Describe how living in poverty can negatively affect someone's health.
Answers may vary.
List three of the top five countries with the highest GDP per capita (average salary).
Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, Panama, Argentina, (French Guiana)
A form of government that is ruled by a small group of leaders.
Oligarchy
Give two facts about the Mayans and Aztecs; give two facts about the Incas.
Answers may vary.
Which desert in Chile is one of the driest places on Earth?
Atacama Desert
What are three ways countries can narrow the income gap?
Providing economic opportunities and stability for all citizens (free-market economy). Providing an outlet for protest and opposition so that policies can be adjusted to reflect the will of the people (democracy). A literate, well-educated population will be needed to fill the jobs that will become available in an increasingly complex economy.
What are three things democracy depends on?
Free and fair elections - citizen participation - majority rule with minority rights - guaranteed freedoms