Physical Geography
What is the leeward side like?
Warm temperatures and low precipitation.
What is deforestation?
Clearing forests for farming, ranching, or lumber.
What products came to Latin America through the Columbian Exchange?
Cattle, horses, and sugarcane.
What is a common pull factor that brings people from Central America to the U.S.?
Higher wages and better job opportunities.
What type of soil is Mexico City built on?
Soft, wet soil.
What major mountain range creates the Atacama Desert?
The Andes Mountains.
What is one argument people use to support deforestation?
It provides jobs and income for many workers.
What caused Indigenous peoples to become underrepresented in Latin America today?
Epidemics like smallpox and influenza.
Why do American companies build factories in Mexico?
Inexpensive labor and close trade access.
Why does Mexico City experience so much damage during earthquakes?
The soft soil amplifies shaking and many older buildings are not reinforced.
What geographic factor causes the Atacama Desert to be so dry?
Mountain barriers blocking moist air.
What is sustainable development?
Protecting the environment while supporting economic growth.
How did the Atlantic slave trade affect Latin America’s culture?
It created blended cultural traditions.
What does the Panama Canal do for trade?
Reduces shipping costs.
Why are future earthquakes hard to prepare for?
Their timing and strength are difficult to predict.
What does the Amazon Rainforest provide to the region?
Oxygen, biodiversity, and natural resources.
What problem does the Amazon Rainforest face today?
Deforestation.
What religion is most common in Latin America?
Roman Catholicism.
What effect did the Panama Canal have on Latin America’s economy?
Increased economic development.
Earthquakes + bad soil = what kind of problem for Mexico City?
Major destruction and heavy building damage.
How do mountain barriers affect temperature and precipitation?
They create rain shadows and change precipitation patterns.
How do mountains, winds, and ocean currents affect Latin America’s climate?
They change temperature and precipitation across the region.
How is Roman Catholicism shown in the region today?
Through festivals, art, and celebrations like Carnival.
What is the definition of a pull factor?
A reason that attracts someone to a new country.
Name two reasons Mexico City is at high earthquake risk.
Soft, wet soil AND old, unreinforced buildings.