Physical Features
What two oceans border Latin America?
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
What early civilization built Tikal in modern-day Guatemala?
The Mayans
How many sovereign states are in South America?
12
What three regions make up Latin America?
Mexico, Caribbean, South America
Who led the movement for Mexico’s independence?
Miguel Hidalgo
What is the longest mountain range in the world?
The Andes Mountains
Which civilization lived in the Andes Mountains and built Machu Picchu?
The Incas
What country is famous for its tango dance and soccer legends like Messi?
Argentina
What body of water borders the islands of the West Indies?
The Caribbean Sea
What was the Columbian Exchange?
The movement of people, plants, and animals between the Old and New Worlds
What is the world’s second-largest river that flows through Brazil?
The Amazon River
What civilization built its capital, Tenochtitlán, where Mexico City stands today?
The Aztecs
What South American country is known for the Galápagos Islands?
Ecuador
What body of water is bordered by Mexico and the southern U.S.?
Gulf of Mexico
What Cuban leader created a communist dictatorship in 1959?
Fidel Castro
What is one of the driest places on Earth, located in Chile?
The Atacama Desert
Who conquered the Aztecs in 1519–1521?
Hernán Cortés
Which country is home to Angel Falls, the world’s tallest waterfall?
Venezuela
What is “La Cordillera”?
A chain of mountain ranges across the Americas
What new animal changed Native American life by improving hunting and travel?
The horse
What canal connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans?
The Panama Canal
What empire was conquered between 1531–1533?
The Incas
What is the internal territory of South America known for Devil’s Island?
French Guiana
Why is the Panama Canal important to world trade?
It’s a shortcut connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
What are some challenges Latin American countries face today?
Poverty, inequality, deforestation, or political unrest