What natural feature runs along the western side of Latin America, from Mexico down to the southern tip of South America?
mountains
100
What is an income gap?
It's the size of the gap between the wealthy and the poor in a country or region.
100
What led to the decline of the Aztecs and Incas?
The Spanish conquered those two empires.
100
Which country is the largest in Latin America? Which country has the largest population?
Brazil; Brazil.
100
What are the only two countries in the western hemisphere that are NOT part of Latin America?
United States, Canada
200
What is the name of the longest river in South America?
Amazon River
200
How is Rio de Janeiro an example of an income gap?
Some parts of the city contain wealthy high-rise apartments and offices, nice restaurants and shops, etc. while other parts of the city contain terrible slums with incredible poverty.
200
Which ancient civilization had its capital in what is now Cuzco, Peru?
Inca
200
Which two European countries colonized most of Latin America?
Spain and Portugal
200
How have Latin American governments changed over the last few decades?
Many Latin American countries have installed democracies.
300
What is the name of the large mountain range in South America?
Andes Mountains
300
How is the income gap a moral issue?
It begs the question, How can a caring society allow a few people to be so wealthy while the majority live in poverty? Is that morally OK?
300
Describe the architecture of one of the three ancient civilizations.
Maya: build tall pyramids, temples, and palaces. Decorated buildings with stone carvings and stucco statues.
Aztecs: houses built in shapes of mountains. Cities competed to build the greatest temples in the empire.
Incas: built the most significant pre-Columbian architecture in South America. Built long-lasting cities like Machu Picchu with impressive masonry (stone work).
300
Which two countries have life expectancies higher than the U.S.?
Chile, Costa Rica
300
Describe the ways many Latin American countries were ruled until recently.
Many countries were ruled by dictators and military leaders. The governments were oppressive, often silencing people's freedom of speech and not allowing people to speak out against the government. Many people were killed by the government. The rulers were typically supported by the wealthy and the military.
400
Why is Latin America called "Latin" America?
Because most of the countries were colonized by countries who speak Latin-based languages (Spanish, Portuguese, French).
400
How is the income gap a political problem?
Having so many living in such poverty while a few own so much leads to civil unrest and civil disobedience. People can become angry with the government and revolt, try to overthrow the government, wage war against the elite, etc.
400
Describe the religious beliefs of one of the three civilizations.
(answers may vary)
400
What is the official language for each of the following countries: Mexico, Brazil, Jamaica, Argentina
Mexico - Spanish. Brazil - Portuguese. Jamaica - English. Argentina - Spanish.
400
How is the income gap an economic problem?
Most Latin American countries have a free market, but most people lack the skills to take advantage of the free market. Many cannot read, most cannot find jobs. The free market is really only benefiting the wealthy because they have the education to know how to use it.
500
Describe what kinds of climates are on either side of the Andes Mountains.
To the west of the Andes is incredibly dry desert. To the east of the Andes is the lush Amazon Rainforest.
500
Describe the struggles of people living on a dollar a day.
They live one day at a time, never sure if they will have enough food to eat or enough money to get by. They drink unsafe water, which causes illness and death. Being sick from malnutrition and unsafe water causes people to miss work, which makes them even more poor. It also causes children to miss school. Children also have to drop out of school to work and support their families. Natural disasters can easily wipe out home and infrastructure, leaving the people with nothing. They can not qualify for loans from banks because they do not have all of the necessary resources to do so.
500
Describe how the government of one of the civilizations operated.
(answers may vary)
500
Match the following countries with their GDP per capita:
Mexico, Haiti, Brazil, Uruguay
$0 - $5,000
$5,000 - 10,000
$10,000 - 15,000
$15,000 - 20,000
$0 - 5000: Haiti
$5,000 - 10,000: Mexico
$10,000 - 15,000: Brazil
$15,000 - 20,000: Uruguay
500
Name three Latin American countries Roman has been to. (Hint: remember the slideshow of his photos)