INTRODUCTION TO LATIN & SOUTH AMERICA

CHAPTER 9

A. New Cultures◦ 1. Mayas & Aztecs established civilizations in

Mexico◦ 2. Incas conquered territory in South America◦ 3. After Columbus landed in 1492, Spanish

explorers, conquistadors, took over much of the land in Latin and South America

◦ 4. cultural convergence (merging of cultures) occurred here between the Natives, Europeans (Spanish & Portuguese), and Africans (slaves)

I. HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

B. Independent Republics◦ 1. during the 1700s & 1800s, people from Latin

America fought for independence & were successful ◦ 2. many republics were formed in Latin America, but

they still did not form democracies◦ 3. the colonial class structure (Europeans on top)

remained and the economies were dependent on trade with Europe

◦ 4. local caudillos (military rulers) seized power and became dictators…they usually favored the rich

C. Struggles for Reform◦ 1. after many rebellions, some countries have

improved rights and freedoms for its citizens◦ 2. some countries in Latin & South America have

moved towards democratic governments (Brazil, Guatemala, and Nicaragua)

D. Economic Gains◦ 1. governments tried to reduce dependency on a

single crop◦ 2. promoted modern technology & industry◦ 3. today, foreign countries can invest in

businesses from Latin & South America, but they must abide by laws and regulations of the local governments

A. Mountains◦ 1. Andes Mountains are the highest mountains in

South America◦ 2. they are a part of the Ring of Fire

B. Lowlands◦ 1. Amazon Basin is the lowland area drained by the

Amazon River◦ 2. high levels of rainfall provide an endless growing

season◦ 3. pampas – grassy plains in southeastern S. America

C. Earthquakes & Volcanoes◦ 1. found along the Ring of Fire◦ 2. many islands are also formed in the Caribbean Sea

II. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

A. Summer & Fall – tropical storms & hurricanes hit the area from the Atlantic

B. Every 3 years or so, an ocean current called El Nino warms the Pacific and causes droughts and floods around the world

C. Both Latin and South America have a Tropical Climate

III. CLIMATES

A. Rainforests◦ 1. Amazon rainforest is one of the largest

ecosystems in the world◦ 2. other rainforests can be found in Central

America, Mexico, and various Caribbean islands B. Grasslands

◦ 1. to the north and south of the Amazon rainforest

◦ 2. used for raising livestock and farming (pampas)

C. Desert◦ 1. Mexico and South America support desert and

desert scrub

IV. Ecosystems

A. Latin Americans trace their ancestry to Native Americans, Africans, & Europeans◦ 1. Mestizos – people of both Native American &

European descent◦ 2. Mulattoes – people of African and European

descent

V. PEOPLE & CULTURE

A. Traditionally, most Latin American countries’ economies were based on cash crops (coffee and bananas)

B. Land in the rainforests are cleared to make new farmland (but most nutrients are lost)

C. Commercial Agriculture – most farms only provide for their own family, but some are beginning to use modern equipment to grow enough for more people

D. Auto Industry – manufacturing makes up 1/3 of the nation’s yearly production of goods

VI. ECONOMICS, TECHNOLOGY, & ENVIRONMENT

VII. LOOK AT THE COUNTRIESCountry Type of

EconomyGDP Un-

employment

Leading Import

Leading Export

Mexico

Cuba

Brazil

Honduras

Market $9,000 3.0% Machinery Manufactured goods

Command $2,300 SugarPetroleum4.1%

6.4%

Machinery

Machinery

Manufactured goods

Manufactured goods

Traditional

Mixed

$2,600

$7,400

28%