World Geography and Cultures
Transcript of World Geography and Cultures
Figure 3
Panama Canal & Lakes
• Built across Panama
• Allows ships to travel from Atlantic to
Pacific
• Lake Titicaca (worlds highest navigable
lake)
• Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela
Natural Resources
• Major oil & natural gas deposits in
Mexico & Venezuela
• Gold in Venezuela
• Silver in Mexico & Peru
• Copper in Chile
• Bauxite in Jamaica
Section 2
History and government in Central America and the Caribbean have been influenced by indigenous cultures, colonialism, slavery, and struggles for freedom.
History and Government
• European conquests:
– The Spanish conquered the Native Americans in the Caribbean.
– The Columbian Exchange began after Columbus’s arrival in the Americas.
– Vasco Nunez de Balboa discovered Panama, which now boasts the Panama Canal.
Section 2-GTR
A. Cuba
Central America and the Caribbean
B. Dominican Republic
C. West Indies
D. Hispaniola
E. Panama
F. Haiti
G. Puerto Rico
Section 2
History and Government (cont.)
• Gaining Independence:
– In 1804, Haiti won its independence from France.
– Other Caribbean countries were the last regions to gain independence.
– Some islands remain under foreign control today.
The pampas consist primarily of
a. deserts.
b. forests.
c. rain forests.
d. grasslands.
Llanos and Pampas are a
source of grazing cattle and
sheep.
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• The first people in the region probably came from Asia over 40,000 years ago.
• In addition to gold and silver, plants, animals, and diseases were traded between the Americas and Europe. This is known as the Columbian Exchange.
History
Section 2
History and Government (cont.)
• During the 1900s, many countries in Central America and the Caribbean experienced dramatic political, social, and economic changes:
– Panama Canal Zone is now control by Panama. The Canal allows ships to go from to the Pacifica and Atlantic Oceans
– 1959 revolution in Cuba, communist country 90 miles away from florida.
• Many Caribbean Island are Volcanic peaks
Caribbean Islands
Section 2
The culture of Central America and the Caribbean has been influenced by traditions and beliefs of indigenous peoples and colonialism.
• Language—Spanish is the primary language of Central America.
– In the Caribbean, many European languages are spoken.
– Countries in this region are predominately Catholic
Section 3-GTR
A. Ecuador
South America
B. Peru
C. Bolivia
D. Rio de Janeiro
E. Brasília
F. São Paulo
G. Buenos Aires
H. Cuzco
Section 3
South America’s population has been shaped by ethnic diversity, physical geography, migration, and urban growth.
• South America is home to an ethnically diverse population:
– Indigenous cultures
– Europeans
– Africans
– Asians • Most South Americans live on
the continent’s edges, sometimes called the “populated rim.”
• Africans first came to the Caribbean as enslaved workers.
Section 3
Population Patterns (cont.)
• About 80% of the subregion’s population is urban.
• São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Buenos Aires are among the world’s 15 largest cities.
• Many of these big cities have shanty towns built on marginal land. (destroyed by mudflows.)
• Most live on the coast
Section 3
Population Patterns (cont.)
• Many people are leaving South America due to the following:
– A search for better wages and living conditions
– A desire to escape the violence of civil war
Section 3
Indigenous civilizations, colonization, independence, and authoritarian rule have influenced South America’s history and government.
• The native American empires of Latin America were the Maya, Inca and the Aztec
• This has generated a unique blending beliefs and practices called syncretism.
Section 3
History and Government (cont.)
• Colonization—the Spanish and Portuguese were the first to colonize South America. Conquistadors were soldiers that claimed the new land for Spain.
• Independence—by the mid-1800s, most countries had achieved their independence from Europe.
• Authoritarian rule—some countries have democratic governments now, but still struggle with corrupt politics and other issues.
• Cuba was settle by the Spanish
displacing the local Indians called the
Arawak.
• America own it after the Spanish
American War in 1892 and it became
independent in 1902
• Communist took it over in 1959. Fidel
Castro .
– Currently crawling to a market economy.
You have to buy any property from the
government.
Cuba
Figure 5
• Most of the countries gained independence through violent means. The violence disrupted economies and led to instability in the region.
• Today most Latin American countries are democratic, and citizens are working to stop corruption.
Section 3
The culture of South America has been influenced by the arts, traditions, and beliefs of indigenous peoples, Europeans, and Africans. • Language—Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and French
are spoken in different parts of the subregion.
• Religion—mainly Roman Catholic
• Carnival is celebrated in several countries before the Roman Catholic observance of Lent
Section 3
Culture (cont.)
• Family life—in urban upper and middle classes, the family is more likely to consist of a nuclear household.
• Leisure—soccer is a passion.
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