Figure 3 • Built across Panama • Allows ships to travel from Atlantic to Pacific • Lake Titicaca (worlds highest navigable lake) • Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela

Panama Canal & Lakes

• Major oil & natural gas deposits in & Venezuela • Gold in Venezuela • Silver in Mexico & Peru • Copper in Chile • Bauxite in Jamaica

Natural Resources

History and Government

History and government in and the have been influenced by indigenous cultures, colonialism, slavery, and struggles for freedom. • European conquests: – The Spanish conquered the Native Americans in the Caribbean. – The Columbian Exchange began after Columbus’s arrival in the . – Vasco Nunez de Balboa discovered Panama, which now boasts the .

Section 2 Central America and the Caribbean

A. Cuba B. Dominican Republic C. D. E. Panama F. Haiti G. Puerto Rico

Section 2-GTR History and Government (cont.) • Gaining Independence: – In 1804, Haiti won its independence from France. – Other Caribbean were the last to gain independence. – Some islands remain under foreign control today.

Section 2 The consist primarily of a. deserts. b. forests. c. rain forests. d. grasslands.

Llanos and Pampas are a source of grazing cattle and sheep.

History

• The first people in the probably came from over 40,000 years ago. • In addition to gold and silver, plants, animals, and diseases were traded between the Americas and . This is known as the Columbian Exchange.

VS 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 – 1959 revolution in Cuba, communist 90 miles away from florida.

Section 2 Caribbean Islands

• Many Caribbean Island are Volcanic peaks 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 2 America

A. Ecuador B. Peru C. Bolivia D. Rio de Janeiro E. Brasília F. São Paulo G. Buenos Aires H. Cuzco

Section 3-GTR ’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 – Africans – Europeans – Asians • Most South Americans live on the ’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 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.

Section 3 Cuba

• 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.

• 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.

Figure 5 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.

Section 3 THE END