World Geography and Cultures

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 Mexico & Venezuela • Gold in Venezuela • Silver in Mexico & Peru • Copper in Chile • Bauxite in Jamaica Natural Resources History and Government History and government in Central America and the Caribbean 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 Americas. – Vasco Nunez de Balboa discovered Panama, which now boasts the Panama Canal. Section 2 Central America and the Caribbean A. Cuba B. Dominican Republic C. West Indies D. Hispaniola 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 countries were the last regions to gain independence. – Some islands remain under foreign control today. Section 2 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. History • 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. 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 Oceans – 1959 revolution in Cuba, communist country 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 South America A. Ecuador B. Peru C. Bolivia D. Rio de Janeiro E. Brasília F. São Paulo G. Buenos Aires H. Cuzco Section 3-GTR 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 – Africans – Europeans – 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. 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 .

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