Latin+America+and+the+Caribbean

=__//**Latin America & the Caribbean**//__=



__**Introduction**__ This will be our final chapter of study. This is a very large chapter given its entire area of focus. Latin America is a very geographically rich region of the world with the high peaks of the Andes, the Amazonian basin rain-forests and several plateaus through out the region. Added to this are the many islands of the Caribbean and we have one of the most exciting areas to study in the world. Latin America is also a very economically and politically important area. Brazil is the strongest economy in the region and is becoming a one of the major economies of what is called the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China). The history of Latin America is just as fascinating as its physical geography. Its history runs from the pre-Colombian civilizations of the Aztecs, Mayans and Incas, to the influence of the Spanish and the Portuguese, to that of the Africans, the British, the Dutch and the French, and then more recently to the Americans. All of these people and even more have contributed to making this a very dynamic and culturally rich region. Finally, this region is a large holiday destination for North Americans especially during their long winters. Equally important is the fact that the world's lungs, the Amazon rainforest, is constantly under threat of clear cutting and slash and burn farming. This makes it a global concern. All of these make Latin America and the Caribbean a very interesting and important area of the world to study.

__**Links [|Latin America and the Caribbean]**__ [|Maps and information about Latin America]

You are responsible for the content of these notes on this chapter
 * __Notes__**

__**Images from text **__

__**Reading Assignment 1**__

__**The Five Themes of Geography &...**__ For this section of Latin America and the Caribbean you will pick a country in one of the sub-regions and complete a Five Themes of Geography Write up for it. The first one is Ecuador (Ms. Longbothom's home). Using information from Wow Ecuador (the do eat Guinea Pigs, there) and from information gathered using other sources, complete the first package. You should do all your work in pen, unless it is on a map. The sub-regions are: __**Information**__ Wow Ecuador: See the Links above: Maps and information about Latin America CIA World Fact Book [|The Five Themes of Geography]
 * Mexico and Central America
 * The Caribbean Basin
 * Northern Andes and Brazil (Ecuador is in this sub-region)
 * Southern South America

__**Assignment**:__ You must complete a write up like the one done for Ecuador for three other nations (one from each sub-region). Each country should also include a map (printed). You can use [|World Atlas] for this. Each map must include five major population centers, including the capital city. Major bodies of water (rivers, oceans, and lakes). Mountain ranges, plateaus, and other major physical features. All elements of a map must be included: compass rose, scale, title, legend and grid (major lines of latitude and longitude). You must complete the Five Themes for each nation.

__**Grading:**__ This is an easy assignment, so... Completeness: /10 (if any of the above is missing 2 marks are subtracted). Neatness: /5 (use pen, maps are neatly drawn, printing is clear etc. if not, 1 mark subtracted for every error) Multiplied by 4 = x/60