World Geography Chapter 4

altitudinal zonation

The relationship between higher elevations, cooler temperatures, and changes in vegetation that result from the environmental lapse rate (averaging 3.5°F for every 1000 feet [6.5°C for every 1000 meters]). In Latin America, four general altitudinal zones exist: tierra caliente, tierra templada, tierra fria, and tierra helada.

Columbian exchange

An exchange of people, diseases, plants, and animals between the Americas (New World) and Europe/Africa (Old World) initiated by the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492.

dollarization

An economic strategy in which a country adopts the U.S. dollar as its official currency. A country can be partially dollarized, using U.S. dollars alongside its national currency, or fully dollarized, when the U.S. dollar becomes the only medium of exchange and a country gives up its own national currency. Panama fully dollarized in 1904; more recently, Ecuador became fully dollarized in 2000, followed by El Salvador in 2001.

El Niño

An abnormally warm current that appears periodically in the eastern Pacific Ocean and usually influences storminess along the western coasts of the Americas. During an El Niño event, which can last several years, torrential rains often bring devastating floods to the Pacific coasts of North, Central, and South America. El Niño events are often associated with droughts in Australia and Southeast Asia.

grassification

The conversion of tropical forest into pasture for cattle ranching. Typically, this process involves introducing species of grasses and cattle, mostly from Africa.

maquiladoras

Assembly plants on or near the Mexican border built and owned by foreign companies. Most of their products are exported to the United States.

neotropics

Tropical ecosystems of the Americas that evolved in relative isolation and support diverse and unique flora and fauna.

outsourcing

remittances

Monies sent by immigrants working abroad to family members and communities in countries of origin. For many countries in the developing world, remittances often amount to billions of dollars each year. For small countries, remittances can equal 5 to 10 percent of a country’s gross domestic product.

rural-to-urban migration

The flow of internal migrants from rural areas to cities.

syncretic religions

The blending of different belief systems. In Latin America, many animist practices were folded into Christian worship.

urban primacy

The situation found in a country in which a disproportionately large city, such as London, Seoul, or Bangkok, dominates the urban system and is the center of economic, political, and cultural life.