Latin America

Mexico's rivers and lakes

Mexico has few major rivers and natural lakes due to climate characteristics and landform arrangements.

Leading producer of petroleum

Mexico is the world’s leading producer of petroleum.

Environmental concerns in Mexico

Contributed to by regional high pressure systems, northeast trade winds, and vertical climate zones.

Deforestation

Purposeful clearing of forest land.

Combating deforestation

Key ways include planting trees and using less paper.

Value of biodiversity

Biodiversity is valuable because it relates to ecosystem health and resilience.

Outcome of the Mexican American War

Continued power struggle until 1917 when a new constitution was established.

Impact of urbanization in Mexico City

Urbanization led to syncretism, altered population distribution, and made it the cultural and economic center.

Mexico City’s water crisis

Mexico City is running out of water; reliance on trucks to deliver water worsens the crisis.

Seismic activity

Opens the earth’s crust, triggering the formation of volcanoes and mountain ranges.

Effect of climate factors in Latin America

Includes regional high-pressure systems, trade winds, proximity to the sea, elevation, and latitude.

Population density in Central and South America

Highest population density is in urban areas like Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Bogota.

Physical diversity in Latin America

Reflected by influences from various civilizations, diverse climates, and abundant natural resources.

Conquistadors

Spanish and Portuguese soldiers that carried out conquests.

Vertical climate zones

Climate zones occurring as elevation increases with distinct vegetation and crops.

Subsidence

Gradual caving in or sinking of land.

Syncretism

Blending of beliefs and practices from different religions into one faith.

NAFTA

A comprehensive agreement that eliminated most trade restrictions between the US, Canada, and Mexico.

Cash crop

An agricultural crop grown primarily for sale rather than for personal consumption.

Primate city

The largest city in its country or region, disproportionately larger than any others.

Diego Rivera

A famous Mexican muralist known for his impactful works.

Aztec

Native American people who dominated northern Mexico in the early 16th century before the Spanish conquest.

Central Plateau in Mexico

Features smaller valleys and little villages.

Ring of Fire

An area of tectonic plate collisions causing significant seismic activity.

PRI

The Institutional Revolutionary Party, dominant in Mexican politics for much of the 20th century.

Archipelago

A chain or cluster of islands or peaks formed by tectonic activity.

Rio Grande

River forming part of the border between the USA and Mexico.

Isthmus

A narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas.

Cultural region of Latin America

Defined by diverse culture, religion, and traditions influenced by European, indigenous, and African cultures.

Geographical migration in Latin America

Difficulties due to landforms like mountains and rivers, causing cultural isolation.

Spatial diffusion

The spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another; exemplified by the Columbian Exchange.

Positive effects of the Columbian Exchange

Introduction of new crops like potatoes and corn to Europe.

Negative effects of the Columbian Exchange

Introduction of diseases like smallpox to indigenous populations.

Impact of regionalism in Latin America

It strengthens negotiations and can act as a counterbalance to the USA.

Political revolutions characteristics

Dissident elites, mass frustration, shared motivation, and state crises.

Players in Latin American revolutions

Key players include dissident elites like the creoles and revolutionary leaders like Simon Bolivar.

Importance of the Amazon region

It is the world's largest rainforest, rich in natural resources but facing deforestation.

Highest elevations in South America

Found in the tierra fria areas, which are at the tops of snowy mountains.

Effects of seismic activity

Triggers volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, making the region challenging for habitation.

Climate affecting factors

Temperature, elevation, latitude, and ocean currents influence climate in the region.

El Nino

A climate phenomenon that causes unusually warm ocean conditions in South America.

Family structure in traditional Latin cultures

Primarily extended families, but urban areas are shifting to nuclear families.

Leader of the first revolution in Haiti

Toussaint Louverture.

Military strongmen in Latin America

Known as Caudillos.

The Liberator

William Lloyd Garrison, a key figure in the anti-slavery movement.

Cuba's independence from Spain

Achieved through a joint revolution by Cubans and U.S. forces.

Duration of Spanish control in Latin America

About 4 centuries.

Independence of most Latin American countries

Achieved between 1808-1838.

Spaniards' advantages in colonization

Included superior technology, diseases, and domesticated animals.

Steel as an agent of conquest

Light and easily penetrable, giving Spaniards a significant advantage over natives.

Social classes under the Spanish

Included peninsulares, criollo, mestizo, mulatto, and enslaved people, based largely on European descent.

Post-independence government instability

Creoles as rulers did not change the social structure, causing ongoing frustration.

Common characteristics of dictators

Rule by autocracy, cult of personality, and strong military leadership.

Cuba after the Spanish American War

Occupied by U.S. forces until 1902, when it gained control of its government.

Effects of the Monroe Doctrine

Prevented European colonization in the Americas, allowing U.S. military influence.

Indigenous People’s Day vs. Columbus Day

A celebration of indigenous resilience instead of the figure of Columbus.

Treaty of Tordesillas

Divided the non-European world into areas of Spanish and Portuguese dominance.

Mercantilism

Economic theory focused on maximizing exports while minimizing imports.

Hernán Cortés

Led the conquest of Mexico.

Fidel Castro

Leader of Cuba who established a one-party socialist state.

Augustine Pinochet

Chilean dictator supported by the U.S., known for suspending the constitution.

Rafael Leonidas Trujillo

Dominican Republic dictator who provided economic stability but limited freedoms.

Inca

Largest empire in the pre-Columbian era.

Maya

Mesoamerican civilization noted for its advanced culture.

Francisco Pizarro

Conquistador responsible for the conquest of the Inca Empire.

Cordilleras

A system or network of mountain chains.

Escarpments

Steep slopes or cliffs resulting from erosion.

Sustainable development

Development that meets present needs without depleting resources for future generations.

Lake Nicaragua

The largest freshwater lake in Central America.