Central/South America

The Ring of Fire

is the area the Pacific tectonic plate collides with other tectonic plates, creating earthquakes.

Lake Chapala

is the largest natural lake in Mexico.

Mexico

is the world’s leading producer of Silver.

The Maya

built huge stone cities, which were abandoned a few hundred years before the arrival of the first Spanish explorers.

Aztec, Hernán Corteź, gold and silver

After the conquest of the …. by the Spanish conquistador …., the Spanish took the wealth of Mexico’s …. resources.

Mestizos:

People of mixed Spanish and Indigenous heritage.

In 1821

Mexico became the first Spanish territory to win its independence.

PRI

Controlled by the …., was elected and established a corrupt monopoly on the political system of Mexico.

Primate City:

Dominates political, cultural, and economic affairs and is usually twice the size of the second largest city

Syncretism:

Blending of Indigenous Beliefs and Religious Beliefs \[usually Catholicism\]

Mayan pyramids and Aztec temples and palaces, murals, mosaics

…. were decorated with …. \[wall paintings\] and …. \[wall pictures made with stones or tiles\].

Maquiladoras:

Foreign-Owned factories located in Mexico along the border with the U.S.

Isthmus

An …. is a narrow strip of land with seas on either side.

7,000 islands \[archipelago\].

The Caribbean is more than ….

Lake Nicaragua

is Central America’s largest freshwater lake.

Spain, Hispaniola

…. founded the region’s first permanent European settlement on the island of …. in 1493.

The Columbian Exchange

was the Old World \[Europe\] bringing new diseases, warfare, and culture to the New World \[America’s\].

Roman Catholic.

In Central America/The Caribbean, 80% of people are ….

Agriculture

In Central America, …. employs more workers than other sectors.

A Latifundia System

…. is plantation style farms owned by wealthy families and worked by the poor.

The Andes

….are the world’s longest mountain chain.

The Amazon Basin, The Amazon River

…., located along the eastern base of the Andes, is the lowlands area drained by ….

Incas

….built temples and fortresses and laid out a network of roads.

Machu Picchu

…\[located in Peru\] is the most well known Inca civilization cite.

The Portuguese

….settled on the coast of Brazil.

The coasts and along major rivers.

Most people live on or near….

97% European

Argentina’s population is….

Countries across the continent are experiencing “Brain Drain” to North America and Europe as people search for a better life.

Carnival

is celebrated in the week before the Roman Catholic observance of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and prayer before Easter.

Brazil

is the world’s largest exporter of coffee.