Latin America - Physical Geography flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes on Latin America's physical geography.

Latin America

Includes all of the following regions: Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean Islands.

Andes Mountains

A major mountain range in Latin America, extending through Mexico and South America, causing cooler temperatures.

Llanos

Wide grassy plains found in Colombia and Venezuela, similar to the Great Plains in the USA.

Terrace farming

A method of growing crops on the sides of hills in layers to prevent soil erosion.

Amazon River

The largest river in the world by water volume, flowing across South America from the Andes to the Atlantic.

Gaucho

A cattle herder in South America, particularly in Argentina and Uruguay, similar to the American cowboy.

Pampas

Vast plains located in Argentina and Uruguay, known for rich soil and agricultural products such as cattle and wheat.

Guiana Highlands

A mountainous region located in northeastern South America.

Caribbean Islands

A group of islands including the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and Lesser Antilles, also referred to as the West Indies.

Rio Grande

The largest river in Mexico and all of Central America, forms the border between the United States and Mexico.