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Latin America
Latin America-Middle America & South America
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| indigenous | People that are descendants from an area's 1st inhabitants [example is most Mexicans are descendants of Native Americans because ancestors of Native Americans were 1st to settle Mexico] |
| mestizo | ethnic group of people from Native American and European descent-make up largest part of Mexican population today |
| dialect | a form of language unique to a particular place or group-in Latin America, each country has its own dialect |
| conquistadors | Spanish conquerors who first arrived on the Yucatan Peninsula in 1519 [example is Cortez who defeated Aztecs and claimed Mexico for Spain in 1521] |
| primate city | a city that dominates a country's culture, political affairs, and economy [example is Mexico City because of its size and influence it dominates Mexico] |
| syncretism | the results of people blending beliefs and practices from different religions [example is indigenous people blending Roman Catholic and Mayan religious beliefs] |
| canopy | dense, continuous layer of leaves formed by close growing trees of the rain forest that keeps sunlight from reaching forest floor [example is Amazon rainforest-has more species of plants & animals that anywhere on Earth] |
| cordilleras | mountain ranges that run parallel to each other [example is Andes Mountains-world's longest mountain chain, runs along western edge of South America] |
| escarpment | a long, wall-like cliff [example is Brazilian Highlands] |
| llanos | large grasslands in the interior of Columbia & Venezuela where ranchers raise cattle herds and grow wheat & grains ["breadbasket" of S. America] |
| pampas | large grasslands in the interior of Argentina & Uruguay where ranchers raise cattle herds and grow wheat & grains ["breadbasket" of S. America] |
| tierra caliente | means "hot land" in Spanish-the climate zone from sea level up to 2,500 feet |
| tierra fria | means "cold land" in Spanish-the climate zone high up in the mountains |
| tierra helada | permanent snow & ice climate zone high above the tree line/timberline [example is peaks of Andes Mountains] |
| tierra templada | moderate climate zone between 2,500 & 6,500 feet [temperate means moderate] |
| free trade zones | areas of a country where trade restrictions/barriers do not apply |
| shantytowns | makeshift/slum communities that result when cities/urban populations outgrow/exceed their resources-ex. when rural people move to cities in Latin America in large numbers (rapid urbanization) |
| gross domestic product (GDP) | the total (gross) value of goods and services produced by a country (domestic) in a year |
| export | when a country sells (sends out) its goods or crops to another country |
| import | when a country buys (brings in) goods or crops from another country |
| sustainable development | economic/technological growth that does NOT deplete (use up) the human and natural resources of an area and sustains (saves) resources for future use-ex. is wind/solar energy, rotating crops |
| A harmful effect of free trade on the environment of Latin America? | Pollution because inefficient (poorly designed) factories spring up in areas of free trade and no laws punish the owners |
| World's largest rainforest | Amazon-20% has been destroyed by deforestation (slash & burn clear cutting of trees) |
| Deforestation | Clearing of rain forest done by slash & burn-slashing & cutting down trees [de=do away with] |
| What has increased deforestation in the Amazon? | Pressure from latifundia (large agricultural estates owned by wealthy families & corporations) |
| Reforestation | Regenerating the rain forest by planting trees [re=restore or bring back] |
| How does the rain forest prevent global warming? | Rain forest trees & plants absorb (take in) carbon dioxide so it doesn't go into the atmosphere |
| territorial conflicts | Disputes between Latin American territories/regions over natural resources, trade, and political boundaries created by British decolonization (when Britain allowed their Latin American colonies to become independent countries) |
Created by:
poffmoore
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