"Beginning with Mexico and extending to the tip of South America, Latin America's regional coherence stems largely from its shared colonial history ... The modern states of Latin America are multiethnic, with distinct indigenous and immigrant profiles and very different rates of social and economic development." (Rowntree, et al., Chapter 4)
- Chapter 4 introduces Latin America, a region of great cultural diversity that bears the imprint of its history of colonialization. Within this region are found two of the world’s most important physical features: the Amazon rain forest and the Andes mountains.
- After exploring the materials in this chapter, you should be able to locate major physical features in this region, identify the countries in the region, and understand how the physical geography of the region has contributed to the social and economic patterns we observe there. In addition, you should understand the following concepts and models:
- Environmental geography
- Neotropical diversity; Environmental issues in Mexico City; Degradation of forested areas, farmlands and cities; Mountains, shields, basins, and lowlands; Climate and El Niño.
- Population and settlement
- The Latin American city; Patterns of rural settlement; Population growth and movements.
- Cultural coherence and diversity
- Demographic collapse; Columbian exchange; Indian survival; Native and imported languages; Blended religions; Machismo and marianismo; Global reach of Latino culture; National identities.
- Geopolitical framework
- Historical development; Persistent border conflicts; Trend toward democracy; Regional organizations and trade blocs; Insurgencies, drug traffickers, and protest.
- Economic and social development
- Development strategies; Industrialization; Maquiladoras and foreign investment; Entrenched informal sector; Primary export dependency; Latin America in the global economy; Dependency theory, neoliberalism, and dollarization; Social development; Race and inequality; Status of women.
