Latin American Geography

This essay, firstly, will look at to what extent physical geography has affected Latin America in terms of economic growth. Secondly, it will focus on the other possible factors which have affected its economic growth. There has been much debate over the cause with some stating that geography is the culprit while others blame more social aspects such as politics and political instability, inequality, and educational attainment. This essay will attempt to evaluate to what extent these claims are true.

Roosevelt felt strongly about trade throughout the world. In 1904 the Isthmus of Panama was first broken by American shovel. After months of negotiation, the Latin American government allowed the creation of the Panama Canal. The U.S. military and other volunteers did most of the work. But because of Yellow Fever and Malaria , few workers returned. In 1914 the Canal Zone was finished and for the first time the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans were flowing together.

The progress of Latin America economically has made differences for the better or worse for several countries. In Central and South America, there are resources, industries, and agriculture that has been made gradually through the years. However, before the economic Latin America many know today, other civilizations lived first. In Central America, the Maya, Aztec, and Olmec lived there. (Document 1) The Mayans were known to live in the Yucatan Peninsula, while the Aztec lived in Tenochtitlan, and the Olmec in present day Veracruz and Tabasco. (Document 1) In South America, lived the Inca. The Inca lived in Peru, Chile. (Document 1) Aside from earlier civilizations, there are also four zones of climate. (Document 3) These types of climates are Tierra Helada (Frozen Land), Tierra Fria (Cold Land), Tierra Templada (Temperate Land), Tierra Caliente (Hot Land). All of these have different livestock and crops depending on the climate.

“Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners, and necessity has made us allies. Those whom God has so joined together, let no man put asunder.” ~(John F. Kennedy) Geography has impacted countries and regions dissimilarly throughout the duration of history. Geography influences the historical and social development of a country or region. These features can either cause an area to be hindered or prosperous in its development. Likewise, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers of Mesopotamia were essential because it provided fertile soil for crops, trade, transport and the necessities to food sources. Also, the mountainous terrain of Greece caused the country to have independent city- states. The mountains

The geography of Bolivia is unique among the nations of South America. Bolivia is one of two landlocked countries on the continent (the other being Paraguay), and Bolivia is more urban (67%) than rural (23%). The main features of Bolivia's geography include the Altiplano, a highland plateau of the Andes, and Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake on Earth, which is shared with Peru.

Before they could begin building the Panama Canal they had to get permission from the Columbians to use their land to build on, but the Columbians refused to sign the agreement. Then the U.S. sent soldiers to Panama to help Panama gain their Independence. The Columbians could not beat the U.S., so Panama gained their

Geography is a main factor that has heavily influenced the course of human history. With the theory of environmental determinism in mind, geographical factors had the strongest influence towards the beginning of human civilizations when there was less technology powerful enough to challenge Mother Nature. As time passed and new technological advancements took place, nature began to have a bit less effect on what we, as humans, could or could not do, and thus the more flexible theory of possibilism came to light. Geographical elements such as rivers, mountains, and climate have changed our culture and history in ways that we often overlook. Where societies formed and flourished, why Europe seeked world domination, how countries survived invasions,

The physical geography of Latin America is important to its history and settlement. One of the most noted physical feature is the Andes Mountains. The mountains run the length of the Pacific Coast of the South America continent. The Inca Civilization benefited from the Andes. They settled in the central part of the Andes, and grew their culture there until the Spaniards conquered them. The Amazon Basin dominates the interior of the continent and is drained by the Amazon River, the largest river in the world. The Amazon Basin is the largest drainage basin of Earth. The Pampas Grasslands is another physical feature that extends through the mid-latitudes of Argentina. The Patagonia is at the tip of South America and is a cold, windswept region.

Used that to expand to Central America from north of Mexico City where their capital, Tula, was

The culture and political structures of Panama as we know it today has evolved from an incredibly diverse and interesting history. Geographically, Panama lies on an isthmus, a strip of land that essentially connects the greater landmasses of North and South America. It is believed that volcanic activity in the late Pliocene era closed the former Central American Seaway that had separated the two continents. The climatic implications of this landform are incredible, allowing for the redistribution of oceanic currents and the formation of the Gulf Stream of the Atlantic of today.

The Panama Canal in my opinion one of the greatest man made canal in the history of the world. The french attempted to make the canal but failed. In the year 1904 President Theodore Roosevelt pressured Columbia to declare Panama independent. Theodore did not care about the panamanians he cared about the land. Panama is an isthmus, an isthmus is a piece of land connecting two large land masses such as North and South America. People have been dreaming of connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean for hundreds of years. John Findley Wallace resigned so President Theodore gave the job to someone else John Frank Stevens. Stevens had an idea instead of digging out the mountain they would build steps to get over it. They used railroads to move dirt, supplies, and machines. It took a while, however they used dams to block water, made artificial lakes so the boats could get across, gravity to fill the locks, and make locks. Locks are like steps, you fill it with water, open up the gates and keep getting higher.

What comes across your mind when you think of Latin America? Latin America consists of many different cultures, people with ethnic backgrounds; Mexico, Central America, South America. Latin America has the diversity in its people, and succession has brought along what makes Latin America what it is in modern times. In the article “Latin America: Myth and Reality,” the author mentions that “stereotypes spring from ignorance and bias,” which I think is significantly appropriate to bring up in this conversation (“Latin America” 3). Latin America is united by their differences, and I think most of the stereotypes are disappearing, while people are becoming more educated. But to comprehend what lies behind the mask, we all must disregard labels, and instead appreciate Latin America for who they all are. To mention a few, let’s dive into the article to understand some common stereotypes that someone might have.

Geography influences culture in many ways. A civilizations geography determines what kind of god(s) they believe in as well as influences from other cultures. These features provide a stepping stone for cultures that are solely based on geography.

History of the region from the pre-Columbian period and including colonization by the Spanish and Portuguese beginning in the 15th century, the 19th-century wars of independence, and developments to the end of World War II.Latin America is generally understood to consist of the entire continent of South America in addition to Mexico, Central America, and the islands of the Caribbean whose inhabitants speak a Romance language. The peoples of this large area shared the experience of conquest and colonization by the Spaniards and Portuguese from the late 15th through the 18th centuries as well as movements of independence from Spain and Portugal in the early 19th century. Even since independence, many of the various

People living on the isthmus were dissenting from the Columbian government and eventually revolted and set up the independent Republic of Panama. “It was Roosevelt who “took the isthmus,” regardless of the niceties of international law and Congressional debate.” – The Good Neighbor: Teddy’s Big Ditch, Building the Canal. When the Panamanians revolted Teddy saw this as the perfect investment to get the canal underway. He supported the Panamanians and sent warships to stop any help from the Columbian government to put down the rebellion. The Panamanians declared their independence and were very grateful towards the Americans. The Americans leased a strip of land, called the Panama Canal Zone, for $10,000,000. The land was forty-five miles long and ten miles wide and the American’s paid a $430,000 rent every year. In 1904, they agreed to let the United