GEOG120 Chapter 4: Chapter 4 – Latin America
11 Nov 2017
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Large and fast-growing population of 585 million people. Its most populous state is brazil: has over 200 million people, the (cid:449)o(cid:396)ld"s (cid:1009)th largest country. Next largest state is mexico with 130 million people. Nearly 80% of the population lives in cities. One in 10 people in the region is estimated to live on less than per day. The early spanish empire focused on extracting precious metals. The portuguese became important producers od dyewoods, sugar products, gold, and later coffee. Primary export tradition led to an unhealthy economic dependence. Lati(cid:374) a(cid:373)e(cid:396)i(cid:272)a is ho(cid:373)e to ea(cid:396)th"s la(cid:396)gest (cid:396)ai(cid:374)fo(cid:396)est, the g(cid:396)eatest (cid:396)i(cid:448)e(cid:396) (cid:271)(cid:455) (cid:448)olu(cid:373)e, a(cid:374)d massive reserves of natural gas, oil, and copper. Extensive territory, tropical location, and relatively low population density. Neotropics tropical ecosystems of the western hemisphere. Highlands and deserts exist throughout the region. Supports an incredible diversity of plant and animal life. National parks offer some protection to unique plant and animal communities.
