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Unit 6 Post Test Study Guide: Geography and Culture of Latin America
1. The Andes and the Sierra Madres are located in South America and Mexico
2. Which country has the largest area of remaining rainforest in the world? Brazil
3. Why are Brazil’s rainforests increasingly in danger of destruction? Trees are being cut for wood, farming/crops, and
cattle ranching
4. The Andes Mountains run down the western side of South America. How does this mountain range affect trade?
Acts as a trade barrier – blocks countries from reaching the Pacific Ocean to trade
5. The Amazon River has a major influence on the location of industry in South America. Why is it so important?
The Amazon River allows traders to reach further inland Brazil and also allows those in central Brazil to move throughout
Brazil to the Atlantic Ocean
6. What ethnic group makes up a large part of the populations of Mexico, Central America, and the South American
countries of Chile, Paraguay, and Venezuela? Mestizo
7. In colonial times, Spain, Portugal, France and England spread their languages and religions by means of
cultural diffusion
8.
How does geography play a role in Mexico City’s air pollution problem? Mexico City lies in a bowl-shaped valley
surrounded by mountains that trap air pollution.
9.
What are the main sources of air pollution in Mexico City? Cars, factories
10. What is a problem associated with deforestation? deforestation increase when the value of crops and cattle go
up because people think they can make more profit selling cattle and crops
11. What problem has been caused by oil production in Venezuela? Oil spills; destruction of animal habitats
Venezuela has ports
on two major bodies of water, the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic
Ocean
12. How has Venezuela’s location helped its trade with other countries of the world?
13. How does Brazil’s location help it trade with other countries of the world? There are seven major seaports along
the Atlantic coast
14. Which industries are helped MOST by Cuba’s location on the ocean? Fishing and tourism
15. What are the three main sources of cultural groups in Latin America and the Caribbean? Europeans, Africans, and
Natives
16. In Latin America and the Caribbean, people with which ethnic background often have better jobs and more money?
Europeans
17. How is the “Day of the Dead” an example of blended culture? Day of the Dead blends Native American practices with
Roman Catholic beliefs
19. What is one cause for the blending of cultures in Latin America and the Caribbean? Spanish and Protuguese blended
with Native cultures and African cultures
20. What are the two primary language of Latin America? Spanish and Portuguese
21. On what common language are the language of Spain and Portugal based? Latin
22. Why does the term Latin America fit as a description for the regions of Central and South America and the Caribbean?
Majority of the countries speak Spanish or Portuguese – which are both based off the Latin Language. Therefore, called
Latin America
23. Which countries are included in the term Latin America? Central America, South America, and the Caribbean