LA/Carribbean Reading Guide

Question 1

El Nino

Answer 1

The warm phase of the El Nino Southern Oscillation

Question 2

La Nina

Answer 2

The cold phase of the El Nino Southern Oscillation

Question 3

Informal Economy

Answer 3

Economic activities that take place beyond official record and are not subject to formalized systems of regulation or remuneration

Question 4

Maquiladora

Answer 4

Manufacturing facility where components can be imported duty-free and assembled for export

Question 5

Mestizo

Answer 5

Mix of European and Indigenous

Question 6

Non-Traditional Agricultural Exports

Answer 6

Fruits
Vegetables
Flowers

Question 7

North American Free Trade Agreement

Answer 7

Set out to reduce barriers to trade among its three member countries

Question 8

Why are Latin America and Caribbean thought as one region?

Answer 8

Share history

Colonialism, common cultures, contemporary problems

Question 9

Andes Altitudinal Zones (Caliente)

Answer 9

0 m to 900 m

Sugarcane, bananas

Question 10

Andes Altitudinal Zones (Templada)

Answer 10

900 m to 1800 m

Coffee, maize

Question 11

Andes Altitudinal Zones (Fria)

Answer 11

1800 m to 3600 m

Wheat, barley

Question 12

Andes Altitudinal Zones (Helada)

Answer 12

3600 m to 5000 m
Highland grains and potatoes
Sheep, guinea pigs

Question 13

Major Climate Regions

Answer 13

Tropical: Top half of South America; Caribbean
Dry/Arid: West coast halfway down; then across tip
Mild Temperate: East coast; rest of west coast

Question 14

Is “Latin America” an accurate name?

Answer 14

No, indigenous languages and English are also important

Question 15

What factors lead to high air pollution in Mexico City?

Answer 15

Vehicles w/ inadequate emission

Dust, fires, industrial plants, energy production

Question 16

What factors influence distribution of climates in region?

Answer 16

Major winds
Pressure belts
Configuration of land and oceans

Question 17

What are the main environmental hazards

Answer 17

Severe storms
Hurricane
Floods
Droughts

Question 18

Causes of deforestation

Answer 18

Cattle ranching
Soybean production
small scale farming
road and dam infrastructure
mining
logging
fires

Question 19

Ways to stop deforestation

Answer 19

Land conversions
Establishing protected areas
Enforcing forest laws

Question 20

Natural resources

Answer 20

Oil and minerals

Question 21

Economic Structure

Answer 21

Manufacturing
Agriculture 
Fisheries
Tourism
Informal Economy

Question 22

Significance of BRICS?

Answer 22

Taking economic power away from NA, Europe, and Japan

Question 23

Shifts from what kind of government?

Answer 23

Authoritarian to democratic

Question 24

Why have US intervened in region

Answer 24

Political interests
economic access (Panama Canal)

Question 25

African religious traditions

Answer 25

Slave trade

Question 26

Distribution of major languages

Answer 26

``` Spanish Quecha, Aymara: Andean Martinique, French Creole: Haiti Guarani: Paraguay Mayan: Belize, Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala Nahuatl: Mexico ```

Question 27

How did colonialism change region

Answer 27

Racial mixing

Question 28

Reasons for dropping fertility rates

Answer 28

More in cities healthcare improved Incomes increased More working, formally educated women

Question 29

Megacity challenges

Answer 29

Crowding High land costs Violent crime

Question 30

Sonoran Desert is unique. Why?

Answer 30

Wetter than most deserts

Question 31

Leading sector of CostaRican economy?

Answer 31

Ecoturism

Question 32

Puerto Rico has what rights?

Answer 32

US citizens but... have constitution, governors, local affairs don't pay taxes don't vote in US elections

Question 33

Dry conditions of Atacama Desert come from where?

Answer 33

Cold Peru Current | on western coast of continent

Question 34

Venezuela founded what?

Answer 34

OPEC | Has some of the largest oil reserves in the world

Question 35

South American countries

Answer 35

``` Bolivia Chile Colombia Ecuador Paraguay Peru Venezuela ```

Question 36

2 Arguments for exports

Answer 36

Provide currency that prevents foreign debt from leaving the country Asian economies have grown largely as a result of exports

Question 37

2 Arguments against exports

Answer 37

Wages are low to keep exports competitive | Damage environment

Question 38

2 Arguments for deforestation

Answer 38

Uses unused land | Pays back foreign governments and banks

Question 39

3 Arguments against deforestation

Answer 39

Extinction of plants and animals Contributes to global warming Displaces indigenous people