Latin America Geography

Question 1

Mexico Geography & History

Answer 1

• Official name: Estados Unidos Mexicanos.
• Borders: U.S. (north), Guatemala, and Belize (south).
• Capital: Ciudad de México.
• Currency: Mexican peso.
• Indigenous Groups: Aztecs, Mayans, Chichimecas.
• Colonized by Spain, led by Hernán Cortés.
• Independence: 1821.
• Economy: Agriculture, industry, mining, and tourism.

Question 2

The Antilles (West Indies)

Answer 2

• Location: Caribbean Sea.
• Two groups: Greater Antilles (e.g., Cuba, Hispaniola) and Lesser Antilles (e.g., Guadeloupe, Barbados).
• First European contact: Columbus in 1492.
• Sugar and slavery significant post-colonization.
• Ethnic diversity with strong African cultural influence due to slavery.

Question 3

Dominican Republic

Answer 3

• Location: Hispaniola.
• Capital: Santo Domingo.
• Currency: Dominican peso.
• Indigenous people: Taíno.
• Colonized by Spain in 1496; independence in 1821.
• Economy: Agriculture, especially sugar.

Question 4

Cuba

Answer 4

• Largest island in the Greater Antilles.
• Capital: Havana.
• Currency: Peso.
• Indigenous people: Taíno and Guanajatabey.
• Spanish rule until 1898; dictatorship from 1952 (Batista) to 1959 (Castro).
• Close relations with the Soviet Union under Castro.

Question 5

Puerto Rico

Answer 5

• Location: Greater Antilles, southeast of the U.S.
• Capital: San Juan.
• Currency: U.S. dollar.
• Indigenous people: Arawak.
• Spanish control until 1898; became a U.S. commonwealth in 1952.

Question 6

Central America Overview

Answer 6

• Connects North and South America.
• Spanish-speaking countries: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama.
• Colonial era: Part of Capitanía General de Guatemala.
• Gained independence in 1821; later became individual nations.

Question 7

Guatemala

Answer 7

• Borders: South of Mexico.
• Capital: Ciudad de Guatemala.
• Currency: Quetzal.
• Indigenous group: Maya.
• Colonized in 1523; independent in 1821.
• Economy: Agriculture (coffee, sugar cane, bananas).

Question 8

. El Salvador

Answer 8

• Smallest country in Central America.
• Capital: San Salvador.
• Currency: Salvadoran colón.
• Indigenous people: Pipils.
• Colonized by Spain in 1524; independent in 1841.
• Economy: Coffee is the main product.

Question 9

Honduras

Answer 9

• Borders: Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua.
• Capital: Tegucigalpa.
• Currency: Lempira.
• Indigenous group: Maya.
• Colonized by Spain in 1524; independent in 1838.
• Economy: Coffee, corn, tobacco, bananas.

Question 10

Nicaragua

Answer 10

• Borders: Honduras, Costa Rica.
• Capital: Managua.
• Currency: Córdoba.
• Indigenous groups: Various, including Nahuas.
• Colonized in 1522; independent in 1838.
• Economy: Agriculture (coffee, cotton, bananas).

Question 11

Costa Rica

Answer 11

• Location: Between Nicaragua and Panama.
• Capital: San José.
• Currency: Costa Rican colón.
• Known for stability and democracy.
• Economy: Agriculture (coffee, bananas, cocoa)

Question 12

Panama

Answer 12

• Borders: Colombia, Costa Rica.
• Capital: Ciudad de Panamá.
• Currency: Balboa.
• Indigenous groups: Chocó, Caribe.
• Gained independence with U.S. assistance in 1903.
• Panama Canal is crucial for global shipping.

Question 13

South America Overview

Answer 13

• Countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, Brazil, etc.
• Major geographic features: Amazon River, Andes mountains.

Question 14

Colombia

Answer 14

• Borders: Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru.
• Capital: Bogotá.
• Currency: Colombian peso.
• Indigenous groups: Chibchas, Muiscas.
• Colonized by Spain; independent in 1819.
• Economy: Agriculture, issues with guerrilla groups and drug trade.

Question 15

Ecuador

Answer 15

• Location: South of Colombia, west of Peru.
• Capital: Quito.
• Currency: US dollar.
• Indigenous groups: Various tribes, later conquered by Incas.
• Independence from Spain in 1830.
• Economy: Bananas and oil exports.

Question 16

Venezuela

Answer 16

• Borders: Colombia, Caribbean Sea.
• Capital: Caracas.
• Currency: Bolivar.
• Indigenous groups: Arawaks, Caribs.
• Independence led by Simón Bolívar.
• Economy: Oil exports.

Question 17

Uruguay

Answer 17

• Borders: Argentina, Brazil.
• Capital: Montevideo.
• Currency: Uruguayan peso.
• Colonized by Spain; independence in 1825.
• Economy: Agriculture, cattle ranching.

Question 18

Argentina

Answer 18

• Location: South America.
• Capital: Buenos Aires.
• Currency: Peso.
• Independence in 1816.
• Experienced dictatorship and civil unrest in the 20th century.
• Economy: Agriculture, cattle, and grains.

Question 19

Bolivia

Answer 19

• Location: Landlocked, borders Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Chile.
• Capital: Sucre (constitutional), La Paz (administrative).
• Indigenous groups: Pukina, Aymara.
• Independence from Spain in 1825.
• Economy: Rich in natural resources, including silver and natural gas.

Question 20

Paraguay

Answer 20

• Borders: Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia.
• Capital: Asunción.
• Currency: Guaraní.
• Indigenous groups: Guaraní.
• Independence from Spain in 1811.
• History of strong leaders and conflicts.

Question 21

Peru

Answer 21

• Borders: Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile.
• Capital: Lima.
• Currency: Sol.
• Indigenous group: Incas.
• Conquered by Spain; independence in 1821.
• Economy: Agriculture, famous for historical sites like Machu Picchu.

Question 22

Chile

Answer 22

• Borders: Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Pacific Ocean.
• Capital: Santiago.
• Currency: Chilean peso.
• Independence in 1818.
• Under Pinochet’s dictatorship until 1998.
• Economy: Agriculture, copper, wine, and tourism.