Climate and VegetationClimate and Vegetation

• What kinds of climate and vegetation

does Latin America have?

• In what ways do climate and vegetation affect how Latin Americans live?

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Climate: Hot, Cold, and MildClimate: Hot, Cold, and Mild

Latin America: Climate Regions

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• The climate in Latin America varies greatly.

• The climate in the Caribbean is usually sunny and warm. But, the region is often hit with hurricanes from June to November.

• Many parts of Latin America have a tropical wet climate. Other parts of Latin America have a tropical wet and dry climate.

• Elevation is a key factor in the climate of mountainous Latin America. Wind patterns also affect the climate.

Natural Vegetation and ClimateNatural Vegetation and Climate

• Latin America’s varied climate and physical features make extremes possible. For example, the Amazonian rain forest is dense and lush. The air is hot and heavy with moisture.The Atacama Desert is very dry, and the Andes shield this parched region from rain.

• Elevation also affects vegetation. For example, palm and fruit trees that grow well in the coastal plains of Mexico and Central America would not survive high in the Andes. To grow at higher elevations, plants must be able to withstand cooler temperatures, cold winds, and irregular rainfall

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Climate and Vegetation–AssessmentClimate and Vegetation–Assessment

Which of the following statements is true?

a) All of the Caribbean has the same climate.

b) The climate in the Caribbean is usually dry and windy.

c) It rains a lot in the Atacama Desert.

d) Many parts of Latin America have a tropical wet climate.

To grow at higher elevations,

a) plants must be able to withstand warmer temperatures.

b) plants must be able to withstand cooler temperatures.

c) plants must be able to withstand regular rainfall.

d) plants must be able to withstand a lack of wind.

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Chapter 1 , Section 2

Climate and Vegetation–AssessmentClimate and Vegetation–Assessment

Which of the following statements is true?

a) All of the Caribbean has the same climate.

b) The climate in the Caribbean is usually dry and windy.

c) It rains a lot in the Atacama Desert.

d) Many parts of Latin America have a tropical wet climate.

To grow at higher elevations,

a) plants must be able to withstand warmer temperatures.

b) plants must be able to withstand cooler temperatures.

c) plants must be able to withstand regular rainfall.

d) plants must be able to withstand a lack of wind.

Want to connect to the PHSchool.com Web activities for this section? Click here.

Chapter 1 , Section 2