Latin American Culture

Where People LiveHow They Trade

Ethnic GroupLanguage

Standard of Living

Where People Live: Mexico

• Most people live in Mexico City

• Northern and Central Mexico have dry climates

• Southern Mexico has dense forest and tropical climates– Most people who live here are poor Indian farmers

Mexico

• 12% of land is used for farming

• A lot of people have factory jobs

• 75% of people live in Urban areas

• Minerals: copper, silver, lead, iron, and oil

Mexico

• A lot of Mexicans have moved close to the US border to work in US, Japanese, and European factories

• Tourism is important to Mexico’s economy

• 80% of their exports go to the US

Venezuela

• Hot a humid climate

• Rainy season from May to November

• Most people live in towns along the coast of the Caribbean sea.

• Most of the farmland is held by large land owners

Venezuela

• Economy is supported by oil

• Major trading partners: US, Brazil, and Colombia

• Import food from the United States

Brazil• Largest South American country

• Highest population and healthiest economy

• Warm humid climate

• Most people live in cities near the coast

• Natural Resources: Coffee, oranges, sugarcane, iron ore, steel.

Brazil

• Location allows Brazil to ship products to other countries

• Trading partners: United States and Argentia

Cuba• Semi tropical climate

• Natural resources: sugarcane, coffee, tobacco, sugar

• 75% of Cubans live in towns

• Many people work in factories making clothing, process sugar, or cigars

• Cuba’s government owns and controls the countries farms and businesses.

Cuba

• Does not trade with the United States

• Trading parnters: Venezuela and China

• Major exports: sugar, nickel, tobacco, fish

Language

• Culture is a blend of native groups and influence from established colonies

• Language links together all the countries of the areas

• Most Latin American countries were conquered by the Spanish, the Spanish language is mostly spoken here

Culture

• Since Portugal claimed Brazil, Brazilians speak Portuguese

• After Spanish settlers moved to Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, ethnic groups began to blend

• Mestizos: offspring's of Spanish and Indians

Culture

• Black slaves from Africa were brought to Alain America

• Mulattoes: offspring's of Africans and Europeans

• Major religion is Catholic, which was brought over by European settlers