Study Guide Answers- Latin America’s Location, Climate, and Natural Resources

1. Which metal is very important to the economy of Mexico? silver

2. Which country is responsible for about ¾ of the trade done by Mexico? United States

3. Which region of Mexico has the most people? The Central Plateau

4. Why are fewer Mexicans choosing to work on farms?Poor soil and inconsistent rainfall along with little money to invest in new farm equipment and needed fertilizers

5. What is the major reason that few Venezuelans are farmers? Less than 3% of their land is arable

6. What is a negative result of Venezuela’s oil business? Pollution of the coastal areas and the area around LakeMaracaibo; air pollution because of carbon dioxide released from burning fossil fuels

7. How has Venezuela’s location helped its trade with other countries? Has a coastline with ports on the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean

8. Do most people in Venezuela live in urban or rural areas? urban

9. Which has a larger population – Mexico, or Venezuela? Mexico

10. What industry in Mexico and Venezuela is benefitted by the warm, tropical climate and their location on

the Caribbean Sea? Tourism

11. Why do most Mexicans and Venezuelans live in urban areas? That is where they can find jobs

12. What is the major source of income in both Mexico and Venezuela? oil

13. Why is the Panama Canal important to countries throughout world? ships can easily move from one side of the world to the other using the Panama Canal

14. Where do most Brazilians live (other than in cities)? Along the eastern, coastal area of the country (most of their major cities are found here)

15. What crops does the climate of Brazil allow to be grown for export? Coffee, oranges, sugar cane, and soybeans

16. Why does Brazil have a fast-growing tourism industry? Has a warm climate and the Amazon rain forest has many interesting things found no where else on Earth

17. How does Brazil’s location help it trade with other countries?Has a long coastline on the Atlantic Ocean and is close to the Panama Canal

18. Why is the AmazonRain Forest important to people throughout the world?Provides 20% of the world’s oxygen and many plants used in medicines are found there

19. Who is Brazil’s largest trading partner? U.S.

20. Which two industries are helped MOST by Cuba’s location on the ocean? Fishing and tourism

21. Which country supported Cuba until in collapsed in 1991? Soviet Union

22. What has been the major export for Cuba for the past two hundred years? sugar

23. In which industries do Cuba and Brazil compete with each other for trade with other countries?Coffee and sugar

24. How does geography play a role in Mexico City’s air pollution problem? Smog gets trapped over the city due to Mexico City being in a bowl shaped valley

25. What are the main sources of air pollution in Mexico City? Cars and factories

26. What are three problems caused by oil production in Venezuela? Oil spills, air pollution and lowering of area around LakeMaracaibo

27. Why does the Venezuelan government NOT want to stop oil production even though it causes problems? The oil industry provides 50% of the government’s revenue

28. Why is deforestation taking place in the AmazonRain Forest?New farmland and pasture land for cattle ranches, mining, and timber

*** Study your map of Latin America