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Regional Geography of the Continents

Geography of Latin America and the Caribbean

A regional survey of South and Central America and the Caribbean, from the Amazon Basin and the Andean highlands to the volcanic isthmus of Central America and the island arcs of the Caribbean Sea, tracing how physical geography has shaped settlement, economy, and regional integration.

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  1. The Amazon Basin and Its River System. The Amazon Basin holds Earth's largest river system and rainforest, drained by thousands of tributaries.
  2. The Andean Highlands and Altiplano. The Andes form the world's longest mountain range, cradling the high, arid Altiplano plateau.
  3. Central America's Volcanic Spine. A chain of active volcanoes runs the length of Central America, shaping settlement and hazard alike.
  4. Caribbean Islands and Their Geography. The Caribbean archipelago divides into the Greater and Lesser Antilles, shaped by tectonics and hurricanes.
  5. Brazil's Regional Diversity. Brazil's five official regions differ sharply in geography, economy, and settlement history.
  6. Population and Urbanization in Latin America. Latin America urbanized rapidly after 1950 and is now among the most urbanized world regions.
  7. Land Reform, Agriculture, and Deforestation. Unequal land tenure has driven recurring land reform efforts and agricultural expansion into forests.
  8. Economic Integration and Regional Trade Blocs. Mercosur, the Pacific Alliance, and other blocs structure Latin America's regional trade.

This module continues after "Geography of North America" in the syllabus. If you haven't reviewed it yet, it may help set the context.

Key points

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1The Amazon Basin and Its River System
2Central America's Volcanic Spine
3Brazil's Regional Diversity
4Population and Urbanization in Latin America
5Economic Integration and Regional Trade Blocs

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Further reading

Bibliography and cited sources used to create this module.

  • Junk, W.J., Bayley, P.B., and Sparks, R.E. (1989). "The Flood Pulse Concept in River-Floodplain Systems." Canadian Special Publication of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 106, 110-127.
  • ter Steege, H. et al. (2013). "Hyperdominance in the Amazonian Tree Flora." Science, 342(6156).
  • Murra, J.V. (1972). "El 'control vertical' de un máximo de pisos ecológicos en la economía de las sociedades andinas." Formaciones económicas y políticas del mundo andino. Lima: Instituto de Estudios Peruanos.
  • Klein, H.S. and Luna, F.V. (2010). Slavery in Brazil. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Gibbs, H.K. et al. (2015). "Brazil's Soy Moratorium." Science, 347(6220), 377-378.
  • Bethell, L. (ed.) (1984-1995). The Cambridge History of Latin America (11 vols.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.