Map of Environmental Features

A colorful and detailed map outlining the major environmental features of Latin America. The text may be a bit small to read. I have included the Gulf Caribbean Coastal Lowlands, Pacific Littoral Coastal Plains, Antilles, Orinoco Llanos, Coordilleran Ranges Intermontane Basins and Plateaus, Amazonia, Brazilian Highlands, Peruvian Atacoma Desert, Middle/South Chile, Plata Parana Basin, Platagonia and the Guiana Highlands. Incase you have difficulties reading the map, I'll outline some of the main features and resources of each region that I mentioned in the above map:

Gulf Caribbean Coastal Lowlands: Extend from upper Mexico down to Columbia with dense settlement due to agriculture and gas plants. Soils in this region are not highly productive but some main resources and activities include agriculture, fishing and logging.

Pacific Littoral Coastal Plains and Valleys: This region holds many diverse landscapes and environmental features. Climate is extremely humid in Columbia, leading to isolation. Cultivation of tropical fruits is developing and becoming of more importance in this region.

Antilles: Mostly made up of Cuba but also includes Jamaica, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. The region encounters frequent hurricanes and has very tropical climates. Economies if this region rely heavily on tourism, agriculture and mineral wealth.

Coordilleran Ranges Intermontane Basins and Plateaus: Is one of the most populous regions of Latin America and is mainly a mountain system. The largest basins and plateaus are in Mexico and are extremly populated. Lots of mineral wealth is held in this region.

Orinoco Llanos: Embedded between Columbia and Venezuela and holds the third largest river discharge is all of Latin America. Iron ore, Petroleum and cattle ranching are the main economic activites and resources in the region.

Guiana Highlands: Has some of the world largest waterfalls. Greatest economic activity is held in the Venezuelan highlands region. Important resources in this entire region include bauxite, iron ore, manganese, gold as well as diamonds.

Amazonia: Is considered the largest natural region of all of Latin America, with large rain forests and tropical areas. Also includes the Amazon River, which is thought to be one of the greatest and most important rivers on Earth. Iron ore, bauxite, gold and petroleum are some of the main resources in the region.

Brazilian Highlands: Considered to be the second largest natural region in all of Latin America, and also resides about 33% of its population. Iron ore, ferro alloys, diamonds and gold are some of the main resources of the area. This region has considerably fast population growth compared to the rest of Latin America.

Peruvian Atacama Desert: Avery narrow zone of Latin America which is also considered one of the most driest regions of the world. Chilean region holds great mineral wealth in nitrates and copper, while the Peruvian region holds mineral wealth in iron ore.

Middle and South Chile: Very small region, but holds the most mineral and agricultural land in Latin America. Southern Chile is the most important forest producing region as well as where the most copper is produced.

Patagonia: An area that is based entirely in Argentina, with very desert like soils and are only productive while irrigated. Fruit cultivation is very important in this region. Petroleum is produced in some regions, but most of the land is devoted to cattle ranching.

Plata Parana Basin: Is one of the most populous natural regions of Latin America. The soils are rich with organics and minerals, making them some of the best in the world. The region creates major food surplus with its hot and humid climate.

Latin America clearly holds a very diverse landscape, which leads to differing development patterns in different regions, as well as many various forms of economic activities. Latin America is undoubtedly a region plentiful in resources such as iron ore, diamond, bauxite and gold, to name a few. These resources represent exactly how rich the Latin American land and soil really are, revealing that it has much to offer the world in terms of resources, as well as natural attractions (tourism). Latin America is a region with much to see, and much to invest in.