Latin America Road Trip
Vaughan Robb Bond Period 3A 12-14-14
El Sotano de las golondrias
Mexico City, Mexico (19.4333* N, 99.1333* W)
Mexico City is stationed at the heart of Mexico. The country borders Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona on the USA - Mexico border.
Physical Features - El Sotano de las golondrinas is the largest and deepest natural open - air cave, which has become a popular tourist attraction.
Human Features - The Tenochtitlan Ruins were once the mightiest structures in Mexico, built by the Aztecs as the capital city, until Cortez took control. Acapulco is a resort city in Mexico, used as an escape for Hollywood stars to just relax and enjoy the beach.
Mexicans have modified the environment by clearing plains and forests to build old structures such as Chichen Itza.
Government - The people in Mexico depend on the government to help with the drug war issues, and to enforce more security and reforms.
Movement - Mexicans are well known for the invention of tequila. They normally get around by their roadway network: The Mexican Federal Highway.
Regions - The official language in Mexico is Spanish. Mexicans are strongly Catholic thanks to their heritage to Spain. A huge social issue in Mexico is the problems with the Drug Cartel, and Mexico's poor security explains this epidemic.
The Morro Castle in Cuba
Havana, Cuba (23.1333* N, 82.3833* W)
Physical Features - Sierra Maestra is the largest mountain range in Cuba. Laguna de Leche is Cuba's largest natural freshwater lake, and is a popular tourist site.
Human Features - Morro Castle was Cuba's protective barrier, guarding the entrance to the bay. It was named after the three biblical Magi. The Che Guevara Mauloseum is a memorial in honor for Ernesto Che Guevara; a Marxist revolutionary who was executed in Bolivia for trying to cause a military uprising.
Cubans have modified the environment by building the Baconao park, whose name is based on a mythical tree that would allow anyone to play music with snails. They have accommodated the environment by creating special reserves for the Zunzuncito; the smallest known bird in the world, measuring a length of 5-6 cm.
Government - Cuba has run under a communist rule for many decades, under Fidel Castro, so Cubans expect little from the government in doing anything for them.
Movement - Cubans are best known for cigars. They get around by boats since Cuba is an island.
Regions - Cuba has no official language. They mostly speak Spanish, French, and English. Cubans (like Mexicans) are highly Catholic. Their school system is divided into Primary and Secondary curriculums. Cuba's government is strong in Communism.
The Nazca Lines in Peru: The Monkey
Lima, Peru (12.0433* S, 77.0283* W)
Lima is on the westernmost part of Peru, and borders the Pacific Ocean.
Physical Features - The Andes Mountains run down the far west coast of South America, and make their way into Peru. The Nazca Desert is in southern Peru, and is home to one of the seven wonders of the world.
Human Features - Peru's government palace is one of the most beautiful sites to see in Peru, and is where Peru's president Ollanta Humala stays. The Nazca Lines are what Peru is best known for. Stationed in the Nazca Desert, these geoglyphs were carved by the Nazca tribe and the lines traced out pictures of animals and other creatures which can only be interpreted from the sky, and are recorded as one of the seven wonders of the world.
Peruvians have modified the environment by building their leading seaport Callao.
Movement - Peruvians have developed some of the most common, important, and simple farming techniques ever known, and are still practiced today. They normally get around by railways.
Regions - Peru has no official language. They speak mostly Spanish, Quechua, and Aymara. Like most South American countries, Peruvians are Roman Catholic. For shelter, they have mostly squatter settlements. Peru's current water crisis has had an impact on their water supply, and the people who live in the country.
Buenos Aires Obelisk
Buenos Aires, Argentina (34.6035* S, 55.3817* W)
Buenos Aires is located in easternmost Argentina. It lies next to the Rio de la Plata (called a tapering intrusion of the Atlantic Ocean).
Physical Features - The Aconcagua Mountain is the tallest mountain in South America, reaching 6960.8 meters tall. Iguazu Falls is the Niagra Falls of Latin America. It was first discovered by a conquistador named Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca. Not only is it known for its beauty, but it also establishes the border between Argentina and Brazil.
Human Features - The Buenos Aires Obelisk is the icon for Argentina. It's appearance is very similar to the Washington Monument. Argentinians have modified the environment by desertification, which (unlike deforestation) is the converting of the land into desert.
Government - Argentina is facing a major human rights issue.
Movement - Argentinians are well known for the invention of the artificial heart. They get around by public transportation, such as buses.
Regions - Argentina's official language is Spanish. Their main religion is Roman Catholic. Argentina had serious terrorism problems in 1976-1983. Argentina's government has had problems dealing the Argentinians human rights.