Latin America and the Caribbean: A Systematic and Regional Survey

Updated and revised with many new detailed maps and photographs, this sixth edition enables geographers to explore the changes and major issues facing this dynamic region today. The historical material has been streamlined in order to focus on contemporary issues. Key environmental issues are highlighted in new boxes throughout the chapters. The Systematic surveys have been restructured. New profiles of Latin American countries and major issues are also covered. This approach will help geographers visit the dynamic people and places of Latin America.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 INTRODUCING LATIN AMERICA Brian W. Blouet and Olwyn M. Blouet Political Stability Modernizing Trends Defining Latin America Export Economies Democracy and Development Overview of Systemic Chapters Overview of Regional Chapters Review Questions PART I SYSTEMATIC SURVEY Chapter 2 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Brian W. Blouet Latin America in the Global Environmental System Environmental History Environmental Hazards Tectonic Plates and Structural Regions Major Climate and Vegetation Regions Air Masses and Atmospheric Circulation Distribution of Precipitation Soil Types Natural Vegetation Types River Systems Environmental Determinism Sustainable Development Latin America and Global Warming Review Questions Chapter 3 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY Brian W. Blouet, Olwyn M. Blouet and Charles S. Sargent Introduction 1491: Early American Peoples, Economies and Societies Farming in 1491 The Shaping of the Atlantic World Centers of European Conquest and Settlement Impact of Encounter and Colonial Rule Columbian Exchange Economy and Society Colonial Transport Patterns Urban Patterns Cultural Patterns and Cultural Landscapes The Age of Revolution: New Political Geographies Economic Booms in the Nineteenth Century Summary Review Question Chapter 4 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS Brian W. Blouet and Olwyn M. Blouet Introduction The Origins of Boundaries and Countries Geopolitics Relations between Latin American States Latin America and the United States Impact of World War I The Great Depression World War II The Cold War ISI in the 1960s - Stagflation in the 1970s - the Lost Decade of the 1980s - Growth in the 1990s More U.S. Interventions The End of the Cold War Post Nine Eleven (9/11) Globalization Review Questions Chapter 5 PEOPLE AND SOCIETY Brian W. Blouet Introduction: Change since 1945 Population Density Distribution The Demographic Transition Population Migration Living Standards: Quality and Inequality Women and Society Education in Latin America National Identities, Ethnicity and Race Indigenous Issues Review Questions Chapter 6 EVOLVING ECONOMIES AND GLOBILAZTION Brian W. Blouet Introduction Economic Policies Sectors of the Economy The Primary Sector The Manufacturing Sector The Service Sector International Economic Groupings in Latin America Summary Review Questions Chapter 7 THE CONTEMPORARY CITY Alan Gilbert Urban Growth since 1950 Migration to the City Life in the City Challenges Summary Review Questions MODELS OF URBAN STRUCTURE Charles S. Sargent PART II REGIONAL SURVEY: MIDDLE AMERICA Chapter 8 CARIBBEAN CONTRASTS Olwyn M. Blouet Physical Environments and Hazards The Making of the Island Caribbean The Contemporary Caribbean Economies The Greater Antilles The Lesser Antilles Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana (Guyane) Summary Review Questions Chapter 9 MODERNIZING MEXICO Peter Rees The Ties that Bind Physical Landscapes and Environmental Pressures Origins of the Contemporary Landscape Regions of Mexico The Independent North The Central Metropolitan Axis The Southern Poverty Belt Challenges to Modernity Review Questions Chapter 10 CENTRAL AMERICA: THE SEARCH FOR UNITY Peter Rees Introduction Physical Environment Origins of the Contemporary Landscape The Modern Era Guatemala El Salvador Honduras Nicaragua Costa Rica Belize Panama and the Panama Canal Summary Review Questions PART III REGIONAL SURVEY: SOUTH AMERICA Chapter 11 ANDEAN AMERICA Brian W. Blouet Colombia Venezuela The Central Andes: Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia The Southern Andes: Chile Review Questions Chapter 12 BRAZIL AND BRAZILIAN AMAZONIA C. Gary Lobb Introduction The Physical Background Historical Development Political Economy The Agricultural Economy Social Geography Regional Disparity Political Issues Brazilian Amazonia: The Physical Setting Human Ecology: The Place of Humankind in the Amazonian Biosphere Recent Human Activity Problems and Promise of Amazonia Review Questions Chapter 13 ARGENTINA, URUGUAY, AND PARAGUAY Charles S. Sargent and Brian W. Blouet Introduction Physical Geography Argentina Uruguay Paraguay Summary Review Questions GLOSSARY FURTHER READING PHOTO CREDITS INDEX