Mexico has been ruled by an oligarchy since the Spanish came over from Spain in the 16th century. throughout the 20th century, many Latin American countries were ruled by a caudillo, a military dictator or political boss, but in 2000 Vicente Fox became the first non-PRI (institutional revolutionary party) in almost a hundred years.

The main struggle with establishing a democratic government is the economic and political stability of the countries. A solution to this was a land reform movement to give the poor farmers their own land to farm, in an attempt to help the economic problems.

Colombia, South America

Capital – Bogota

Population – 45,239,079

The main two native groups – Tairona and Muisca

Spanish settled Santa Marta in 1525

1538 Bogota was founded

1717 it became the capital

1813 Colombia declared independence from Spain

1819 founded the Republic of Great Colombia. The president was Simon Bolivar.

The country has had to major wars. The first was in 1899-1903 called The War of a Thousand Days. The second was from 1946-1957 known as The Violence.

Latin America Questions

Latin America Questions

1.) What did you learn from the video?  Do you think its fair that a corporation can own a country's water?
It showed that companies are taking advantage of countries in poverty so they can profit. A company should not be able to own water, it is a universal resource.

2.) Do you think the people of Bolivia had a right to react the way they did?
Yes; we shoot a bear when it comes into town, we would probably react in similar ways as the Bolivians.

3.) How has geography affected settlement in Latin America?
Because of the large mountain range on the west and good farming soil in the plain, many people choose to live in the north-east region of the continent.

4.) Where are the Andres Mountains located?
In North, South, and Central America on the west coast.

5.) What are the three major river systems in South America?
The Amazon, the Parana, and the Orinoco Rivers.

6.) What river carries more water to the ocean than any other river in the world?
The Amazon

7.) What are the three mjor island groups in the Caribbean Islands?
The Bahamas, the Great Antilles, and the Lesser Antilles


8.) What are Llanos?
the Llanos are a area of grassy, treeless plains for feeding livestock and farming.

9.) What are three types of resources found in Latin America?
Mining, logging, and hydropower energy.

10.) What S. American country generates the most hydroelectric power and why?
Brazil because it contains the largest river in the continent.

11.) What types of landforms are found in Latin America?
Plains and mountains.

12.) What is your favorite South American country?
Brazil

Economy and Culture of the US Questions

1.) What was the second most average American's job in the early days of the United States?
The most common job was farming. 

2.) In what three areas is the U.S. a world leader?
Economy, food export, and manufacturing are are were America was a leader in.

3.) What percentage of the world's corn do U.S farmers supply?
40% of the worlds corn comes from the US.

4.) What is the second mostly commonly spoken language in the U.S.?
The second most common language is Spanish.

5.) To what religious group do the majority of Americans belong?
A large majority are Christian.

6.) What are some American cultural elements that have influenced the world?
Music and entertainment are major influences.

7.) Where do the majoritiyof Americans live?
In cities and suburbs.

8.) What is the gender breakdown of the workforce in America?
About 50/50 of men and women.

9.) Where are the industrial centers in the United States?
The northeast part of the US.

USA and Canada geographic similarities

1.) Which parts of Canada and the United States have the most similar climate?
*Alaska and Yukon, or the Northern East coast and Canada

2.) What areas in Canada and the U.S. have areas of permafrost?
*Northern Alaska and Canada

3.) What kind of climates do not exist in Canada?
*Tropical and dry climate

4.) Which two states in the U.S. have tropical climates?
*Hawaii and Florida

5.) Where are the Everglades located?
*Florida

6.) Within which climate would you most likely find a rain forest?
*Tropical climate

7.) What kinds of extreme weather occur often in the Great Plains?
*Droughts, twister, and dust storms

8.) What areas are most at risk for flooding?
*Areas by major rivers

9.) What areas suffer hurricanes?
*The Atlantic and Gulf coast

10.) What climate regions do the U.S. and Canada share?
*A humid continental climate and a marine west coast climate

11.) What climate regions are found in the U.S. but not in Canada?
*Tropical, milder, and dry climates