Sierra Madre (mother range) |
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major mountain ranges are the Sierra Madre Occidental, Sierra Madre Oriental, and the Sierra Madre del Sur. |
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The Plateau of Mexico |
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deserts and grassy plain in the north. Broad, flat valleys in the center that contain many cities and most of the population. |
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Yucatan Peninsula |
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separates the Caribbean Sea from Gulf of Mexico. Those of Mayan descent make up a sizable portion of the population. |
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Isthmus of Panama |
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the narrow strip of land between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, linking North and South America. |
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Greater Antilles |
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island group in the Caribbean Sea comprised of Cuba, Domincan Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico |
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Lesser Antilles |
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with the Bahamas, this group of islands forms the West Indies |
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Guiana Highlands |
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forms the northern portion of the coast of South America. It is about 2 billion years old. Also, the highlands have the longest expanse of undisturbed tropical rainforest in the world. |
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Amazon Basin |
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this drainage basin is nearly as large as the USA. Very warm and humid. |
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Amazon River |
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the 2nd longest river in the world |
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Andes Mountains |
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this chain extends about 4,400 mi. along South America's Pacific coast. Spans 7 countries, |
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Brazilian Highlands |
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coastal plateau in Brazil along the Atlantic Ocean. formed about 200 million yrs. ago. |
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Gran Chaco |
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sparsely populated and hot lowland region divided between Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, and some of Brazil. |
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Atacama Desert |
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located in Chile. Driest desert on Earth. |
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Pampas |
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"plain" the climate is mild and good for farming |
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Patagonia |
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southern Argentina to the Andes Mts there is little rain |
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Cape Horn |
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southernmost part of South America. has very poor weather and is hard for ships to sail around it. |
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