In Latin America, the mountainous terrain has contributed to the varied climates found in the region.
Spanning more than 85 degrees of latitude, Latin America encompasses Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean Islands, and South America. It is a region of startling contrasts.
High mountains run from northern Mexico through the heart of Central America. The higher peaks of the Andes course down South America’s western side.
Elsewhere, broad plateaus span huge areas. At still lower elevations, plains dominate the landscape. These great grasslands, such as the pampas in Argentina and the llanos in Venezuela and Colombia, are ideal for grazing cattle and sheep.
One of Latin America’s most distinctive landforms is its towering mountains. Thrusting upward in countless folds and ridges, this mountainous profile begins in North America as the Rocky Mountains and extends all the way to South America’s southern tip.
To learn more, see The Physical Geography of Latin America from Nederland.k12.tx.us.