The climate and vegetation in Latin America is influenced by several geographic features. The Andes Mountains and Amazon River create climate breaks across the long north-south span of the region. Elevation also affects climate, with tierra caliente at sea level, tierra templada at higher elevations, and tierra fria at the highest elevations over 6,000 feet. Tropical rainforests are scattered across Latin America, with the largest found in the Amazon River basin, and grasslands occur in areas of humid subtropical climate. Different crops are grown at the different elevation zones, with rice and sugar cane in tierra caliente and coffee in tierra templada.

1. Latin America Climate Vegetation
Ch 8-2

2. Climate Regions
 Land features cause breaks in climates
 Andes
 Amazon River
 Long North-South distance
 Elevation the Highlands
 Tierra caliente (hot country)- near sea level
 Tierra templada (temperate country)
 Tierra fria (cold country)- 6,000 to 10,000 ft

3. Vegetation
 Tropical Rain Forests
 Scattered across Latin America
 Largest is Amazon River basin
 1/3 of South America
 Canopy
 Top tree level
 Very dense, unable for sunlight to reach ground
 Grasslands
 Found in areas of humid subtropical climate
 Vertical Climates
 Tierra caliente- rice, sugar cane
 Tierra templada- coffee