Latin America Essay Example for Free

Latin America Essay 1. Within Middle America, geographers recognize the contrast (cultural, economic, and historical) between the isthmus and the Caribbean islands. Describe the diagnostic characteristics of the Mainland and Rimland regions of Middle America. Middle America includes approximately 7,000 Caribbean islands with hot, humid, and tropical climates; and is an isthmus (land bridge) between the north and South America. The four larger islands are called the Greater Antilles and the smaller islands are the Lesser Antilles (Archipelago). Sometimes middle and South America is referred to as â€Å"Latin America. † The realm is physically and politically fragmented. It began with the lowland Mayans and the highland Aztecs until the cultures collided. The Aztecs developed irrigation systems and were great pioneers of agricultural sweet potatoes, tomatoes, beans, and tobacco. When the Spanish first arrived in Middle America they joined forces with the Amerindians and attacked the Aztecs. This attack affected Middle America badly. The Spanish brought diseases with them, such as measles, smallpox, mumps, and many more causing their population to decline drastically. They also experienced things like changes in religion and deforestation, as well as other significant long lasting effects. Middle America is culturally diverse. The â€Å"euro-Amerindian† mainland is composed of Amerindians, mestizos (Indian and European), and Europeans. The â€Å"euro-African Caribbean† Rimland is compiled with Hispanics, blacks, mulattos (African), British, Dutch, and French. Some geographers may argue that the environment of ‘Middle America is among the world’s most hazardous environments’ and natural hazards such as volcanoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes. The characteristics for the mainland and Rimland are very specific. The mainland is highly isolated while the Rimland is highly accessible. The mainland climate is considered altitudinal zonation and the Rimland is tropical. The Rimland consists of islands, but mountains are found on the mainland. Mestizo is the race of the mainland and mulatto is of the Rimland. The landholding platform of the mainland is haciendas prevailed, whereas on the Rimland a plantation economy (an export crop for sugar cane and bananas). The hacienda provided year round jobs, domestic markets, diversified crops, and was self-sufficient. The plantation economy provided single cash crop, production for export, seasonal employment, and â€Å"banana† republics. These are all diagnostic characteristics of the Mainland and Rimland regions of Middle America. 2. What are the pros and cons of tourism in the Caribbean Islands? Tourism by definition is â€Å"the processes, activities and outcomes arising from the relationships and the interactions among tourists, tourism suppliers, host government, host communities and surrounding environments that are involved in the attracting and hosting of visitors. † The Caribbean is the most densely populated region of Middle America. Although agriculture was an important part of the region’s economic expansion, today tourism, industrialization, and banking are the major sources of development. An economic con of tourism in the Caribbean is that the islands are becoming more and more dependent of tourism. Most of their monies collected from tourism will eventually go to a foreign investor that involves tourism, such as a hotel owner, transportation companies, etc. , because the economy is based on exports, offshore banking, and manufacturing. Foreigners are large consumers of luxury goods on the Caribbean islands. Locals may find that as a con, because beaches and such are being destroyed to make room for tourist structures such as shopping centers and/or hotels. Therefore, causing a great divide in wages of a management worker compared to a minimum basic worker. Due to tourists consumption of seafood, water, electricity, and supplies this could cause a price increase for the locals and/or shortage of these things as well. On a social stand point, a con would be the criminal sector of tourism. Drugs, sex trafficking, and prostitution are all unregulated criminal acts that take place while touring. Locals may also feel â€Å"invaded† by the high amount of tourist that explore their communities, making them angry or resentful of the tourist. More cons of tourism include: free spending, no chances for local entrepreneurs, bad manners, rich mingling with the poor, and debase of local culture to tourist culture. A few pros to consider of tourism are, the more tourist structures they may build are the potential opportunities to create more service and management related jobs for the locals. This also allows them to earn foreign exchange. On a social stand point, Caribbean culture may be more appreciated and understood once a foreigner visits the islands. Typically foreigners like to explore and take excursions on the mainland once arriving on the islands, therefore this gives local citizens reason to keep their island and historical sites renovated and maintained, whereas they may have not, had they not had visitors tour those sites often. Cultural events/festivals are developed because a large number of foreigners participate. More pros of tourism include: creating more service jobs, promotion of urban development, becoming major dollar revenue, and it promotes handicraft business. Tourism in general is complex, and perhaps many would argue that tourism is a â€Å"good thing†, I would say that it is on the verge of being a â€Å"bad thing† for the Caribbean islands. In my opinion, for the locals, the cons heavily outweigh the pros on an economic and social level. 3. In the Amazonia, Brazil what is being forecast as a pending environmental and cultural disaster. How is this occurring and what would be the consequence? Brazil is on the rise to an economic and cultural decline and is no longer considered the ‘country of the future. ’ Brazil is the fifth largest country and Portuguese is the language spoken there. Its culture is very diverse and consists of Native Americans, Portuguese, and Africans. In 2010, Brazil had a 7. 5% country economy growth, but dropped drastically to only 2. 7% this past year. For the past ten years Brazil had seemed to be â€Å"on a roll† as an agricultural superpower when in the Atlantic Ocean, they discovered massive oil reserves. Brazil’s diplomacy became more aggressive, and they even paid off all debts to the International Monetary Fund. With their government changes and economic success they had helped millions of citizens come out of poverty. The saying â€Å"what goes up, must come down† has became true for the economy of Brazil. With the countries improvements, they are now facing ‘real world realities’ such as illegal immigration because of people coming into their country wanting jobs. Some critics argue that â€Å"Brazil is lucky to have China waiting in the wings, hungry for its commodities and natural resources. † In the Amazonia, Brazil had 6-9 million indigenous people before 1500; today they have less than 200,000 remaining. With environmental and cultural decline, come many consequences. Culturally, Brazil has the world’s largest Catholic population, but since the recent census, that is also in decline. Economically, the reduced flow of money into the country and the demanded exports of Brazil weakened which is very logical and doesn’t need much explanation. If their exports are no longer in demand, then the obvious consequence is a reduced inflow of consumer monies. This in my opinion would be the biggest hit for Brazil and the leading consequence of their â€Å"disaster. † I personally could not find many scholarly articles discussing Brazil’s decline economically or culturally. Surprisingly, I found more articles talking about the rise and growth of the two. It is also my opinion that in order to â€Å"fix† these problems, tourism is a key factor for Brazil right now. I know in lecture we discussed within the Amazon the importance of rubber, gold, oil, and deforestation to Brazil, and I am certain all of those things would be affected, but I couldn’t find many articles with facts to back that up. With that being said, I think many countries all have and/or will experience â€Å"waves† of decline. Most every country experiences these â€Å"disasters† it is what makes the world go round.