Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • describe the region's physical geography, including where and why earthquakes, volcanoes, and hurricanes occur, and the significance of the Amazon River Basin;
  • compare the rimland and the mainland areas in terms of colonization, land use patterns, and economic activities;
  • compare the locations of the Inca, Maya, and Aztec Empires with the location of the indigenous population in this region;
  • discuss the pattern of European colonialism across the region, including the significance of the Treaty of Tordesillas; and
  • discuss factors that contribute to income inequality and political instability in this region.
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