Unit 3 Crossword Review

Across

2. A tropical _____ is a broadleaf evergreen forest found in hot and wet regions near the equator.
4. one of the most important commercial farming crops in Latin America
6. The _____ River is the world's second longest river.
7. In an El Nino year, the weather on the Pacific Coast of North and South America gets _____; at the same time, weather on the other side of the Pacific gets drier.
10. Depending on where they form, tropical cyclones are called _____, typhoons, or cyclones.
11. _____development means finding ways to use resources without using them up.
12. Ancient civilizations that developed in Latin America include the Maya, the _____, and the Incas.
16. Between the 1500s and 1800, _____ and Portugal took over most of Latin America.
19. The curving pattern of wind and ocean currents caused by Earth's rotation is called the _____ effect.
21. the scientific study of climate and weather patterns
24. a community of all the living things in an area and the environment in which they live
25. Hurricanes need _____ ocean water to keep them going.
29. a form of tourism that brings people to unique ecosystems while trying to avoid damage to these special places
31. type of farming carried out mainly to provide food for farm families, with little surplus for sale to others
34. When great destruction or loss of life occurs, and extreme weather event is called a natural _____.
35. the variety of plants and animals living in one area, or on Earth
36. a narrow strip of land that links two larger landmasses
37. Warm air and water tend to rise because they are less _____ than cooler air and water.
38. a long, narrow stretch of land that is surrounded by water on three sides

Down

1. Many of the mountains that run through Central America are active _____.
3. removing or clearing away the trees from a forest; this is often done to clear land for farming or ranching
4. The most important crops grown by subsistence farmers in Latin America are _____, potatoes, and beans.
5. In general, warm air and water currents flow from the _____ to the poles; cool air and water currents flow from the poles to the equator.
8. Rainforests have been called the "_____ of the Earth" because of the important role they play in the carbon-oxygen cycle.
9. The wall of water that is pushed ashore by a storm is called storm _____; it is the most destructive feature of a hurricane.
10. Weather is caused by interactions among, _____, air, and water.
13. the most important industry in the Caribbean islands
14. Problems that continue to face Latin Americans countries today include _____, poor schools, and unstable governments.
15. The mountains of Costa Rica are home to a rare ecosystem known as a _____ forest.
17. The _____ rainforest is the world's largest rainforest and is home to more types of plants and animals than any other place on Earth.
18. The main geographic feature of the western coast of South America are the _____ Mountains.
20. type of farming that involves raising crops for sale, often on large farms
22. The term _____ weather refers to severe or unusual weather conditions, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, or blizzards.
23. the calm spot at the center of a hurricane
24. a warm ocean current that flows off the west coast of South America every few years; such an event changes weather patterns around the world and may also cause extreme weather in some regions
26. The swapping of animals, plants, and diseases between Europe and the Americas is known as the _____ Exchange.
27. a bowl-shaped depression, or hollow, in Earth's surface
28. This region is called Latin America because most of its people speak Spanish or _____; both are modern languages based on Latin.
30. the replanting of trees in a formerly forested area by people or by nature
32. The reason that Latin America has so many climates is because it spans a huge range of _____ and has a wide range of altitudes.
33. A tropical _____ is the first stage of a hurricane's development.