Geography of Latin America Essay 1500 Words

1. Rise (and fall) of indigenous group or civilization (single group or comparative approach) e.g. Maya, Aztec, Inca, Mapuche, Arawak, Chibcha. Where did they come from? What did they accomplish? What role has geography played in their history? Where are they today? Is there agreement about their decline (e.g. for the Maya, definitely not). What are some competing theories about said group?

2. Role of slavery in Spanish or Portuguese colony(ies) OR a particular commodity (e.g.

sugar in Portuguese colonies)

3. Native religious practices and shamanism

4. Syncretic Religions of Latin America (Voodoo, Santería, Candomble, Macumba, Santo Daime and/or União Vegetal, Spiritism) – roots, evolution, current geographic distribution (in Latin America and beyond)

5. Soccer – role in culture, politics, daily life, poverty (e.g. in Brazil)

6. Music and role in politics (Nueva Canción, Bossa Nova)