Question 1

When did Panama become independent of Colombia?

Accepted Answer

Panama became independent from Colombia on November 3, 1903, after a revolt backed by the United States.

Question 2

Which of these was a provision of the Hay/Bunau-Varilla Treaty between Panama and the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

The Hay/Bunau-Varilla Treaty between Panama and the U.S. provided all the provisions mentioned in the options A, B, and C. Therefore, the correct answer is D.

Question 3

The Panama Canal joins what two water bodies?

Accepted Answer

The Panama Canal joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, allowing ships to travel between the two bodies of water without having to travel all the way around South America.

Question 4

The 1985 earthquake in ________ killed as many as 10,000 people and resulted in massive destruction in the downtown.

Accepted Answer

The 1985 earthquake referred to in the sentence is a well-known and historical event that happened in Mexico City, where as many as 10,000 people lost their lives and significant destruction occurred in the downtown area. The earthquake did not occur in the other cities listed as answer choices.

Question 5

All of these are shared characteristics of most Latin American countries, except ________.

Accepted Answer

All of the choices are shared characteristics of most Latin American countries.

Question 6

Where is Lake Maracaibo located?

Accepted Answer

Lake Maracaibo is located in Venezuela, specifically in the northwestern region of the country.

Question 7

Governments in Latin America have a bias in favor of ________ regions by providing more services and investments to these specific areas.

Accepted Answer

Governments in Latin America tend to favor urban regions by providing more services and investments to these areas. Urbanization has been a significant issue in the region, and governments often prioritize urban infrastructure and development over rural areas.

Question 8

Why is Mexico City especially vulnerable to earthquakes?

Accepted Answer

Mexico City is built on top of a former lake bed, which makes the ground more prone to liquefaction during earthquakes, causing the buildings to sink or collapse.

Question 9

When did Panama regain control of the Panama Canal?

Accepted Answer

Panama regained control of the Panama Canal on December 31, 1999, as part of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties signed between Panama and the United States in 1977.

Question 10

When were wild plants and animals domesticated by native Latin Americans?

Accepted Answer

Wild plants and animals began to be domesticated by native Latin Americans around 10,000 years ago, marking the beginning of agricultural societies in the region.

Question 11

The Mayan culture reached its peak of development during this time period.

Accepted Answer

The Mayan culture reached its peak of development between 600 B.C. to A.D. 800, particularly during the Classic Period (A.D. 250-900). This was a time of great progress in Mayan architecture, art, science, writing, and mathematics, as evidenced by the elaborate ruins and artifacts that remain from this era.

Question 12

What Latin American country was affected the most by Hurricane Mitch in late October 1998?

Accepted Answer

Honduras was affected the most by Hurricane Mitch in late October 1998. The hurricane caused widespread devastation, with over 11,000 people killed and over 2 million people affected. The country suffered significant damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and buildings, as well as crops and livestock. The recovery efforts took years, and the impact of the hurricane on the country's economy and society was profound.

Question 13

This important resource was discovered in the Amazon in 1967.

Accepted Answer

The Amazon rainforest is not known for its fossil fuel resources. However, in 1967 a significant oil reserve was found in Ecuador's portion of the Amazon rainforest. This discovery has had a significant impact on the region's economic, social, and environmental landscapes.

Question 14

Which of these is(are) associated with "El Nino?"

Accepted Answer

All of these are associated with "El Nino." El Nino is characterized by a warming of the ocean off the coast of Peru, which in turn leads to heavy rain and flooding along the Peruvian coast. However, this warming also disrupts global weather patterns and can cause drought in northeast Brazil and floods on the Parana River.

Question 15

Volcanic eruptions in the 1990s on this island forced the evacuation of more than two-thirds of the island's population.

Accepted Answer

Montserrat experienced a series of volcanic eruptions from 1995 to 1997, which led to the evacuation of more than two-thirds of the island's population. The other options did not experience significant volcanic activity in the 1990s.

Question 16

In the mining districts of the Bolivian and Peruvian Andes, what was the most important mineral excavated during the colonial period?

Accepted Answer

The most important mineral excavated during the colonial period in the mining districts of the Bolivian and Peruvian Andes was silver. Silver was highly valued and used extensively in European markets, leading to a large demand for its extraction in the colonies.

Question 17

Who was the Panamanian leader implicated in drug trafficking?

Accepted Answer

Noriega was the Panamanian leader who was implicated in drug trafficking. He was arrested by the US in 1992 and sentenced to 40 years in prison for drug trafficking, money laundering, and racketeering.

Question 18

What term is used to define money that is sent back to Latin America and the Caribbean from people working temporarily or permanently in other countries?

Accepted Answer

Remittances are defined as money that is sent back to Latin America and the Caribbean from people working temporarily or permanently in other countries. Braceros refer specifically to Mexican migrant workers, work fund is not a commonly used term, and caceros does not have any association with remittances.

Question 19

What is the name of the Mexican government's oil company?

Accepted Answer

The national oil company of Mexico is called PEMEX, which stands for Petróleos Mexicanos. Option B, C, D are all made up names and therefore do not exist. Option E is incorrect as PEMEX is the correct answer.

Question 20

Where is the Atacama Desert located?

Accepted Answer

The Atacama Desert is located on the Pacific coast of South America, covering parts of Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina.

Quiz 7: Latin America and the Caribbean