1. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON People, Places, and Change HOLT 1 Central America and the Caribbean Islands Section 1: Physical Geography Section 2: Central America Section 3: The Caribbean Islands CHAPTER 9

2. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON People, Places, and Change HOLT 2 Objectives: What are the physical features of Central America and the Caribbean Islands? What are the physical features of Central America and the Caribbean Islands? What climates are found in the region? What climates are found in the region? What natural resources does the region have? What natural resources does the region have? Section 1 Physical Geography

3. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON People, Places, and Change HOLT 3 Central America Bridge between North and South America Bridge between North and South America No place more than 125 miles from the sea No place more than 125 miles from the sea Mountains separate Caribbean and Pacific coastal plains Mountains separate Caribbean and Pacific coastal plains Section 1 Physical Geography

4. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON People, Places, and Change HOLT 4 The Caribbean Islands: Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, the Bahamas A curved archipelago A curved archipelago Earthquakes and volcanic activity frequent Earthquakes and volcanic activity frequent Section 1 Physical Geography

5. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON People, Places, and Change HOLT 5 Central American Climates Humid tropical plains, rain forests, highland climates, tropical savanna, cloud forests Humid tropical plains, rain forests, highland climates, tropical savanna, cloud forests Caribbean Climates Humid tropical, tropical savanna Humid tropical, tropical savanna Hurricanes are common. Hurricanes are common. Section 1 Physical Geography

6. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON People, Places, and Change HOLT 6 Natural Resources Agriculture: coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton Agriculture: coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton Timber Timber Tourism Tourism Jamaica is rich in bauxite (aluminum ore). Jamaica is rich in bauxite (aluminum ore). Section 1 Physical Geography

7. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON People, Places, and Change HOLT 7 Objectives: What was Central America’s early history like? What was Central America’s early history like? How is the region’s history reflected in its people today? How is the region’s history reflected in its people today? What are the countries of Central America like today? What are the countries of Central America like today? Section 2 Central America

8. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON People, Places, and Change HOLT 8 Central America’s Early History Large Maya civilizations Large Maya civilizations European colonies formed in 1500s; Indians forced into labor European colonies formed in 1500s; Indians forced into labor Enslaved Africans brought over Enslaved Africans brought over Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua establish independence by 1839; Panama in 1903; Nicaragua in late 1800s; Belize in 1981 Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua establish independence by 1839; Panama in 1903; Nicaragua in late 1800s; Belize in 1981 Section 2 Central America

9. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON People, Places, and Change HOLT 9 The History and the People Today Mestizos—the largest ethnic group Mestizos—the largest ethnic group Spanish, Indian languages, and English all spoken Spanish, Indian languages, and English all spoken Roman Catholics, Indian religious influences, and Protestants present Roman Catholics, Indian religious influences, and Protestants present Elected governments Elected governments Section 2 Central America

10. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON People, Places, and Change HOLT 10 Central American Countries Today Guatemala—large Maya population; coffee, cardamom; civil unrest since 1960s Guatemala—large Maya population; coffee, cardamom; civil unrest since 1960s Belize—population of 236,000; heavy tourism Belize—population of 236,000; heavy tourism Honduras—Rugged terrain; fruit exports Honduras—Rugged terrain; fruit exports El Salvador—fertile soil; coffee, sugarcane; poverty El Salvador—fertile soil; coffee, sugarcane; poverty Section 2 Central America

11. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON People, Places, and Change HOLT 11 Central American Countries Today (continued) Central American Countries Today Nicaragua—rebuilding after civil war; fledgling democracy Nicaragua—rebuilding after civil war; fledgling democracy Costa Rica—stable government; coffee, bananas; ecotourism Costa Rica—stable government; coffee, bananas; ecotourism Panama—prospers from canal fees; heavy U.S. influence Panama—prospers from canal fees; heavy U.S. influence Section 2 Central America

12. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON People, Places, and Change HOLT 12 Objectives: What was the Caribbean’s history like? What was the Caribbean’s history like? How is the region’s history reflected in its people today? How is the region’s history reflected in its people today? What are the countries of the Caribbean like today? What are the countries of the Caribbean like today? Section 3 The Caribbean Islands

13. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON People, Places, and Change HOLT 13 Caribbean’s History 1492—Columbus arrives and names the West Indies; Spanish colonies established; disease kills many Indians 1492—Columbus arrives and names the West Indies; Spanish colonies established; disease kills many Indians 1600–1700s: English, French, Dutch, Danish colonies established 1600–1700s: English, French, Dutch, Danish colonies established Enslaved Africans brought over Enslaved Africans brought over Independence declared from 1804 to last half of 1900s Independence declared from 1804 to last half of 1900s Section 3 The Caribbean Islands

14. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON People, Places, and Change HOLT 14 History and the People Most islanders are African and European descent or a mixture. Most islanders are African and European descent or a mixture. English, French, mixed European, and African languages spoken English, French, mixed European, and African languages spoken Colonists’ religions still practiced; often influenced by traditional African religions Colonists’ religions still practiced; often influenced by traditional African religions Diet influenced by Africa, Asia, and elsewhere Diet influenced by Africa, Asia, and elsewhere Section 3 The Caribbean Islands

15. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON People, Places, and Change HOLT 15 History and the People History and the People (continued) Carnival is the biggest holiday. Carnival is the biggest holiday. Calypso, reggae, and merengue music important Calypso, reggae, and merengue music important American baseball has developed in the Caribbean. American baseball has developed in the Caribbean. Section 3 The Caribbean Islands

16. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON People, Places, and Change HOLT 16 The Caribbean Today Cuba—most populous; Communist since 1959; no U.S. trade; sugarcane, tourism important industries Cuba—most populous; Communist since 1959; no U.S. trade; sugarcane, tourism important industries Haiti—very poor; corrupt governments; coffee, sugarcane important industries Haiti—very poor; corrupt governments; coffee, sugarcane important industries Dominican Republic—first European settlement in west; poor; agriculture, tourism important industries Dominican Republic—first European settlement in west; poor; agriculture, tourism important industries Section 3 The Caribbean Islands

17. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON People, Places, and Change HOLT 17 The Caribbean Today The Caribbean Today (continued) Puerto Rico—U.S. commonwealth; developed economy Puerto Rico—U.S. commonwealth; developed economy Other islands—Jamaica; St. Kitts; many islands are territories of other countries Other islands—Jamaica; St. Kitts; many islands are territories of other countries Section 3 The Caribbean Islands