1. Central America & the Caribbean
Chapter 11

2. Natural Environments Section 1 Objectives
●Identify the physical processes that have shaped the landforms of Central America and the Caribbean.
●Describe the region’s climate.
●Analyze the natural resources and environmental hazards found in the region.
Section 1 Objectives
Natural Environments

3. Looking at this map, What body of water touches all of the countries studied in this chapter?

4. What particular landform is Central America?

5. What 2 island groups make up the West Indies?
Greater Antilles
Lesser Antilles
Cuba
Hispaniola
Jamaica
Puerto Rico
Bahamas
About 20 small island countries.

6. List the countries of Central America.
From North to South
Belize
Guatemala
Honduras
El Salvador
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Panama

7. What things have been shaped in this region by tectonic processes?
Mountains  throughout Central America & east side of the Caribbean plate
Volcanoes  formed the Lesser Antilles
Coral Reefs  formed the flat limestone Cayman Island

8. What are 3 facts about the Tropical Wet/Dry climate in this region?
Temperature seldom varies more than 10 degrees F
High pressure in the winter makes it dry
Low pressure, from the North, in the summer brings rain

9. Name some Plants and Animals that live in the region.
Mangrove Tree – can live in salt water
Cacao Plant
Palm Tree
Prawn – BIG shrimp
Llamas
Tropical birds

10. What are 3 important natural resources in the area?
Climate  attracts tourists from U.S., Canada, and Europe
Fertile soils  increased agriculture
Fishing Grounds  provide Lobster and Shrimp

11. What mineral resources are found in this area & where?
Gold – throughout Central America
Bauxite – Jamaica (this ore is used to make aluminum)
Nickel – Cuba & Dominican Republic
Oil - Trinidad

12. What natural hazards plague this area?
Volcanoes
Earthquakes
Hurricanes
Mudslides – this is due to cutting down forests leading to heavy erosion

13. ●Explain how Central America’s history shapes the region today.
●Describe the economic, political, and social conditions in Central America.
Section 2 Objectives
Central America

14. What are indigenous people and how did most of them die?
How did they die?
These are people who are native to the land.
The indigenous people of the Central American region are the Mayans.
Most indigenous people in this region died from being exposed to small pox by Spanish explorers.

15. What influence has the US had on Central America?
Helped build railroads to transport things like coffee and bananas
The US built the Panama Canal in the 1900’s, provided easy passage from Caribbean to Pacific Ocean, and controlled it until 1999

16. Panama Canal

17. What languages are spoken in this region?
Spanish – is the most commonly spoken language.
English – spoken sparsely throughout the region. Belize is the only country where it is the official language.
Native Languages – spread out across the region based on the population.

18. Who are the mulattos?
These are people with both African and European ancestors.

19. What are some of the agricultural exports from Central America?
Coffee
Bananas
Sugar
Cotton
Cocoa Bean – used to make chocolate

20. Land Reform – restructuring how ownership of land was determined
What is the biggest problem in Central America & how does it compare with Mexico?
Problem
Comparison
Land Reform – restructuring how ownership of land was determined
Central America and Mexico dealt with the same problem, due to being settled by the same people

21. What’s ecotourism & how has it benefited this region?
Benefits
Guided travel through natural areas and outdoor activities
It has given some countries another source of income to boost the economy

22. The Caribbean Section 3 Objectives
●Describe some important events in the history of the Caribbean.
●Analyze the cultural and population patterns found in the region.
●Discuss the economic activities of the region.
Section 3 Objectives
The Caribbean

23. What has shaped both Central America & the Caribbean’s identity?
European Colonization – these areas were settled by similar groups

24. Who was the 1st explorer to reach land in the Caribbean?
Christopher Columbus – he believed he was in India, which is why some islands are named the “East Indies”

25. What is a commonwealth and how does it apply to this region?
Definition
Application
Self governing territory associated with another country
Puerto Rico is a common wealth of US

26. Define the following vocabulary words.
Creole
Voodoo
Santeria

27. What is Caricom & Why was it created?
Definition
Created
Caribbean community and common market
To promote industry and trade among the nations in this region

28. What problems are they encountering with tourism?
Land is being take away from other activities
Jobs are seasonal
Pay is low
Tourist dollars are raising the cost of living
Most of the profit goes to other countries