Thinking Thursday Get out a sheet of paper. Title “South America Map Quiz” # 1-15

Central America and the Caribbean Latin America

History: Native and Colonial Central America Early history developed from the Mayan and Aztec civilizations Early history developed from the Mayan and Aztec civilizations Many aspects of culture still linked to native cultures Many aspects of culture still linked to native cultures

History: European Exploration Spanish Conquest of Middle America Spanish Conquest of Middle America Declared independence from Spain in 1821 Declared independence from Spain in 1821 Annexed by Mexican Empire but separated in 1823 Annexed by Mexican Empire but separated in 1823 Created ‘United States of Central America’ Created ‘United States of Central America’ 1830s: Split into separate nations 1830s: Split into separate nations

Politics and Economics: Central America Politics Politics Varied histories including some dictatorships Varied histories including some dictatorships All nations today are either democracies or republics All nations today are either democracies or republics Economies Economies Very similar to economy in Central America and Mexico Very similar to economy in Central America and Mexico Panama Canal is very important to region Panama Canal is very important to region

History: Native and Colonial Caribbean Caribbean was settled and claimed by European powers Caribbean was settled and claimed by European powers Spanish, French, Dutch, Danish, British Spanish, French, Dutch, Danish, British Majority of the slaves brought over during Columbian Exchange came to island nations Majority of the slaves brought over during Columbian Exchange came to island nations Important role in shaping culture of islands Important role in shaping culture of islands

History: Caribbean Independence Independence movement began as a slave revolt in Haiti then swept across the Caribbean Sea Independence movement began as a slave revolt in Haiti then swept across the Caribbean Sea 1804: Haiti gained independence from France 1804: Haiti gained independence from France Cuba won independence from Spain in 1898 as a result of the Spanish-American War Cuba won independence from Spain in 1898 as a result of the Spanish-American War Occupied by the US until 1902 Occupied by the US until 1902 Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago were under British rule until 1962 Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago were under British rule until 1962

Politics Today: Caribbean Some nations still reliant on colonial rule Some nations still reliant on colonial rule Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States Aruba belongs to Holland Aruba belongs to Holland Virgin Islands split between US and UK Virgin Islands split between US and UK Some have democratic governments Some have democratic governments Some controlled by dictators/totalitarian leaders Some controlled by dictators/totalitarian leaders Cuba is communist Cuba is communist

Economics: Jobs and People Most people in the region are poor Most people in the region are poor Many jobs related to one of two industries Many jobs related to one of two industries Tourism Tourism Farming Farming Others rely solely on informal employment Others rely solely on informal employment Jobs that are not considered traditional Jobs that are not considered traditional Street vendors, shoe shiners, etc. Street vendors, shoe shiners, etc.

Economics: Farming Perfect climate and soil for crops that are in high demand Perfect climate and soil for crops that are in high demand Sugar Cane Sugar Cane Coffee Coffee Bananas Bananas Citrus Fruits Citrus Fruits Coconuts Coconuts Spices Spices

Economics: Tourism Increasingly important industry Increasingly important industry Local residents find jobs in hotels, resorts, and restaurants Local residents find jobs in hotels, resorts, and restaurants Many make a living as guides and assistants for tourist activities Many make a living as guides and assistants for tourist activities Often leads to huge levels of resentment and a wider gap between upper and lower classes Often leads to huge levels of resentment and a wider gap between upper and lower classes

Today’s Assignment Use the atlas and your notes to fill out the chart you picked up on your way in. Use the atlas and your notes to fill out the chart you picked up on your way in. Physical Geography: List at least three important features Physical Geography: List at least three important features History and Politics: describe the political history of the region and what types of govt. found today History and Politics: describe the political history of the region and what types of govt. found today Economic Activities: How do people here make money? Economic Activities: How do people here make money? Cultural Characteristics: language, religion, social systems, etc. Cultural Characteristics: language, religion, social systems, etc. Modern Issues: what are the main sources of concern for this region? Modern Issues: what are the main sources of concern for this region?

Today’s Assignment Use the atlas and your notes to fill out the chart you picked up on your way in. Use the atlas and your notes to fill out the chart you picked up on your way in. Physical Geography: List three important features Physical Geography: List three important features Natural Resources: List four important resources found in this area. Natural Resources: List four important resources found in this area. Population: List the most populated nation in this sub-region and the least populated. Population: List the most populated nation in this sub-region and the least populated. Economic Activities: How do people here make money? Economic Activities: How do people here make money? Respond to the last question using all of the information listed in your chart! Respond to the last question using all of the information listed in your chart!