Introduction to Caribbean - Central - South America PPT / Notes

Central America Physical Geography 7 Countries between Mexico (in North) and Colombia (in South) Tropical Climate Landforms Hills and mountains Panama Canal Ring of Fire Earthquakes, Volcanoes

Caribbean Physical Geography What physical process created this archipelago? Coral Polyps – The remains of once living creatures that built the islands What is the climate? Tropical = Hot and Wet What Natural Hazards threaten the islands? Hurricanes – Carribean Earthquakes – also prevalent along the Ring of Fire Floods Mudslides El Nino – causing floods and droughts all over the world

South America Physical Geography Amazon River Andes Mountains Guiana Highlands Brazilian Highlands

Central America Culture and History Colonized by Spain in 1500’s, many indigenous people (Maya, for example). Demography Population = 42,000,000 Largely Mestizo – Native + Spanish Mulatto - Spanish mixed with African Slave trade

Caribbean Culture and History Region colonized by Spain, France, Great Britain, Netherlands during 1500’s Why? Plantation Agriculture / Columbian Exchange Brought African Slaves for Sugar Trade Most Indians on islands were killed off because of European cruelty and disease What crops did the Europeans want? Sugar Cane, Tobacco, Coffee, Bananas Demography – What are the people like? Population = 38 Million People are mixed – European, Indigenous, and African Different cultural mixes on different islands Results Varied languages, religions, food

South America Culture and History Spanish conquered Inca in 1500’s Spanish and Native influences Languages Quechua – Inca language Spanish Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) Spain and Portugal with help from the Pope split up South America Portugal gets Brazil

Central America Economy Most of the people are poor Ecotourism – a form of tourism that involves visiting protected areas. Commercial farming Coffee Bananas

Caribbean Economy What is the economy like? Varies by island Mostly Primary Employment Sectors Agriculture Mining Fishing Tourism is very important, especially for small islands Informal Economy – jobs that take place outside of official channels, no taxes. Protection for workers

South America Economy Most are based upon Agriculture Argentina – Highest per capita GNP (Gross National Product) Oil and Mineral resources US gets more oil from South America than Middle East Mercosur – trade agreement between South American countries

Central America Daily Life, Art, and Music Natives and Spanish Influence Spanish Language Catholic Religion

Caribbean Daily Life, Art, and Music Spanish, French, Danish, Dutch, Natives and African influences Religions Catholic, Voodoo, Santeria Languages Spanish, French, English, Dutch Music and Dance Calypso – combines African and Spanish elements (Steel drums) Reggae – from Jamaica, deals with social problems and religion Bomba in Puerto Rico Merengue in Domincan Rep. Mambo in Cuba

South America Daily Life, Art, and Music Literature Gabriel Garcia Marquez Nobel Prize for Literature 1982 Gabriel García Márquez was a Colombian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter and journalist, known affectionately as Gabo throughout Latin America. Born: March 6, 1927, Aracataca, Colombia Died: April 17, 2014, Mexico City, Mexico Music and Dance (Mix of native, African, and European influences) Pop and Folk Music popular Dance Tango in Argentina Samba in Brazil