5 Themes of Geography Period 4 Group 2

Location Relative Exact Southeast of Gulf of Mexico, east of Central America, and north of South America Exact 18.15 N, 63.10 W

Place Physical Lies between Tropic of Cancer and the Equator The region is divided into the Rimland, greater Antilles, and lesser Antilles. Warm temperatures (70’s year-round) Hurricanes (storms with heavy rains and winds) Abundant rainfall (more than 80 inches which determines season) Diverse flora and fauna Vegetation (forests, savannas, mangroves, and arid zones) Isolated proximity – Caribbean’s unusual position in world (limits economic opportunity)

Place Human Maroon communities of runaway slaves Compromised of descendants of Africa, Asia, and Europe Plantation America-cultural region where European elite rule and depend on African labor force Large Asian populations Africans were forced from their native lands and sent to the Americas African religions like voodoo are widely practiced Complex culture caused by creolization Speak French, Dutch, Spanish, and English Railroads Ports for boats to come and go Arable lands are owned by elite with small plots for subsistence argriculture

Movement People Asian immigration Slave trade Runaway slaves Maroon societies Densely settled islands Lightly populated main land territories Rural urban continuum Migration chain Migration circular Labor-related migration Tourism Diaspora Caribbean

Movement Goods Export Railroads Ports

Movement Ideas Language Music Creolization Plantation America Asian immigration Neo Africa Colonization

Region Physical 25 countries and dependent territories Groups of islands (archipelago) Tropical beaches – white sand beaches surround the islands. Some islands are mostly made up of volcanoes. Some countries contain limestone plateaus and mountains. Some were formed by ancient rocks.

Region Political A lot of small islands are claimed by other countries like England, Spain, and France. Cuba is a communist country. Puerto Rico is divided about their future politics – half Caribbean and half US Many countries and territories are free and independent, but many struggle to fit the citizen needs.

Region Cultural Creolization Colonialism

Region Economic The average annual growth % GDP per capita ranges from the Bahamas with -0.1 to Guyana with 5.2 The total GNI goes from low as St. Vincent and the Grenadines with 301 to high as the Dominican Republic with 16,130. Referred to as the “American Backyard” Developing region 60% of the Caribbean is urban

Human/Environment Interaction Change Use deforestation for family ranching and building buildings Clear hillsides for farming Coastal mangrove swamps for beach space Irrigation is used to bring water to dried lands

Human/Environment Interaction Adapt Countries in the Caribbean built cruise ships, cruise lines, and tourist sectors to attract tourists to the Caribbean and help countries in the Caribbean make a profit. (Tourism represents half the country’s GDP.) Residents in the Caribbean build their houses on the silts as protection against flooding. There is little sources for energy so some people have to use firewood and charcoal as their energy needs. The production of sugarcane has become an easy way for farmers to make a large profit. Since the climate is so hot, people use air conditioners. Growth of coffee

Human/Environment Interaction Sugar cane field in Jamaica