Mexico and Central America – Geography and Economic Regions – Land bridge that connects North and South America

Baja California – Northern Mexico

Baja California – Name the economic activity of this area

Baja California Sur e&hl=en&source

Northern Region – Close to USA Border. Much drug related crime in this area. Also industry around border due to NAFTA

Central Region – Looking at the map, what type of land form is Mexico? What major bodies of land does it bridge? El Popo – Volcano Popocatepetl 4/13/2013 Major eruption in 2000

Farming in Central Mexico- Volcanic soil is rich for farming.

Mexico City in Central Mexico has been around since the early 1500s– before the Spanish arrived. Name the primary type of economic activity?

Southern Mexico – Poorest Region- What economic activity offers the most capital (money)? Subsistence farms Tourism – Cancun

Yucatan Peninsula – Once Home of the Mayan Civilization – From these illustrations, what do you believe to be the major economic activity?

Guatemala – A Poor Nation with Rich History Ancient Mayan Civilization In the shadows of a volcano Women coop farming has struggled to grow in a male dominated society; however, with help from the US, these women are starting to know success.

Belize – The Blue Hole – Is a limestone sinkhole surrounded by atoll. A highly desirable scuba site.

Mexican cartels are using Belize to move drugs through a new route.

El Salvador – Thick jungles, volcanos, and coffee growing Cerro Verde

El Salvador – Once plagued by civil war, El Salvador is now attracting Eco tourists. Surfers enjoy the high waves off the coasts of El Salvador.

Panama and the Canal Thick with rainforest Like most of Central America, the economy is largely based on farming. Coffee fields

The Panama Canal – Unlike other Central American countries, Panama’s economy is boosted by the canal. Nearly half of the country’s population live and work in the canal area.

The Panama Canal – Short History President Theodore Roosevelt When Colombia proved uncooperative of US interest, Panamanian business interests and Roosevelt planned and executed a rebellion that lasted only hours. Colombian soldiers were bribe $50 each to lay down their weapons. The USS Nashville cruised the coast to show support. Nov. 3, 1903, Panama is born.

Acquiring the Canal Zone $10,000,000 was accepted by the rebel forces. Now, US had control of the 10 mile wide canal zone. Now America’s empire extended from the Pacific to the Caribbean. The canal was a must.

Construction and Sacrifice 1,000’s of workers tore through jungle and blasted through mountains. Oppressive heat and stagnate water was a breeding ground for mosquitos. Malaria and yellow fever became the enemy. One worker stated, “Mosquitos get so thick you get a mouthful with every breath.”

A Historic Engineering Feat Under horrible conditions, the workers built three sets of concrete locks and a lake. Nine years in the making, the Panama Canal is considered one the greatest of engineering feats, for the incomparable human spirit joined the Pacific and the Atlantic.