Monday Warmup Copy the vocabulary words into your interactive notebook 1.Cay- a low island made of sand or coral. 2.Greater Antilles- the largest group of Caribbean islands (Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico). 3.Lesser Antilles- the smaller group of Caribbean islands (located to the southeast of the Greater Antilles). 4.The Bahamas- a nation that is made up of a group of islands (located to the northeast of the Greater Antilles).

Climate of Central America/Caribbean Central America has a tropical wet/dry climate.

A tropical wet/dry climate means there are only 2 seasons: A wet season (summer) and a dry season (winter).

The temperatures for this climate zone stay warm all year long. Summer temperatures average 77 degrees and the winter average is about 68 degrees.

Geography of Central America/Caribbean

Tikal, Guatemala. An ancient city of the Mayan people (Native Mexicans).

Chichen Itza, Mexico. Another ancient Mayan city.

Templo Mayor, an ancient temple in the Aztec capitol of Tenochtitlan.

Cancun beach, Mexico.

El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico.

The Bahamas

The islands of the Bahamas are cays. Reminder: Cays are low islands made of coral or sand.

Central America has many active (and dormant) volcanos.

Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica.

The “Great Blue Hole” in Belize.

Mexico Guatemala El Salvador Honduras Nicaragua Costa Rica Panama Dominican Republic Puerto Rico Cuba Pacific Ocean Gulf of Mexico Caribbean Sea 12 Haiti 11 Belize North West South East

Culture of Central America/Caribbean The people of CA/C have a rich culture inherited from their native American ancestors.

Ancient American Civilizations Timeline The people of CA/C have a rich culture inherited from their native American ancestors.

The Aztecs are not considered to be an early civilization of CA.

The Mayans were very advanced. Nobody knows why, but the Mayan civilization collapsed mysteriously.

The Arrival of Europeans When the Spanish came to the Americas, they conquered the natives. The Spanish would fuse their culture with the natives.

Language: Belize is the only country in Central America/the Carribean that is not spanish- speaking. English is the main language in Belize.

Religion Most people in CA/C are Roman Catholic. The Catholic religion was brought to the Americas by the Spaniards. The Spaniards attempted to convert the Native Americans to Catholicism and the Spanish way of life.

The Caribbean The Caribbean Islands are a very beautiful tourist destination and attract travelers from across the world.

Music: Salsa and Reggae are styles of music that were created in the Caribbean.

Economy: The Caribbean Islands have a free-enterprise economy like the U.S.A. …Except for Cuba!!!

Ticket out the door: At the bottom of your notes, please write down the differences you notice between Cuba’s economy and the economy we have in the United States. Cuba has a socialist economy. In a socialist economy, the government has most of the control (if not all) over the economy.

Even though the people of America have improved their lives slowly, a large gap still exists between the rich and the poor.

Quiz 1.In what ways did the Spanish change the people and culture of Central America? They changed their culture, language, and their religion. 2. What two things did the Spanish try to convert the native Americans to? Catholicism and the Spanish way of life. 3. What is the only English-speaking country in Central America? Belize 4. Do you think that the native Americans were better off before the Spanish came to the New World? Why or why not? There is no incorrect answer, as long as they explained their answer!

Writing Prompt 1.Should European countries allow refugees from the Middle East inside their countries? Why or why not? Explain your answer! IN GROUPS OF 3, DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING 2. What are the benefits of accepting the refugees? 3. What are the potential dangers? 4. If you were a leader of a European country, what kinds of things would you do to ensure the safety of the people that live inside your country?

5. Is it right to turn away ALL refugees from the Middle East in fear that only a few of them may actually be dangerous? Explain your answer!

When the Europeans came to the New World, they conquered the native people of Central America.

The Spaniards and French imposed themselves as the rulers of the natives after defeating them. Often, they would treat the natives harshly and as inferior people.

Eventually, as the European colonies grew, the people wanted to gain their independence. They wanted to create their own governments that respected their rights as human beings and reflected their own values instead of Spanish King’s.

History Many Central American and Caribbean colonies began to rebel against the Europeans.

Cuban Independence With the help of the United States, the Cuban people gained their independence from Spain.

Haitian Independence In the 1700’s the French colony of Haiti was one of the most valuable colonies in the world. It produced sugar and coffee from the use of slave labor. Slaves that worked in Haiti were imported from Africa and were treated EXTREMELY harshly. In 1804, the slaves (led by Toussaint Louverture) revolted against their masters and gained their independence. Toussaint Louverture

Mexican Independence Mexico gained its independence from Spain. When the other Central American colonies gained their independence as well, they became a part of Mexico.

1. What does the quote mean? 2. What struggles would the slaves face after they gained their independence?

Lake Nicaragua Lake Nicaragua is the largest lake in Central America. It is the only freshwater lake in the world that contains oceanic animal life.

During the 1600s, the Central American colonies became the center of the growing coffee industry.

The Panama Canal is the narrowest part of Central America. Panama is an isthmus that connects Central America and South America.

The Bahamas are a nation of more than 3,000 islands.