1. Central America Chapter 7 Section1

2. Central America What are the 7 countries in Central America?

3. A) The Land Land bridge for N. America & S.America 7 Countries (Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama) Most countries have 2 coastlines. Mostly Native American and Spanish Cultural heritage

4. Central America Central America with the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

5. 1) Land Of Central America 1,000 miles long from North to South Exists between Mexico and S. America Caribbean Sea borders on the east of Central America. Pacific Ocean borders on the west of Central America.

6. 2) Landforms Rugged landscape and many active volcanoes. Lots of volcanic mts. Rich, fertile soil Farmers grow coffee, bananas, sugarcane, and other crops for exports. 3 landforms- 1) Central Highlands 2) Pacific Lowlands 3) Caribbean Lowlands

7. Where would this be grown? You know how to spell it. B-A-N-A-N-A- S

8. 3) The Climate Mostly Tropical Altitude & Location determine climate. Central Highlands has mts., & highland areas, it is dry cool year round. Pacific Lowlands has Tropical Savanna climate, warm and rain in March-Nov. and hot and dry in Dec-Apr. Caribbean Lowlands has Tropical Rainforest climate year round. It has 100 inches of rain a year, also lots of wind. Hurricanes are common in this region.

9. Hurricanes Hurricanes happen frequently in the Caribbean Sea.

10. B) The Economy of Central America

11. B) The Economy Fertile Soil and Rainforests are most important resources. Farming-2 types 1) Plantations- Lots of them in C.A. They grow coffee, bananas, and sugarcane. Export these goods to U.S., Western Europe and other parts of the world. 2) Subsistence Farming-Raise corn, beans, rice and livestock for family reasons

12. Economy Wouldn’t you like to have this money right now. This is probably enough money to get you an A in Geography class.

13. 2) Rainforest Offer valuable woods (mahogany,balsa, teak) Sapodilla tree- if you tap it you get chicle (vocab word) They use trees and plants for new medicines. Trying to preserve rainforests. Farmers want to destroy rainforest to grow more crops.

14. Rainforest in Central America

15. C) The People Of Central America

16. Influences of the Past The Olmec settled around 1200- 400 B.C. Late 1400’s and early 1500’s the Spanish claimed the territory. Native Americans were forced to work on plantations by the Spanish. Eventually, the cultures blended together.

17. Independence Most countries gained independence by 1821. U.S. helped Panama gain independence from Colombia. Belize gained independence from U.K. in 1981.

18. Population Today 40 million people live in C.A. 12.4 million people live in Guatemala (most) Belize is the least populated country in C.A. Gov’t= 6 of the 7 countries have a federal republic gov’t. Belize has a parliamentary democracy.

19. Chapter 7 Section 2 The West Indies

20. A) The Land 1) Landforms- Most islands have central highlands that slope down to the sea. Cuba is the largest island. (Same size as OHIO) Anguilla is one of the smallest islands. (1/2 the size of Salt Lake City)

21. 2 ) Climate- Islands lie in the Tropics Tropical Savanna Climate Temp. between 70-85 degrees year round. Hurricanes happen quite often in the West Indies. The word hurricane comes from the Taino people of Cuba.

22. B)The Economy Farming and Tourism are most important activities. People who work do not get paid much money. Gov’t is trying to develop new industries to bring more jobs to people. One problem is the islands have a farm economy based only on one crop. If the crop fails or the prices fall for that crop the island is in trouble.

23. 1) Farming, 2) Tourism 1) Farming-Crops grown on plantations are: Sugarcane, Bananas, Coffee, and Tobacco from export. Many people are needed to work on plantations. 2) Tourism- Warm Climate, beautiful beaches, and friendly people. Lots of Cruises go through West Indies. Tourism provides lots of jobs.

24. 3) Mining, Manufacturing, and Trade Play small role in the economy of W.I. Jamaica- leading world producer of bauxite. Bauxite is used to make aluminum. Panama Canal increased trade and commerce to the region.