1. Central America and the Caribbean
World Geography Today
10/4/2017
CHAPTER 11
Central America and the Caribbean
Section 1: Natural Environments
Section 2: Central America
Section 3: The Caribbean
Chapter 11

3. Section 1 Natural Environments
The landforms of Central America and the Caribbean were shaped by tectonic forces.
Mountains formed in Central America and Lesser Antilles by plate collisions (subduction).
Volcanoes formed islands and mountains.
Coral reefs, uplifted by tectonic collisions, became islands.

4. Climates of Central America and the Caribbean:
Section 1 Natural Environments
Climates of Central America and the Caribbean:
Tropical wet and dry climates are typical.
Central American climates follow terrain—tropical humid climates on the Caribbean coast, highland climates in the elevated interior, rain shadows on the direr western slopes.
Biomes=Tropical Animals, Tropical Plants
Mangrove-Trees that grow on the coastline, roots grow into the sea water

5. Natural resources and environmental hazards:
Section 1 Natural Environments
Natural resources and environmental hazards:
Natural resources
warm, sunny climate
(eco-tourism)
some fertile soils
Cacao
rich fishing grounds
minerals—some gold, bauxite, nickel, oil
Bauxite- Mineral used to make aluminum
Environmental hazards (Plate Tectonics)
earthquakes
volcanic eruptions
Hurricanes- Increase Population causes more damage

6. Effects of history on Culture in Central America:
Section 2 Central America
Effects of history on Culture in Central America:
tradition of wealth concentrated in few families
continued importance of Roman Catholic Church
Spanish language (except in former British colony of Belize)
population mainly mixed-race mestizos and mulattoes

7. Economic, political, and social conditions:
Section 2 Central America
Economic, political, and social conditions:
commercial export agriculture, with strong foreign influence
powerful families control society, government, military
widespread poverty and inequality—cause emigration, unrest.
El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala—violence, civil war
Honduras—poorest country; rough terrain, lack of development
Panama—variety of conditions; wilderness jungle to modern industry (panama Canal)
Costa Rica—greatest stability, highest standard of living
(Eco-Tourism)

8. Important events in Caribbean history:
Section The Caribbean
Important events in Caribbean history:
Columbus’s arrival in 1492 began Spanish colonization.
British, Dutch, and French competed for control.
Europeans create plantations based on slave labor.
U.S. took Cuba and Puerto Rico from Spain in Spanish-American War of 1898.
Many Caribbean islands remained colonies until mid-1900s.

9. Cultural and population patterns:
Section The Caribbean
Cultural and population patterns:
population—mainly Europeans and African descendants,
Asian immigrants—influence in some countries
(Trinidad and Tobago)
language—based on colonial history (Spanish, English, French, Dutch, Creole)
religion—Catholic, Protestant, African beliefs (Voodoo), Hinduism, Islam, Santeria
rapid population growth—produces unemployment, emigration, urbanization.

10. Section 3 The Caribbean-Economy
Except for Cuba, market economies dominate the region. (Caricom=Economic agreement b/w Caribbean nations)
Agricultural exports are the key activity: sugar, bananas, cacao, citrus, spices.
Mining is important in some countries.
Puerto Rico has developed industry based on U.S. policies.
Tourism is important throughout the region.
Haiti has been devastated by Earth Quake of 2010