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Physical Geography The Big Idea
The physical geography of Central America and the Caribbean islands includes warm coastal lowlands, cooler highlands, and tropical forests. Main Ideas Physical features of the region include volcanic high lands and coastal plains. The climate and vegetation of the region include forested highlands, tropical forests, and humid lowlands. Key natural resources in the region include rich soils for agriculture, a few minerals, and beautiful beaches.
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Main Idea 1: Physical features of the region include volcanic high lands and coastal plains.
Central America Southern part of North America Includes Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama An isthmus, or narrow strip of land that connects two larger land areas No wider than 125 miles between Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea Chain of mountains and volcanoes divides Caribbean and Pacific coastal plains No good water route, so difficult to travel The Caribbean Islands Across from Central America in the Caribbean Sea An archipelago, a large group of islands Greater Antilles: Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico Lesser Antilles: Small islands from Virgin Islands to Trinidad to Tobago Bahamas: 700 islands Formed from tops of underwater mountains or volcanoes and coral reefs pushed up by colliding tectonic plates
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Main Idea 2: The climate and vegetation of the region include forested highlands, tropical forests, and humid lowlands. Humid tropical and tropical savanna climates Pacific coast savannas cleared for plantations and ranches Caribbean coast rain forest Islands and Coastal Plains Cool, humid climates Cloud forest, or a moist, high-elevation tropical forest where low clouds are common Inland Mountains
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Climate Temperatures Hurricanes
Little change from Day to night Summer to winter Change in season marked by change in rainfall Winters dry Summers wet Hurricanes Threaten from summer to fall Violent winds, heavy rains, and high seas Occur mostly from June to November Destruction and loss of life
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Main Idea 3: Key natural resources in the region include rich soils for agriculture, a few minerals, and beautiful beaches. Land and climate attract tourists. Volcanic ash enriched soil Crops include coffee, bananas, sugarcane, and cotton. Export timber from rain forests Very few mineral and energy resources
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Central America The Big Idea
Central America’s native traditions and colonial history have created a mixed culture, unstable governments, and uncertain economies. Main Ideas The history of Central America was mostly influenced by Spain. The culture of Central America is a mixture of Native American and European traditions. The countries of Central America today have challenges and opportunities.
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Main Idea 1: The history of Central America was mostly influenced by Spain.
Early History AD 250–900: Maya built large cities with pyramids and temples. Maya descendents live in Guatemala and Belize. Early 1500s: Europeans controlled most of Central America. Britain: Belize and Nicaragua’s coast Spain: Large plantations of tobacco and sugarcane Forced Indians and enslaved Africans to work in mines and plantations Independence 1821: Independence from Spain Remained joined as the United Provinces of Central America : Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatamala separated. 1903: Panama and Columbia separated. 1981: Belize independence
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Since Independence Wealthy landowners continued to run countries.
Economy remained based on bananas and coffee. Early to mid-1900s: U.S.-based United Fruit Company controlled most of banana production. The company developed railroads and port facilities. This development improved transportation and communication. People resented role of foreign companies. Mid- to late 1900s: Demands for reform led to armed struggles in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Peace achieved only in recent years
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Main Idea 2: The culture of Central America is a mixture of Native American and European traditions.
Most people are mestizos, or people of mixed European and Indian ancestry. Descendents of ancient Maya live in Guatemalan Highlands and other places. People of African ancestry live mostly along the Caribbean coast. People speak mostly Spanish, but also native Indian languages and English. People and Languages Most people are Roman Catholic. Indian traditions influenced Catholicism. Celebrations are tied to religion: special saints’ feast days and Easter. Traditional foods are corn, tomatoes, hot peppers, and cacao. Religion, Festivals, and Food
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Main Idea 3: The countries of Central America today have challenges and opportunities.
Guatemala More than 14 million people Most mestizos; almost half Indian Live mostly in small villages in highlands : Fighting killed 200,000 people. Crops: coffee and cardamom Belize Smallest population in Central America Not much land for agriculture Ecotourism, the practice of using an area’s natural environment to attract tourists Honduras Mountainous country Transportation difficult because of rugged land Little land for farming Exports: citrus fruits and bananas
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Central America Today El Salvador Land owned by a few rich people
1980s-1992: Civil war, a conflict between two or more groups within a country Fertile soil to grow coffee and sugarcane Costa Rica History of peace and stable, democratic government Progress toward reducing poverty Crops: coffee and bananas Tourism to rain forests Nicaragua 1979: Dictator overthrown by Sandinistas : Civil war Rebels aided by the U.S. 1990: Democratic elections pushed Sandinistas out of power. Panama Narrow, southernmost country Canal links Caribbean Sea and Pacific and Atlantic Oceans Panama Canal fees and industry make this region prosperous. :Canal controlled by U.S.
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The Caribbean Islands The Big Idea
The Caribbean islands have a rich history and culture influenced by European colonization. Main Ideas The history of the Caribbean islands includes European colonization followed by independence. The culture of the Caribbean islands shows signs of past colonialism and slavery. Today the Caribbean islands have distinctive governments with economies that depend on agriculture and tourism.
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Main Idea 1: The history of the Caribbean islands includes European colonization followed by independence. 1492: Christopher Columbus discovered the Caribbean islands, believing them to be the Indies. The islands are now 13 independent countries. These countries show the influence of the first European colonizers.
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History Early History Columbus thought he had reached the Indies, and so he called the Caribbean the West Indies. 1600s-1700s: The English, French, Dutch, and Danish established colonies on the islands. They built sugarcane plantations that required many workers. Most Caribbean Indians died from disease, so Europeans brought enslaved Africans. Africans and their descendents outnumbered Europeans. Independence 1804: Toussaint-L’Ouverture helped Haiti win independence from France and freedom for slaves. Mid-1800s: Dominican Republic 1902: Cuba from U.S. After World War II, other Caribbean countries gained independence. Some islands, such as Martinique and Guadeloupe, are still not independent.
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Main Idea 2: The culture of the Caribbean islands shows signs of past colonialism and slavery.
Most islanders are descended from Europeans, Africans, or both. Some Asians, who came to work on plantations after slavery ended, live on the island. People People speak Spanish, English, French, and mixtures of African and European languages. Haitians speak French Creole, which is a dialect, or a regional variety of a language. Language Former colonies are mostly Roman Catholic. People also blend Catholicism and traditional African religions. Religion
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Caribbean Culture Islanders celebrate a variety of holidays.
The most widespread is Carnival, before Lent, when people celebrate with big parades, fancy costumes, and music. Festivals Caribbean food reflects past. Yams and okra from Africa In Barbados, souse is made of pigs’ tails, ears, and snouts because slaveholders gave slaves the leftover parts of the pig. People from India brought curry to the region. Foods
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Main Idea 3: Today the Caribbean islands have distinctive governments with economies that depend on agriculture and tourism. Puerto Rico U.S. commonwealth, or a self-governing territory associated with another country People are U.S. citizens with no voting rights. More developed than other Caribbean countries due to U.S. aid and investment Haiti Mountainous western third of Hispaniola Small farms, but exports coffee and sugarcane Poorest country due to corruption Many become refugees, or people fleeing to another country for political or economic reasons. Dominican Republic Eastern part of Hispaniola More developed than Haiti but not rich Capital Santo Domingo is the first permanent European settlement in Western Hemisphere. Economy: agriculture and growing tourism
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Caribbean Islands Today
Cuba Largest and most populous island with Havana as capital Since 1959: Run by a Communist government headed by Fidel Castro Communists took over U.S. owned businesses, so U.S. banned trade. Farms are cooperatives, or organizations owned by its members and operated for mutual benefit. Government controls the media. Other Islands Jamaica is the largest of these other islands. Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest. A number of islands are territories of the U.S., Britain, France, and the Netherlands. Some islands have land to grow coffee, sugarcane, and spices. Others attract tourists. New construction for tourists can harm natural environment.
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