Central America and the Caribbean Chapter 10 Section 2

Key Terms Cultural Hearth United Provinces of Central America Panama Canal Calypso Reggae Informal Economy

Native and Colonial Cen. America This region was the cultural hearth for the Mayan Empire Spanish Conquistadors opened much of central America and the Caribbean to the Europeans Some African cultures came to the region By the 1830’s Mexico was independent from Spain and El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras became Nations shortly after

Colonial Caribbean The original inhabitants of the islands called themselves Taino The Spanish settled and made sugar plantations killing many Taino from disease Slave traders brought many Africans to the islands to work on the plantations Toussaint L’Ouverture led a slave rebellion in Haiti which inspired more rebellions eventually causing many European countries to give up their land in the Caribbean

Cultures Spanish the main language and Catholicism is the main religion of this area The Spanish, French, British, Danish, African, and Native American cultures all have mixed Voodoo is in Haiti, and Rastafarianism is in Jamaica Many languages are spoken on the different Caribbean islands

Economics, Culture, Tourism Sugar cane is the largest export followed by Bananas, citrus fruits, coffee, and spices The Panama Canal is very important to Central America’s trade Music is important to the peoples lives (Calypso, Reggae) Most songs talk about the people and their struggles and are improvised Tourism is very important for the growing economy (hotels, cruises, restaurants, street vendors, shoe shining)

POP QUIZ!! For what reason are there African elements in the culture of the Caribbean? Why is the Panama Canal important?