Economy Most Islands of the Caribbean rely on one or two crops to sell to other countries. Some places in the Caribbean have moved to an Industry sector. Lets Think About it……………. Q: What do you think is the main source of economic growth for the Caribbean today?

Let’s think about it Answer: WHY?????? More than 8Million people visit the Caribbean each year.

The Caribbean during the Colonial Period Main crop was………Sugar cane. ~Sugar cane: A very tall grass and the center of it looks like a cane. Only traded with their ruling countries. Cuba only sold it’s sugar in Spain and only bought good from Spain

SINGLE PRODUCT ECONOMY An economy that produces only one product. Very Unstable. Let’s think about it……….. Why would this be unstable or risky?

Let’s think about it Answer If something happened to that product or the need for that product it would ruin the economy. For Example: in the late 1800’s the people of the West Indies had to find all new ways to support themselves because other countries began producing sugar in faster and cheaper ways.

After the 1800’s Began Diversifying their economy Crops: Pineapple, bananas. Industry: textiles, medical supplies, electronic equipment & tourism.

Landscape Beaches Coral Lagoons Plains Mountains Volcanoes

Culture in the Caribbean Combination of Native American, African and European. Cuban Salsa and Jamaican reggae. Each country/nation of the Caribbean has its own particular way of life.

Education in Cuba Education: After the Cuban Revolution many new schools were set up. Children must go to public school from age At age 12 they choose if they continue their education. ALL School is free including College. They must take academic subjects and communist belief classes.

Health and Healthcare in Cuba Healthcare is paid for by the Government. Largest Health care system in Latin/Central America Every small village has a clinic.

Problems for Healthcare and Education Since the 1990’s Lack of fuel for buses and cars many children had no way to attend school. Lack of food caused malnutrition and sickness

THE BIG PICTURE Think about what you know about Central America and the Caribbean. Think about the culture, education, health care, economy and geography. TASK: Compare Central America/the Caribbean to the United States. How are they alike and how are they different? Give examples for each category, Culture, education, health care, economy and geography.

Central America & The Caribbean LOCATION: Central America is located between North America and South America. Central America is surrounded by, the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, The Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the Panama Canal. The Caribbean or West Indies is located to the North and North East of Central America and surrounded by The Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Central America & The Caribbean PLACE: Mountains, Volcanoes, Valleys, Islands, and Rain Forests.

Central America & The Caribbean Region: Tropical Climate, High Mountains, Active Volcanoes, Wetlands, Beaches and Coastal Plains. Spanish Speaking Nations

Central America & The Caribbean MOVEMENT: The importing of slaves into Central America brought about Ladinos or people of European and Native American decent. Slave import into The Caribbean brought about Mulattos(people of European and African decent) Today there are many people from Europe and the United States who move to Central America or the Caribbean. Wildlife, birds and marine life are a large part of the area due to the rain forests and the surrounding Oceans and Seas. Goods such as: Natural resources (nickel, iron ore, tin, fish, timber and oil) are moved out of the country through trade and exports.

Central America & the Caribbean HUMAN ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION Much of the Caribbean has been impacted by the flow of tourism. Hotels, condos and activities have influenced the land by decreasing free land such as forests for wildlife and tropical habitats. Central America is influenced by the people who move into the area and build home, animals that graze the land and disturb it in the rural areas and the more populated areas are influenced by the building of homes and businesses. The land influences the type of mining that can be done in the area, the location of homes and businesses, the climate impacts the types of products that can be produced from the area, (bananas, timber, oil, coffee) The species that are in Central America and the Caribbean. The landforms influence building and travel as well (mountains, beaches, volcanoes)

Central America & the Caribbean The five themes influence Central America and the Caribbean greatly. Especially the place and location which affect, the climate and weather.