Central America What makes the “Great 8”?

Countries Guatemala Guatemala Nicaragua Nicaragua Mexico Mexico Belize Belize El Salvador El Salvador Panama Panama Honduras Honduras Costa Rica Costa Rica

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.

The history of Central America was mostly influenced by Spain. Early History AD 250–900: Maya built large cities with pyramids and temples. AD 250–900: Maya built large cities with pyramids and temples. Maya descendents live in Guatemala and Belize. Maya descendents live in Guatemala and Belize. Early 1500s: Europeans controlled most of Central America. Early 1500s: Europeans controlled most of Central America. Britain: Belize and Nicaragua’s coastBritain: Belize and Nicaragua’s coast Spain: Large plantations of tobacco and sugarcaneSpain: Large plantations of tobacco and sugarcane Forced Indians and enslaved Africans to work in mines and plantationsForced Indians and enslaved Africans to work in mines and plantationsIndependence 1821: Independence from Spain 1821: Independence from Spain Remained joined as the United Provinces of Central America Remained joined as the United Provinces of Central America : Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatamala separated : Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatamala separated. 1903: Panama and Columbia separated. 1903: Panama and Columbia separated. 1981: Belize independence 1981: Belize independence

People and Culture Mountains have made communication throughout area difficult Mountains have made communication throughout area difficult Indians Indians Half the population of Guatemala are native peoplesHalf the population of Guatemala are native peoples Europeans and Mestizos Europeans and Mestizos Europeans began settling here in 1500s after the Spanish ConquestEuropeans began settling here in 1500s after the Spanish Conquest Spanish is the official language in most of Central AmericaSpanish is the official language in most of Central America 90% of Costa Ricans have European descent90% of Costa Ricans have European descent Most of El Salvador and Nicaragua are mestizoMost of El Salvador and Nicaragua are mestizo

People and Culture contd. African Descent African Descent Many Central Americans descend from African slaves brought to the area in the 1500sMany Central Americans descend from African slaves brought to the area in the 1500s Many people of African descent migrated from the Caribbean islands in the 1900s to work on plantationsMany people of African descent migrated from the Caribbean islands in the 1900s to work on plantations

The culture of Central America is a mixture of Native American and European traditions. 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. People and Languages 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. Religion, Festivals, and Food

Since Independence Wealthy landowners continued to run countries. Wealthy landowners continued to run countries. Economy remained based on bananas and coffee. Economy remained based on bananas and coffee. Early to mid-1900s: U.S.-based United Fruit Company controlled most of banana production. Early to mid-1900s: U.S.-based United Fruit Company controlled most of banana production. The company developed railroads and port facilities.The company developed railroads and port facilities. This development improved transportation and communication.This development improved transportation and communication. People resented role of foreign companies. People resented role of foreign companies. Mid- to late 1900s: Demands for reform led to armed struggles in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Mid- to late 1900s: Demands for reform led to armed struggles in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Peace achieved only in recent years Peace achieved only in recent years

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

Wealth and Poverty Most people are very poor Most people are very poor Most rich are plantation owners of European or mestizo descent Most rich are plantation owners of European or mestizo descent Most people of native or African descent are farmers with no land or low-wage laborers Most people of native or African descent are farmers with no land or low-wage laborers Middle class is made up of small land owners and urban industry and service employees Middle class is made up of small land owners and urban industry and service employees

Economic Activities Most Central Americans earn living by farming Most Central Americans earn living by farming Most live by subsistence farmingMost live by subsistence farming Small farms grow corn, beans, and squash Small farms grow corn, beans, and squash Plantations grow cash cropsPlantations grow cash crops Coffee, Bananas, Cotton Coffee, Bananas, Cotton These crops account for over half of Central America’s exportsThese crops account for over half of Central America’s exports

Political Conflict Lack of farmland to feed the growing population and the unequal distribution of land have led to conflicts Lack of farmland to feed the growing population and the unequal distribution of land have led to conflicts Many redistribution of land have favored rich Many redistribution of land have favored rich People opposing these plans have started guerilla groups (guerilla = “little army”. They work together to ambush the larger more traditional army. People opposing these plans have started guerilla groups (guerilla = “little army”. They work together to ambush the larger more traditional army.

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 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. Costa Rica History of peace and stable, democratic government Progress toward reducing poverty Crops: coffee and bananas Tourism to rain forests Central America Today