Ch. 7- Section 1- Central America Central America- connects North America and South America

Central America continued Central America- 7 countries- Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama Land- volcanoes- Central Highlands- volcanic mountains Pacific Lowlands- Pacific Ocean Caribbean Lowlands- Caribbean Sea

Central America continued Climate- tropical- altitude and location impacts climate Central- mts. and highlands- dry and cool year round Pacific Lowlands- tropical savanna- May to November- warm and plenty of rain- December to April- hot and dry Caribbean Lowlands- hot, tropical rain forest climate year round- hurricanes- fierce tropical storms See map page 184

Central America continued The Economy- fertile soil and rain forests- 2 most important resources Farming- plantations- large farms that grow single crop for sale Subsistence- food- feed their own family Rain forests- chicle- substance- used for chewing gum Scientists- medical research Caribbean Lowlands- raise livestock- no nutrients- minerals supply food to plants

Central America continued Industry- very little industry- poor mineral resources Exceptions- Guatemala- exports crude oil Costa Rica- exports bauxite- mineral used to make aluminum

Central America continued Influences of the Past Maya ( BC) Spanish- late 1400’s- forced Native Americans to work on plantations Spanish language and Roman Catholic religion British- 1600’s- ruled Belize- Africans were slaves

Central America continued Independence most Central American countries independent Panama gained independence from Colombia- US helped- Why? Belize- independent from United Kingdom

Central America continued Pop. Today 35 million people Guatemala- #1- pop million Belize- #7- pop.- 200,000 people Guatemala- #1 city- pop million Spanish- official language Exception- Belize- English

Central America continued Guatemala- ladino- Guatemalan who speaks Spanish and practices European ways Civil war devastated area ( )

Central America continued Costa Rica- high standard of living High literacy rate- % of adults- read and write Democratic gov’t Export coffee

Central America continued Panama- crossroads- Panama Canal Isthmus- narrow strip- land- connects two larger land masses Panama wins independence from Colombia Canal completed Panama control of canal- majority of people work on canal