Middle America I.Major geographic characteristics A. B. C. D E. F. 3 sub-regions: Mexico, Central America, & The West Indies Land bridge between North & South America Generally tropical culture Islands = African influences Mainland-native/tribal influences Mainly underdeveloped Mexico-largest in size, population, economy II. Mexico A. relative size 1. a. b. 2. a. b. Largest population Close to 120 million More than the rest of MA combined Largest area Aprox. 1 million miles 2 Twice as large as the rest of MA combined

B. United Mexican States C. largest city D. landforms 1. Baja California a. b. c. 2.Great Central Plateau/Plains a. b. c. 1) 2) 3) d. 31 states 1 federal district Federal District of Mexico City About 20 million people Peninsula extending south from California Seperated from mainland by Gulf of CA Sandy desert with mountains in middle Sierra Madre Oriental (east side) Sierra Madre Occidental (west side) highlands feet Most of population lives here Very dry Home of the Aztec

3. Isthmus of Tehuantepec a. b. 4. Yucatan Peninsula a. b. c. Narrowest point in Mexico Sierra Madre del Sur Mexico’s most tropical area Mainly rain forest E.Culture 1. Language- 2. Religion- 3. Cultural influences a. Mestizo 1) 2) b. c. Spanish Roman Catholic 61% (Native mixed with European influenced language, dress, food, art Gives us the distinctive Mexican style native = 30% *****transculturalization***** The 2-way exchange of cultural traits between societies in close contact Home of Mayan culture European (Spain) = 9%

III. Guatemala A. B. C. D E. F IV. Belize A. B. C. D. E. F Formerly a part of Language- Religion- Cultural influences Climate- Sources of income Mexico Spanish Roman Catholic natives tropical Coffee Cotton Eco-tourism Formerly a part of Language- Religion- Cultural influences Climate- Sources of income Great Britain English Islam African tropical Sugar Lobster & fish

V. Honduras A. B. C. D. E. F VI. El Salvador A. B. C. D. E. F Formerly a part of Language- Religion- Cultural influences Climate- Sources of income Formerly a part of Language- Religion- Cultural influences Climate- Sources of income Spain Spanish Roman Catholic mestizos Tropical with vast highlands Agriculture-bananas, sugar, coffee Forestry Mining-lead & zinc Spain Spanish Roman Catholic Mestizos tropical Coffee Sugar shrimp

VII. Nicaragua A. B. C. D. E. F. - VIII. Costa Rica A. B. C. D. E. F G. Formerly a part of Language- Religion- Cultural influences Climate- Sources of income Formerly a part of Language- Religion- Cultural influences Climate- Sources of income Spain Spanish Roman Catholic Mestizos Tropical east & temperate west Big 3 Spain Spanish Roman Catholic Mestizos Tropical east & temperate west Agriculture-big 3 & beef Eco-tourism Richest country of MA

IX. Panama A. B. C. D. E. F a. b. c. d. Formerly a part of Language- Religion- Cultural influences Climate- Sources of income Spain Spanish & English Roman Catholic & Protestant Spain & USA tropical Agriculture-big 3 & rice Fishing-shrimp Oil pipeline Panama Canal 8000 mile shortcut atlantic to Pacific Panama declared independence with US help US battle ships sent to protect from Colombia USA gets 2-ocean Navy

X.The Islands A. B. C. D a..1) 2) 3) 4) 5) b. 1) 2) 3) 4) All are tropical All have problems with hurricanes White sandy beaches with crystal clear water Central mountains sloping to the shores The 4 largest islands of the West Indies Cuba Largest island Communist dictator-Fidel Castro Cultural influence-Spain& escaped slaves Language religion Spanish Oficially-None (Santaria & RC) Jamaica language- religion- cultural influence home of- English Protestant & Rastafarian Ethiopia & England Reggae The Greater Antilles

c. Haiti 1)very poor nation 2) lacking in resources 3) highest birth, death, & infant mort. rates in Americas 4) lowest life expectancy in the Americas 5) Cultural influence-African 6) religion—voodoo & Santaria d. Dominican Republic 1) mixed languages 2) mixed population e. Puerto Rico 3) Now,territory of the United States 1) Formerly owned by Spain 2) Captured by USA in Spanish-American War 4) English and Spanish Spoken 5) religion--Roman Catholic, Protestant B. Lesser Antilles 1. many different nations and languages 2. US Virgin Islands, Barbados, Antigua, Trinidad C. Bahamas 1. over 2000 islands, many tiny 2. only 30 inhabited