Central America

Belize (British Honduras) History Mayans were the indigenous peoples Rose up around 1500 BC Europeans arrived in 16th century Spanish colonists tried to settle in, but the Mayans rebelled English and Scottish buccaneers settled in 1638 Geography Marshy coastline Lagoons along the coasts Lagoons reduce land area Tropical climate with pronounced wet and dry seasons Hondo and Sarstoon rivers define much of the northern and southern boundaries Mining

Belize (British Honduras) cont. Culture British, Mexican, and Western Caribbean influences in cuisine Major sports Football Basketball Volleyball Cycling Boat racing Track & field Softball Cricket Places to visit Corozal Belmopan Orange Walk Ambergris Caye Turneffe Reef Lighthouse Reef San Ignacio Glover's Reef Placencia Dangriga Punta Gorda

Costa Rica History Geography Impact on modern Costa Ricans from indigenous cultures is much less than other Latin American nations Southernmost province of the Captaincy General of Guatemala Poverty caused by lack of indigenous population for forced labor Geography Caribbean Sea to east and Pacific Ocean to the west Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south Tropical climate year round Because of how close it is to the equator

Costa Rica cont. Culture Places to visit Where Mesoamerican and native cultures met Costa Rican cuisine is a blend of Native American, Spanish, African and many other cuisine origins Spanish culture and Catholic religions have influences Places to visit Manuel Antonio National Park Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs Tamarindo & Playa Langosta Drake Bay & Corcovado National Park Jaco & Playa Hermosa Rincon de la Vieja Volcano Cahuita National Park Tortuguero National Park Grecia & Sarchi

Honduras History Geography There was Mayan presence Kingdom of Xukpi lasted from 5th century to early 9th century declined when Mayans arrived Christopher Columbus reached Bay Islands on the coast of Honduras in 1502 Spanish arrived in 1524 Joined Federal Republic of Central America in 1822 Geography Caribbean Sea on north coast, Pacific Ocean on south through Gulf of Fonseca Climate varies Tropical in lowlands Temperate in mountains Mostly mountains, narrow plains along coasts Undeveloped lowland jungle Natural resources: timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, shrimp, and hydropower

Honduras cont. Culture Places to visit Hondurans referred to as Catracho (deroved from Nicaraguans) Spanish is the main language, spoken by 94% of the population Other languages spoken: Garifuna, Miskito, and Pech; Honduras Sign Language; and English Places to visit Copan Ruinas San Pedro Sula La Esperanza Gracias Santa Rosa de Copan

Panama History Geography Earliest known inhabitants: Cuevas and Coclé tribes wiped out by disease and fighting Spaniards in 16th century Rodrigo de Bastidas arrived in 1501 in search of gold Part of Spanish Empire for 300 years Geography Borders both Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean Central spine of mountains and hills Nearly 500 rivers Tropical climate

Panama cont. Culture Places to visit Derived from European music, art and traditions that were brought over by the Spanish Blending African and Native American culture with European culture Baseball is the national sport 75% to 85% of population is Roman Catholic and 15% to 25% is evangelical Christian Places to visit The Panama Canal Casco Viejo de Panama Panama City Cerro Azul Isla Barro Colorado Pearl Islands Panama