CENTRAL AMERICA

Central America Land bridge that connects North America to South America. Countries: BELIZE, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, EL SALVADOR, NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA and PANAMA.

IN WHICH ECONOMIC SYSTEM DO INDIVIDUALS MAKE THE MAJORITY OF THE DECISIONS? F. TRADITIONAL G. FREE ENTERPRISE H. COMMAND J. MERCANTILIST

Geography Chain of volcanic mountains Volcanic Soil- fertile soil used for farming Tropical Climate Mountains are cool year round Hurricanes during the summer and fall

Economy Farming and harvesting wood from the rain forest Plantations: owned by wealthy people and companies. Major Crops: coffee, bananas, cotton, and sugarcane All major crops are exports sent to the U.S. Poor residence rely on subsistence farming to survive

FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM IS CHARACTERIZED BY ALL OF THE FOLLOWING EXCEPT - F. LITTLE GOVERNMENT CONTROL. G. PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESSES. H. GOVERNMENT RECEIVES ALL THE PROFIT. J. COMPETITION DETERMINES THE PRICE.

Rain Forest Economy Companies cut down and export lumber Land is burned to make room for farming Over time, erosion strips soil of nutrients Companies leave land and clear new land in a new spot

Panama Canal Passage way to shorten time between the Atlantic to Pacific oceans. Built by the U.S. in 1913 Panama was given control on Dec. 31, million people live and work in the canal area.

History and People Olmecs were first to settle in Central America B.C. Maya lived in the rain forests A.D. Spanish Conquistadors arrived in the 1500’s Natives learned the Spanish language and became Roman Catholic Most countries gained their independence in 1821 Panama independence in 1903 Belize independence from England in 1981

Government Each country is a democratic government Leaders and representatives are elected by the people Belize: parliamentary democracy-prime minister heads the government