1. Central America

2. Central America
Central America is part of the land bridge that lies between the continents of North and South America
It includes seven countries:
Belize
Guatemala
Honduras
El Salvador
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Panama
They are all very mountainous and have two coastlines – one with the Pacific Ocean, the other with the Caribbean Sea

3. Place: The Land
Central America extends more than 1,000 miles and measures 300 miles at it widest point

4. Landforms Volcanic eruptions are part of life in Central America
There is rugged landscape and many active volcanoes
A chain of volcanic mountains called the Central Highlands rises like a backbone along most of the region
The volcanic materials have broken down over the years and left fertile soil
Farmers grow coffee, bananas, sugarcane and other crops

5. Climate The climate is mostly tropical
The differences between countries lies in altitude and the location on the continent
Example: Mountains can block the movement of winds and moisture

6. Climate In the Pacific Lowlands, a tropical savanna climate prevails
Temperatures are warm and rain is plentiful from May through November
From December to April, the climate is hot and dry
The Caribbean Lowlands have a hot, tropical rain forest climate year-round
Hurricanes are common during the autumn and summer months
Hurricanes = fierce storms with winds of more than 74 mph

7. The Economy
Farming
There are two kinds of farmers that form the base of the Central American economy:
Owners of plantations – large farms that grow produce for sale, raise coffee, bananas and sugarcane
Subsistence farmers – mostly raise small crops of corn, beans, rice and livestock to feed families. They will sell extra food at marketplaces

8. The Economy Rain forests
Dense forests offer valuable woods – mahogany, balsa and teak
Workers also tap the sapodilla tree for chichle – a substance used in chewing gum
Scientists use trees and plants for medical research or to make new medicines
Unusual animals found nowhere else on earth also roam among the rain forest plants and trees

9. The Economy Rain Forests
In the Caribbean lowlands, farmers have cleared rain forest areas to raise crops
Heavy rains cause the soil to erode and lose nutrients
Many earn their living by raising livestock
Many Central Americans are worried about the rapid clearing of the rainforest
Costa Rica now has national parks of rain forests
Other countries are controlling logging and other harmful practices

10. The Economy
Industry
There are only a few small industries in the region
Manufacturing really hasn’t developed in Central America
Guatemala and Costa Rica do send crude (unrefined) oil to overseas markets
Costa Rica also exports bauxite – a mineral used to make aluminum

11. The People Influences of the Past
Central America has a mix of cultures – just like Mexico
The Maya settled throughout Central America about 250 to 400 BC
After 800 AD, the Maya mysteriously left their cities and scattered
Today, some of their decedents live in Guatemala as well as Mexico

12. The People Influences of the Past
In the late 1400s, the Spanish settled in Central America
In the 1500s, the claimed the territory along the Caribbean coast
For the next 300 years, Native Americans were abused and mistreated by the Spanish, but their cultures eventually blended
The British settled in present-day Belize in the 1600s and it eventually went under British control
The British brought enslaved Africans to the region.
Currently, Africans are the largest ethnic group in Belize

13. The People Independence
Most Central American countries gained independence by 1821
Panama won independence from Colombia in 1903
The last colony to gain independence was Belize in 1981
Many of the Central American countries continue to fight for the government that best meets their needs

14. The People The Population Today
Nearly 35 million people live in the region
Guatemala is the most heavily populated country in the region with 11.6 million
Belize is the most sparsely populated country with 200,000 people
Languages spoken are Spanish, English (Belize) and Mayan
Rural living is common – 50% live on farms and in small towns

15. Guatemala Most Guatemalans live in the southern Central Highlands area
The culture comes from both Native American and Spanish influences
Approximately 40% follow a rural way of life
People live in small villages and their clothing reflects where they are from
Ladinos - Guatemalans speak Spanish and practice European ways
Most live in cities and work as laborers and businesspeople

16. Costa Rica
Costa Rica offers one of the highest standards of living in the world.
It also has the highest literacy rates
Most are of Spanish heritage
Costa Rica has enjoyed a good relationship with its neighbors and is relatively stable
Most Costa Ricans live in the cool Central Highlands
Coffee is a large export for the country

17. Panama Panama is one of the major crossroads in the world
Across the country stretches the Panama Canal
The isthmus of Panama separates the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean
In 1903, the United States helped Panama win its independence from Colombia and proposed building a canal to link the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
The canal was finished in 1914 under the control of the United States
In 2000 Panama was given control of the canal zone
Most of the people in Panama live and work close to the canal