1. Central America and the Caribbean
Chapter 10 Section 2

2. Key Terms Cultural Hearth United Provinces of Central America
Panama Canal
Calypso
Reggae
Informal Economy

3. Native and Colonial Cen. America
This region was the cultural hearth for the Mayan Empire
Spanish Conquistadors opened much of central America and the Caribbean to the Europeans
Some African cultures came to the region
By the 1830’s Mexico was independent from Spain and El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras became Nations shortly after

4. Colonial Caribbean
The original inhabitants of the islands called themselves Taino
The Spanish settled and made sugar plantations killing many Taino from disease
Slave traders brought many Africans to the islands to work on the plantations
Toussaint L’Ouverture led a slave rebellion in Haiti which inspired more rebellions eventually causing many European countries to give up their land in the Caribbean

5. Cultures
Spanish the main language and Catholicism is the main religion of this area
The Spanish, French, British, Danish, African, and Native American cultures all have mixed
Voodoo is in Haiti, and Rastafarianism is in Jamaica
Many languages are spoken on the different Caribbean islands

6. Economics, Culture, Tourism
Sugar cane is the largest export followed by Bananas, citrus fruits, coffee, and spices
The Panama Canal is very important to Central America’s trade
Music is important to the peoples lives (Calypso, Reggae) Most songs talk about the people and their struggles and are improvised
Tourism is very important for the growing economy (hotels, cruises, restaurants, street vendors, shoe shining)

8. POP QUIZ!!
For what reason are there African elements in the culture of the Caribbean?
Why is the Panama Canal important?