1. Why should we care about Central America?

2. Panama Canal

3.  French started in 1880  Spent 26 Million dollars  Lost 20,000 workers  U.S Takes over in 1904  Panama Canal Treaty  Paid 40 Million to take it over  Not completed until 1914

5. Panama Canal  51 Miles long  110 ft. wide locks  1000 ft. max depth  There are 12 locks  Work like elevators to raise water levels It cost between $1,400 and $2,500 to use it It makes roughly 210 million annually

6. Panama Canal’s Future  Canal was given back to Panama in 1999  They are expanding it  8 Billion Dollar project  Will be finished in 2014 (?)

7. Panama Canal  Panama Video Panama Video

8.  Should we have given control back to Panama?  What would happen if U.S ships were blocked from using it?

9. Caribbean Islands

10.  Three groups  Greater Antilles  Lesser Antilles  Bahamas

11. Island Formation  Volcanic mountains  Central mountain with coastal plains  Active volcanoes  Coral islands  Flatter terrain  All 300 plus islands in Bahamas

12. Coral Island Formation  Created by remains of coral polyps  Coral polyps produce exoskeleton of calcium carbonate  Dead coral accumulate in a pile (reef)  Sand and sediment pile up on reef  Island eventually emerges from water  Ecosystem will gradually develop

14. Coral or Volcanic Island?

15. Ethnic Roots  African descent  Came as slaves  Asian immigrants  Came voluntarily  Worked on plantations after slavery was abolished

16. Caribbean Nations Today  Many islands are politically linked to U.S. and Europe  Virgin Islands – U.S and UK  Puerto Rico – U.S  Guadeloupe - France  Martinique - France  Aruba - Netherlands  Cayman Islands - UK

17. Economic Activity  Agriculture – primary economic activity  Tourism  Contributes over 15% of the GDP  Up to 80% of the income “leaks” outside of the Islands.  Hotels, airlines and ships are owned by overseas companies  Locals do not reap many benefits from tourism industry

18. Tourism  Employment – Seasonal, low paying jobs often go to the lowest bidder with a divide between management and the average worker.  Local Development – Resorts outsource their produce and supplies rather than purchasing local products.  Water Resources – They put a huge stress on the water suitable for human consumption.  Environment – A large cruise ship can produce as much trash a small city for a 7 day cruise.

20.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQw2AX0L WpY