1. Central America and the Caribbean Physical Geography

2. Physical Features Central America is an isthmus between the Pacific and Caribbean Sea. A chain of mountains and volcanoes separate the Pacific and Caribbean coastal plain. Central America is an isthmus between the Pacific and Caribbean Sea. A chain of mountains and volcanoes separate the Pacific and Caribbean coastal plain.

3. The Caribbean Islands The Caribbean Islands are an archipelago that lies to the east of Central America in the Caribbean Sea. They stretch all the way from Florida to northern South America. The Caribbean Islands are an archipelago that lies to the east of Central America in the Caribbean Sea. They stretch all the way from Florida to northern South America.

4. Island Groups There are 3 main island groups – The Greater Antilles includes Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico – The Lesser Antilles are smaller islands from Virgin Islands to Trinidad and Tobago – The Bahamas are small islands that lie off southeast Florida, about 700 islands and thousands of reefs. There are 3 main island groups – The Greater Antilles includes Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico – The Lesser Antilles are smaller islands from Virgin Islands to Trinidad and Tobago – The Bahamas are small islands that lie off southeast Florida, about 700 islands and thousands of reefs.

5. Island Formation Many of the islands are actually the tops of underwater mountains. Others began as coral reefs that were pushed up – tectonic plates pushed land up over millions of years. As these plates shift, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can occur and can cause damage. Many of the islands are actually the tops of underwater mountains. Others began as coral reefs that were pushed up – tectonic plates pushed land up over millions of years. As these plates shift, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can occur and can cause damage.

6. Climate and Vegetation In general, the climate is warm and sunny. Tropical and tropical savanna climates are common to the islands and the coastal plain of Central America. On the Pacific coast, much of the original savanna vegetation has been cleared and replaced with ranches and plantations. The opposite side you will find tropical rainforest In general, the climate is warm and sunny. Tropical and tropical savanna climates are common to the islands and the coastal plain of Central America. On the Pacific coast, much of the original savanna vegetation has been cleared and replaced with ranches and plantations. The opposite side you will find tropical rainforest

7. Climate and Vegetation The inland mountain areas contain cool humid climates. Some mountain areas contain cloud forests, or areas in the mountains that tropical forests and low clouds are found. These are homes to many plant and animal species. The inland mountain areas contain cool humid climates. Some mountain areas contain cloud forests, or areas in the mountains that tropical forests and low clouds are found. These are homes to many plant and animal species.

8. Climate Temperature in most of the region does not change much from day to night or summer to winter, however changes in seasons do mark a change in precipitation – winters are very dry and it rains almost every day in the summer. Summer to fall hurricanes are also a threat, most occurring from June to November. Temperature in most of the region does not change much from day to night or summer to winter, however changes in seasons do mark a change in precipitation – winters are very dry and it rains almost every day in the summer. Summer to fall hurricanes are also a threat, most occurring from June to November.

9. Resources The regions best resources are its land and climate because of tourism. Agriculture is also enhanced by the warm wet weather and soil enriched with volcanic ash. Coffee, bananas, sugarcane and cotton are major products along with timber cut from the rainforests. The regions best resources are its land and climate because of tourism. Agriculture is also enhanced by the warm wet weather and soil enriched with volcanic ash. Coffee, bananas, sugarcane and cotton are major products along with timber cut from the rainforests.

10. Resources There are few mineral resources in the area. Energy resources are also limited. To fill these needs, Central America and the Caribbean must rely on imports and is a cause which limits the areas development. There are few mineral resources in the area. Energy resources are also limited. To fill these needs, Central America and the Caribbean must rely on imports and is a cause which limits the areas development.

11. To Sum Up … Exit: Why is having few energy resources a handicap to economic development? Exit: Why is having few energy resources a handicap to economic development? Stay tuned next time for Central America. Stay tuned next time for Central America.