1. Ch. 7- Section 1- Central America Central America- connects North America and South America

2. Central America continued Central America- 7 countries- Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama Land- volcanoes- Central Highlands- volcanic mountains Pacific Lowlands- Pacific Ocean Caribbean Lowlands- Caribbean Sea

3. Central America continued Climate- tropical- altitude and location impacts climate Central- mts. and highlands- dry and cool year round Pacific Lowlands- tropical savanna- May to November- warm and plenty of rain- December to April- hot and dry Caribbean Lowlands- hot, tropical rain forest climate year round- hurricanes- fierce tropical storms See map page 184

4. Central America continued The Economy- fertile soil and rain forests- 2 most important resources Farming- plantations- large farms that grow single crop for sale Subsistence- food- feed their own family Rain forests- chicle- substance- used for chewing gum Scientists- medical research Caribbean Lowlands- raise livestock- no nutrients- minerals supply food to plants

5. Central America continued Industry- very little industry- poor mineral resources Exceptions- Guatemala- exports crude oil Costa Rica- exports bauxite- mineral used to make aluminum

6. Central America continued Influences of the Past Maya (250-400 BC) Spanish- late 1400’s- forced Native Americans to work on plantations Spanish language and Roman Catholic religion British- 1600’s- ruled Belize- Africans were slaves

7. Central America continued Independence 1821- most Central American countries independent 1903- Panama gained independence from Colombia- US helped- Why? 1981- Belize- independent from United Kingdom

8. Central America continued Pop. Today 35 million people Guatemala- #1- pop.- 11.6 million Belize- #7- pop.- 200,000 people Guatemala- #1 city- pop.- 1.8 million Spanish- official language Exception- Belize- English

9. Central America continued Guatemala- ladino- Guatemalan who speaks Spanish and practices European ways Civil war devastated area (1960-1996)

10. Central America continued Costa Rica- high standard of living High literacy rate- % of adults- read and write Democratic gov’t Export coffee

11. Central America continued Panama- crossroads- Panama Canal Isthmus- narrow strip- land- connects two larger land masses 1903- Panama wins independence from Colombia 1914- Canal completed 2000- Panama control of canal- majority of people work on canal