Central America Caribbean and Central Countries Geography Central

Central America Caribbean and Central Countries

Geography �Central America is an Isthmus �Isthmus – thin strip of land with two large bodies of water on each side �Connects Atlantic and Pacific Ocean with the Panama Canal �Most Central American countries are identified as part of North America

Countries Name of territory, with flag Belize Population (July 2009 est. ) Capital 307, 000 Belmopan Official language English Costa Rica 4, 579, 000 San José Spanish El Salvador 6, 163, 000 San Salvador Spanish Guatemala 14, 027, 000 Guatemala City Spanish Honduras 7, 466, 000 Tegucigalpa Spanish Nicaragua 5, 743, 000 Managua Spanish Panama 3, 454, 000 Panama City Spanish Total 41, 739, 000

Climate �Much of Central America is located along the Equator �This results in a hot and humid climate. �There is not a winter season �There are heavy rain seasons which contribute to the dense vegetation and rainforests of Central America �Major rainforest exist due to tropical climate. �Hold a wide variety of animal and vegetation located only in Central America �In recent years there as been an increase in lumber industry, this has created a serious worry of deforestation

Natural Disasters �Volcanoes run from Guatemala to Panama �Hurricanes cause massive flooding and Earth quakes are often severe in nature �Honduras – thousands were killed, and tens of thousands without homes, water or electricity �Climate of Central America is significantly harmed by climate change �Effects rain forests �Coral reefs �Agriculture

Resources �Nickel, oil, fish, iron ore �The over logging of timber has led to rates of deforestation in six countries �Panama Canal – Built by the US in the early 1900’s it served as a connection for ships between the two oceans �It was given to Panama in 2000

Problems �Large disparity of economic income �- very wealthy and very poor classes �The richest 10% controls over 40% of the income, while the bottom 50% receive only about 20% of the income in may countries (also applies to island nations) �Sex trade/tourism (child sex) is very prevalent �Large quantities of gun ownership and violent crimes �Sense of vigilantism �Significant drug trade leads to the issues list above

Island Nations � � � � � Anguilla (British overseas territory) Antigua and Barbuda Aruba (Kingdom of the Netherlands) Bahamas Barbados Bonaire (special municipality of the Netherlands) British Virgin Islands (British overseas territory) Cayman Islands (British overseas territory) Cuba Curaçao constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Dominican Republic Grenada Guadeloupe (overseas department of France) Haiti Jamaica Martinique (overseas department of France) Montserrat (British overseas territory) Puerto Rico (commonwealth of the United States)</small � Saba (special municipality of the Netherlands) � Saint Barthélemy (overseas collectivity of France) � Saint Kitts and Nevis � Saint Lucia � Saint Martin (overseas collectivity of France) � Saint Vincent and the Grenadines � Sint Eustatius (special municipality of the Netherlands) � Sint Maarten (constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) � Trinidad and Tobago � Turks and Caicos Islands (British overseas territory) � United States Virgin Islands (territory of the United States)

Location �The Caribbean is located between Florida and South America �These Islands connect to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea

Climate �Varies by Island �Many are volcanic and mountainous (Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican) while others are relatively flat (Bahamas, Aruba) �Islands are Warm/humid and tropical �These nation generally receive rainfall which changes based on the elevation

Diversity �The Caribbean is one of the International Conservation org. Hot spots �Incredibly diverse fauna (plants) �Multiple endangered species – Solenodon and Cuban Crocodile �Some have already become extinct (giant owls)

�These islands contain significant coral reefs �Sea turtles and migratory fish �The Puerto Rico Trench is located on the outset of the Caribbean sea and is the deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean (28, 300 ft) �This creates an Ideal tourist attraction �This area is also known as the Hurricane Belt due to significant tropical storms and hurricanes throughout the year.

History �The Caribbean was one of the first areas in North America to be occupied (discovered kind of) by Europeans �These Islands were controlled mostly by Spain, but, Portuguese, French, Dutch, English an d Swedish colonies were also created �The Caribbean was also dramatically effected by slavery. �This also explains the significant amount of African influence in the Caribbean

�Population - 36 million �Largest city is Havana, Cuba (2, 142, 000) �There are 13 sovereign (independent) countries, while many nations are controlled by other governments (ex. Puerto Rica is a US territory) �Demographics – consist of European, Asian, African and Native American ethnicities �Language – Spanish, French, English, Dutch Creole. �Religion – Very Diverse, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, local and traditional religions (Rastafari, Voodoo)

Political �Regionalism - Because many nations are small, they joined to create an organization to create on a global level �CARICOM – Caribbean Common Market and Community � 15 Caribbean Islands Nations to work together politically and economically �United nations can control economic issues like tariffs �Organized regarding banana exportation

Economy �Many Caribbean nation rely heavily on tourism each year (Accounts for over 70% of the economy in some islands) �Millions of visitors travel to Caribbean islands each year which creates a major service industry �Creates an issue by requiring a growth of infrastructure (roads, sewage, hotels) �Requires barrowing money from larger nations and raising taxes �Create low level, low income jobs

Natural Resources �Very few actual resources �Fishing, timber, petroleum, nickel �Mainly Tourism creates jobs and economic growth �Agriculture – Plantation systems used for Bananas Coffee, tobacco and sugar cane