Latin America Central America and the Caribbean Central
Latin America: Central America and the Caribbean
Central America & Caribbean: n n n Landscape is Mountainous with some coastal regions. Volcanic islands, mountainous with reef formation around them. Climate is tropical, varies with elevation, and dependent upon windward/leeward sides. Economic activity is dependent upon agriculture, although tourism is profitable. Culture is Diverse: a mix of European, African and Indigenous populations.
Agriculture: Plantation v. PLANTATION HACIENDA Hacienda • Production for Export • Single Cash Crop • Seasonal Employment • Profit Motive $$$ • Market Vulnerability • Mainly on Caribbean Islands • Domestic Market • Diversified Crops • Year Round Jobs • Small Plots of Land • Self-Sufficient • Mainly in Central America
CENTRAL AMERICA n n Guatemala Belize Honduras El Salvador n n n Nicaragua Costa Rica Panama THE CARIBBEAN BASIN n The Greater Antilles q q n Cuba Hispaniola (consists of Haiti/Dominican Republic) Jamaica Puerto Rico The Lesser Antilles
ECONOMIC TRENDS (Central America & the Caribbean) Agriculture- varies with elevation n Industry n Services n Tourism n ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS Tropical Deforestation n Hurricane Damage n
CAUSES OF TROPICAL DEFORESTATION Clearing of rural lands for livestock & meat production and export n Logging to meet global demands for new housing, paper, and furniture n Population explosion: forests are cut to provide crop-raising space and firewood n 3 million acres of woodland in Central America disappear each year! n
DEPENDENCE on AGRICULTURE n El Salvador q n Honduras q n Sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, and tobacco Jamaica (22. 5% Agriculture) q n Agriculture makes up over 25% of GDP, employs 62% of the labor force, and produces two-thirds of exports. Dominican Republic (49% Agriculture) q n Agriculture accounts for 24% of GDP and 40% of the labor force and contributes to 60% of exports. Sugar, bananas, and rum Cuba (20% Agriculture) q Sugar, tobacco, citrus, and coffee
THE TOURISM OPTION n n Antigua and Barbuda q Direct contribution of 13% to GDP and affects growth in other sectors The Bahamas q Tourism alone provides 50% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs 40% of the population.
TOURISM: GOOD and BAD n Advantages q q q n State and regional economic options A clean industry Educational Disadvantages q q q Disconnected development Degrades fragile environmental resources Inauthentic representations of native cultures
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