World Geography Central America and the Caribbean ESSENTIAL
World Geography Central America and the Caribbean ESSENTIAL QUESTION What are the most important challenges for the nations of Central America and the Caribbean? LESSON 1 Physical Geography LESSON 2 Central America LESSON 3 The Caribbean Islands 1 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography LESSON 1 Physical Geography The Big Idea The physical geography of Central America and the Caribbean islands includes warm coastal lowlands, cooler highlands, and tropical forests. Main Ideas • Physical features of the region include volcanic highlands and coastal plains. • The climate and vegetation of the region include forested highlands, tropical forests, and humid • lowlands. Key natural resources in the region include rich soils for agriculture, a few minerals, and beautiful beaches. 2 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography Lesson 1 Physical Features Main Idea 1 Physical features of the region include volcanic highlands and coastal plains. The Caribbean Islands Central America • Southern part of North America • • Includes Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama Across from Central America in the Caribbean Sea • An archipelago, a large group of islands • Greater Antilles: Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico • Lesser Antilles: Small islands from Virgin Islands to Trinidad and Tobago • Bahamas: 700 islands • Formed from tops of underwater mountains, volcanoes, and coral reefs pushed up by colliding tectonic plates • • An isthmus, or narrow strip of land that connects two larger land areas No place on the isthmus is more than 125 miles from either the Pacific Ocean or the Caribbean Sea • Chain of mountains and volcanoes divides Caribbean and Pacific coastal plains • No good water routes, so difficult to travel 3 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography Lesson 1 Climate and Vegetation Main Idea 2 The climate and vegetation of the region include forested highlands, tropical forests, and humid lowlands. • Generally sunny and warm • Islands and Central America’s coastal plain: – Humid tropical and tropical savanna climates – On the Pacific coast, vegetation has been cleared for plantations and ranches. – Along the Caribbean Sea, tropical rain forest • Inland mountain areas: – Cool, humid climates – Cloud forest, or a moist, high-elevation tropical forest where low clouds are common • In most of Central America and the Caribbean, temperatures do not change much. • Winter is dry, and summer is rainy. • In summer and fall, hurricanes are a threat to the region. 4 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography Lesson 1 Resources Main Idea 3 Key natural resources in the region include rich soils for agriculture, a few minerals, and beautiful beaches. • Land climate attract tourists. • Volcanic ash enriched soil • Crops include coffee, bananas, sugarcane, and cotton. • Export timber from rain forests • Very few mineral and energy resources 5 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography LESSON 2 Central America The Big Idea Central America’s native traditions and colonial history have created a mixed culture, unstable governments, and uncertain economies. Main Ideas • The history of Central America was mostly influenced by Spain. • The culture of Central America is a mixture of Native American and European traditions. • Today, the countries of Central America have challenges and opportunities. 6 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography Lesson 2 History Main Idea 1 The history of Central America was mostly influenced by Spain. Early History • AD 250– 900: Maya built large cities with pyramids and temples. • Maya descendants live in Guatemala and Belize. • Early 1500 s: Europeans controlled most of Central America. • • – Spain claimed most of the region. – Britain: Belize and Nicaragua’s coast Spain: Large plantations of tobacco and sugarcane Europeans forced Central American Indians and enslaved Africans to work in mines and plantations. 7 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography Lesson 2 Main Idea 1 (continued) Central America Since Independence • 1821: Independence from Spain but remained joined as the United Provinces of Central America • • • 1838 -1839: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala separated. 1903: Panama separated from Colombia. 1981: Belize gained independence. After independence wealthy landowners continued to run countries. Economy remained based on bananas and coffee. Early to mid-1900 s: U. S. -based United Fruit Company controlled most of banana production. – The company developed railroads and port facilities improving transportation and communication. • • People resented role of foreign companies. Mid- to late 1900 s: Demands for reform led to armed struggles in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Peace was achieved only in recent years. 8 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography Lesson 2 Culture Main Idea 2 The culture of Central America is a mixture of Native American and European traditions. People and Languages • Most people are mestizos, or people of mixed European and Indian ancestry. • Descendants of ancient Maya live in Guatemalan Highlands and other places. • People of African ancestry live mostly along the Caribbean coast. • People speak mostly Spanish, but also native Indian languages and English. Religion, Festivals, and Food • Most people are Roman Catholic. • Indian traditions influenced Catholicism. • Celebrations are tied to religion: special saints’ feast days and Easter. • Traditional foods are corn, tomatoes, hot peppers, and cacao. 9 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography Lesson 2 Central America Today Main Idea 3 Today, the countries of Central America have challenges and opportunities. • In 2005 Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua signed the Central American Free Trade Agreement with the United States to increase trade. Belize • • • Smallest population in Central America Not much land for agriculture Ecotourism, the practice of using an area’s natural environment to attract tourists, is popular there. 10 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography Lesson 2 Main Idea 3 (continued) Guatemala • • Honduras El Salvador Most populous country in region, more than 13 million people • Mountainous country • • • 40% are Central American Indians, others are mestizo and European Transportation difficult because of rugged land Land owned by a few rich people • Little land for farming • Exports: citrus fruits and bananas 1980 s-1992: Civil war, a conflict between two or more groups within a country • With Guatemala and El Salvador, experienced a lot of crime, poverty, and gang violence • War killed many and hurt the economy. • Fertile soil to grow coffee and sugarcane • Live mostly in small villages in highlands • 1960 -1996: Fighting killed 200, 000 people. • Crops: coffee and cardamom • Many people have fled to seek asylum in other countries. 11 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography Lesson 2 Main Idea 3 (continued) Nicaragua • 1979: Dictator overthrown by Sandinistas • 1979 -1990: Civil war • Rebels aided by the U. S. fought the Sandinistas • • 1990: Democratic elections pushed Sandinistas out of power. Now a democracy Costa Rica • Panama History of peace and stable, democratic government • No army • Progress toward reducing poverty • Crops: coffee and bananas • Tourism to rain forests 12 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company • Narrow, southernmost country • Canal links Caribbean Sea and Pacific and Atlantic Oceans • Panama Canal fees and industry make this region prosperous. • 1914 -1999: Canal controlled by U. S.
World Geography LESSON 3 The Caribbean Islands The Big Idea The Caribbean islands have a rich history and diverse cultures influenced by European colonization. Main Ideas • The history of the Caribbean islands includes European colonization followed by independence. • The culture of the Caribbean islands shows signs of past colonialism and slavery. • Today, the Caribbean islands have distinctive governments with economies that depend on agriculture and tourism. 13 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography Lesson 3 History Main Idea 1 The history of the Caribbean islands includes European colonization followed by independence. • 1492: Christopher Columbus reached the Caribbean islands, believing them to be the Indies. • The islands are now 13 independent countries. • These countries show the influence of the first European colonizers. 14 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography Lesson 3 Main Idea 1 (continued) Early History • Columbus mistakenly called the Caribbean the West Indies. • 1600 s-1700 s: The English, French, Dutch, and Danish established colonies on the islands. – They built sugarcane plantations that required many workers. – Most Caribbean Indians died from disease, so Europeans brought enslaved Africans and their descendants outnumbered Europeans. • Independence The exchange of people, animals, plants, ideas, and diseases between Europe and the Americas is known as the Columbian Exchange. 15 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company • 1804: Toussaint Louverture helped Haiti win independence from France and freedom for slaves. • Mid-1800 s: The Dominican Republic became independent. • 1902: Cuba became independent from the United States. • After World War II, other Caribbean countries gained independence. • Some islands, such as Martinique and Guadeloupe, are still not independent.
World Geography Lesson 3 Culture Main Idea 2 The culture of the Caribbean islands shows signs of past colonialism and slavery. People, Languages, and Religion • Most islanders are descended from Europeans, Africans, or both. • Some Asians, who came to work on plantations after slavery ended, live on the islands. • People speak Spanish, English, French, and mixtures of African and European languages. • Haitians speak French Creole, which is a dialect, or a regional variety of a language. • Former colonies are mostly Roman Catholic. • People also blend Catholicism and traditional African religions. 16 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography Lesson 3 Main Idea 2 (continued) Festivals and Food • Islanders celebrate a variety of holidays. – The most widespread is Carnival, before Lent, when people celebrate with big parades, fancy costumes, and music. • Caribbean food reflects the region’s past. – Yams and okra from Africa – In Barbados, souse is made of pigs’ tails, ears, and snouts because slaveholders gave slaves the leftover parts of the pig. – People from India brought curry to the region. 17 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography Lesson 3 The Caribbean Islands Today Main Idea 3 Today, the Caribbean islands have distinctive governments with economies that depend on agriculture and tourism. • In 2008 Caribbean nations signed an Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union with the goal of promoting economic growth and job creation. Puerto Rico • U. S. commonwealth, or a self-governing territory associated with another country • People are U. S. citizens with no voting rights. • More developed than other Caribbean countries due to U. S. aid and investment • Many Puerto Ricans have moved the United States. • Puerto Ricans debate whether they should remain a commonwealth, become a state, or become an independent nation. 18 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography Lesson 3 Main Idea 3 (continued) Haiti Dominican Republic • Mountainous western part of Hispaniola • Eastern part of Hispaniola • Small farms, but exports coffee and sugarcane • More developed than Haiti but not rich • Capital Santo Domingo is the first permanent European settlement in the Western Hemisphere. • Economy: agriculture and growing tourism • The relationship between the Dominican Republic and Haiti is tense. • Haitians cross into the Dominican Republic to find work, but have been met with threats of violence and deportation. • Poorest country in the Americas due to corruption • Many become refugees, or people fleeing to another country for political or economic reasons. • An earthquake in 2010 devastated Haitians are still working to rebuild their nation. 19 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography Lesson 3 Main Idea 3 (continued) Cuba • Largest and most populous country in the Caribbean with Havana as capital • Sea ports export goods. • Ocean supports fishing industry. • The tropical climate supports a growing tourism industry as well as agriculture. • Since 1959: Run by a Communist government headed by Fidel Castro • Communists took over U. S. -owned businesses, so the United States banned trade and travel. • Former president Barack Obama and Cuban president Raúl Castro began to mend the relationship between the countries. • The relationship may change again due to changes in the U. S. government. • Farms are government-owned plantations, or cooperatives, organizations owned by its members and operated for mutual benefit. • Government controls the media. 20 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
World Geography Lesson 3 Main Idea 3 (continued) Other Islands • Jamaica is the largest of these other islands. • Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest. • Construction of oil refineries has helped Curacao and Aruba regain economic strength. • A number of islands are territories of the U. S. , Britain, France, and the Netherlands. • Some islands have land to grow coffee, sugarcane, and spices. • Others attract tourists. • New construction for tourists can harm the natural environment. 21 Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
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