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CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
History
Cultural hearth of the Mayan culture.
Mayans built independent states ruled by god-kings in Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.
Tikal was center of Mayan civilization.
Spain controlled central America until 1823.
By 1830s countries started to gain their independence from the region. Declared independence due to:
No respect for Creoles (people of European ancestry born in the New World)
No Free Trade (could only export to Spain) American Independence from Europe Americans; not Spaniards
By the 19th century the Caribbean was claimed by European powers; involved in slave trade.
Haiti was first to declare independence in the Caribbean in a slave rebellion in 1804. First black led country in the world.
Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas.
Political violence throughout Haiti’s history has led to unstable government, society, and economy.
2010 Haiti earthquake killed over 220,000. Still hasn’t recovered due to a poor government
response, disease, and poverty.
Culture
Mix of Spanish and native culture.
Spanish took land, cut down forests and built large farms and towns, forcing the Indians to live in towns.
Caribbean is a mix of European, African, and native culture.
Economy
Most of the people are poor as a result of colonialism.
Sugar cane plantations in the Caribbean are the largest export crop; also bananas, fruit, coffee and spices.
Central America economy focuses on farming coffee and bananas.
Trade is important due to Panama Canal which connects Atlantic to Pacific for ships.
Most people live on rural farms in Central America.
Most live in cities in the Caribbean.
Culture and Tourism
Music influenced by African heritage is important to culture.
Reggae and calypso music deal with social problems and religion.
Local tourism is important for jobs.
NICARAGUA BOUND…
Poetry and Revolution…
El Plan…
4 weeksGranadaLeonOmetepeSan Juan
del Sur
Granada oldest city in the “New World.” Colonial buildings, cafes, lake beaches, jungle tours, horse back riding etc.
Leon Volcano hiking and ash surfing!
Ometepe Island in the middle of lake Nicaragua with two volcanoes. 8th wonder of the world with monkeys, jungle, swimming, fishing and indigenous people.
San Juan del Sur Beach town to learn how to SURF!
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