Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean II. Learning objectives : List the characteristics of...

Mexico, Central America, and Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean IIthe Caribbean II

Mexico, Central America, and the Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean IICaribbean II

Learning objectives :

• List the characteristics of Mexico

• Discuss the various terrains

• Describe different types of the Caribbean

MexicoMexico

Overview :-

• Capital :Mexico city

• Government : Federal republic operating under a centralized government

• Tourist season :- April through September, Coastal :- November through April

• Peak Tourist Season :- March (11%) and December (10%)

MexicoMexico

• Currency :- Peso

• Population :- 99.6 million(2001)

• Size :- 761,605 square miles

Physical CharacteristicsPhysical Characteristics

• Mostly high, rugged mountains

• Extinct volcanos, low coastal plains and high plateaus

• Bounded by two mountain ranges a) Sierra Madre Oriental on the east b) Sierra Madre Occidental on the west

Tourism CharacteristicsTourism Characteristics

• Largest earner of foreign exchange after oil

• Border towns along US and Mexico benefit significantly

• 1998 20 million tourists’ visitors

• 65 million visitors’ on day-trips, mostly from along the US-Mexican border

Tourist Destination and Tourist Destination and AttractionsAttractions

4 major tourist regions are :-

• Cancun

• Acapulco,

• Mexico city

• Guadalajara

MexicoMexico

Some of the major tourist regions of Mexico

are of as follows :-

1)Baja California

• Ecotourism and the newly developing coastal resorts

• Whale watching

• Desert

MexicoMexico

2) Border Towns :- Tijuana, Ciudad Jarez, Reynosa attract millions of day trippers,

mainly for shopping

MexicoMexico

3) Northwest Region

• Guadalajara is the second largest city of Mexico

• Impressive town square focused on the Cathedral and Palace of the Governor

• Small villages offer pottery, lovely embroidery and hand-loomed cotton and wool fabrics

MexicoMexico

4) Southwest

• Centers around Oaxaca

• Represents the Indian culture of Mexico

• Known for its crafts of pottery, gold and silver jewellery, skirts, blouses, men’s shirts etc.

MexicoMexico

5) Yucatan• Combines outstanding archaeological

sites and Caribbean resorts• Pyramids, temples, vaults• Cancun – planned destination resort and

Mexico’s most popular coastal resort• Crystal-clear Caribbean waters and the

abundance of seafood, fruit, and vegetables

CaribbeanCaribbean

• Most densely populated region of the Americas

• Extreme wealthy and extreme poverty

• Sugar and tourism two major sources of income

• Region’s leading industry despite damage from hurricanes, civil unrest, bankrupt tour operators

CaribbeanCaribbean

• Direct scheduled air service from the American market reaches a number of islands

• Largest cruise destination in the world• Longer-stay tourist market has declined

with competition from Florida and Cancun in Mexico

• Led to resentment but also good for the economy

Travel PatternsTravel Patterns

• 56% of its visitors are from the US and Canada

• European market increased from 13% to 24.7% in 1998

• Reasons for increase :- a) Lack of warm winter weather b) Large population along the eastern seaboard

• Major transportation :- a) ship b) airplane

Travel PatternsTravel Patterns

• Over 200 hundred cruise departures a year from ports along the North America coasts, such as Miami, New York, Port Everglades, and San Juan and within the Caribbean Islands themselves

• Highest level of tourism from January through April and declines slightly during the rainy summer season.

Travel PatternsTravel Patterns

• Cultural links with European nations• 3 major European groups of tourists to the

Caribbean are English, French, and German

• England and France have developed strong patterns of tourism from their long colonial ties

• Germany seeking exotic places to spend money in the sun

Travel PatternsTravel Patterns

• Most visited islands are the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Cuba

• Uniqueness pattern of life that is expressed in the language, music dance,, art, architecture, and foods of the region

US Virgin IslandsUS Virgin Islands

• Group of small islands between Puerto Rico and the Leeward Islands

• Mostly mountainous, with many beaches and bays

• Subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds

US Virgin IslandsUS Virgin Islands

• Capital :- Charolotte Amalie, St. Thomas• Government :- US Territory• Size :- 133 square miles• Language :- English, Spanish, Creole• Ethnic Division : 80% Black, 15% US mainland,

5% other• Tourist Season :- Year-round• Peak Tourist Season :- January through March

US Virgin IslandsUS Virgin Islands

• Currency :- US$

• Population :-122,211 (2001)

US Virgin IslandsUS Virgin Islands

• Income comes from tourism

• Strong tourist industry with excellent airline and cruise connections to the US

• Duty-Free shops (rum, jewellery and cigarettes are popular items)

• Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas built by Danes, and visitors can see old oldest synagogues in the western hemisphere

US Virgin IslandsUS Virgin Islands

• Real St. Thomas is secluded beaches, endless vistas, and restaurants

• World of water sports, tennis (at least eight hotels have their own courts) and golf

• St. John has hiking, unique water snorkeling trail, restored sugar mills and museums

SummarySummary

• It gives a good overview of the South America

• It has also listed down the various attractions which you would enjoy while visiting the South America