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Central America and Central America and the Caribbean the Caribbean

Central America and the Caribbean. Central America Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

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Page 1: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

Central America and Central America and the Caribbeanthe Caribbean

Page 2: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

Central AmericaCentral America

Located on the continent of North America, Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North Central America is an isthmus that links North America to South America.America to South America.

Boundaries:Boundaries:

north – Mexiconorth – Mexico

south – South Americasouth – South America

east – Caribbean Seaeast – Caribbean Sea

west – Pacific Oceanwest – Pacific Ocean

Page 3: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

Countries and Capitals of Central Countries and Capitals of Central AmericaAmerica

Belize – BelmopanBelize – Belmopan Guatemala – Guatemala CityGuatemala – Guatemala City El Salvador – San SalvadorEl Salvador – San Salvador Honduras - Tegucigalpa Honduras - Tegucigalpa Nicaragua – ManaguaNicaragua – Managua Costa Rica – San JoseCosta Rica – San Jose Panama – Panama CityPanama – Panama City

Page 4: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

Physical Features of Central Physical Features of Central

AmericaAmerica Central America is very mountainous. They Central America is very mountainous. They

are part of a large horseshoe-shaped band that are part of a large horseshoe-shaped band that follows the edge of the Pacific Ocean, called follows the edge of the Pacific Ocean, called the Ring of Fire.the Ring of Fire.

The faults (weak points) that occur along the The faults (weak points) that occur along the Ring of Fire produce earthquakes and active Ring of Fire produce earthquakes and active volcanoes. volcanoes.

Much of the area is covered by dense Much of the area is covered by dense vegetation called a tropical rain forest.vegetation called a tropical rain forest.

Page 5: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

Ring of FireRing of Fire

Page 6: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

. . . Physical Features . . . Physical Features (con’t)(con’t)

Central Highlands (Sierra de Chiapas) – Central Highlands (Sierra de Chiapas) – curves like a backbone through inland curves like a backbone through inland Central America. It consists of a chain of Central America. It consists of a chain of active volcanic mountains.active volcanic mountains.

Lowlands – coastal plains located on Lowlands – coastal plains located on either side of the Central Highlands:either side of the Central Highlands:

west – Pacific Lowlandswest – Pacific Lowlandseast – Caribbean Lowlandseast – Caribbean Lowlands

Page 7: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

. . . Physical Features . . . Physical Features (con’t)(con’t)

The Peten – a low, The Peten – a low, limestone plateau that limestone plateau that covers the northern third covers the northern third of Guatemala and lies in of Guatemala and lies in the southern part of the the southern part of the Yucatan Peninsula. Yucatan Peninsula. Much of the tropical Much of the tropical rainforests here have rainforests here have never been cleared.never been cleared.

Page 8: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

ClimateClimate

All of Central America lies in the tropics and elevation All of Central America lies in the tropics and elevation effects the climate:effects the climate:Tierra Caliente – lowland – warm climateTierra Caliente – lowland – warm climateTierra Templada -middle land – Tierra Templada -middle land –

temperate climatetemperate climateTierra Fria – higher land – cool climateTierra Fria – higher land – cool climate

Pacific Coast Lowlands have tropical climate with a Pacific Coast Lowlands have tropical climate with a long dry season that lasts six months without rain. The long dry season that lasts six months without rain. The other six months are rainy, with short, but often heavy, other six months are rainy, with short, but often heavy, showers nearly every day.showers nearly every day.

Caribbean Coast Lowlands have a rainy tropical Caribbean Coast Lowlands have a rainy tropical climate year round with a brief dry season.climate year round with a brief dry season.

Page 9: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources

Central America’s economy is centered Central America’s economy is centered around agricultural products due to the around agricultural products due to the tropical climate and rich soil. tropical climate and rich soil.

Bananas, sugar cane, coffee, cottonBananas, sugar cane, coffee, cotton

Page 10: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

EconomyEconomy

This region does support light This region does support light manufacturing, tourism and mining of manufacturing, tourism and mining of gold and silver. gold and silver.

Hydroelectric power is produced in some Hydroelectric power is produced in some areas.areas.

The 51 mile-long Panama Canal is a big The 51 mile-long Panama Canal is a big contributor of world trade allowing 12,000 contributor of world trade allowing 12,000 ships to travel through a year. ships to travel through a year.

Page 11: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

The Panama CanalThe Panama Canal

1903- The US & Panama signed a treaty 1903- The US & Panama signed a treaty to build a canal across Panama and to build a canal across Panama and therefore linking the Atlantic & Pacific therefore linking the Atlantic & Pacific Oceans.Oceans.

Building began in 1904 and was Building began in 1904 and was completed in 1914.completed in 1914.

Page 12: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

The Caribbean IslandsThe Caribbean Islands(West Indies)(West Indies)

These Islands are a These Islands are a group of archipelagos group of archipelagos separating the Atlantic separating the Atlantic Ocean from the Ocean from the Caribbean Sea. Caribbean Sea.

These thousands of These thousands of islands form an arc for islands form an arc for more than 2000 miles more than 2000 miles beginning off the coast of beginning off the coast of SE Florida to the north SE Florida to the north coast of Venezuela.coast of Venezuela.

Page 13: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

PeoplePeople

Carib – Native Americans who first Carib – Native Americans who first settled the Caribbean Islandssettled the Caribbean Islands

Archbishop Oscar Romero – missionary Archbishop Oscar Romero – missionary who was assassinated in 1980 while who was assassinated in 1980 while saying Mass in San Salvadorsaying Mass in San Salvador

Page 14: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America
Page 15: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

Three Kinds of IslandsThree Kinds of Islands

Continental IslandsContinental Islands::Greater Antilles - Greater Antilles -

Cuba,Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti & DominicanHispaniola (Haiti & Dominican Republic), Jamaica, Puerto Republic), Jamaica, Puerto

Rico;Rico; Trinidad Trinidad

Volcanic IslandsVolcanic Islands:: Lesser Antilles (smaller Lesser Antilles (smaller

islands to the south of islands to the south of Puerto Rico) -Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico) -Virgin Islands, Leeward and Windward Leeward and Windward IslandsIslands

Limestone Islands:Limestone Islands:BahamasBahamas

Page 16: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

Climate and the EconomyClimate and the Economy

The The warm tropical climatewarm tropical climate supports supports agriculture agriculture and and tourismtourism, the two main economic activities , the two main economic activities of the islands. of the islands.

Sugar caneSugar cane is the most important agricultural is the most important agricultural product. Other important products are product. Other important products are bananas, coconuts, mangos, citrus fruits, bananas, coconuts, mangos, citrus fruits, cacao & coffee.cacao & coffee.

Trade Winds bring cool air from the Atlantic Trade Winds bring cool air from the Atlantic Ocean. Ocean.

The islands are threatened often by hurricanes.The islands are threatened often by hurricanes.

Page 17: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

Bahamas

Page 18: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

Bahamas from space

Page 19: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

The Beach

Page 20: Central America and the Caribbean. Central America  Located on the continent of North America, Central America is an isthmus that links North America

Warm Blue Water