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