Question of the Day

1. Question of the Day How many of the Middle American countries can you name?

4. Middle America Ch. 3 Fast Facts

5. Overarching Themes • There are many political conflicts in Middle America. There are three factors that have lead to most of these conflicts: • Unequal distribution of wealth • Violent oppression of citizens • Unequal distribution of land

6. Geography • Intercontinental land bridge but barrier between Atlantic and Pacific • Tropical locations and climates affected by altitude—mountains! • Cultural fragmentation—African, American Indian, European

7. Guatemala • Most populous country in Central America. • Largest number of Native American Indian population (44% of population) • Tens of thousands of Native American Indians murdered 1970s-80s during 36 year civil war • In 2004, 10,000 soldiers were demobilized & government paid compensation to victims of human-rights violations that occurred during the civil war. • http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/latin_america/jan-june11/timeline_03-07.html • http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2011/02/from-the-field-violence-against-women-in-guatemala.html

8. Belize • Former British colony, English is the main language • Only ¾ of all highways are paved • Home of the longest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere (250 miles) • Popular pirates cove in the 17th century

9. Honduras • U.S. covert contra operation during the 1980’s—was kicked out in 1990 (After U.S. support was banned by Congress, the Reagan administration tried to covertly continue contra aid (1985). During the war against the Sandinista government, the contras carried out many violations of human rights.) • Nov 1998 Hurricane Mitch obliterated • Lots of foreign aid to rebuild • 50% of population earn living as subsistence farmers • http://countrystudies.us/honduras/100.htm

10. 75,000 died in Civil War 1979-1992 (1980 Ronald Reagan as President: U.S. administration worried about Communist expansion in Central America and viewed the El Salvador military government as a potential barrier against Communism. The Reagan administration substantially increased both military and economic aid to El Salvador. The civil war raged on in El Salvador, fueled by U.S. aid to the Salvadoran military.) • Civil War fought because of landlessness problem • Major earthquake in Jan. 2001 led to mudslides - 1200 dead; 250,000 homeless • http://www.pbs.org/itvs/enemiesofwar/elsalvador2.html El Salvador

11. 1979 guerilla group calledSandinistas overthrew government • U.S. Contras try to overthrow Sandinistas (Ronald Reagan, who had assumed the American presidency in January 1981, accused the Sandinistas of importing Cuban-style socialism and aiding leftist guerrillas in El Salvador) • Cease-fire called in 1990 • Not known for landscape or cultural treasures, but for war • http://video.pbs.org/video/2148943017 Nicaragua

12. Costa Rica • 85% of population European descent • “Oasis of Calm” among turbulent neighbors • Tourism is very important to economy

13. USA relinquished control of canal zone in 2000 • Shielded from troubled Central America by Costa Rica, from Colombia by Darien Gap (dense forest) • Lots of unrealized potential Panama