Central America and the Caribbean

1. Central America and the Caribbean Preview Section 1:Natural Environments Section 2:Central America Section 3:The Caribbean Chapter Wrap-Up

2. Section 1: Natural Environments Read to Discover • What physical processes have shaped the landforms of Central America and the Caribbean? • What is the climate like in Central America and the Caribbean? • What natural resources and environmental hazards are common in the region?

3. Section 1: Natural Environments Question How were landforms in Central America and the Caribbean created?

4. Tectonic Forces Section 1: Natural Environments The Creation of Landforms in Central America and the Caribbean Cause Creates Plate Subduction Mountains Volcanic Eruptions New Islands

5. Section 1: Natural Environments Climates of Central America and the Caribbean • Tropical wet and dry climates are typical. • Temperatures are fairly constant. • Winter is usually drier, with a summer rainy season. • Central American climates follow terrain—tropical, humid climates on the Caribbean coast; highland climates in the elevated interior; rain shadows on the drier western slopes.

6. Natural Resources Warm, sunny climate Fertile soils Rich fishing grounds Minerals: gold, bauxite, nickel, oil Section 1: Natural Environments Natural Resources and Environmental Hazards Environmental Hazards • Earthquakes • Volcanic eruptions • Hurricanes • Mud slides

7. Section 2: Central America Read to Discover • How does Central America’s history continue to shape the region today? • What economic, political, and social conditions exist in the region?

8. Section 2: Central America Question What factors influenced the development of Central America’s cultural heritage?

9. Section 2: Central America Central America’s Cultural Heritage Catholicism Unequal distribution of wealth Spanish colonists introduced Spanish-style architecture and town planning Mestizos a major ethnic group Spanish language

10. Section 2: Central America Economic, Political, and Social Conditions • Commercial export agriculture, with strong foreign influence • Powerful families control society, government, military • Widespread poverty and inequality causing emigration, unrest • El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala—Violence, civil war • Honduras—Poorest country; rough terrain, lack of development • Panama—Variety of conditions, from wilderness jungle to modern industry • Costa Rica—Greatest stability, highest standard of living

11. Section 3: The Caribbean Read to Discover • What are some important events in the history of the Caribbean? • What cultural and population patterns are found in the region? • What activities support the economies of the Caribbean countries?

12. Section 3: The Caribbean • Columbus’s arrival in 1492 began Spanish colonization. • British, Dutch, and French competed for control. • Europeans created plantations based on slave labor. • Haiti gained independence in 1804. • U.S. took Cuba and Puerto Rico from Spain in the Spanish-American War of 1898. • Many Caribbean islands remained colonies until the mid-1900s. Important Events in Caribbean History

13. Section 3: The Caribbean Question What nations have influenced the culture of countries in the Caribbean?

14. Section 3: The Caribbean Cultural Influence in the Caribbean African—Most countries, notably Haiti and Jamaica American—Cuba, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands Asian—Trinidad and Tobago, others British—Several countries

15. Section 3: The Caribbean Cultural Influence in the Caribbean Dutch—Aruba, Netherlands Antilles, others Caribbean Indian—Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Aruba, the Netherlands Antilles, others French—Several countries, notably Haiti Spanish—Several countries, notably Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic

16. Section 3: The Caribbean Cultural Patterns • Mainly of European and African descent • Asian immigrants influence some countries (Trinidad and Tobago) • Small Caribbean Indian population • Language—Based on colonial history (Spanish, English, French, Dutch, creole) • Religion—Catholic, Protestant, African, Hindu, Islamic

17. Section 3: The Caribbean • 70% of the population lives in Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic • Largest city is Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic’s capital • Rapid population growth produces unemployment, emigration, urbanization Population Patterns

18. Section 3: The Caribbean Economic Activities • Except for Cuba (command economy), market economies dominate the region. • Caricom, the Caribbean Community and Common Market, was developed to promote industry and trade. • Agricultural exports are the key activity: sugar, bananas, cacao, citrus, spices. • Mining is important in some countries. • Puerto Rico has developed industry based on U.S. policies. • Tourism is important throughout the region.

19. Chapter Wrap-UpUnderstanding the Main Ideas • What physical process has created the mountains of Central America? How do those mountains affect climates in Central America and the Caribbean islands? • How are economics and politics linked in Central America? • What economic activities are important in Central America? How is the economy of the region changing? • How does Cuba differ economically from other Caribbean countries? • What non-Caribbean countries have had the most influence in the region? Why?