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CHAPTER 11. Central America and the Caribbean. Section 1: Natural Environments Section 2: Central America Section 3: The Caribbean. Section 1 Natural Environments. The landforms of Central America and the Caribbean were shaped by tectonic forces.
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CHAPTER 11 Central America and the Caribbean Section 1: Natural Environments Section 2: Central America Section 3: The Caribbean
Section 1 Natural Environments The landforms of Central America and the Caribbean were shaped by tectonic forces. • Mountains formed in Central America and Lesser Antilles by plate collisions (subduction). • Volcanoes formed islands and mountains. • Coral reefs, uplifted by tectonic collisions, became islands.
Section 1 Natural Environments Climates of Central America and the Caribbean: • Tropical wet and dry climates are typical. • Central American climates follow terrain—tropical humid climates on the Caribbean coast, highland climates in the elevated interior, rain shadows on the direr western slopes. • Biomes=Tropical Animals, Tropical Plants • Mangrove-Trees that grow on the coastline, roots grow into the sea water
Natural resources warm, sunny climate (eco-tourism) some fertile soils Cacao rich fishing grounds minerals—some gold, bauxite, nickel, oil Bauxite- Mineral used to make aluminum Environmental hazards (Plate Tectonics) earthquakes volcanic eruptions Hurricanes- Increase Population causes more damage Section 1 Natural Environments Natural resources and environmental hazards:
Section 2 Central America Effects of history on Culture in Central America: • tradition of wealth concentrated in few families • continued importance of Roman Catholic Church • Spanish language (except in former British colony of Belize) • population mainly mixed-race mestizos and mulattoes
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—cause emigration, unrest. • El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala—violence, civil war • Honduras—poorest country; rough terrain, lack of development • Panama—variety of conditions; wilderness jungle to modern industry (panama Canal) • Costa Rica—greatest stability, highest standard of living (Eco-Tourism)
Section 3 The Caribbean Important events in Caribbean history: • Columbus’s arrival in 1492 began Spanish colonization. • British, Dutch, and French competed for control. • Europeans create plantations based on slave labor. • U.S. took Cuba and Puerto Rico from Spain in Spanish-American War of 1898. • Many Caribbean islands remained colonies until mid-1900s.
Section 3 The Caribbean Cultural and population patterns: • population—mainly Europeans and African descendants, • Asian immigrants—influence in some countries (Trinidad and Tobago) • language—based on colonial history (Spanish, English, French, Dutch, Creole) • religion—Catholic, Protestant, African beliefs (Voodoo), Hinduism, Islam, Santeria • rapid population growth—produces unemployment, emigration, urbanization.
Section 3 The Caribbean-Economy • Except for Cuba, market economies dominate the region. (Caricom=Economic agreement b/w Caribbean nations) • 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. • Haiti has been devastated by Earth Quake of 2010
