CentralAmerica

Central America is an Isthmus – A narrow strip of land, with

water on both sides, that connects two

larger bodies of land.

Officially, Central America consists of the nations of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala,

Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.

Geography

• Central America is an intriguing basket of seven beautiful nations. Geographically, many refer to this region as the ‘tail-end’ of North American continent. Some prefer to address it as the ’natural bridge’ or ‘linking point’ between the continents of North America and South America. Central America is a hub of historical and environmental wonders.

• Depending on the definition of the borders between Central America has 510,000 km ² and 750,000 sq km and between 40 and 50 million inhabitants. The largest city in the region is Guatemala City with almost three million inhabitants.

Physical Features

• Volcanic high lands• Coastal Plains

History

• The Central American region is believed to be the meeting point of Mesoamerican and South American civilizations and cultures. The Spanish were the first European forces to invade Central America in the sixteenth century. In the successive centuries, it became part of the Spanish Granada and later came to be known as the Captaincy General of Guatemala or the Kingdom of Guatemala. The British Empire established its colony in Belize. The Central American countries declared independence from Spanish dominion on 15th September, 1821 and a year later joined the Mexican Empire of Agustín de Iturbide. Finally, on 1 July 1823, complete independence was achieved from Spanish and Mexican forces and “The United Provinces of Central America” was established. Gradually, all the nations emerged as independent republics starting with Honduras, which first separated from the federation on November 5, 1838.

History• All the Central

American nations now remain united under economical and financial terms and conditions. Foreign trade prospered in the region immensely after the opening of the Panama Canal.

Natural Resources

• Natural resources of central America include rich soils for agriculture, a few minerals, and beautiful beaches.

People

• Indians– Mayan empire spread throughout this area– Largest number live in Guatemala

People

• Europeans and Mestizos– Largest European settlement today is in Costa Rica– Mestizos (People combined European and American-

Indian descent ) mostly live in El Salvador and Nicaragua

People

• African Descent– Came over to work on the banana plantations and

build the Panama Canal

Culture

• Even today, Central American culture displays many influences of its Amerindian heritage.

– Most cultural traits are a result of Spanish Colonialism,

for instance Roman Catholicism and Spanish language– Some cultural traits are a mix of both Indian and Spanish

culture.

Festivals

• Saint’s Feast days- People carry images of saints in parades through the streets

• Easter-An important holiday in which people gift each other chocolate eggs

Tourism

Although there is no end to Central America’s attractions, most travelers go to straight to the best Central America beaches and islands. Because of the isthmus's warm waters, flourishing marine life, and soft sands spanning two diverse coastlines, the epicenter of the Central America tourism industry is along the edges. From rollicking Pacific shores to outlying Caribbean isles, the beaches of Central America are truly unbeatable.

The End