Central America and the Caribbean Islands

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON1

People, Places,People, Places,and Changeand Change

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Central America Central America and the Caribbean Islandsand the Caribbean IslandsSection 1: Section 1: Physical GeographyPhysical Geography

Section 2: Section 2: Central AmericaCentral America

Section 3: Section 3: The Caribbean IslandsThe Caribbean Islands

CHAPTER 9CHAPTER 9



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Objectives: Objectives: What are the physical features of Central America What are the physical features of Central America

and the Caribbean Islands?and the Caribbean Islands? What climates are found in the region?What climates are found in the region? What natural resources does the region have?What natural resources does the region have?

Section 1Section 1Physical GeographyPhysical Geography



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Central AmericaCentral America Bridge between North and South AmericaBridge between North and South America No place more than 125 miles from the seaNo place more than 125 miles from the sea Mountains separate Caribbean and Pacific coastal Mountains separate Caribbean and Pacific coastal

plainsplains




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The Caribbean Islands: The Caribbean Islands: Greater Antilles, Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, the BahamasLesser Antilles, the Bahamas A curved A curved archipelagoarchipelago Earthquakes and volcanic activity frequentEarthquakes and volcanic activity frequent




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Central American ClimatesCentral American Climates Humid tropical plains, rain forests, highland climates, Humid tropical plains, rain forests, highland climates,

tropical savanna, cloud foreststropical savanna, cloud forests

Caribbean ClimatesCaribbean Climates Humid tropical, tropical savannaHumid tropical, tropical savanna Hurricanes are common.Hurricanes are common.




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Natural ResourcesNatural Resources Agriculture: coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cottonAgriculture: coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton TimberTimber TourismTourism Jamaica is rich in Jamaica is rich in bauxitebauxite (aluminum ore). (aluminum ore).




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Objectives: Objectives: What was Central America’s early history like?What was Central America’s early history like? How is the region’s history reflected in its people How is the region’s history reflected in its people

today?today? What are the countries of Central America like today?What are the countries of Central America like today?

Section 2Section 2Central AmericaCentral America



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Central America’s Early HistoryCentral America’s Early History Large Maya civilizationsLarge Maya civilizations European colonies formed in 1500s; Indians forced European colonies formed in 1500s; Indians forced

into laborinto labor Enslaved Africans brought overEnslaved Africans brought over Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,

Nicaragua establish independence by 1839; Panama Nicaragua establish independence by 1839; Panama in 1903; Nicaragua in late 1800s; Belize in 1981in 1903; Nicaragua in late 1800s; Belize in 1981




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The History and the People TodayThe History and the People TodayMestizosMestizos—the largest ethnic group—the largest ethnic group Spanish, Indian languages, and English all spokenSpanish, Indian languages, and English all spoken Roman Catholics, Indian religious influences, and Roman Catholics, Indian religious influences, and

Protestants presentProtestants present Elected governments Elected governments




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Central American Countries TodayCentral American Countries Today Guatemala—large Maya population; coffee, Guatemala—large Maya population; coffee,

cardamom; civil unrest since 1960scardamom; civil unrest since 1960s Belize—population of 236,000; heavy tourismBelize—population of 236,000; heavy tourism Honduras—Rugged terrain; fruit exportsHonduras—Rugged terrain; fruit exports El Salvador—fertile soil; coffee, sugarcane; povertyEl Salvador—fertile soil; coffee, sugarcane; poverty




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(continued)

Central American Countries TodayCentral American Countries Today Nicaragua—rebuilding after civil war; fledgling Nicaragua—rebuilding after civil war; fledgling

democracy democracy Costa Rica—stable government; coffee, bananas; Costa Rica—stable government; coffee, bananas; ecotourismecotourism

Panama—prospers from canal fees; heavy U.S. Panama—prospers from canal fees; heavy U.S. influenceinfluence




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Objectives: Objectives: What was the Caribbean’s history like?What was the Caribbean’s history like? How is the region’s history reflected in its people How is the region’s history reflected in its people

today?today? What are the countries of the Caribbean like today?What are the countries of the Caribbean like today?

Section 3Section 3The Caribbean IslandsThe Caribbean Islands



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Caribbean’s HistoryCaribbean’s History 1492—Columbus arrives and names the West Indies; 1492—Columbus arrives and names the West Indies;

Spanish colonies established; disease kills many IndiansSpanish colonies established; disease kills many Indians 1600–1700s: English, French, Dutch, Danish colonies 1600–1700s: English, French, Dutch, Danish colonies

establishedestablished Enslaved Africans brought overEnslaved Africans brought over Independence declared from 1804 to last half of 1900sIndependence declared from 1804 to last half of 1900s




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History and the PeopleHistory and the People Most islanders are African and European descent or a Most islanders are African and European descent or a

mixture.mixture. English, French, mixed European, and African English, French, mixed European, and African

languages spokenlanguages spoken Colonists’ religions still practiced; often influenced Colonists’ religions still practiced; often influenced

by traditional African religionsby traditional African religions Diet influenced by Africa, Asia, and elsewhereDiet influenced by Africa, Asia, and elsewhere




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History and the People History and the People (continued) Carnival is the biggest holiday.Carnival is the biggest holiday. Calypso, reggae, and merengue music importantCalypso, reggae, and merengue music important American baseball has developed in the Caribbean.American baseball has developed in the Caribbean.




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The Caribbean TodayThe Caribbean Today Cuba—most populous; Communist since 1959; no Cuba—most populous; Communist since 1959; no

U.S. trade; sugarcane, tourism important industriesU.S. trade; sugarcane, tourism important industries Haiti—very poor; corrupt governments; coffee, Haiti—very poor; corrupt governments; coffee,

sugarcane important industriessugarcane important industries Dominican Republic—first European settlement in Dominican Republic—first European settlement in

west; poor; agriculture, tourism important industrieswest; poor; agriculture, tourism important industries




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The Caribbean Today The Caribbean Today (continued) Puerto Rico—U.S. commonwealth; developed Puerto Rico—U.S. commonwealth; developed

economyeconomy Other islands—Jamaica; St. Kitts; many islands are Other islands—Jamaica; St. Kitts; many islands are

territories of other countriesterritories of other countries


Central America and the Caribbean Islands

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