Monday Warmup
Copy the vocabulary words into your interactive notebook
1. Cay- a low island made of
sand or coral.
2. Greater Antilles- the largest
group of Caribbean islands
(Cuba, Jamaica,
Hispaniola, and Puerto
Rico).
3. Lesser Antilles- the smaller
group of Caribbean islands
(located to the southeast of
the Greater Antilles).
4. The Bahamas- a nation
that is made up of a group
of islands (located to the
northeast of the Greater
Antilles).
Climate of Central America/Caribbean
• Central America has a tropical wet/dry climate.
• A tropical wet/dry climate means
there are only 2 seasons: A wet
season (summer) and a dry season
(winter).
• The temperatures for this climate zone stay warm
all year long. Summer temperatures average 77
degrees and the winter average is about 68
degrees.
Geography of Central America/Caribbean
• Tikal, Guatemala. An
ancient city of the Mayan
people (Native Mexicans).
• Chichen Itza, Mexico.
Another ancient Mayan city.
• Templo Mayor, an ancient
temple in the Aztec capitol
of Tenochtitlan.
• Cancun beach, Mexico.
• El Yunque National
Forest, Puerto Rico.
• The Bahamas
• The islands of the Bahamas are cays.
• Reminder: Cays are low islands made of
coral or sand.
• Central America has
many active (and
dormant) volcanos.
• Arenal Volcano, Costa
Rica.
• The “Great Blue
Hole” in Belize.
correct your maps and tape/glue them
into your interactive notebook!
Gulf of
Mexico
Cuba
Pacific
Ocean
Mexico
Guatemala
El Salvador
Puerto Rico
12 Haiti
Dominican Republic
Caribbean Sea
Honduras
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Panama
North
West
East
South
Culture of Central America/Caribbean
• The people of CA/C have a rich culture
inherited from their native American
ancestors.
Ancient American Civilizations Timeline
• The people of CA/C have a rich culture
inherited from their native American
ancestors.
The Aztecs are not considered to be an early civilization of
CA.
• The people of CA/C have a rich culture
inherited from their native American
ancestors.
The Mayans were very advanced. Nobody
knows why, but the Mayan civilization
collapsed mysteriously.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOckLspTwGA
The Arrival of Europeans
When the Spanish came to the Americas,
they conquered the natives. The Spanish
would fuse their culture with the natives.
Language: Belize is the only
country in Central America/the
Carribean that is not spanishspeaking. English is the main
language in Belize.
Religion
Most people in CA/C are Roman Catholic. The
Catholic religion was brought to the Americas by
the Spaniards. The Spaniards attempted to
convert the Native Americans to Catholicism and
the Spanish way of life.
The Caribbean
The Caribbean Islands are a
very beautiful tourist destination
and attract travelers from across
the world.
Music: Salsa and Reggae are styles of music
that were created in the Caribbean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7UIH6eAMDw
Economy: The Caribbean Islands have
a free-enterprise economy like the
U.S.A.
…Except for Cuba!!!
Ticket out the door: At the bottom of
your notes, please write down the
differences you notice between Cuba’s
economy and the economy we have in
the United States.
Cuba has a socialist economy. In a
socialist economy, the government has
most of the control (if not all) over the
economy.
https://www.facebook.com/Vox/videos/449516598569281/?pnref=story
Even though the people of America
have improved their lives slowly, a large
gap still exists between the rich and the
poor.
Quiz
1. In what ways did the Spanish change the people and
culture of Central America?
They changed their culture, language, and their religion.
2. What two things did the Spanish try to convert the native
Americans to?
Catholicism and the Spanish way of life.
3. What is the only English-speaking country in Central
America?
Belize
4. Do you think that the native Americans were better off
before the Spanish came to the New World? Why or why
not?
There is no incorrect answer, as long as they explained
their answer!
Writing Prompt
1. Should European countries allow refugees from
the Middle East inside their countries? Why or
why not? Explain your answer!
IN GROUPS OF 3, DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING
2. What are the benefits of accepting the
refugees?
3. What are the potential dangers?
4. If you were a leader of a European country,
what kinds of things would you do to ensure the
safety of the people that live inside your country?
5. Is it right to turn away ALL refugees from the Middle
East in fear that only a few of them may actually be
dangerous? Explain your answer!
When the Europeans came to the New World, they
conquered the native people of Central America.
The Spaniards and French imposed themselves as the
rulers of the natives after defeating them. Often, they
would treat the natives harshly and as inferior people.
Eventually, as the European colonies grew, the people
wanted to gain their independence. They wanted to create
their own governments that respected their rights as human
beings and reflected their own values instead of Spanish
King’s.
History
Many Central
American and
Caribbean
colonies began
to rebel against
the Europeans.
Cuban Independence
1898- With the help of the
United States, the Cuban
people gained their
independence from Spain.
Haitian Independence
In the 1700’s the French colony
of Haiti was one of the most
valuable colonies in the world. It
produced sugar and coffee from
the use of slave labor. Slaves that
worked in Haiti were imported
from Africa and were treated
EXTREMELY harshly. In
1804, the slaves (led by
Toussaint Louverture)
revolted against their masters
and gained their
independence.
Toussaint Louverture
Mexican Independence
1821- Mexico gained its
independence from
Spain. When the other
Central American
colonies gained their
independence as well,
they became a part of
Mexico.
1. What does the quote mean?
2. What struggles would the slaves
face after they gained their
independence?
Lake Nicaragua
Lake Nicaragua is the largest lake in Central
America. It is the only freshwater lake in the
world that contains oceanic animal life.
During the 1600s, the Central American
colonies became the center of the growing
coffee industry.
The Panama Canal is the narrowest part of Central
America. Panama is an isthmus that connects
Central America and South America.
The Bahamas are a nation of more than 3,000
islands.