Chapter 7 – Central America and the Caribbean Section Notes Video Physical Geography Central America The Caribbean Islands Close-up A Market in Guatemala World Almanac Languages of the Caribbean Quick Facts Chapter 7 Visual Summary Impact of Tourism Maps Central America and the Caribbean: Political Physical Volcanic Activity European Colonies in the Caribbean, 1763 Central America and the Caribbean Languages of Central America Images Satellite View: Hurricane Isabel Ecotourism Cubans Divided Climate Graph: Nassau, Bahamas Physical Geography The Big Idea The physical geography of Central America and the Caribbean islands includes warm coastal lowlands, cooler highlands, and tropical forests. Main Ideas • Physical features of the region include volcanic high lands and coastal plains. • The climate and vegetation of the region include forested highlands, tropical forests, and humid lowlands. • Key natural resources in the region include rich soils for agriculture, a few minerals, and beautiful beaches. Main Idea 1: Physical features of the region include volcanic high lands and coastal plains. Central America • Southern part of North America • Includes Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama • An isthmus, or narrow strip of land that connects two larger land areas • No wider than 125 miles between Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea • Chain of mountains and volcanoes divides Caribbean and Pacific coastal plains • No good water route, so difficult to travel The Caribbean Islands • Across from Central America in the Caribbean Sea • An archipelago, a large group of islands • Greater Antilles: Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico • Lesser Antilles: Small islands from Virgin Islands to Trinidad to Tobago • Bahamas: 700 islands • Formed from tops of underwater mountains or volcanoes and coral reefs pushed up by colliding tectonic plates Main Idea 2: The climate and vegetation of the region include forested highlands, tropical forests, and humid lowlands. Islands and Coastal Plains Inland Mountains • Humid tropical and tropical savanna climates • Pacific coast savannas cleared for plantations and ranches • Caribbean coast rain forest • Cool, humid climates • Cloud forest, or a moist, high-elevation tropical forest where low clouds are common Climate Temperatures • Little change from – Day to night – Summer to winter • Change in season marked by change in rainfall • Winters dry • Summers wet Hurricanes • Threaten from summer to fall • Violent winds, heavy rains, and high seas • Occur mostly from June to November • Destruction and loss of life Main Idea 3: Key natural resources in the region include rich soils for agriculture, a few minerals, and beautiful beaches. • Land and climate attract tourists. • Volcanic ash enriched soil • Crops include coffee, bananas, sugarcane, and cotton. • Export timber from rain forests • Very few mineral and energy resources Central America The Big Idea Central America’s native traditions and colonial history have created a mixed culture, unstable governments, and uncertain economies. Main Ideas • The history of Central America was mostly influenced by Spain. • The culture of Central America is a mixture of Native American and European traditions. • The countries of Central America today have challenges and opportunities. Main Idea 1: The history of Central America was mostly influenced by Spain. Early History • AD 250–900: Maya built large cities with pyramids and temples. • Maya descendents live in Guatemala and Belize. • Early 1500s: Europeans controlled most of Central America. – Britain: Belize and Nicaragua’s coast – Spain: Large plantations of tobacco and sugarcane – Forced Indians and enslaved Africans to work in mines and plantations Independence • 1821: Independence from Spain • Remained joined as the United Provinces of Central America • 1838-1839: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatamala separated. • 1903: Panama and Columbia separated. • 1981: Belize independence Since Independence • Wealthy landowners continued to run countries. • Economy remained based on bananas and coffee. • Early to mid-1900s: U.S.-based United Fruit Company controlled most of banana production. – The company developed railroads and port facilities. – This development improved transportation and communication. • People resented role of foreign companies. • Mid- to late 1900s: Demands for reform led to armed struggles in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. • Peace achieved only in recent years Main Idea 2: The culture of Central America is a mixture of Native American and European traditions. People and Languages Religion, Festivals, and Food • Most people are mestizos, or people of mixed European and Indian ancestry. • Descendents of ancient Maya live in Guatemalan Highlands and other places. • People of African ancestry live mostly along the Caribbean coast. • People speak mostly Spanish, but also native Indian languages and English. • Most people are Roman Catholic. • Indian traditions influenced Catholicism. • Celebrations are tied to religion: special saints’ feast days and Easter. • Traditional foods are corn, tomatoes, hot peppers, and cacao. Main Idea 3: The countries of Central America today have challenges and opportunities. Guatemala • More than 14 million people • Most mestizos; almost half Indian • Live mostly in small villages in highlands • 1960-1996: Fighting killed 200,000 people. • Crops: coffee and cardamom Belize • Smallest population in Central America • Not much land for agriculture • Ecotourism, the practice of using an area’s natural environment to attract tourists Honduras • Mountainous country • Transportation difficult because of rugged land • Little land for farming • Exports: citrus fruits and bananas Central America Today El Salvador Costa Rica • Land owned by a few rich people • History of peace and stable, democratic government • 1980s-1992: Civil war, a conflict between two or more groups within a country • Progress toward reducing poverty • Fertile soil to grow coffee and sugarcane • Tourism to rain forests Nicaragua • 1979: Dictator overthrown by Sandinistas • 1979-1990: Civil war • Rebels aided by the U.S. • 1990: Democratic elections pushed Sandinistas out of power. • Crops: coffee and bananas Panama • Narrow, southernmost country • Canal links Caribbean Sea and Pacific and Atlantic Oceans • Panama Canal fees and industry make this region prosperous. • 1914-1999:Canal controlled by U.S. The Caribbean Islands The Big Idea The Caribbean islands have a rich history and culture influenced by European colonization. Main Ideas • The history of the Caribbean islands includes European colonization followed by independence. • The culture of the Caribbean islands shows signs of past colonialism and slavery. • Today the Caribbean islands have distinctive governments with economies that depend on agriculture and tourism. Main Idea 1: The history of the Caribbean islands includes European colonization followed by independence. • 1492: Christopher Columbus discovered the Caribbean islands, believing them to be the Indies. • The islands are now 13 independent countries. • These countries show the influence of the first European colonizers. History Early History Independence • Columbus thought he had reached the Indies, and so he called the Caribbean the West Indies. • 1804: Toussaint-L’Ouverture helped Haiti win independence from France and freedom for slaves. • 1600s-1700s: The English, French, Dutch, and Danish established colonies on the islands. • Mid-1800s: Dominican Republic – They built sugarcane plantations that required many workers. – Most Caribbean Indians died from disease, so Europeans brought enslaved Africans. • Africans and their descendents outnumbered Europeans. • 1902: Cuba from U.S. • After World War II, other Caribbean countries gained independence. • Some islands, such as Martinique and Guadeloupe, are still not independent. Main Idea 2: The culture of the Caribbean islands shows signs of past colonialism and slavery. People Language • Most islanders are descended from Europeans, Africans, or both. • Some Asians, who came to work on plantations after slavery ended, live on the island. • People speak Spanish, English, French, and mixtures of African and European languages. • Haitians speak French Creole, which is a dialect, or a regional variety of a language. • Former colonies are mostly Roman Catholic. Religion • People also blend Catholicism and traditional African religions. Caribbean Culture • Islanders celebrate a variety of holidays. Festivals • The most widespread is Carnival, before Lent, when people celebrate with big parades, fancy costumes, and music. • Caribbean food reflects past. • Yams and okra from Africa Foods • In Barbados, souse is made of pigs’ tails, ears, and snouts because slaveholders gave slaves the leftover parts of the pig. • People from India brought curry to the region. Main Idea 3: Today the Caribbean islands have distinctive governments with economies that depend on agriculture and tourism. Puerto Rico Haiti • U.S. commonwealth, or a self-governing territory associated with another country • Mountainous western third of Hispaniola • Eastern part of Hispaniola • Small farms, but exports coffee and sugarcane • More developed than Haiti but not rich • People are U.S. citizens with no voting rights. • More developed than other Caribbean countries due to U.S. aid and investment • Poorest country due to corruption • Many become refugees, or people fleeing to another country for political or economic reasons. Dominican Republic • Capital Santo Domingo is the first permanent European settlement in Western Hemisphere. • Economy: agriculture and growing tourism Caribbean Islands Today Cuba • Largest and most populous island with Havana as capital • Since 1959: Run by a Communist government headed by Fidel Castro • Communists took over U.S. owned businesses, so U.S. banned trade. • Farms are cooperatives, or organizations owned by its members and operated for mutual benefit. • Government controls the media. Other Islands • Jamaica is the largest of these other islands. • Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest. • A number of islands are territories of the U.S., Britain, France, and the Netherlands. • Some islands have land to grow coffee, sugarcane, and spices. • Others attract tourists. • New construction for tourists can harm natural environment. Click on the window to start video