Latin American Caribbean Islands

Central America-7 countries

A. isthmus- a narrow strip of land bordered on both sides by water, and joining two larger bodies of land.

1. Land bridge between two continents

2. Made travel difficult until opening of Panama Canal in 1914

Multimedia - PanCanal.com

Diverse Landscapes/Regions

1. Mountainous core- problems for transportation.- Two climate zones-above 6000ft: cold 3000-6000ft: spring-

like- grow coffee, wheat, corn.

2. Caribbean Lowlands

A. Tropical wet climate with year-round high temps, Heavy rainfall.

B. Unfertile soil/ dense rain forest.

3. Pacific Coastal Plain

A. Tropical wet and dry climate ( rain in summer)

B. Savanna, grassland vegetation.

C. Fertile soil- lava flows, deposits of volcanic ash.

People/Cultures

1. Indians- longest history

A. Each group has own history, culture, language.

B. ½ of Guatemalan population.

2. Europeans 3. Mestizos- 2nd longest history

A. Spanish- official language of 6 countries.

B. Largest settlement is in Costa Rica.

4. African Americans-Some Slave Descendents

Largest # came from Caribbean to work on plantations or build Panama Canal

Inequality/Social Classes

1. Wealthy –Euro. or mestizo plantation owners dominate governments and politics

2. 2/3 poor-farmers, laborers-lack political power

3. Middle class- small farmers /employees of urban industries-growing slowly

Agricultural Economy-farming and agriculture

1. Subsistence farm- grow to feed yourself2. Large plantation–owned by wealthy farming or corporation

a. coffee, bananas, cotton-½ of Central America’s income

from exports

Region of Political Turmoil (problems)

1.Shortage of available farmland2.Unevenly distributed.

3.Gov. serve interests of wealthy 4. Guerrillas- members of an armed f2orce/ not part of

regular army. Civil Wars 5. Nicaragua- Sandinistas (communism) V.S Contras

(guerillas) 1979-1990. 6. El Salvador- 70,000 deaths government and rebel

fighters. 7. Temporary peace and democratically elected government.

The Caribbean Islands Tropical location- 3 island groups: all located just south of

the Tropic of Cancer (except Bahamas) A. Great Antilles- Formed by mountains pushed up.

Cuba, Jamaica, Hispanola (Haiti and Dominican Rep.) and Puerto Rico.

B. Bahamas- 700 islands- archipelago ( group of islands) C. Lesser Antilles- form an archipelago that separates the

Caribbean Sea from Atlantic Ocean.

Differences in Island Formation.

A. Tops of mountains pushed up from ocean floor. Ex: Greater Antilles and eastern rim of Lesser Antilles.

B. Volcanoes- western belt of lesser Antilles ( some are still active)- rich soil, but easily eroded.

C. Remains of coral polyps- flattest island; all of the Bahamas are coral islands sandy soil.

Climate

1. Influenced by sea and wind2. Moderate temp. on land3. Prevailing winds affect rainfall

Ethnic Roots

1. Few original Indian inhabitants 2. Died from diseases & cruelty of Europeans. 3. Many Africans: brought to work plantations. 4. Asian population: laborers (replacement)

Caribbean Nations Today

1. Some are independent countries. 2. Others still politically linked to European

countries and U.S.

Interaction/Economy

1. Making a living from the land 2. Fertile volcanic islands 3. Produce much of world’s sugar, bananas,

coconut, cocoa, rice & cotton.

4. Tourism- thrives here, but hotels, etc. owned by foreign corporations.

Movement

1. In search for better opportunities 2. Active migrants in search of jobs. 3. Work on Panama Canal 4. Changes in government- Cuba, Haiti