Transcript wgt_ch11
World Geography Today Chapter 11 Central America and the Caribbean Preview Section 1: Natural Environments Section 2: Central America Section 3: The Caribbean Chapter Wrap-Up World Geography Today Chapter 11 Section 1: Natural Environments Read to Discover • What physical processes have shaped the landforms of Central America and the Caribbean? • What is the climate like in Central America and the Caribbean? • What natural resources and environmental hazards are common in the region? World Geography Today Chapter 11 Section 1: Natural Environments Question How were landforms in Central America and the Caribbean created? World Geography Today Chapter 11 Section 1: Natural Environments The Creation of Landforms in Central America and the Caribbean Cause Tectonic Forces Creates Plate Subduction Mountains Volcanic Eruptions New Islands World Geography Today Chapter 11 Section 1: Natural Environments Climates of Central America and the Caribbean • Tropical wet and dry climates are typical. • Temperatures are fairly constant. • Winter is usually drier, with a summer rainy season. • Central American climates follow terrain— tropical, humid climates on the Caribbean coast; highland climates in the elevated interior; rain shadows on the drier western slopes. World Geography Today Chapter 11 Section 1: Natural Environments Natural Resources and Environmental Hazards Natural Resources Environmental Hazards • Warm, sunny climate • Earthquakes • Fertile soils • Volcanic eruptions • Rich fishing grounds • Hurricanes • Minerals: gold, bauxite, nickel, oil • Mud slides World Geography Today Chapter 11 Section 2: Central America Read to Discover • How does Central America’s history continue to shape the region today? • What economic, political, and social conditions exist in the region? World Geography Today Chapter 11 Section 2: Central America Question What factors influenced the development of Central America’s cultural heritage? World Geography Today Chapter 11 Section 2: Central America Central America’s Cultural Heritage • Catholicism • Unequal distribution of wealth • Spanish colonists introduced Spanish-style architecture and town planning • Mestizos a major ethnic group • Spanish language World Geography Today Chapter 11 Section 2: Central America Economic, Political, and Social Conditions • Commercial export agriculture, with strong foreign influence • Powerful families control society, government, military • Widespread poverty and inequality causing emigration, unrest • El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala—Violence, civil war • Honduras—Poorest country; rough terrain, lack of development • Panama—Variety of conditions, from wilderness jungle to modern industry • Costa Rica—Greatest stability, highest standard of living World Geography Today Chapter 11 Section 3: The Caribbean Read to Discover • What are some important events in the history of the Caribbean? • What cultural and population patterns are found in the region? • What activities support the economies of the Caribbean countries? World Geography Today Chapter 11 Section 3: The Caribbean Important Events in Caribbean History • Columbus’s arrival in 1492 began Spanish colonization. • British, Dutch, and French competed for control. • Europeans created plantations based on slave labor. • Haiti gained independence in 1804. • U.S. took Cuba and Puerto Rico from Spain in the Spanish-American War of 1898. • Many Caribbean islands remained colonies until the mid-1900s. World Geography Today Chapter 11 Section 3: The Caribbean Question What nations have influenced the culture of countries in the Caribbean? World Geography Today Chapter 11 Section 3: The Caribbean Cultural Influence in the Caribbean • African—Most countries, notably Haiti and Jamaica • American—Cuba, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands • Asian—Trinidad and Tobago, others • British—Several countries World Geography Today Chapter 11 Section 3: The Caribbean Cultural Influence in the Caribbean • Dutch—Aruba, Netherlands Antilles, others • Caribbean Indian—Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Aruba, the Netherlands Antilles, others • French—Several countries, notably Haiti • Spanish—Several countries, notably Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic World Geography Today Chapter 11 Section 3: The Caribbean Cultural Patterns • Mainly of European and African descent • Asian immigrants influence some countries (Trinidad and Tobago) • Small Caribbean Indian population • Language—Based on colonial history (Spanish, English, French, Dutch, creole) • Religion—Catholic, Protestant, African, Hindu, Islamic World Geography Today Chapter 11 Section 3: The Caribbean Population Patterns • 70% of the population lives in Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic • Largest city is Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic’s capital • Rapid population growth produces unemployment, emigration, urbanization World Geography Today Chapter 11 Section 3: The Caribbean Economic Activities • Except for Cuba (command economy), market economies dominate the region. • Caricom, the Caribbean Community and Common Market, was developed to promote industry and trade. • Agricultural exports are the key activity: sugar, bananas, cacao, citrus, spices. • Mining is important in some countries. • Puerto Rico has developed industry based on U.S. policies. • Tourism is important throughout the region. World Geography Today Chapter 11 Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas 1. What physical process has created the mountains of Central America? How do those mountains affect climates in Central America and the Caribbean islands? 2. How are economics and politics linked in Central America? 3. What economic activities are important in Central America? How is the economy of the region changing? 4. How does Cuba differ economically from other Caribbean countries? 5. What non-Caribbean countries have had the most influence in the region? Why?