Central America

Isthmus- Central America is a narrow piece of

land that connects two larger areas of land--North America and South America.

Around 41 Million People

•Darien, Panama

•Darien, Ct

• Central Highlands-

•Negatives•Make transportation and communication difficult.•Isolates East coast from West coast.

What factor makes this region rugged and active?

Mts.

Volcanoes

Earthquakes

• What positive consequences do volcanoes have on Central America’s Economy and people?

Ash from volcanoes create fertile soil for agricultural industries and many poor people who depend on their crops to survive.

Coffee

Bananas

Cotton

Sugarcane

• What is the climate like?

Mountain/Highlands

• Cool in the highlands on the Pacific Coast.

• Mostly tropical rainforests• Hot and Humid.

Lowlands

•East Coast receives over 100 inches of rain per year.

Topmost layer of the rainforest thatShades the forest floor.

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GuatemalaMeans “land of trees” in Maya-Toltec

Tajamulco Volcano

Highest pt.

Antigua

Largest Native population in Central America

Belize

• Home to the world’s second largest coral reef.

*Lighthouse Reef

• Belize has the world’s largest density of Jaguars per square mile

El Salvador

• Smallest, yet most densely populated country!

“El Salvador” means “the savior.” The Spanish named it this because they thought it was the land of Jesus.

Honduras

• “The Depths.” Columbus is quoted as saying, “thank God we came out of those depths.”

Mountains make up 80% of land.

Bad for agriculture! Also $$$

Nicaragua

•Poorest country in Western Hemisphere

•Name comes from a local chief named Nicarao and the Spanish word for water.

Costa Rico

•Has one of the greatest densities of wildlife and species in the world.

•Ranked # 1 in the Americas on the (EPI) Environmental Performance Index

Poas Crater

“Rich Coast”

Panama

Contains over 500 rivers!

Panama Canal

Only DIRECT route that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Important for trade!