LETS TAKE A TRIP TOCENTRAL AMERICA!

Central America on a map

Central America• Central America is an isthmus, or land bridge, that unites the two continents of

North and South America.

• Central America is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, the North Pacific Ocean to the west, and Colombia to the south-east.

• Central America consists of seven countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.

• The Caribbean Islands are another region that are considered part of the continent of North America. They are located in the Caribbean Sea to the east of Central America. The largest four Caribbean Islands are Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.

• Central America was home to the Mayan Civilization, one of the great civilizations of the historic world.

Area Population

(km²)[1](July 2013 est.)

Belize 22,966 334,297 13 Belmopan English

Costa Rica 51,100 4,695,942 82 San José Spanish

El Salvador 21,040 6,108,590 292 San Salvador Spanish

Guatemala 108,890 14,373,472 129Guatemala City

Spanish

Honduras 112,090 8,448,465 67 Tegucigalpa Spanish

Nicaragua 130,373 5,788,531 44 Managua Spanish

Panama 78,200 3,559,408 44 Panama City Spanish

CapitalName of territory, with flag

Population density (per

km2)

Offi cial Language

Countries of Central America

Countries of the Caribbean

Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Aruba BahamasBarbados British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands CubaDominica

Dominican Republic Grenada Guadeloupe Haiti Jamaica Martinique Montserrat Netherlands Antilles

Puerto Rico Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Islands Virgin Islands

Area 523,780 km2 (202,233 sq mi)

Percent of Earth’s land 0.10%

Population 43,308,660 (2013 est.)

Density 77 /km2 (200 /sq mi)

Countries 7

Languages Spanish, English, Mayan languages, Garifuna, Kriol, European languages, and many others

Time Zones UTC - 6:00, UTC - 5:00

Highest Point Tajumulco Volcano, Guatemala, 13,845ft (4,220m)

Lowest Point Caribbean Sea, 0ft (0m)

Geographic Center The geographic center of Central America is 116 miles northeast of Lake Managua, Nicaragua

Major cities

Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicHavana, CubaSantiago, Dominican RepublicGuatemala City, Republic of GuatemalaSan Salvador, El SalvadorTegucigalpa, HondurasManagua, NicaraguaSan Pedro Sula, HondurasPanama City, PanamaSan Jose, Costa Rica

Bordering Bodies of Water Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, Straits of Florida

Major Geographical Features Sierra Madre de Chiapas, Cordillera Isabelia Mountains, Sierra Maestra Mountains, Lucayan Archipelago, Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, Isthmus of Panama

Fast Facts

• No country in Central America is landlocked.

• The geography of Central America is unique due to its interesting combination of rugged mountains, heavy vegetation, and the influence of two major oceans.

• Central America has many volcanic mountain ranges; the longest are the Sierra Madre de Chiapas in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras; the Cordillera Isabelia in Nicaragua, and the Cordillera de Talamanca running through Costa Rica and Panama.

• The dominant feature of the northern part of Central America is the Sierra Madre Range, spreading east from Mexico between the narrow Pacific coastal plain and the limestone lowland of the Yucatan Peninsula.

• Parallel hill ranges sweep across Honduras and extend south, past the Caribbean Mosquito Coast to lakes Managua and Nicaragua.

• A highly active volcanic belt runs along the Pacific coast from Mexico to Costa Rica.

• Hurricanes, earthquakes, mudslides, and volcanoes are frequent environmental hazards in the region. The impact of these abnormal conditions has affected the economic, political, and social development of the region.

Central America – Geography

The Sierra Madres

Cordillera Isabelia or Cordillera Isabella mountain range in Nicaragua

Cordillera de Talamanca mountain range lies on the border between Costa Rica & Panama

Central America mountain ranges

Central America – Tectonic plates

• The entire region of Central America sits on four massive tectonic plates. • The boundary between these four plates is called the Middle America Trench.• Most Central American Volcanoes are located along a stretch known as the Ring of

Fire. Mexico and parts of Central America are more prone to earthquakes due to its location on the border of two tectonic plates.

• The Middle America Trench is an oceanic trench in the eastern Pacific Ocean off the southwestern coast of Middle America, stretching from central Mexico to Costa Rica.

• The trench is 1,700 miles long and is 21,880 feet at its deepest point.

Biodiversity

Central America has 7% of the world’s biodiversity, which is the diversity, or variety, of plants and animals and other living things in a particular area or region.

Amphibians Birds Mammals Reptiles Vascular plants

Belize 46 544 147 140 2894

Costa Rica 183 838 232 258 12119

El Salvador 30 434 137 106 2911

Guatemala 133 684 193 236 8681

Honduras 101 699 201 213 5680

Nicaragua 61 632 181 178 7590

Panama 182 904 241 242 9915

Top 10 highest Mountain peaks of Central America

Rank Mountain Peak Nation Province Elevation4220 m

13,845 ft

Guatemala San Marcos 4067 m

Mexico Chiapas 13,343 ftChimaltenango 3975 mSacatepéquez 13,041 ft

3837 m12,589 ft

Cartago 3819 mLimónSan José

3812 m12,507 ft3772 m

12,375 ft

Chimaltenango 3763 m

EscuintlaSacatepéquez

Escuintla 3761 m

Sacatepéquez 12,339 ft

Limón 3720 mSan José 12,205 ft

1 Volcán Tajumulco PB Guatemala San Marcos

2 Volcán Tacaná PB

3 Volcán Acatenango PB Guatemala

4 Alto Cuchumatanes PB Guatemala Huehuetenango

5 Chirripó Grande PB Costa Rica

6 Cerro Ventisqueros PB Costa Rica San José

10 Cerro Terbi PB Costa Rica

7 Volcán Santa María PB Guatemala

8 Volcán de Fuego PB Guatemala

12,530 ft

12,346 ft

9 Volcán de Agua PB Guatemala

Quetzaltenango

There are sixteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Central America, with sites represented in all seven Central American countries.

Belize, Stann Creek and Toledo Districts, Belize

Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park

San José, Cartago, Limón and Puntarenas

Provinces, Costa Rica; Bocas del Toro

and Chiriquí Provinces, Panama

Natural

Palmar Sur, Costa Rica

Cultural

NaturalBelize Barrier Reef Reserve System

Precolumbian chiefdom settlements with stone spheres of the Diquís

Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica

Natural:

Guanacaste and Alajuela Provinces, Costa Rica

Natural

Opico, La Libertad Department, El Salvador

Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site

Cultural

Cocos Island National Park

Area de Conservación Guanacaste

Tikal National Park Petén Department, Guatemala

Mixed

Izabal Department, Guatemala

Sacatepéquez Department, Guatemala

Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quiriguá

Cultural

Antigua Guatemala Cultural

La Mosquitia, Honduras

Copán Department, Honduras

Ruins of León ViejoPuerto Momotombo, Municipality La Paz Centro, Department of León, Nicaragua

Cultural

Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve Natural

Maya Site of Copán Cultural

León, Nicaragua

Colón Province, Panama

Darién Province, Panama

León Cathedral Cultural

Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo

Cultural

Darien National Park Natural

Veraguas and Chiriquí Provinces, Panama

Panamá District, Panamá Province, Panama

Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and Historic

District of Panama CityCultural

Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection

Natural

Belize

BelizePolitical Map

Flag

Blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland of 50 mahogany leaves; the colors are those of the two main political parties: blue for the PUP and red for the UDP; various elements of the coat of arms - the figures, the tools, the mahogany tree, and the garland of leaves.

Belize is about the size of Massachusetts.

Location: Central America, Belize is bordered on the north by Mexico, to the south and west by Guatemala, and to the east by the Caribbean Sea. Only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean.Time Zone: UTC-6Climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)Terrain: flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in southNatural resources: arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropowerNatural hazards: frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south). In fact, after Hurricane Hattie devastated the central coastal area of the country in the early 1960s, the subsequent destruction of Belize City was the catalyst for the relocation of the capital to the inland city of Belmopan.Environment - current issues:deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposalGovernment Type: parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realmReligion: Almost 80% of the population is Christian. Hindus, Bahais, and Buddhists are some of the minorities.National symbol:National Flower: Black OrchidNational Tree: Mahogany tree National Bird: Keel Billed ToucanNational Animal: Baird’s TapirEconomy: agriculture, agro-based industry and merchandising, Tourism and construction

General information about Belize

Former name: British HondurasCapital City: Belmopan (21,000 pop.). Its name derives from the union of two words: "Belize" and "Mopan"Belize Population: 334,297 (2013 est.)Currency: Belizean Dollar (BZD)Ethnicity: Mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%GDP total: $2.896 billion (2012 est.)GDP per capita: $8,400 (2012 est.)Language: Spanish 46%, Creole 32.9%, Mayan dialects 8.9%, English 3.9% (official), Garifuna 3.4% (Carib), German 3.3%, other 1.4%, unknown 0.2%Largest Cities: (by population) Belize City, San Ignacio, Orange Walk, BelmopanCoastline: 240 miles (386 km)Land Area: (TOTAL) 8,867 sq miles (22,966 sq km)(land) 8,805 sq miles (22,806 sq km) (water) 62 sq miles (160 sq km) Land Divisions: 6 districts; including Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek and ToledoHorizontal Width: 143 km (89 miles) from San Ignacio, east to DangrigaVertical Length: from Corozal, southwest to Punta Gorda 230 km (143 miles) Bordering Countries: (2) Guatemala, MexicoGeographic Center: 13km southeast of BelmopanHighest Point: Doyle's Delight 1,160m (3,805 ft.)Lowest Point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

QUICK FACTS

Major Rivers in Belize

Belize River, the New River and the Hondo River are the main rivers of Belize.Longest river: Belize River (290 km)Largest lake: New River Lagoon

Belize Physical Map

Mountain Ranges

Belize is located on the Caribbean Tectonic Plate.

• The Maya Mountains are a mountain range in Belize and eastern Guatemala.• Doyle's Delight is the highest peak in Belize (1124 m). It lies in the Cockscomb

Range, a spur of the Maya Mountains in Western Belize.• Victoria Peak within the Maya Mountains is the second highest mountain in

Belize.

National Parks, Natural Reserves, & Wildlife Sanctuaries of Belize• Blue Hole National Park• Chiquibul National Park and Caracol• Five Blues Lake National Park• Guanacaste National Park• Payne's Creek National Park • Bacalar Chico• Bird Sanctuaries• Burdon Canal Nature Reserve• Great Blue Hole• Lighthouse Reef• Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary• Columbia River Forest Reserve• Community Baboon Sanctuary • Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary• Glover's Reef Marine Reserve • Half Moon Caye Natural Monument• Hol Chan Marine Reserve• Laughing Bird Caye • Marco Gonzales• Mexico Rocks • Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve • Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area• Shark Ray Alley • Shipstern Nature Reserve • Turneffe Atoll

Costa Rica

Costa Rica Political Map

Five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk toward the hoist side of the red band; Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutionary activity in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors into the national flag and a central red stripe was added; today the blue color is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverance, white denotes peace, happiness, and wisdom, while red represents the blood shed for freedom, as well as the generosity and vibrancy of the people.

Flag

Costa Rica is slightly smaller than West Virginia. Costa Rica means "Rich Coast"Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama.Time Zone: UTC-6Climate: tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlandsTerrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoesNatural resources: hydropowerNatural hazards: occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes.Environment - current issues:deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution.Government Type: democratic republicIndependence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)Religion: Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%National symbol: clay-colored robin known as YiguirroFlower: Guaria MoradaMotto: "Pura Vida" "Pure life"Tree: GuanacasteEconomy: agriculture, industry and services

General information about Costa Rica

Capital City: San Jose (159,535 pop.)Population: 4,695,942 (2013 est.)Currency: Costa Rican Colón (CRC)Ethnicity: White (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%GDP total: $58.6 billion (2012 est.)GDP per capita: $12,600 (2012 est.)Language: Spanish (official), EnglishLargest Cities: (by population) San José, Puerto Limón, San Francisco, AlajuelaCoastline: 802 miles (1290 km)Land Area: (TOTAL) 19,730 sq miles (51,100 sq km) (land) 19,560 sq miles (50,660 sq km)(water) 170 sq miles (440 sq km)Land Divisions: 7 provinces; including Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas and San Jose.Territories: Cocos IslandHorizontal Width: 317 km (197 miles) from Puerto Limón to Santa RosaVertical Length: 301 km (187 miles) from Upala to Golfito Bordering Countries: (2) Nicaragua, PanamaGeographic Center: 35 miles NE of AjajuelaHighest Point: Cerro Chirripo - 12,500 ft. (3,810 m)Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean - 0 ft. (0 m)

QUICK FACTS

Major Rivers in Costa Rica

There are 14 major river systems that originate in Costa Rica's mountains, each draining into the Caribbean Sea, the Pacific Ocean, the San Juan River or Lake Nicaragua. Two of these rivers, the Pacuare and Reventazon, produce world-famous whitewater rapids, while others, such as the Sixaola and San Juan Rivers, provide natural boundaries between Costa Rica and bordering nations.

River Length (km) Length (miles) Outflow Countries in the drainage basin

Costa Rica Province in the drainage basin

San Juan River 192 120 San Juan Lagoon Costa Rica, Nicaragua Heredia

Térraba River 160 99 Pacific Ocean Costa Rica Puntarenas, San José

Sixaola River 146 91 Caribbean Sea Costa Rica, Panama Limon

Reventazón River 145 90 Caribbean Sea Costa Rica Cartago, Limon

Tempisque River 144 89 Gulf of Nicoya Costa Rica Guanacaste

Tárcoles River 111 69 Gulf of Nicoya Costa Rica Continental Divide

Pacuare River 108 67 Caribbean Sea Costa Rica Cartago, Limon

Sarapiquí River 85 53 Confluence with San Juan River Costa Rica Heredia

Costa Rica – Major Rivers

Costa Rica Physical Map

Name ElevationCerro Chirripó 3,842 mCerro Ventisqueros 3,812 mCerro Kámuk 3,549 mCerro de la Muerte 3,451 mIrazú Volcano 3,432 mVolcán Turrialba 3,340 mCerro Echandi 3,163 mVolcán Barva 2,906 mVolcán Poás 2,708 mCerro Cedral 2,420 m

Costa Rica - Highest Mountains

Costa Rica's geography mainly consists of five towering mountain ranges:• the Central Mountain Range (Cordillera Central)• the Talamanca Mountain Range (Cordillera de Talamanca)• the Tilaran Mountain Range (Cordillera de Tilaran)• the Guanacaste Mountain Range (Cordillera de Guanacaste)• the Escazu Hills (Cerros de Escazu)

Mount Chirripo, the highest point in Costa Rica at 12,450 feet above sea level, is located in the Talamanca Range.

• Arenal Volcano National Park• Barbilla National Park• Barra Honda National Park• Braulio Carrillo National Park• Cahuita National Park• Carara National Park• Chirripó National Park• Cocos Island National Park• Corcovado National Park• Diria National Park• Guanacaste National Park• Irazú Volcano National Park• Juan Castro Blanco National Park• La Amistad International Park• La Cangreja National Park• Las Baulas National Marine Park• Manuel Antonio National Park• Maquenque National Park • Palo Verde National Park• Piedras Blancas National Park• Poás Volcano National Park• Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park• Santa Rosa National Park• Tapantí National Park• Tenorio Volcano National Park• Tortuguero National Park• Turrialba Volcano National Park

National Parks of Costa Rica

El Salvador (Republic of El Salvador)

El Salvador Political Map

Three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; the banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America; the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water, as well as peace and prosperity similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band.

Flag

El Salvador is slightly smaller than Massachusetts. Location: Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras. Smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea.Time Zone: UTC-6Climate: tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplandsTerrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateauNatural resources: hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable landNatural hazards: known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes.Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes.Government Type: republicIndependence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)Religion: Roman Catholic 57.1%, Protestant 21.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.9%, Mormon 0.7%, other religions 2.3%, none 16.8%National symbol: turquoise-browed motmot (bird)Economy: agriculture, industry and services

General information about El Salvador

Name: El Salvador translated means "The Savior"Capital City: San Salvador (540,898 pop.)Population: 6,108,590 (2013 est.)Currency: The U.S. Dollar is the official currencyEthnicity: Mestizo 90%, white 9%, Amerindian 1%GDP total: $45.98 billion (2012 est.)GDP per capita: $ 7,700 (2012 est.)Language: Spanish (official)Largest Cities: (by population) San Salvador, Soyapango, Santa Ana, San Miguel, Mejicanos, Nueva San Salvador, ApopaCoastline: 191 miles (307 km)Land Area: (TOTAL) 13,074 sq miles (21,040 sq km)(land) 12,875 sq miles (50,660 sq km)(water) 199 sq miles (320 sq km)Land Divisions: 14 departments; including Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, San Vicente, Santa Ana, Sonsonate and Usulutan.Territories: Cocos IslandHorizontal Width: 190km (118 miles) from Cerro Verde National Park to La UnionVertical Length: 112 km (70 miles) from La Herradura to Cerro El Pital Bordering Countries: (2) Honduras, GuatemalaGeographic Center: 35 km (22 miles) NE of San SalvadorHighest Point: Cerro El Pital - 8,957 ft. (2,730 m)Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean - 0 ft. (0 m)

QUICK FACTS

Rivers & Lakes in El Salvador

• El Salvador contains hundreds of tiny lakes and a few larger ones.• Ilopango (Lago de Ilopango) largest lake, lies just east of San Salvador and

contains emerald-blue water in the caldera of an inactive volcano.• Lake Coatepeque, is smaller in surface area but it is so deep, its lowest point is

unknown. It is located in Cerro Verde National Park, located due north of Lago de Ilopango.

• Lake Guija, lies in the northwest region on the border with Guatemala.• Jocotal Lagoon (Laguna del Jocotal) is really a permanent freshwater lake.• The Lempa River (Río Lemopa) is the longest river in El Salvador. It is also the only

navigable river in the country. The Lempa originates in Guatemala, flowing for a short distance through Honduras before entering El Salvador. It empties into the Pacific Ocean. The area around the mouth of the Lempa is known as Montecristo Island.

• The Río Grande de San Miguel flows in the eastern part of the country, originating north of San Francisco. It joins a tributary that flows from Lake Olomega, and the two combined waterways empties into the Pacific Ocean.

• Other rivers are generally short and drain the Pacific lowlands or flow from the central plateau through gaps in the southern mountain range to the Pacific. These include the Goascorán, Jiboa, Torola, Paz and the Río Grande de San Miguel.

Rivers & Lakes in El Salvador

El Salvador Physical Map

El Salvador is divided into three geographic regions: the hot, narrow Pacific coastal belt; the central plateau; and the northern lowlands.

El Salvador is one of the most seismically active, earthquake-vulnerable areas in the Western Hemisphere. The country lies between two areas of active tectonic plate movement.

• El Salvador lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, and is thus subject to significant tectonic activity, including frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.

• El Salvador's southern border is the Pacific Ocean. Off the coast lies a deep ocean valley, called the Middle America Trench, which was created by movement of the Cocos Tectonic Plate.

• Most of the land of El Salvador is covered with mountains. There are two mountain ranges in El Salvador, which runs parallel to each other from east to west of the country. There is also central plateau in between the mountain ranges. The left over portion of the landscape of El Salvador is covered with plains, which are known as Pacific Lowlands.

• The northern Sierra Madre range is a continuous chain.• The southern coastal range is a discontinuous chain composed of more than twenty

volcanoes in five clusters.

MOUNTAINS AND VOLCANOES

Name ElevationSanta Ana Volcano 2,381 mVolcán de San Vicente 2,182 mVolcán de San Miguel 2,130 mVolcán de Izalco 1,950 mVolcán de San Salvador 1,893 mVolcán Chingo 1,775 mVolcán de Usulután 1,449 mVolcán de Guazapa 1,438 mMontaña El Tigre 692 mCerro Peña Pinta 648 m

Hig

hest

Mou

ntai

ns

• Bosque Conchagua• Cerro Verde• El Boquerón• El Imposible• Montecristo

National Parks of El Salvador

Guatemala(Republic of Guatemala)

Guatemala Political Map

Three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue, with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) representing liberty and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles signifying Guatemala's willingness to defend itself and a pair of crossed swords representing honor and framed by a laurel wreath symbolizing victory; the blue bands represent the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea; the white band denotes peace and purity.

Flag

Guatemala is slightly less than the state of Tennessee. Location: Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize.Time Zone: UTC-6Climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlandsTerrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateauNatural resources: petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropowerNatural hazards: numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms.Environment - current issues:deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution.Government Type: constitutional democratic republicIndependence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)Religion: Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefsEthnicity: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6% National symbol: quetzal (bird)Economy: agriculture, industry and services

General information about Guatemala

Name: The origin of the name Guatemala is Indian. Capital City: Guatemala City (1,104,890 pop.)Population: 14,373,472 (2013 est.) Currency: Quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD)GDP total: $78.42 billion (2012 est.)GDP per capita: $ 5,200 (2012 est.)Language: Spanish (official), Amerindian Largest Cities: (by population) Guatemala City, Mixco, Villa Nueva, Petapa, San Juan SacatepequezCoastline: 249 miles (400 km)Land Area: (TOTAL) 42,043 sq miles (108,890 sq km)(land) 41,865 sq miles (108,430 sq km)(water) 178 sq miles (460 sq km) Land Divisions: 22 departments; including Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan and Zacapa.Horizontal Width: 232 miles (373 km) from Champerico, northeast to Puerto BarriosVertical Length: 280 miles (460 km) from San José, directly north to the border with Mexico Bordering Countries: (4) Honduras, Mexico, Belize, El SalvadorGeographic Center: 71 miles (114 km) NNE of Guatemala CityHighest Point: Volcan Tajumulco - 13,816 ft. (4,211 m)Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean - 0 ft. (0 m)

QUICK FACTS

Rivers & Lakes in Guatemala

• There are two important lakes of volcanic origin in the Sierra Madre highlands.• Lake Atitlán is said to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The lake is

over 304 meters (1,000 feet) deep in places.• Lake Izabal, the largest lake in the country. The outlet of Lake Izabal is the Dulce

River, which flows into Amatique Bay.• Lake Petén Itzá is in the north.• Guatemala's eighteen principal rivers, which flow from the mountains to the

Pacific Ocean, are relatively short.• The Motagua River serves as part of the boundary between Guatemala and

Honduras.• The Sarstún River, to the south, serves as the boundary between Belize and

Guatemala and links the El Petén region with the coast.• The Usumacinta River flows northeast along the Mexican border before

continuing into that country. • The Belize River and the Azul River both rise in El Petén and empty into the

Caribbean.

Rivers & Lakes in Guatemala

Guatemala Physical Map

• Guatemala is a mountainous country of rolling hills, plateaus, deep river valleys, and numerous volcanoes - some active

• Major regions include the Central Highlands that separate the Cuchumatanes Mountains of the northwest from the volcanic ranges of the Sierra Madre Mountains of the south and east.

• Peten, a limestone plateau covered by grasslands and tropical rainforest that blankets most of the northern third of the country.

• Atlantic Lowlands that front the swampy edges of the Gulf of Honduras, and the grassy farmland, volcanic sand beaches and rivers of the Pacific Lowlands.

• The Sierra Madre system extends from Mexico, through Guatemala, to El Salvador and Honduras; it includes several active volcanoes.

• The Sierra de Chuacús branches due east from the Sierra Madre in the central part of the country.

• To the east lie the Sierra de Chama and the Sierra de Santa Cruz.

MOUNTAINS AND VOLCANOES

Hig

hest

Mou

ntai

ns Name ElevationVolcán Tajumulco 4,220 mVolcán de Acatenango 3,976 mVolcán Santa María 3,772 mVolcán de Fuego 3,763 mVolcán de Agua 3,760 mVolcán Santo Tomás 3,542 mVolcán Atitlán 3,535 mVolcán Siete Orejas 3,370 mVolcán Tolimán 3,158 mVolcán San Pedro 3,020 m

• Cerro El Baúl in Quetzaltenango• Cerro Miramundo in Zacapa• Cerro El Reformador in El Progreso• Cuevas del Silvino in Izabal• El Rosario in El Petén• Grutas de Lanquín in Alta Verapaz• Laguna Lachuá in Alta Verapaz• Laguna del Tigre in El Petén• Laguna El Pino in Santa Rosa• Las Victorias in Alta Verapaz• Los Aposentos in Chimaltenango• Mirador Río Azul in El Petén• Naciones Unidas in Guatemala

(department)• Tikal in El Petén• Riscos de Momostenango in Totonicapán• Río Dulce in Izabal• San José la Colonia in Alta Verapaz• Sipacate-Naranjo in Escuintla• Sierra del Lacandón in El Petén• Pacaya in Escuintla• Yaxhá-Nakúm-Naranjo in El Petén

National Parks of Guatemala

Nicaragua(Republic of Nicaragua)

Nicaragua Political Map

Three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; the banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America; the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band.

Flag

Nicaragua is slightly bigger in area than New York State. Largest country in Central America; contains the largest freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua.Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras.Time Zone: UTC-6Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlandsTerrain: extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoesNatural resources: gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fishNatural hazards: destructive earthquakes; volcanoes; landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanes.Environment - current issues:deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution.Government Type: republicIndependence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)Religion: Catholic (73%), Evangelical (15%), Moravian (1.5%), othersEthnicity: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5% National symbol: turquoise-browed motmot (bird)Economy: agriculture, industry and exports

General information about Nicaragua

Capital City: Managua (1,800,000 pop.) Population: 5,788,531 (2013 est.)Currency: Nicaragua Cordoba Oro (NIO)GDP total: $20.04 billion (2012 est.)GDP per capita: $ 3,300 (2012 est.)Language: Spanish 97.5% (official), Miskito 1.7%, other 0.8%Largest Cities: (by population) Managua, Leon, Chinandega, Masaya Coastline: 565 miles (910 km)Land Area: (TOTAL) 49,998 sq miles (129,494 sq km)(land) 43,430 sq miles (120,254 sq km)(water) 3,568 sq miles (9,240 sq km) Land Divisions: 15 departments and two autonomous regions; the departments are: Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan and Rivas. The autonomous regions: Atlantico Norte and Atlantico Sur.Horizontal Width: 352 km (219 miles) from Puerto Sandino to El Bluff Vertical Length: 354 km (227 miles) from San Carlos to the northern border with Honduras Bordering Countries: (2) Costa Rica, HondurasGeographic Center: 88 km (55 miles) NE of Managua, Nicaragua Highest Point: Mogoton - 7,999 ft. (2,438 m) Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean - 0 ft. (0 m)

QUICK FACTS

Rivers & Lakes in Nicaragua

Islands, Rivers & Lakes in Nicaragua• Lake Nicaragua (Lago de Nicaragua) is the largest freshwater lake in Central and

South America.• Lake Managua connects to Lake Nicaragua by the Tipitapa River.

• Coco River, Nicaragua's longest river (680 km/423 miles), flows from the northwest highlands to the Caribbean Sea, forming Nicaragua's border with Honduras.

• San Juan River (180 km/110 miles) carries the largest volume of water, it flows from the southeast corner of Lake Nicaragua east to the Caribbean Sea.

Nicaragua Physical Map

Topography & Mountains

Hig

hest

Mou

ntai

ns• The land naturally divides into three topographic zones: the Pacific Lowlands, the

Central Highlands, and the Atlantic Lowlands.• Nicaragua is situated on the Caribbean Tectonic Plate, but just off the country's

Pacific coast is the Cocos Tectonic Plate. Frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions result from action of the Caribbean and Cocos plates.

• Nicaragua has three inland mountain ranges and a chain of volcanoes.• Cordillera Isabella runs southwest to northeast, toward the Honduran border.• Cordillera Dariense runs nearly west to east, defining the southern edge of the

triangular Central Highlands.• Cordillera Los Maribios is the chain of volcanoes, which originates in the northwest.• A chain of seventeen volcanoes runs along the Pacific Coast.• Masaya, near Managua, is one of only four volcanoes on earth with a constant pool

of lava that neither increases nor recedes.Name Elevation

Mogotón 2,107 m

Volcán San Cristóbal 1,745 m

Volcán Concepción 1,610 m

Cerro La Montaña 1,349 m

Volcán Cosigüina 872 m

Volcán Cerro Negro 728 m

Volcán Masaya 635 m

Cerro El Menco 147 m

• Indio-Maìz Biological Reserve• Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge• Mombacho Cloud Forest Reserve• Chocoyero Nature Reserve• La Flor Wildlife Refuge• Isla Juan Venado Nature Reserve• Montibelli Nature Reserve• Selva Negra Cloud Forest Reserve• El Jaguar Cloud Forest Reserve

National Parks of Nicaragua

Panama(Republic of Panama)

Panama Political Map

Divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center; the blue and red colors are those of the main political parties (Conservatives and Liberals respectively) and the white denotes peace between them; the blue star stands for the civic virtues of purity and honesty, the red star signifies authority and law.

Flag

Panama is slightly smaller than South Carolina.Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica. Strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean.Time Zone: UTC-5Climate: tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)Terrain: interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hillsNatural resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropowerNatural hazards: occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area.Environment - current issues:water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources.Government Type: constitutional democracyIndependence: 3 November 1903Religion: Catholic (85%), Protestant (15%)Ethnicity: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%National symbol: harpy eagleEconomy: agriculture, industry and exports

General information about Panama

Capital City: Panama City (880,691 pop.) Population: 3,559,408 (2013 est.)Currency: Panama Balboa (PAB)GDP total: $56.83 billion (2012 est.)GDP per capita: $ 15,300 (2012 est.)Language: Spanish (official), EnglishLargest Cities: (by population) Panama City, San Miguelito, Tocumen, David, Arraijan, Colon, Las Cumbres, La ChorreraCoastline: 1,547 miles (2,490 km)Land Area: (TOTAL) 30,193 sq miles (78,200 sq km)(land) 29,340 sq miles (75,990 sq km)(water) 853 sq miles (2,210 sq km) Land Divisions: 9 provinces and 1 territory; the provinces include Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama and Veraguas; the territory is San Blas (Kuna Yala).Horizontal Width: 598 km (334 miles) from the eastern border with Costa Rica to the western border with Colombia Vertical Length: 190 km (101 miles) from Tonosi to the Gulf of MosquitosBordering Countries: (2) Costa Rica, ColumbiaGeographic Center: Penonome, Panama Highest Point: Volcan Baru - 11,401 ft. (3,475 m) Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean - 0 ft. (0 m)

QUICK FACTS

Rivers & Lakes in Panama

Rivers & Lakes in Panama• Gatún Lake is Panama's largest lake.• Gatún Lake and Lake Alajuela (also known as Lake Madden) are supplied by

rainwater and provide the water for the Panama Canal and the drinking water for Panama City.

• Lake Chepo is another large reservoir in central Panama.

• Panama has more than five hundred rivers, most of which are quite short.• The Chucunaque and the Chepo are of equal length (215 km/134 miles) and longest

rivers of Panama flow into the Pacific Ocean.• Other rivers with Pacific outlets - Santa Maria (168 km/104 miles), Chiriquí Viejo

(161 km/100 miles), and the Tuira (127 km/79 miles).• More than 150 rivers draining into the Caribbean, including the Chagres (125 km/78

miles), Changuinola (110 km/68 miles), Indio (92 km/ 57 miles), and Cricamola (62 km/38 miles).

Panama Canal• The canal channel is 82 kilometers (51 miles) long, with entrances at Limón Bay on

the Atlantic side and the Bay of Panama on the Pacific side.• It takes about eight to ten hours for a ship to complete its passage through the

canal.• A number of dams have been constructed in order to regulate the flow of water

through and around the canal.

Panama Physical Map

Topography, Mountains and Islands• Panama, an S-shaped isthmus, divides the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The

country's narrowest point is just 48 kilometers (30 miles) across, and its widest is 185 kilometers (115 miles).

• Two parallel mountain ranges traverse Panama; between the mountains are valleys and plains. The highest lands are toward the Costa Rican border; the interior of the country, where the Panama Canal is found, has the lowest elevation.

• Panama is seated on the Caribbean Tectonic Plate.

• On the Caribbean side, the 366-island San Blas Archipelago.• The Bocas del Toro Archipelago extends along the west of Panama to the border of

Costa Rica.• The Pearl Islands, Isla Del Ray, and Contadora Island in the Gulf of Panama.• Coiba, Jicarón Island, Cébaco Island, Parida Island in the Gulf of Chiriquí.

• A spine of mountains formed by an undersea volcanic chain divides Panama into its Pacific and Caribbean (Atlantic) regions. These two main ranges are the Serrianía de Tabasará in Panama's west and the Cordillera de San Blas in the east.

• A third mountain system, Cordillera Talamanca on the Costa Rican border, contains Volcán Barú. It is the highest point in Panama at 3,475 meters.

• In the east, there are three other smaller mountain ranges. The Majé Mountains run parallel to the Gulf of Panama shore. Entering Panama from Colombia along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, respectively, are the Sapo Mountains and the Darien Mountains.

• Altos de Campana National Park• Barro Colorado Island• Cerro Hoya National Park• Chagres National Park• Coiba National Park• Darién National Park• Omar Torrijos "El Cope" National Park• Golfo de Chiriquí National Park• Isla Bastimentos National Marine Park• La Amistad International Park• Las Cruces Trail National Park• Metropolitan National Park• Portobelo National Park• Sarigua National Park• Soberanía National Park• Volcan Baru National Park

National Parks of Panama

Thank You