How many of the Middle American countries can you name?

Ch. 3

There are many political conflicts in Middle America. There are three factors that have lead to most of these conflicts:

1. Unequal distribution of wealth

2. Violent oppression of citizens

3. Unequal distribution of land

Intercontinental land bridge but barrier between Atlantic and PacificTropical locations and climates affected by altitude—mountains!Cultural fragmentation—African, American Indian, European

Most populous country in Central America.

Largest number of Native American Indian population (44% of population)

Tens of thousands of Native American Indians murdered 1970s-80s during 36 year civil war

In 2004, 10,000 soldiers were demobilized & government paid compensation to victims of human-rights violations that occurred during the civil war.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/latin_america/jan-june11/timeline_03-07.html

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2011/02/from-the-field-violence-against-women-in-guatemala.html

Former British colony, English is the main languageOnly ¾ of all highways are pavedHome of the longest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere (250 miles)Popular pirates cove in the 17th century

U.S. covert contra operation during the 1980’s—was kicked out in 1990 (After U.S. support was banned by Congress, the Reagan administration tried to covertly continue contra aid (1985). During the war against the Sandinista government, the contras carried out many violations of human rights.)

Nov 1998 Hurricane Mitch obliterated

Lots of foreign aid to rebuild

50% of population earn living as subsistence farmers

http://countrystudies.us/honduras/100.htm

75,000 died in Civil War 1979-1992 (1980 Ronald Reagan as President: U.S. administration worried about Communist expansion in Central America and viewed the El Salvador military government as a potential barrier against Communism. The Reagan administration substantially increased both military and economic aid to El Salvador. The civil war raged on in El Salvador, fueled by U.S. aid to the Salvadoran military.)

Civil War fought because of landlessness problem

Major earthquake in Jan. 2001 led to mudslides - 1200 dead; 250,000 homeless

http://www.pbs.org/itvs/enemiesofwar/elsalvador2.html

1979 guerilla group called Sandinistas overthrew governmentU.S. Contras try to overthrow Sandinistas (Ronald Reagan, who had assumed the

American presidency in January 1981, accused the Sandinistas of importing Cuban-style socialism and aiding leftist guerrillas in El Salvador)

Cease-fire called in 1990Not known for landscape or cultural treasures, but for war

http://video.pbs.org/video/2148943017

₪85% of population European descent

₪“Oasis of Calm” among turbulent neighbors

₪Tourism is very important to economy

USA relinquished control of canal zone in 2000

Shielded from troubled Central America by Costa Rica, from Colombia by Darien Gap (dense forest)

Lots of unrealized potential