Central America and Mexico

Central America Central America And MexicoAnd Mexico

By: By: Donald Johnson, Donald Johnson,

Joe Strycharz and John PanaccioJoe Strycharz and John Panaccio

Geographic Features of Central AmericaGeographic Features of Central America

BordersBorders - - Belize, Guatemala, Belize, Guatemala, US; A little smaller than Texas.US; A little smaller than Texas.

ClimateClimate - - Varies from tropical Varies from tropical to desert.to desert.

TerrainTerrain - - High mountains, low High mountains, low coastal plains, and desertscoastal plains, and deserts

ImportsImports - - Agriculture Agriculture machinery, and industrial machinery, and industrial machinery.machinery.

ExportsExports - - Silver, cotton, oil, Silver, cotton, oil, coffeecoffee

ArableArable LandLand -12.66% -12.66%

MexicoMexicoCapital: Mexico CityCapital: Mexico City

The United Mexican The United Mexican States of Mexico is a States of Mexico is a federal republic made federal republic made up of 31 states and up of 31 states and one Federal District, one Federal District, which contains the which contains the capital, Mexico City. capital, Mexico City. Article 49 of the Article 49 of the constitution provides constitution provides that the federal that the federal government is divided government is divided in three branches: in three branches: executive, legislative, executive, legislative, and judicial.and judicial.

Mexican Connections to Mexican Connections to GeographyGeography TourismTourism - -3rd largest factor in the economy3rd largest factor in the economy

AgricultureAgriculture - -20% of jobs farm related, while only 1/5 of 20% of jobs farm related, while only 1/5 of

the land is arable the land is arable Most farmers are Most farmers are

subsistence farmerssubsistence farmers

Montezuma’s castleMontezuma’s castle

Church of Church of GuadalupeGuadalupe

Surrounded by Surrounded by mountains and mountains and volcanoes, it was a volcanoes, it was a center for several center for several pre-Columbian pre-Columbian civilizations, civilizations, including including Teotihuacan, the Teotihuacan, the Toltec, Toltec, and the Aztec.and the Aztec.

Chichen ItzaChichen ItzaA large pre-Columbian A large pre-Columbian archaeological site built archaeological site built by the Maya civilization by the Maya civilization located in the northern located in the northern center of the Yucatán center of the Yucatán Peninsula, in the Peninsula, in the Yucatán state, present-Yucatán state, present-day Mexico.day Mexico.

GuatemalaGuatemalaDuring the second half of the During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian variety of military and civilian governments as well as a 36-governments as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace government signed a peace agreement formally ending agreement formally ending the conflict, which had led to the conflict, which had led to the death of more than the death of more than 100,000 people and had 100,000 people and had created some 1 million created some 1 million refugees.refugees.

Capital:Capital: Guatemala City Guatemala City

Borders - Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico; a little smaller than Tennessee

Climate - tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands

Terrain - most of the country mountainous with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateaus

Imports - fuels, machinery, construction materials, grain, fertilizers, electricity

Exports - coffee, sugar, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetables,

Arable Land - 12.54%

GGuuaatteemmaallaa

Miguel Ángel Asturias, named Nobel Laureate in Miguel Ángel Asturias, named Nobel Laureate in 1967, wrote "Only Guatemala is comparable to 1967, wrote "Only Guatemala is comparable to itself," describing it as "a land of natural itself," describing it as "a land of natural dreamscapes ... mysterious presences and dreamscapes ... mysterious presences and absences." Tikal, the largest known Mayan city, is absences." Tikal, the largest known Mayan city, is incomparable in the same way; its size imposing incomparable in the same way; its size imposing and intimidating, its setting lush and teeming with and intimidating, its setting lush and teeming with wildlife.wildlife.

Guatemala-Mexico artGuatemala-Mexico art

BelizeBelize

Territorial disputes Territorial disputes between the UK and between the UK and Guatemala delayed the Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize independence of Belize (formerly British (formerly British Honduras) until 1981. Honduras) until 1981. Guatemala refused to Guatemala refused to recognize the new recognize the new nation until 1992. nation until 1992. Tourism has become the Tourism has become the mainstay of the mainstay of the economy. economy.

Capital: Belmopan

Borders - Guatemala, Mexico; a little smaller than Massachusetts

Climate - tropical; very hot and humid Terrain - flat, swampy; coastal plains;

low mountains in the south Imports - machinery, manufactured

goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; tobacco

Exports - sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood

Arable Land - 2.85%

Belizean ConnectionsBelizean Connections toto GeographyGeography

Tourism- The extensive tourist industry benefits from:Warm Climate The Belize Barrier Reef Numerous islands Excellent fishing Jungle wildlife

ForestryBelize's climate and terrain produces important

varieties of timber included logwood, and mahogany

Blue HoleBlue Hole

The Great Blue HoleThe Great Blue Hole

Belize - Tourist havenBelize - Tourist haven

Principal Sites of Pre-Conquest in MesoamericaPrincipal Sites of Pre-Conquest in Mesoamerica

Situated on the Situated on the Pacific coast of Pacific coast of Central America, El Central America, El Salvador is the Salvador is the smallest of the smallest of the Central American Central American countries, with an countries, with an area equal to that area equal to that of Massachusetts. of Massachusetts. Most of the country Most of the country is on a fertile is on a fertile volcanic plateau volcanic plateau about 2,000 ft. about 2,000 ft. high.high.

With With approximately 6.7approximately 6.7 million million peoplpeople, it is the moste, it is the most densely densely populated populated nation on nation on the the American mainland It mainland It is also the is also the most most industrialized country in country in the region.the region.

El SalvadorEl Salvador

Borders - Guatemala, Honduras; Pacific coast.

Climate - tropical rainy season and tropical on coast; temperate in uplands

Terrain - mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau

Imports - raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, petroleum, electricity

Exports - coffee, sugar, shrimp, textiles, chemicals, electricity


Capital City: San SalvadorCapital City: San Salvador

El SalvadorEl Salvador

A 12-year civil war, A 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the close in 1992 when the government and leftist government and leftist rebels signed a treaty rebels signed a treaty that provided for military that provided for military and political reforms. and political reforms. GDP per capita is roughly GDP per capita is roughly only half that of Brazil, only half that of Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, and Argentina, and Chile, and the distribution of the distribution of income is highly income is highly unequal. unequal.

Sacred capilla de El Salvador

MS-13MS-13This gang, This gang, aka Mara aka Mara Salvatrucha Salvatrucha 13, is one 13, is one of the most of the most violently violently dangerous dangerous gangs in gangs in the United the United States - and States - and one of the one of the most most organized. organized.

One of many 15-year-olds One of many 15-year-olds currently incarcerated in currently incarcerated in El SEl Salvadoralvador

Top ten constraints to firm investment in El Top ten constraints to firm investment in El SalvadorSalvador

In 1992,In 1992,El Salvador El Salvador began abegan anationwide nationwide highway highway development development program. program. As a result, As a result, the nation the nation boasts one boasts one of the finest highway systems in Central of the finest highway systems in Central America with over 20 percent of the 10,000 America with over 20 percent of the 10,000 kilometer road network paved and in good kilometer road network paved and in good condition.condition.

InfrastruInfrastructurecture

EconomyEconomyThe trade deficit has been The trade deficit has been offset by annual remittances offset by annual remittances of almost $2 billion from of almost $2 billion from Salvadorans living abroad and Salvadorans living abroad and external aid. The government external aid. The government is striving to open new export is striving to open new export markets, encourage foreign markets, encourage foreign investment, modernize the tax investment, modernize the tax and healthcare systems, and and healthcare systems, and stimulate the sluggish stimulate the sluggish economy.economy.

AgricultureAgriculture

Agriculture defined the Agriculture defined the economic life of El economic life of El Salvador well before the Salvador well before the arrival of the Spanish arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the conquistadors in the early 1500s, and, early 1500s, and, despite some modest advances despite some modest advances in industrial capacity, agriculture in industrial capacity, agriculture has continued to dominate the has continued to dominate the nation's wealth, social structure, nation's wealth, social structure, and political dynamics.and political dynamics.

Minister of Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien, Affairs Eugene Chien, center, holds a center, holds a starfruit as he talks starfruit as he talks with El Salvador's with El Salvador's Agriculture Minister Agriculture Minister Salvador UrrutiaSalvador Urrutia

HondurasHonduras

Borders - Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua; a little bit bigger than Tennessee

Climate - lowlands subtropical, mountains temperate

Terrain - mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains

Imports - machinery, industrial raw materials, chemical

products, fuels, Exports - coffee, bananas, shrimp, lobster, meat; zinc,

lumber Arable Land - 15.15%

HondurasHonduras

Part of Spain's empire in the Part of Spain's empire in the New World, Honduras New World, Honduras became an independent became an independent nation in 1821. After two and nation in 1821. After two and one-half decades of mostly one-half decades of mostly military rule, a freely elected military rule, a freely elected civilian government came to civilian government came to power in 1982.power in 1982.

TegucigalpaTegucigalpa

Borders - Honduras, Costa Rica; a little smaller than the state of New York

Climate - tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands

Terrain - coastal plains rising to mountains; often interrupted by volcanoes

Imports - machinery, raw materials, petroleum

Exports - beef, coffee, shrimp, lobster, tobacco, sugar, gold, peanuts


Managua, Managua, NicaraguaNicaragua

NicaraguaNicaragua

Nicaragua is Nicaragua is located in located in Central Central America, America, bordered by bordered by Honduras Honduras and Costa and Costa Rica.Rica.

Daniel Ortega Daniel Ortega Saavedra was Saavedra was president of president of Nicaragua from Nicaragua from 1985-1990. As 1985-1990. As one of the one of the leading leading commanders of commanders of the Sandinista the Sandinista forces that ousted Nicaraguan forces that ousted Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza in July dictator Anastasio Somoza in July 1979, he became head of the ruling 1979, he became head of the ruling junta in the subsequent leftist junta in the subsequent leftist regime.regime.

Costa Costa RicaRica

One of Central One of Central America's smallest America's smallest countries, Costa Rica countries, Costa Rica is its most is its most economically and economically and socially advanced socially advanced with a long tradition with a long tradition of democracy. It is of democracy. It is also one of the safest also one of the safest and friendliest and friendliest countries to visit in countries to visit in Latin America, with an Latin America, with an incredible degree of incredible degree of biodiversity.biodiversity.

San Jose, San Jose, Costa Costa RicaRica

Borders-Borders- Nicaragua, Panama; Nicaragua, Panama; A little smaller than West VirginiaA little smaller than West Virginia

Climate-Climate- Tropical and subtropical; cooler in Tropical and subtropical; cooler in highlands highlands

Terrain-Terrain- Coastal plains separated by rugged Coastal plains separated by rugged mountains and many volcanoes mountains and many volcanoes

Imports-Imports- raw materials, consumer goods, raw materials, consumer goods, petroleum petroleum

Exports-Exports- coffee, bananas, coffee, bananas, sugar; pineapples; textiles, sugar; pineapples; textiles, medical equipment, electronicsmedical equipment, electronics

ArableArable LandLand-- 4.41% 4.41%

Because of its location on the globe Costa Because of its location on the globe Costa Rica has two distinct seasons each with its Rica has two distinct seasons each with its own agricultural advantage, as different own agricultural advantage, as different crops can be grown at different timescrops can be grown at different times

One-fourth of Costa Rican land has been One-fourth of Costa Rican land has been set aside as national forests, often with set aside as national forests, often with adjoining beaches, which has made the adjoining beaches, which has made the country a popular tourist spot for country a popular tourist spot for retirees and and ecotourists..

Costa RicaCosta Rica

From the spectacular From the spectacular volcanoes that surround volcanoes that surround the the Meseta CentralMeseta Central, fast , fast flowing rivers fall flowing rivers fall steeply away through steeply away through lush tropical rainforest lush tropical rainforest towards the Caribbean towards the Caribbean or Pacific coasts.or Pacific coasts.

Borders - Columbia, Costa Rica; a little smaller than South Carolina

Climate - Tropical, hot and humid. Long rainy season, short dry season.

Terrain - mountainous, coastal areas, many plains and rolling hills

Imports - food, consumer goods, chemicals

Exports - bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee

Arable Land -7.26%

Panama CityPanama City

Casco Viejo, seen Casco Viejo, seen from Cerro Ancónfrom Cerro Ancón

Isthmus of PanamaIsthmus of Panama

Created by tectonic platesCreated by tectonic plates Affected the earths geography by changing the Affected the earths geography by changing the

oceans flow which also changed the climateoceans flow which also changed the climate

The location of the Panama Canal The location of the Panama Canal More than 14,000 ships pass through each More than 14,000 ships pass through each

year, resulting in many people visiting Panamayear, resulting in many people visiting Panama A large factor in the country’s economyA large factor in the country’s economy

The tropical rain forest is a forest of tall trees in The tropical rain forest is a forest of tall trees in a region of year-round warmth. An average of 50 a region of year-round warmth. An average of 50 to 260 inches of rain falls yearly. Rain forests to 260 inches of rain falls yearly. Rain forests belong to the tropical wet climate group. The belong to the tropical wet climate group. The temperature in a rain forest rarely gets higher temperature in a rain forest rarely gets higher than 93 °F or drops below 68 °F ; average than 93 °F or drops below 68 °F ; average humidity is between 77 and 88%.humidity is between 77 and 88%.

Central American rain forestCentral American rain forest

LinksLinks

http://www.projectcure.org/event_details/firstlady.aspx http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_of_Mexico http://www.larc1.com/belize/lh_blue_hole.html Archives.gov/publications/prologue/2007/fall/panama Learnaboutpanama.com/PanamaFlag.html

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Central America and Mexico