central america. central america land bridge that connects north america to south america....
TRANSCRIPT
CENTRAL AMERICA
Central America
• Land bridge that connects North America to South America.
• Countries: BELIZE, GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, EL SALVADOR, NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA and PANAMA.
IN WHICH ECONOMIC SYSTEM DO INDIVIDUALS MAKE THE MAJORITY OF THE DECISIONS?
F. TRADITIONAL
G. FREE ENTERPRISE
H.COMMAND
J. MERCANTILIST
Geography
• Chain of volcanic mountains
• Volcanic Soil- fertile soil used for farming
• Tropical Climate
• Mountains are cool year round
• Hurricanes during the summer and fall
Economy
• Farming and harvesting wood from the rain forest
• Plantations: owned by wealthy people and companies.
• Major Crops: coffee, bananas, cotton, and sugarcane
• All major crops are exports sent to the U.S.
• Poor residence rely on subsistence farming to survive
FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM IS CHARACTERIZED BY ALL OF THE FOLLOWING EXCEPT -
F. LITTLE GOVERNMENT CONTROL.
G. PRIVATELY OWNED BUSINESSES.
H. GOVERNMENT RECEIVES ALL THE PROFIT.
J. COMPETITION DETERMINES THE PRICE.
Rain Forest Economy
• Companies cut down and export lumber
• Land is burned to make room for farming
• Over time, erosion strips soil of nutrients
• Companies leave land and clear new land in a new spot
Panama Canal
• Passage way to shorten time between the Atlantic to Pacific oceans.
• Built by the U.S. in 1913
• Panama was given control on Dec. 31, 1999.
• 2.9 million people live and work in the canal area.
History and People
• Olmecs were first to settle in Central America 1200-400 B.C.
• Maya lived in the rain forests 250-900 A.D.
• Spanish Conquistadors arrived in the 1500’s
• Natives learned the Spanish language and became Roman Catholic
• Most countries gained their independence in 1821
• Panama independence in 1903
• Belize independence from England in 1981
Government
• Each country is a democratic government
• Leaders and representatives are elected by the people
• Belize: parliamentary democracy-prime minister heads the government