Middle America

I. Major geographic characteristics

A.

B.

C.

D.

1.

2.

E.

F.

3 sub-regions: Mexico, Central America, & The West Indies

Land bridge between North & South America

Generally tropical

cultureIslands = African influences

Mainland-native/tribal influences

Mainly underdeveloped

Mexico-largest in size, population, economy

II. Mexico

A. relative size

1.

a.

b.

2.

a.

b.

Largest population

Close to 120 million

More than the rest of MA combined

Largest area

Aprox. 1 million miles2

Twice as large as the rest of MA combined

B. United Mexican States

1.

2.

C. largest city

1.

2.

D. landforms

1. Baja California

a.

b.

c.

2.Great Central Plateau/Plains

a.

b.

c.

1)

2)

3)

d.

31 states

1 federal district

Federal District of Mexico City

About 20 million people

Peninsula extending south from California

Seperated from mainland by Gulf of CA

Sandy desert with mountains in middle

Sierra Madre Oriental (east side)

Sierra Madre Occidental (west side)

highlands

6000-8000 feet

Most of population lives here

Very dry

Home of the Aztec

3. Isthmus of Tehuantepec

a.

b.

4. Yucatan Peninsula

a.

b.

c.

Narrowest point in Mexico

Sierra Madre del Sur

Mexico’s most tropical area

Mainly rain forest

E.Culture

1. Language-

2. Religion-

3. Cultural influences

a. Mestizo

1)

2)

b.

c.

Spanish

Roman Catholic

61% (Native mixed with European

influenced language, dress, food, art

Gives us the distinctive Mexican style

native = 30%

*****transculturalization***** The 2-way exchange of cultural traits between societies in close contact

Home of Mayan culture

European (Spain) = 9%

III. Guatemala

A.

B.

C.

D

E.

F.

1.

2.

3.

IV. Belize

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F

1.

2.

Formerly a part of

Language-

Religion-

Cultural influences

Climate-

Sources of income

Mexico

Spanish

Roman Catholic

natives

tropical

Coffee

Cotton

Eco-tourism

Formerly a part of

Language-

Religion-

Cultural influences

Climate-

Sources of income

Great Britain

English

Islam African

tropical

Sugar

Lobster & fish

V. Honduras

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

1.

2.

3.

VI. El Salvador

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

1.

2.

3.

Formerly a part of

Language-

Religion-

Cultural influences

Climate-

Sources of income

Formerly a part of

Language-

Religion-

Cultural influences

Climate-

Sources of income

Spain

Spanish

Roman Catholic

mestizos

Tropical with vast highlands

Agriculture-bananas, sugar, coffee

Forestry

Mining-lead & zinc

Spain

Spanish

Roman Catholic

Mestizos

tropical

Coffee

Sugar

shrimp

VII. Nicaragua

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

-

VIII. Costa Rica

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

1.

2.

G.

Formerly a part of

Language-

Religion-

Cultural influences

Climate-

Sources of income

Formerly a part of

Language-

Religion-

Cultural influences

Climate-

Sources of income

Spain

Spanish

Roman Catholic

Mestizos

Tropical east & temperate west

Big 3

Spain

Spanish

Roman Catholic

Mestizos

Tropical east & temperate west

Agriculture-big 3 & beef

Eco-tourism

Richest country of MA

IX. Panama

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

1.

2.

3.

4.

a.

b.

c.

d.

Formerly a part of

Language-

Religion-

Cultural influences

Climate-

Sources of income

Spain

Spanish & English

Roman Catholic & Protestant

Spain & USA

tropical

Agriculture-big 3 & rice

Fishing-shrimp

Oil pipeline

Panama Canal

8000 mile shortcut atlantic to Pacific

Panama declared independence with US help

US battle ships sent to protect from Colombia

USA gets 2-ocean Navy

X. The Islands

A.

B.

C.

D.

1.

2.

a.

. 1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

b.

1)

2)

3)

4)

All are tropical

All have problems with hurricanes

White sandy beaches with crystal clear water

Central mountains sloping to the shores

The 4 largest islands of the West Indies

Cuba

Largest island

Communist dictator-Fidel Castro

Cultural influence-Spain& escaped slaves Language

religion

Spanish

Oficially-None (Santaria & RC)

Jamaica

language-

religion-

cultural influence

home of-

English

Protestant & Rastafarian

Ethiopia & England

Reggae

The Greater Antilles

c. Haiti

1) very poor nation2) lacking in resources

3) highest birth, death, & infant mort. rates in Americas

4) lowest life expectancy in the Americas

5) Cultural influence-African

6) religion—voodoo & Santaria

d. Dominican Republic 1) mixed languages 2) mixed population

e. Puerto Rico

3) Now,territory of the United States

1) Formerly owned by Spain2) Captured by USA in Spanish-American War

4) English and Spanish Spoken5) religion--Roman Catholic, Protestant

B. Lesser Antilles

1. many different nations and languages2. US Virgin Islands, Barbados, Antigua, Trinidad

C. Bahamas1. over 2000 islands, many tiny2. only 30 inhabited