Geography Central America 3.02-3.05

Guatemala shares a border with Mexico.

Cuba and Haiti share the island of Hispaniola.

The colossal heads are the most recognized symbol of the Mayan culture

What body of water is found between Honduras and Cuba?

Which island is east of the Dominican Republic?

Until the 1900s, what civilization was thought to be the parent culture of Mesoamerica?

How is Central America impacted by a recession and financial problems in the United States?

What are the three main sources of income for Cuba?

Read the following segment from a letter written by Hernan Cortés to King Charles V, 1520. "IN ORDER, most potent Sire, to convey to your Majesty a just conception of the great extent of this noble city of Temixtitlan, and of the many rare and wonderful objects it contains; of the government and dominions of Moctezuma, the sovereign: of the religious rights and customs that prevail, and the order that exists in this as well as the other cities appertaining to his realm: it would require the labor of many accomplished writers, and much time for the completion of the task. I shall not be able to relate an hundredth part of what could be told respecting these matters; but I will endeavor to describe, in the best manner in my power, what I have myself seen; and imperfectly as I may succeed in the attempt, I am fully aware that the account will appear so wonderful as to be deemed scarcely worthy of credit; since even we who have seen these things with our own eyes, are yet so amazed as to be unable to comprehend their reality." From this quote, what can you infer about the overall feeling Cortes has about the land he has explored?

In general, what is a developing nation?

below, how would you describe the economies of Central America compared to that of the United States?

Based on the chart below, what country is experiencing the highest growth?

An archipelago is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger landmasses

Indigo is the source for the beautiful color known as "Mayan Blue."

There are no known volcanoes in the country of Panama.

What is the definition for isthmus?

Which of the following items was used as a meat tenderizer and also eaten?

Which Central American country has highly developed urban areas and dense tropical jungles located close together?

From where does the word "hurricane" originate?

From the image below, describe the difference between a tropical disturbance and a hurricane.

What landform develops on coral reefs as a result of wave action?

What are the results of wave action?

What are the potential impacts of climate change on Central America?

From the map below displaying the average temperatures in 2005 compared to the average temperatures from 1951 to 1980, what can you infer about the average temperatures in the region of Central America?

There is limited information on the history of the Mayan culture in the Common Era because the Spanish instituted a policy of killing all Mayan priests and burning all of their books.

The rivers of the Lowlands were important to the Maya for the transportation of people and materials.

Contrary to popular belief, the Mayans were not united as one empire

Who outlawed the Maya religion and burned all but four of their sacred bark-paper books in the 16th century?

What is the goal of fair trade?

Why did the practice of fair trade spread from handicrafts to food?

How was power transferred in the Mayan society?

Why did the Mayans create a detailed writing system?

What group of people has had higher rates of emigration in recent years?

After reading the following quote, what can you infer about the role of Central America in emigration to the United States? "Central America has been a locus of migration for generations. It is characterized by rural-to-urban and regional migration as well as emigration abroad, particularly to the United States. A relative unknown in hemispheric migration matters until recent decades, Central America transformed from a minor to a major player during a decade of armed conflicts in the 1980s. In this period the region also became a geographic bridge to North America for migrants from South America seeking to enter the United States, while Mexico has become the main transit country for Central Americans headed north. In short, Central America is a crossroads of many migratory streams."

What is the religion of most Central Americans?

What are the main exports of Central America?

Hernan Cortez was a Spanish conquistador responsible for seizing the Aztec empire in the 16th century

The volcanic lowlands were the source of obsidian, jade, and other precious metals like cinnabar and hematite that the Mayans used to develop a lively trade.

Centuries of persecution and cultural isolation have turned the Maya into impoverished outcasts in their own land

How was information passed down between generations of Mayans?

Fair trade is designed to help which group of people?

When did the practice of fair trade start?

Approximately thirty years ago, which country was the first to usher in democracy and lead the way for other countries in the region to do the same?

What is the greatest obstacle to democracy and stable political systems in Central America?

What is the reason for the "feminization" of emigration from Central America in recent years?

After reading the following quote, what can you infer about recent emigration patterns from Central America? "Central America has been a locus of migration for generations. It is characterized by rural-to-urban and regional migration as well as emigration abroad, particularly to the United States. A relative unknown in hemispheric migration matters until recent decades, Central America transformed from a minor to a major player during a decade of armed conflicts in the 1980s. In this period the region also became a geographic bridge to North America for migrants from South America seeking to enter the United States, while Mexico has become the main transit country for Central Americans headed north. In short, Central America is a crossroads of many migratory streams."

Which of the following is the only country that does not have Spanish as its official language?

What is the ethnicity of most of the people from Central America?

The first attempt to build a canal began in the 1800s under Spanish leadership.

Costa Rica's land is protected by one of the most ambitious conservation programs in Central America

Poverty and lack of choices for alternative sources of income have led the poor to exploit their environment to dangerous levels

Under what U.S. President was the Panama Canal project begun?

Which of the following items is an example of a sustainable agriculture practice?

Why have most attempts at instituting sustainable farming practices failed?

What is the least common cause of poverty?

Why is geographic isolation a problem that leads to more poverty?

How does the deforestation of rain forests impact global markets?

Based on the image below, how would you describe the global presence of rainforests?

What is the negative of ecotourism?

In an effort to bolster its economy while remaining responsible to the environment, what industry is Costa Rica promoting?