Geography- Chapter 8: Central America and the Carribean

Use it if you want

Isthmus

a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas

Archipelago

a group or chain of islands

Biodiversity

biological diversity in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals.

Why most of Central America's population is in the Central Highlands

The weathered lava produces fertile soil, making these highlands rich agricultural zones and areas of dense population.

The dangers of living in the highlands

The highlands region is located along the Ring of Fire, so the people are in constant threat of volcanic eruptions.

Benefits of living in the Central Highlands

It is rich agriculturally, so this region is more developed than the others.

Factors that lead people to settle in the highlands

- cool
-has adequate rainfall
-rich natural resources (water, volcanic soil, timber etc...).

Why the Panama Canal is important for international trade

It provides a shorter and faster route for imports and exports, especially when dealing with direct West to East trade.

America's role in the existence of the Panama Canal

America helped in creating the Panama Canal.

Population pressure

the sum of factors within a population that reduce the ability of an environment to support the population, therefore resulting in migration or population decline.

Dialect

local form of a language used in a particular place or by a certain group.

Matriarchal

family ruled by a woman such as a mother, grandmother, or aunt.

Cottage industry

a business that employs workers in their homes.

Ecotourism

the practice and business of recreational travel based on concern for the environment.

how colonialism played a role in the history of Central America and the Carribean.

-Colonialism has led to lots of explorers claiming land for Spain and creating colonies.

-This also means the cultures are a huge blend of European, indigenous, African, and Asian.

-language, traditions, religion, government, and art has been influenced by colonial events over the years.

how colonialism played a role in the government of Central America and the Carribean.

The effects of colonialism have done a number on the governments of Central America and the Carribean, as their modern-day governments pose to be democratic, however they are corrupt and most fall to dictatorship.

Haiti’s role in moving towards independence in the Carribean

-When Haiti won independence, it inspired downtrodden people throughout Latin America to fight for independence, while scaring the elites.

summary of the Spanish Conquest from Columbus to 1561.

-Spain gains interest in the new world.
-Loads of other conquistadors would come to seek the same conquests.
-Then came a Spanish Explorer, Christopher Columbus to “discover” the Bahamas.
-Spain couldn’t land a permanent colony in this region until Costa Rica in 1561.

how migration and rapid growth affected the population

Rapid growth causes the population of the area to increase drastically, which creates the problem of population pressure.
Population pressure then causes people to migrate, because the environment can no longer support the population.

how the blending of ethnic groups due to colonization, slave trade and migration have impacted the culture in this region of the world.

The blend of ethnic groups has created a diverse range of cultural traditions, religion and art whist creating an entirely new latino culture.

factors that have led to a continued uneven distribution of wealth in this region

-Dictators and Corrupt governments
-Labor industries

Sustainable

a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.

Sedimentation

The action or process of forming or depositing sediment.

Reforestation

planting young trees or seeds on lands where trees have been cut or destroyed.

How human needs affect resources in this region

Human need for resources can cause the natural environment to deteriorate.

The Environment ends up losing natural resources and ends up becoming polluted in the process.

How do human needs affect the environment in this region?

In October of 2010, a wetlands area was being argued over by Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Nicaragua wanted to redirect the San Juan River, so they put their troops there. However, this didn’t sit right with Costa Rica, so they threw a fit about it.

Describe the most recent dispute involving water.

how water is used to power their industry.

They have used water to power their industries with hydroelectric plants.

The flooding created by hydroelectric dams dramatically alters the habitats and devastates native fish populations.

How do water-powered industries impact the environment?

The purpose of slash and burn is to create more space and land for agriculture to occur. It’s beneficial because it somewhat helps the agriculture industry.

What is the purpose of slash and burn for farmers? Identify why it is beneficial.

Why slash and burn has not worked lately

Frequent rains leach away the beneficial nutrients in the soil created from ash and within a year or two the soil loses its fertility.

All the plants and animals are threatened by deforestation because they are losing their habitat.

what is threatened by deforestation?

It's an issue because fertilizers become a part of the runoff into the sea when soil erodes when washed out by the rain.

Why is soil erosion and soil decline an issue in Central America?

the importance of reforestation

Reforestation is important because ultimately, we as humans need to preserve the life and habitats of all the species of plants and animals. They contribute to the Earth and make it better for us so in turn we must protect their habitats.