México, Caribbean, Central America final study guide (copy)

Narrow piece of land that links two larger areas of land

Isthmus

Area between the Tropic of Cancer and the tropic of capricorn

Tropics

Not able to erupt

Extinct

Can erupt but, not active

Dormant

Foods eaten regularly

Staple foods

Small islands for growing crops

Chinampas

Plantation

**large farms**

Farm products grown for a profit

Cash crops

High ranking military officers who ran the government. They supported foreigners who ensured they stayed in power.

Caudillious

Factories where workers assemble parts made in other countries.

Maquiladoras

Large paintings on walls

Murals

Money earned in another country and then sent back to the home land

Remittances

In what two ways are Mexico Central America and the Caribbean “connected”?

Geographically by an isthmus and culturally, forming Latin America

What two mountain ranges and peninsulas are in Mexico and where?

Sierra Madre Occidental (western), Sierra Madre Oriental (eastern), Yucatan Peninsula (north eastern Mexico), Baja (lower) California (western Mexico)

What common occurrences happen in the ring of fire?

Earthquakes and Volcanoes

What is the largest lake in the region?

Lake Nicaragua

What are the three main vertical climate zones and what does each translate to?

Tierra Caliente (hot land), Tierra Templada (temperate land), Tierra Fria (cold land)

What is the main difference between tropical wet and tropical dry climate and what weather phenomenon occurs there?

Tropical wet has lots of rain, but tropical dry has little rainfall. Hurricanes.

What are the three island groups in the Caribbean?

Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, Bahamas

What are the four main island of the Greater Antilles?

Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico

What were four foods grown by Mexico’s native people?

Corn, squash, chilies, avocados

Where was the Aztec civilization, what was there Capital and what was unique about it?

Lived in Central Mexico, Tenochtitlan - it was on an island in a lake.

Who conquered the Aztec and where was he from?

Hernan Cortes

What unseen weapon did the Europeans bring to the Americas?

Diseases

What problems remained after Mexico gained independence from Spain?

Wealthy vs poor, political control

Which countries of Central America were not independent in 1840 and why?

Belize was still Spanish and Panama was a part of Colombia

What country helped Panama gain its independence?

US

Explain the Colombian Exchange.

Transfer of plants and animals between Europe, Asia, and Africa and the Americas. It also helped introduce new diseases to the world from other countries

What problems remained after much of the Caribbean gained independence?

Caudillos, widespread poverty, dictatorships (Cuba), and weak economies

What problems does Mexico City currently face?

Overcrowding, Air pollution, Illegal drugs, Poverty

In Central America, what areas have shown more growth in the economy than cash crops?

Manufacturing, food processing, clothing production/textiles, tourism, Panama Canal

What is CAFTA-DR and what does it do?

The Central American Free Trade Agreement. It creates free trade zones that lower trade barriers between member countries

What are some of the main causes of poor economy of the Caribbean?

High unemployment, communism in Cuba, poor leadership

Why are so many different languages spoken in the Caribbean?

Languages that reflects colonial heritage of the island

What are the two popular types of music in the Caribbean?

Salsa and Reggae

Where was the Mayan Empire and what did they create?

Yucatán Peninsula and part of Central America. Built pyramids with temples, a complex writing system, 365 day calendar.