WI/ CA Vocab

Archipelago

A group of islands

Canal

A human made waterway that ships use to cross land barriers.

Coup

A violent overthrow of a government

Dictatorship

A form of government in which all power is concentrated in a single person

Embargo

To forbid trade with a country

Illiterate

Can not read or write

Imperialism

Having influence over another country or land area

Isthmus

A narrow strip of land between two water areas

Lock (for a canal)

A way to elevate ships so they may pass through a canal

Parliamentary Democracy

A democratic form of government in which the people are elected to a parliament (like Congress). These Members of Parliament then choose one of their members to be Prime Minister (like a president)

Poverty

Extremely poor - can not afford the basics of life (food, clothing, shelter)

Poverty Cycle

The idea that once impoverished (in poverty) a person is doomed to remain impoverished and so are their descendents

Poverty Line

The income level at which if you earn more than that amount you are not impoverished, earn less and you are impoverished

Rain Shadow

When warm moist air (rain clouds) encounter a tall mountain the air is blocked causing the area on the other side of the mountain to be dry.

Referendum

A vote on an issue or question (not a person)

Republic

A democratic form of government in which the leader (president) is directly elected by the people.

Tierra Caliente

“Hot land” The temperature zone from sea level to about 3000 feet.

Tierra Fria

“Cold land” The temperature zone above 6000 feet.

Tierra Templada

“Temperate land” The temperature zone from 3000 to 6000 feet. Most people in Central America live here.