SOCIAL STUDIES CH 7

Isthmus

a narrow strip of land that connects two larger land areas

Tierra Caliente

the warmest climate zone, located at lower elevations

Tierra templada

a temperate climate zone, located at mid-level elevations

Tierra fría

a colder climate zone, located at higher elevations

Bauxite

a mineral that is used to make aluminum

Extinct

describing a volcano that is no longer able to erupt

Dormant

still capable of erupting but showing no signs of activity

Staple

a food that is eaten regularly

Surplus

extra; more than needed

Conquistador

a Spanish explorer of the early Americas

Treaty

an official agreement, negotiated and signed by each part

Colonialism

a policy based on control of one country by another

Revolution

a period of violent and sweeping change

Plantation

a large farm

Cash Crop

a farm product grown for sale

Caudillo

a person who often ruled a Latin American country as a dictator and was generally a high-ranking military officer or a rich man

Columbian Exchange

the transfer of plants, animals, and people between Europe, Asia, and Africa on one side and the Americas on the other

Maquiladora

a foreign-owned factory where workers assemble parts

Mural

a large painting on a wall

Dependence

too much reliance

Free-Trade Zone

an area where trade barriers between countries are relaxed or lowered

Remittance

the money sent back to the homeland by people who have gone somewhere else to work

Reggae

a traditional Jamaican style of music that uses complex drum rhythms