WI/ CA Vocab



Term

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Definition

Archipelago

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A group of islands

Canal

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

Coup

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A violent overthrow of a government

Dictatorship

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

Embargo

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To forbid trade with a country

Illiterate

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Can not read or write

Imperialism

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Having influence over another country or land area

Isthmus

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A narrow strip of land between two water areas

Lock (for a canal)

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

Parliamentary Democracy

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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

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

Poverty Cycle

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

Poverty Line

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

Rain Shadow

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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

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

Republic

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

Tierra
Caliente

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

Tierra Fria 

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“Cold land” The temperature zone above 6000 feet. 

Tierra Templada

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