Lecture 7a

Central America is made up of seven countries:
- Panama
- Costa Rica
- Nicaragua
- Honduras
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Belize
The region extends from Panama in the southeast to Guatemala and Belize in the northwest.
Five out of the seven countries have coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea:
- Central American countries with dual coastlines: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Panama
- El Salvador has only a Pacific coastline
- Belize has only a Caribbean coastline

Central America faces numerous natural hazards including:
- Volcanic eruptions
- Earthquakes
The region is characterized by 25 active volcanoes, most of which are located in the highlands closer to the Pacific coast.
Volcanic Activity:
- El Salvador has four active volcanoes.
- Guatemala has some of the highest and most active volcanoes in the region.
- Nicaragua and Costa Rica also have active volcanoes, with volcanoes extending down to Panama.
- Belize has no active volcanoes.
- Honduras has some volcanoes, but few are active.
Volcanic Ash:
- Volcanic eruptions contribute ash to the soil, creating fertile land beneficial for agriculture.

Central America's soils are known for their productivity, especially for tropical crops.
- Major crops include coffee and bananas, which are primarily grown for export to wealthier countries such as North America and Europe.
The agricultural economy significantly relies on the fertility derived from volcanic soil.

The region's volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are due to the interactions of several tectonic plates:
- Cocos Plate
- North American Plate
- Caribbean Plate
Plate Boundaries:
- In most of Central America, the boundary lies along the Pacific coast, however, Guatemala's boundary runs through the country, complicating its geological stability.
Earthquakes have historically affected the region:
- Particularly destructive earthquakes have hit Nicaragua, with significant damage to the capital, Managua, which has been leveled twice, most recently in 1972.

Central America experiences hurricanes originating from the Caribbean.
Hurricane Mitch (1998):
- Strengthened to a category five hurricane, causing 20 inches of rain in 24 hours.
- Led to severe mudslides due to saturated soils, affecting Nicaragua and Honduras.
Hurricanes can also develop from the Pacific side, though this is less common.

Most of Central America enjoys significant rainfall throughout the year, driven by the Northeast trade winds.
- The Caribbean side experiences more moisture and rainfall, which supports lush tropical forests, whereas the Pacific side is drier.
Severe Weather Patterns:
- Occasionally, cold fronts from North America can cause frost, particularly affecting Guatemala and Honduras.
- Frost can severely damage tropical crops like coffee and sugarcane.

Tropical Rainforest Climate:
- Characterized by heavy rainfall, humidity, and hot temperatures.
Tropical Savannah Climate:
- Experiencing less precipitation than rainforest zones, but remains hot.
Elevational climate variations exist due to Central America's mountainous terrain:
- Tierra Caliente (Hot Land): Sea level to 3,000 feet; ideal for sugarcane and tropical fruits.
- Tierra Templada (Temperate Zone): 3,000 to 6,000 feet; suitable for coffee and other temperate crops.
- Tierra Fria (Cold Zone): 6,000 to 12,000 feet; some temperate grains grow here but not always cold.
- Tierra Helada (Frozen Land): Above 12,000 feet; typically above the snow line; more applicable to the Andes.

Many Central Americans live at higher elevations for cooler temperatures, avoiding the hot and muggy coastal areas.
- Major cities are often found inland at higher elevations:
- Guatemala City: Over 7,000 feet.
- San Jose, Costa Rica: Also at higher elevation.
- Tegucigalpa, Honduras and San Salvador, El Salvador: Located in the Tierra Templada.
Coastal Population:
- The coastal areas, particularly in Guatemala, are sparsely populated due to the heat and humidity.