Transcript World Geography

World Geography
Chapter 10
Section 2
Central America and the
Caribbean
History
- Central America
was the home of
the Maya – one
of the great
Indian
civilizations
Chapter 10 Section 2 – Central America and the Caribbean
- Area later controlled by Spain, Mexico after
1821, declare independence in 1823, become
independent countries starting in 1830s.
Chapter 10 Section 2 – Central America and the Caribbean
- Caribbean settled by
Columbus beginning
in 1492, used Indians
as slaves, most die,
Africans brought in to
replace them
Chapter 10 Section 2 – Central America and the Caribbean
- Later Britain, Holland, France, and Denmark
claim islands – all interested in the sugar trade
Chapter 10 Section 2 – Central America and the Caribbean
- Haiti first to win independence in 1804 – slaves
revolt against French, US pushed Spain out in
1898, some islands still not independent
Culture
- Central America
mixes Spanish
and Indian
elements
- Spanish
language and
religion have
been attached to
older Indian
traditions
Chapter 10 Section 2 – Central America and the Caribbean
- Caribbean is more diverse, includes many
different European, Indian, and African
influences
Chapter 10 Section 2 – Central America and the Caribbean
- African part is most
important – most
people are
descendants of
African slaves
- Religions include
Catholic, Protestant,
Santeria, Voodoo,
and Rastafarianism
Chapter 10 Section 2 – Central America and the Caribbean
- Most
common
languages
are
Spanish,
French,
and
English – a
little Dutch
and Danish
Economics and Jobs
- Economy still based on agriculture - sugar
cane, bananas, citrus fruits, coffee, and
spices
Chapter 10 Section 2 – Central America and the Caribbean
- Panama important to
trade because of the
Panama Canal –
cuts 15,000 miles off
a coast-to-coast trip
Chapter 10 Section 2 – Central America and the Caribbean
- Most Central Americans live in rural areas – work
agricultural jobs
- Plantation jobs do not pay well – most people are poor
- Many Caribbean people have moved to cities hoping to get
a job working with tourists, most are unsuccessful and end
up in crowded slums
Chapter 10 Section 2 – Central America and the Caribbean
- Best Caribbean jobs
are working with
tourists in hotels,
resorts, and
restaurants
Chapter 10 Section 2 – Central America and the Caribbean
- Caribbean famous for
music – Reggae in
Jamaica, Calypso in
Trinidad
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