Transcript Central America

Why should we care
about Central America?
Panama Canal
Panama Canal


French started in 1880
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Spent 26 Million dollars
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Lost 20,000 workers
U.S Takes over in 1904
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Panama Canal Treaty
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Paid 40 Million to take it over
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Not completed until 1914
Panama Canal
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51 Miles long
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110 ft. wide locks
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1000 ft. max depth
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There are 12 locks
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Work like elevators to raise water levels
It cost between $1,400 and $2,500 to use it
It makes roughly 210 million annually
Panama Canal’s Future
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Canal was given back to Panama in 1999
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They are expanding it
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8 Billion Dollar project
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Will be finished in 2014 (?)
Panama Canal

Panama Video
 Should
we have given control back to
Panama?
 What
would happen if U.S ships were
blocked from using it?
Caribbean
Islands
Caribbean Islands
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Three groups
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Greater Antilles
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Lesser Antilles
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Bahamas
Island Formation
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Volcanic mountains
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Central mountain with coastal plains
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Active volcanoes
Coral islands
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Flatter terrain
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All 300 plus islands in Bahamas
Coral Island Formation
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Created by remains of coral polyps
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Coral polyps produce exoskeleton of calcium carbonate

Dead coral accumulate in a pile (reef)
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Sand and sediment pile up on reef
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Island eventually emerges from water
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Ecosystem will gradually develop
Coral or Volcanic Island?
Ethnic Roots
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African descent
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Came as slaves
Asian immigrants
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Came voluntarily
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Worked on plantations after slavery was abolished
Caribbean Nations Today
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Many islands are politically linked to U.S. and Europe
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Virgin Islands – U.S and UK
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Puerto Rico – U.S
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Guadeloupe - France
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Martinique - France
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Aruba - Netherlands
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Cayman Islands - UK
Economic Activity
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Agriculture – primary economic activity
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Tourism
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Contributes over 15% of the GDP
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Up to 80% of the income “leaks” outside of the Islands.
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Hotels, airlines and ships are owned by overseas companies
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Locals do not reap many benefits from tourism industry
Tourism
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Employment – Seasonal, low paying jobs
often go to the lowest bidder with a divide
between management and the average
worker.
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Local Development – Resorts outsource their
produce and supplies rather than purchasing
local products.

Water Resources – They put a huge stress on
the water suitable for human consumption.
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Environment – A large cruise ship can
produce as much trash a small city for a 7
day cruise.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQw2AX0L
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