middle america central america and the caribbean

Middle AmericaCentral America and the Caribbean

Middle AmericaMiddle America – region that includes – region that includes

Central America and the Caribbean Central America and the Caribbean

Islands.Islands.

There are 7 countries in Central There are 7 countries in Central America: Belize, Guatemala, America: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica & PanamaCosta Rica & Panama..

CaribbeanCaribbean describes the region describes the region and islands around the and islands around the Caribbean SeaCaribbean Sea

Many Many physical processesphysical processes (nature) change (nature) change the landscape of this region.the landscape of this region.

Physical processes like volcanoes Physical processes like volcanoes have created islands, fertile soil, and have created islands, fertile soil, and affects where and how people live.affects where and how people live.

HurricanesHurricanes, a storm with violent , a storm with violent winds, often happen in the winds, often happen in the CaribbeanCaribbean

Image: Hurricane Sandy 2012Image: Hurricane Sandy 2012

Hurricane Dean did major Hurricane Dean did major

damage to Kingston Jamaica in damage to Kingston Jamaica in

2007.2007.

Wind and water Wind and water erode erode ( (wear awaywear away) )

the soil, rock, or land.the soil, rock, or land.

When humans change the landscape of a When humans change the landscape of a place, it is called place, it is called Human processesHuman processes. (. (ex: ex: building houses; cutting down trees)building houses; cutting down trees)

Many economies in the region Many economies in the region

depend on money from depend on money from tourismtourism

((traveling for enjoymenttraveling for enjoyment).).

PanamaPanama

Panama is located on the narrowest part Panama is located on the narrowest part of the of the isthmusisthmus between the Atlantic and between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.Pacific Oceans.

Pros and cons of Pros and cons of Panama’s location.Panama’s location.

Panama’s location has advantages and disadvantages

Advantage: trade between South America and North America

Disadvantage: flora and fauna (animals and plants) which carried diseases

Panama CanalPanama Canal Built in 1898

Is a transportation corridor

Helps with international trade

Key factor in the world’s economic interdependence

Panama Canal • One of the largest and

most difficult engineering projects ever

• the first attempt to construct a canal began in 1880 under French leadership.

• attempt failed and 21,900 workers died

• The United States took over the project.

Panama Canal• President Theodore “Teddy”

Roosevelt of the United States gave the order to build the canal

• Attempted and completed by the United States in the early 1900s

• Opened in 1914.

• Cost the United States around $375,000,000

• plagued by problems, including disease (particularly malaria and yellow fever) and landslides.

• Yellow fever – infectious tropical disease spread by mosquitoes

• a total of 27,500 workmen are estimated to have died in the French and American efforts.

Panama CanalProblems Panama faces today with the canal:

•The canal is reaching maximum capacity

•Ships are getting too big

•Competition from the Suez Canal (Egypt)