Central America

1. Central America

2. Belize (British Honduras) • History • Mayans were the indigenous peoples • Rose up around 1500 BC • Europeans arrived in 16th century • Spanish colonists tried to settle in, but the Mayans rebelled • English and Scottish buccaneers settled in 1638 • Geography • Marshy coastline • Lagoons along the coasts • Lagoons reduce land area • Tropical climate with pronounced wet and dry seasons • Hondo and Sarstoon rivers define much of the northern and southern boundaries • Mining

3. Belize (British Honduras) cont. • Culture • British, Mexican, and Western Caribbean influences in cuisine • Major sports • Football • Basketball • Volleyball • Cycling • Boat racing • Track & field • Softball • Cricket • Places to visit • Corozal • Belmopan • Orange Walk • Ambergris Caye • Turneffe Reef • Lighthouse Reef • San Ignacio • Glover's Reef • Placencia • Dangriga • Punta Gorda

4. Costa Rica • History • Impact on modern Costa Ricans from indigenous cultures is much less than other Latin American nations • Southernmost province of the Captaincy General of Guatemala • Poverty caused by lack of indigenous population for forced labor • Geography • Caribbean Sea to east and Pacific Ocean to the west • Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south • Tropical climate year round • Because of how close it is to the equator

5. Costa Rica cont. • Culture • Where Mesoamerican and native cultures met • Costa Rican cuisine is a blend of Native American, Spanish, African and many other cuisine origins • Spanish culture and Catholic religions have influences • Places to visit • Manuel Antonio National Park • Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve • Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs • Tamarindo & Playa Langosta • Drake Bay & Corcovado National Park • Jaco & Playa Hermosa • Rincon de la Vieja Volcano • Cahuita National Park • Tortuguero National Park • Grecia & Sarchi

6. Honduras • History • There was Mayan presence • Kingdom of Xukpi lasted from 5th century to early 9th century declined when Mayans arrived • Christopher Columbus reached Bay Islands on the coast of Honduras in 1502 • Spanish arrived in 1524 • Joined Federal Republic of Central America in 1822 • Geography • Caribbean Sea on north coast, Pacific Ocean on south through Gulf of Fonseca • Climate varies • Tropical in lowlands • Temperate in mountains • Mostly mountains, narrow plains along coasts • Undeveloped lowland jungle • Natural resources: • timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, shrimp, and hydropower

7. Honduras cont. • Culture • Hondurans referred to as Catracho(deroved from Nicaraguans) • Spanish is the main language, spoken by 94% of the population • Other languages spoken: • Garifuna, Miskito, and Pech; Honduras Sign Language; and English • Places to visit • Copan Ruinas • San Pedro Sula • La Esperanza • Gracias • Santa Rosa de Copan

8. Panama • History • Earliest known inhabitants: Cuevas and Coclé tribes wiped out by disease and fighting Spaniards in 16th century • Rodrigo de Bastidas arrived in 1501 in search of gold • Part of Spanish Empire for 300 years • Geography • Borders both Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean • Central spine of mountains and hills • Nearly 500 rivers • Tropical climate

9. Panama cont. • Culture • Derived from European music, art and traditions that were brought over by the Spanish • Blending African and Native American culture with European culture • Baseball is the national sport • 75% to 85% of population is Roman Catholic and 15% to 25% is evangelical Christian • Places to visit • The Panama Canal • Casco Viejo de Panama • Panama City • Cerro Azul • Isla Barro Colorado • Pearl Islands Panama