CAM&MexGeography

=__**Central America and Mexico Geography**__= John P., Joe, Joanna F., Kira R.

How has the geography affected Central American and Mexican culture**?
 * __E____ssential Questions__
 * How does the geography affect the economi****es of Central America and Mexico**?
 * Since farming and agriculture is a major economic import and export. Why is only a small portion of land arable?**
 * How will the geography of Central America and Mexico affect them in the future?**
 * What are the benefits and disadvantages that Central American geography opposes on the region?**
 * How has Central American geography shaped belief systems?**
 * Why are there so many volcanoes and mountains in Central America? How does if effect the way people live?**
 * How does the El Nino disaster effect Australia?**


 * Kira and Joanna's Class Homework**


 * El Nino Disaster**


 * Evaluation**


 * Central America** **and Mexican Geography Lesson Plan- John & Joe**

//__Objectives__//: -The class will be able to identify key landforms and places (from information we will give in our PowerPoint) in Central America and Mexico using the maps we supply. This will happen during our activity. -The class will be able to connect geography to economy (through an assessment at the conclusion of our presentation) by using the knowledge presented to them in our PowerPoint -They will also be able to explain Central American and Mexican Geography and Geography connections, to life in these countries through our assessment.

//__Essential__// __//Questions//__: -__How does the geography affect the economies of Central America and Mexico__? Different countries have different climates, which can work to their agricultural and economic advantages. A country with a warmer, tropical, climate such as Costa Rica, can export foodstuffs such as pineapples and bananas, which can only be grown in certain conditions. Warmer climates also attract many tourists; a thriving part of many of these countries economies. The geographic location of a country can also affect the economy. For example, Panama is located in the Central American Isthmus and was a perfect location to build a canal. This realization caused the creation of the Panama Canal, which now brings more than 14,000 ships into Panama each year, resulting in many people visiting Panama.

-__How has the geography affected Central American and Mexican ways of life__? A person’s way of life can be affected many ways. A person needs to change the way they dress, what crops they grow, what animals they raise, if the climate of their home is warmer or cooler. A person’s life could also be affected if the country is geographically located in a place that often gets struck by hurricanes or one that has many floods. Someone who lives in tropical Costa Rica could make trinkets for the many tourists that visit their country and drive their economy, while someone living in El Salvador where there are many less beaches and many more raw materials creating more manufacturing jobs, could go to work in a factory everyday.

-__Since farming and agriculture is a major economic import and export for these countries, why is only a small portion of land arable__? There are many reasons why there is only a small portion of the land is arable. One reason is that some of the countries with agriculturally based economies tend to practice the slash and burn way of farming which often leaves large portions of land un-farmable. Another reason could be that since a lot of countries climates are not as friendly to certain kinds of crops as others. And for some of these countries agricultural products are the main import and export but only because they need to import food to sustain their people and they don’t have much else valuable to export.

//__Activity__// - For our activity we will go on our Wikispace pull up the PowerPoint that has the activity on it - We will call up students from the class to label various things on the various maps we pull up (these maps are on the PowerPoint for our activity) -The class will label - The countries of Central America - The 3 Divisions of Mexico - Major bodies of water -The students can find the information needed for this activity on the maps on our Wiki

//__Materials__// -Smartboard -Macs -Wikispace -The Word Doc with Maps -The Word Doc with the assessment that we will verbally read to the class -Our PowerPoint

//__Assessment__// We will be holding an oral exam on the lesson. Anyone who raises their hand first and answers a question correctly will receive a reward (candy). We will have a printout which we will be reading the oral exam assessment questions the students must answer in order to get candy, off of. This printout will have questions that touch upon information that we highlighted in our essential questions.

//__Resources__//
 * The coloring map of countries is from the link**: http://www.coedu.usf.edu/culture/Maps/Central_America_map.gif

http://www.latindiscover.com/images/central_america_map1.gif
 * The coloring map answers are from**:


 * The physical coloring map is from**: http://daac.gsfc.nasa.gov/oceancolor/images/central_america_topo.jpg


 * The physical map answers are from** http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/a/a2/180px-CentAmerica.jpg


 * Mexico (Physical and political)-** http://www.clickandlearn.com/documents2/BlankMaps.htm

http://www.findsiri.com/maps/images/mexico_detail.jpg
 * Answers on Mexico are from-**

http://www.clarke.lexingtonma.org/.../camapblk.htm
 * Central American and Mexican Political ma**p-

http://www.durantes.wcpss.net/main/kidlinks
 * Mexico political Map**

http://www.coedu.usf.edu/culture/Maps/Central_America_map.gif http://www.latindiscover.com/images/central_america_map1.gif http://daac.gsfc.nasa.gov/oceancolor/images/central_america_topo.jpg http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/a/a2/180px-CentAmerica.jpg http://www.clickandlearn.com/documents2/BlankMaps.htm http://www.findsiri.com/maps/images/mexico_detail.jpg
 * Other Websites**

__**file**____**:Central America and Mexico.pptx**__

=__Mexico__= Geographic Coordinates: 23 00 N, 102 00 W Area: 1,972,550 km, a little smaller than 3x the size of Texas Borders: Belize, Guatemala, US Climate: varies from tropical to desert Terrain: high mountains; low coastal plains; high plateaus; deserts Natural Resources: petroleum, gold, silver, lead, timber, copper, zinc, natural gas, Imports: steel products, agricultural machinery, car parts, and electrical machinery Exports: manufactured goods, silver, cotton, oil, fruits, vegetables, coffee Arable Land: 12.66% __**Affects of Geography on Mexico**__ //**United States**:// //Due to the fact that Mexico has historically shared a border with the US the two countries have had disputes numerous times. -Mexican-America War: -Conflict fought between the US and Mexico from 1846 to 1848. -Each side believed that they owned the rights to Texas. The unite states annexed Texas in 1845 but the Mexicans thought it was a rebel province and tried to take it back -Because of Mexico’s location in the Temperate/Tropical Gulf of Mexico Tourism is the third largest industry in the country. -During the months of January and December Mexican beaches attract many tourists -Faming is a big part of Mexico’s economy and over 20% of jobs in Mexico are farming related -However since only 1/5 of Mexico’s land is arable and about 75 of Mexican farmers are subsistence farmers, (together with the fact that over half the population in Mexico lives in poverty) there have historically been many issues regarding food in Mexico//
 * [[image:Picture_7.png align="right"]] Tourism**:
 * Agriculture:**

__Panama__
-Geographic Coordinates: 9 00 N, 80 00 W -Area: 78,200 sq km, a little smaller than South Carolina -Borders: Columbia, Costa Rica -Climate: tropical, hot and humid. Long rainy season, short dry season. -Terrain: mountainous, coastal areas, many plains and rolling hills -Natural Resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower -Imports: food, consumer goods, chemicals -Exports: bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing [|_____________________Wikipedia] -Arable Land: 7.26% -Connects Central and South America -Very Fertile from Volcanic Activity -½ country is forest -Cordillera Central -Tabarasa Mountains -Spine down center of western interior __**Affects of Geography on Panama**__ //**Panama Canal** -Panama being an isthmus that connects North America and South America it is an ideal location for a canal -Runs from Panama City to Colon - Since opening, the canal has been very successful, and continues to be a key route for international shipping. Each year more than 14,000 ships, carrying over 200 million tons worth of cargo, travel through the canal. As a result of this many people visit Panama each year so their economy has benefited accordingly - Panama’s key geographic location ne////ar the Caribbean also makes tourism an important part of their economy - Major trade route// //**http://www.wmf.org/resources/photogallery/images/panama_panama_canal_area.jpg Isthmus of Panama** - The creation Isthmus of Panama had a huge// //effect on the Earths geography - The Isthmus of Panama had an enormous impact on Earth's climate and its environment. By shutting down the flow of water between the two oceans, the land bridge re-routed ocean currents in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.//

**__Nicaragua__**
-Area: 78,200 sq km, a little smaller than the state of New York -Borders: Honduras, Costa Rica -Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands -Terrain: coastal plains rising to mountains; often interrupted by volcanoes -Natural Resources: gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish-Imports: machinery and equipment, raw materials, petroleum -Exports: beef, coffee, shrimp and lobster, tobacco, sugar, gold, peanuts -Arable Land: 14.81% __**Affects of Geography on Nicaragua**__ //**Pacific Lowlands** -Active volcanoes along coast -Managa and Nicaragua are two large fresh water lakes// //**Atlantic Lowlands** -Rainforest region -Great variety of birds can be observed including toucans, eagles, parakeets, turkeys and macaws. Animal life in the area includes different species of monkeys, ant-eaters, tapirs, and other tropical mammals. -Large rivers, lagoons and deltas -Sparsely populated -Tropical east coast -Very different from rest of co////untry -Tropical climate -High temperature -High humidity -Upland region away from Pacific coast -Cooler than pacific lowlands -Marrabios mountain range -Agricultural crop -Coffee// //**Tourism** -In addition to its beach and resort communities, the Pacific Lowlands are responsible for much of Nicaragua's Spanish colonial heritage -This general location was where the Spanish first settled Cities such as Granada and Leon abound in colonial architecture and artifacts. [|__________________Wikipedia]//
 * Central Region**

//__El Salvador__//
//__Geographic Coordinates__: 13 50 N, 88 55 W __Area__: 21,040 sq km, a little smaller than Massachusetts __Borders__: Guatemala, Honduras __Climate__: tropical rainy season and tropical on coast; temperate in uplands __Terrain__: mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau __Natural Resources__: hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land __Imports__: raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods, fuels, petroleum, electricity __Exports__: coffee, sugar, shrimp, textiles, chemicals, electricity __Arable__ __Land__: 31.85%// __**Affects of Geography of El Salvador**__ //-The crop of coffee greatly affects the country because it used to be used as currency -Many natural disasters -Many lakes -There are more than 200 volcanoes ~The many volcanoes give much enriched soil to the country Deforestation: It is a major problem in El Salvador Only 2% of virgin forests are still inact Also puting animal and plant species in danger -Tourism is not good in El Salvador -There are many natural disasters such as earthquakes and mudslides -It is the only Central American country that does not have a Caribbean coastline, limiting tourism//
 * Tourism**

//__Costa Rica__//
//Geographic Coordinates: 10 00 N, 84 00 W Area: 51,100 sq km, a little smaller than West Virginia Borders Nicaragua, Panama Climate: Tropical and subtropical; cooler in highlands Terrain: Coastal plains separated by rugged mountains and many volcanoes. Natural Resources: hydropower Imports: raw materials, consumer goods, petroleum Exports: coffee, bananas, sugar; pineapples; textiles, electronic components, medical equipment Arable Land: 4.41% -Highest point: Cerro Chirripo (3,180 m) -5th highest peak in Central America// __Affects of Geography on Costa Rica__ //-Due to the fact that the country is located in the Central American isthmus Costa Rica is provided with easy access to markets in North and South America and ocean access to the European and Asian continents. -Due to its location on the globe it has two distinct seasons each with its own agricultural advantage, as different crops can be grown at different times -One-fourth of Costa Rican land has been set aside as national forests, often with adjoining beaches, which has made the country a popular tourist spot for retirees and ecotourists.//

//__**Guatemala**__//
//__Geographic Coordinates__: 15 30 N, 90 15 W [|______Images from Yahoo] __Area:__ 108,890 sq km, a little smaller than Tennessee __Borders__: Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico __Climate__: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands __Terrain__: mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau __Natural Resources__: petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, hydropower __Imports__: fuels, machinery, construction materials, grain, fertilizers, electricity __Exports__: coffee, sugar, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetabes, __Arable__ __Land__: 12.54% • 2/3 of the country is very mountainous • 32 active volcanoes • 40% of the land covered by forests// __**Affects of Geography of Guatemala**__// o Rapid deforestation is occurring from the slash and burn method and illegal logging o Use of wood for heating and cooking contributes too ~40% of the country is crumbling under deforestation ~Slash-and-burn agriculture is being used, which is the cause of much of the deforestation. So is the process of illegal logging • Most people live on slopes of highlands or in the fertile lowlands along pacific coast o Most of the region is not livable b/c of the volcanoes • Weather o Eastern-central- hot and dry! o Costal lowlands- hot and humid • Refer to country as the land of the eternal spring • Seasons o November-April= dry o May-October= abundant rain o Caribbean coast is wet year round • Economy o ¾ of the country is poor • results in rural farming • deforestation occurs; not much land for faming • half of the country is involved in the faming industry which does not earn them money • Health o Serous health problems • Malnutrition, lack of portable water • Do not have enough food b/c when they grow food • Not many water sources in Guatemala except near the coast • Most salt water The two mountain ranges together make up most of the country of Guatemala -Mountain range in the south of Guatemala -It is made up of mostly volcanoes -Three of the volcanoes are active -Volcanic ash produced from the volcanoes makes the most fertile soil in the country -It is the older mountain range of the two -Located in the north of the country -It is much more eroded
 * Sierra Madre and Altos Cuchumatanes**
 * Sierra Madre**
 * Altos Cuchumatanes**

__**Beliz**e__
__Geographic Coordinates__: 17 15 N, 88 45 W __Area:__ 22,966 sq km, a little smaller than Massachusetts __Borders__: Guatemala, Mexico __Climate__: tropical; very hot and humid __Terrain__: flat, swampy; many coastal plains; low mountains in the south __Natural Resources__: timber, fish, hydropower __Imports__: machinery, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; tobacco __Exports__: sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood __Arable__ __Land__: 2.85% Major Landforms -Belize River http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/3/3a/300px -Maya Mountains -Belize Barrier Reef- 2nd largest in world, 1st in W. Hemisphere -North- Swamps, Coastal Plains, Forests -South- Low Hills, Low Mountains Key Facts -Sugar- Key crop -Small Portions of Petroleum -Over 450 Coves/Inlets/Islands -Only country with out Pacific Ocean bordering -Have major Natural Disasters every year -Major Economies- Tourism, Industry, and Agriculture -Flat marshes and lagoons in the northern half -Pronounced "KEYS" -Is made up of hundreds of small islands -Home to the second largest barrier reef in the world
 * Cayes Islands

__**Honduras**__
Geographic Coordinates: 15 00 N, 86 30 W Area: 112,090 sq km, a little bit bigger than Tennessee Borders: Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua Climate: lowlands subtropical, mountains temperate Terrain: mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains Natural Resources: timber, gold, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, coal, fish, hydropower Imports: machinery, industrial raw materials, chemical products, fuels, foodstuffs Exports: coffee, bananas, shrimp, lobster, meat; zinc, lumber Arable Land: 15.15% -Carribean Sea- North -Pacific Ocean- South -Tropical Climate= Low Lands -Temperate Climate= Mountains -Natural Resources- Timber, Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead, Zinc, Iron Ore, Coal, Fish, And Shrimp -Holds the largest pine forest in Latin America: Called the Olancho Forest Reserve. -The reserve is about the size of Connecticut


 * __Works Cited__**

1.) Ahmad, Iftikhar, et al. "Geography and People." __World Cultures A Global Mosaic__.

Ed. Marta Sentis. World Cultures. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2001.

493-496.

2.) Central America." __World Atlas__. 16 May 2007. 16 May 2007 <[|http://worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/camerica.htm>.]

3.) Central America and Mexico." __World Geography: Understanding a Changing World__.

2007. ABC-CLIO. 14 May 2007 .

4.) "Country Profiles." __Central America; The Caribbean__. Ed. Peter Haggett. Second

ed. Vol. Four. Encyclopedia of World Geography. Tarrytown, New York:

Marshall Cavendish, 2002. 440-453.

5.) "Mexico." __CIA World Fact book__. 10 Apr. 2007. 15 May 2007 .

6. Ropp, Steve C. "Central America." __World Book Online Reference Center__. __World Book__ __Online Reference Center__. World Book. 8 May 2007 [|http://www.worldbookonline.com/.]

=__Maps__=
 * __Central America__**


 * __Mexico__**

http://i.infoplease.com/images/mapcentralamerica.gif

Belize 22,966 291,000 14 Belmopan Costa Rica 51,100 4,327,000 85 San José El Salvador 21,040 6,881,000 327 San Salvador Guatemala 108,890 12,599,000 116 Guatemala City Honduras 112,492 7,205,000 64 Tegucigalpa Nicaragua 129,494 5,487,000 42 Managua Panama 75,517 3,232,000 43 Panama City

Guatemala- 17% Arable Land, Rainy Season May to October- 52 inches Costa Rica- 10% Arable Land, Most of Population lives in Central Plateau Honduras- 16% Arable Land, Rainy season May to November El Salvador- 35% Arable Land, Rainy Season May to November- 66 inches Google Image Search