1

23

4

56

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

1718

19

20

Central America: The Land

and EconomyCreated byMr. Raponi

The LandCentral America extends for more than 1,000 miles North to South and

measures ________ miles wide at its widest point.

_________________ are a part of life in Central America, there is a rugged landscape and many active volcanoes.

More LandCentral America is an

___________________, a narrow piece of land that connects two larger pieces of land.

This region, actually part of North America is made up of seven countries:

_________________ Belize El Salvador

_________________

_________________ Costa Rica

_________________

Climate of the Area

The climate of Central America is mostly tropical,

_________________ however can block the movement of winds and moisture.

In Caribbean Lowlands, people expect more than 100 inches of rainfall a year as well as cool breezes from the sea.

These breezes can turn into

_____________________ in which winds can reach more than 74 mph. These are a major threat to people of the area.

The Sloth in Central America

The Economy _________________

and ________________ are Central America’s most important resources.

Both agricultural products from the farms, and wood products from the rainforests are sold around the world.

FarmingOwners of

___________________, large farms that raise crops for money, grow coffee, bananas, and sugar cane.

These farmers sell their harvest to the United States and to some Western European countries.

This region also has several subsistence farmers who only sell a small portion of their crops to pay for supplies.

Rain ForestsThese dense rainforests offer valuable wood: mahogany, balsa, and teak; all of which are exported.

Scientists use trees and plants from rainforests in medical research and for creating new

____________________.

Many people believe that they key to curing many of the world’s illnesses will be found in a rainforest.

Rain ForestsContinued

In Caribbean lowlands, farmers have cleared rainforests to raise crops.

This poses a severe problem for both the plant and animal life of the area. The animal’s habitat is being destroyed, leaving their lives in ruins.

Farmers in this area

mostly ______________ who raise livestock.

Stop knockin

down my home you

meanies.

The Boa Constrictor

Industry Although the region has a number of small industries, not much manufacturing has been developed.

Many countries in Central America are lacking the money to build manufacturing centers and factories.

Most of the countries of the region are poor in

_______________________, especially fuels.

IndustryGuatemala and Costa Rica are the exception to the lack of minerals.

Guatemala has a few

______________ deposits and it is sold overseas.

Costa Rica exports

___________________, which, as we know, is a mineral used in making aluminum.

MONKEYS!!!