Central America Landscape, Population, Climate

The “Central America” comprises countries from Mexico to Panama and all the islands of Caribbean Sea. The mainland of the Central America which is the site of development of the Meso-American culture is also a zone of conflict. It chiefly consists of two regions “Mexico” and “Central America” which includes within it seven countries Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. The size and population of Mexico exceed the combined population and area of all others Middle American countries put together.

About 60 per cent of all the Mexicans are “Mestizos” 25 per cent are Americans while only 9 per cent are Armedians. In Mexico, two way exchange of cultural change has occurred. Here, Mexican Amerindians have been Europeanized while the modern Mexico is strongly indianised. Some of the distinctive Mexican modes of dress, cuisine and architectural style also reflect Amerindian contribution. The largest number of Mexicans are Roman Catholics.

Climate and Vegetation

Over a half of Mexico lies to the North of Tropic of Cancer and is dominated by desert and steppe climatic type. The south of the Tropic of Cancer is inhabited by huge population. Mexico’s climate is marked by dryness particularly in the mountain-flanked north. It is among the top five producers of agricultural products such as sugarcane, citrus fruits, coffee and corn. The central Mexico region is too high for Tierra Templada crops. The prevailing Tierra Fria environment allows only such crops which are resistant to frost damage. In the northern, Mexico the “steppe” or “desert” type of climate is found. “Lumbering” is important economic activity here. The Gulf Tropics region of Mexico is the main producer of plantation crops including Cocoa, Sugarcane and rubber.

Industry

The physiographic diversity of Mexico has also provided to Mexico, vast mineral wealth. Antimony, petroleum and sulphur are the chief minerals of Mexico. Mexico still exports a major share of world’s silver apart from copper, zinc and lead. The yearly rate of growth of Mexican population is nearly 2.3% and it is expected that its population will double by 2025.

Important Central American States Guatemala

It became republic in “1839” and it is the most populated of the Central American countries. Most of the population belongs to the Indian and Mestizo origin. There has been a rebellion against the military backed rule. Cotton and coffee remain the major sources of income. A fairly diversified agriculture, exploitable timber resources, vast deposit of nickel, etc. Are the hope of future growth.

Belize

It became independent in 1981. English is a lingua franca here. More than half of the population is “Creoles” or English speaking black who are found mostly in the coastal region. Sugar is a principal export item. In 1859, a treaty was signed between Britain and Guatemala delineating the territorial boundary of Belize.

Honduras

There 90% of the population is Mestizo. It is the poorest Central American country and the economy is entirely based on agriculture, livestock, forestry and mining. Although Honduras has a democratically elected government, the military continues to wield a strong influence. There is a development of light industry and tourism.

El Salvador

It is the “smallest” and most populated country in central America. The economy is based on the agriculture and the principal crop is coffee. It is also the principal source of medicinal gum. Here 90 per cent of the population is “Mestizos” and 5 per cent are Amerindians. The civil war has disastrous consequences for the society and economy of the country.

Nicaragua

It is the largest and sparsely populated of the central American nation. It became independent in 1838. The civil war of the country was ended in 1990 in which more than 30,000 people were killed. Unemployment in Nicaragua is 50 per cent. The population growth rate is 3.1 per cent.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica has no standing army and it is the oldest democracy in middle and South America enjoying uninterrupted political freedom since 1889 and it is also the most economically developed nation in this region. It has literacy rate of 95%. It is described as “Switzerland of Central America”.

Panama

The well known ‘Panama Canal” built by the U.S.A is situated here. About 60 per cent of the population is Mestizo. Most of the rural population is Concentrated along the canal. Banana, rice, sugarcane and coffee are the prominent agricultural product. It is also the largest free trade area. The Islands of Caribbean

Physical Set-Up

The entire region is characterized by the diverse physical conditions. The largest West Indian island; “Cuba” comprises the lowland which have low to moderate relief features. On the other hand the island of Hispaniola, Jamaica and Puerto Rico are mountainous and hilly. The Trinidad is the detached continental island which has a low mountain range in the north and hilly in the south. “Bahamas” island is of flat limestone and rimmed by coral reef. The “Virgin” island is of volcanic origin.

Climate and Vegetation

Due to maritime influences the hot weather is uncommon and warm weather prevail throughout the year. The annual temperature is very small and the precipitation varies from island to island. These islands are the path of trade wind and the windward side of the mountain receives high rainfall than the leeward side. The natural vegetation varies from the luxuriant forest in areas of adequate moisture to sparse and scanty woodland in the drier areas.

In the entire islands the majority of people belong to “black” or “mixed.” The white people from the Europe are in the best positions from the political and economic point of view. Mixed rank next and the Black rank lowest. The cultural heritage of different island varies greatly and there are endless combination of cultural heritage is found. The political arrangement is also diverse. Some of the independent parliamentary states which include Jamaica, Barbados and Bahamas, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St Vincent, Grenadines, Antigua, Barbuda are former British colonies and continue their allegiance to British crown. Some of the Independent Republics are Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Dominica and Trinidad & Tobago.

Economy

The subsistence type of agriculture is found here. All types of crops are grown – here. The sugarcane is the most important export crop. Some of the important plantations include banana, coffee, tobacco and coconut. Bauxite is produces in the island of Jamaica. Trinidad and Tobago produce oil. The manufacturing industry is growing in Puerto Rico and Cuba. A major portion of the income of some of the important islands comes from tourism. “Bahamas Island” is a well known tourism centre. “The Greater Antilles” comprises of four largest Caribbean islands. It includes Cuba, Jamaica Hispaniola (containing the nations of Haiti and the Dominican Republic) and Puerto Rico.

Barbados

It is the easternmost island of West Indies. It is the most densely populous and all the available land is under irrigation. Sugarcane is cultivated on 90 per cent of the cultivable land. It became independent from the Britishers in 1962. In the entire Caribbean country, Barbados is most educated and had a tolerant population. Agriculture accounts for the 6 per cent of the GDP while the service sector for nearly “80%”. The main exports of Barbados are electrical component, petroleum products and chemicals.

Points to Remember

“Belize” is the only Central American republic that does not have a Pacific coastline.
“El Salvador” is the only Central American country not having an Atlantic coastline.
“Belize” is the country which is also called “British Honduras”.
“Sugarcane” is the largest export of most of the Caribbean islands.
“Barbados” is the most densely populous country of the central America.
The arranged order of Central American countries from North to south: – Belize – Guatemala Honduras – El Salvador – Nicaragua – Costa Rica – Panama.
The “Panama city” is the only capital city of central American country having a costal location.
“Panama” was one of the provinces of Colombia.
The “Nicaragua” is well – known a the Mosquito Coast.
“Belize city” is the old capital of Belize.
“Chemicals” is the largest export of Puerto Rico.
“Balboa” and “Colon” are the cities on the Pacific and Atlantic ends respectively.
The capital of Costa Rica, Honduras and El Salvador are San Jose, Tegucigalpa and San Salvador.
The Republic of Haiti and Dominican Republic share the island of Hispaniola.
“El Salvador” is the most populated Central American republic. It is also the smallest Central American nation.
“Mexico city” is the largest urban agglomeration in the world.
“Mexico” is the only Middle American country where Olympics were held in 1968.
“Chihuahua” in Mexico is one of the largest silver mines in the world.
“Barbados” was the island of Lesser Antilles which was once under British rule.
“Mexico” is the largest country of the Central America.
“Cuba” is famous for producing sugarcane, cigar and boxes.