Chapter 14 The Caribbean and the West Indies

6th Grade Social Studies

Section 1: Physical Geography

Section 2: Central America

Section 3: The Caribbean Islands

CHAPTER 14Central America and the Caribbean Islands

Caribbean Islands Map

Map of Central America

Main Ideas, Section I, Physical Geography The Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles are the

two major island groups that make up the Caribbean archipelago.

A curved archipelago Earthquakes and volcanic activity frequent Most Central Americans live in the highland

climates because they are more moderate. Coffee, bananas, cotton and sugarcane are some of

the region’s crops.

Main Ideas (continued) Bridge between North and South

America No place more than 125 miles from

the sea Mountains separate Caribbean and

Pacific coastal plains

Central American Climates (sect.1) Humid tropical plains, rain forests, highland

climates, tropical savanna, cloud forests

Caribbean Climates Humid tropical, tropical savanna Hurricanes are common.

Natural Resources (sect.1) Agriculture: coffee, bananas, sugarcane,

cotton Timber Tourism Jamaica is rich in bauxite (aluminum ore).

Vocabulary archipelago

(ahr-kuh-PE-luh-goh) A large group of islands

cloud forestA high-elevation, very wet tropical forest where low clouds are common

bauxiteThe most important aluminum ore

Landforms Bodies of Water

Climates Resources

SECTION 1

Physical GeographyPhysical Geography of Central America and the Caribbean IslandsPhysical Geography of Central America and the Caribbean Islands

natural land bridge (isthmus). archipelago,

Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles, Cocos plate,

Caribbean plate

Caribbean Sea, Pacific Ocean, Lake Nicaragua, Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico

mild highland, humid tropical,

tropical savanna

land for agriculture, timber, bauxite, copper, natural beauty

Landscape of Mexico and Central America (6:37)

Geography of the Caribbean (25:00)

Main Ideas, Section II, Central America, Early History Spain and Great Britain had Central American

colonies by the late 1600s. Large Maya civilizations European colonies formed in 1500s; Indians

forced into labor

Central America’s Early History, sect. 2 (continued) Enslaved Africans brought over Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala,

Honduras, Nicaragua establish independence by 1839; Panama in 1903; Nicaragua in late 1800s; Belize in 1981

The History and the People Today, section 2 (continued) Mestizos—the largest ethnic group Spanish, Indian languages, and English all

spoken Roman Catholics, Indian religious influences,

and Protestants present Elected governments

Central American Countries Today, section 2 (continued) Guatemala—large Maya population; coffee,

cardamom; civil unrest since 1960s Belize—population of 236,000; heavy

tourism Honduras—Rugged terrain; fruit exports El Salvador—fertile soil; coffee, sugarcane;

poverty

(continued)

Central American Countries Today

Nicaragua—rebuilding after civil war; fledgling democracy

Costa Rica—stable government; coffee, bananas; ecotourism

Panama—prospers from canal fees; heavy U.S. influence

Vocabulary cacao

(kuh-KOW) A small tree on which cocoa beans grow

dictatorsPeople who rule a country with complete authority

cardamomA spice used in Asian foods

Vocabulary (cont.)

civil warA conflict between two or more groups within a country

ecotourismThe process of using an area’s natural environment to attract tourists

BeforeEuropean Conquest

AfterEuropean Conquest

SECTION 2

Central America

• Central American Indian peoples

• Indian languages

• Indian religions

• native food crops

• mestizos, people of Indian ancestry

• Spanish and English languages

• Christianity

• corn, sweet potatoes, hot peppers, tomatoes, and cacao

• saints’ feast days

Aspects of Central American CultureAspects of Central American Culture

Guatemala Coffee (5:08)

Disappearing Forests (5:02)

Main Ideas, Section 3, The Caribbean Islands European powers established colonies in 1492

and continuing into the 1600s and 1700s. Most of the region’s population is of African

and/or European descent. Cubans and Haitians come to the U.S. for

relief from corrupt politics and unstable economies.

1492—Columbus arrives and names the West Indies; Spanish colonies established; disease kills many Indians

1600–1700s: English, French, Dutch, Danish colonies established

Independence declared from 1804 to last half of 1900s

Section 3 Section 3

Caribbean’sHistory

Vocabulary Santería

A religion, with origins in Cuba, that mixes West African religions and traditions with those of Roman Catholicism

calypsoA type of music with origins in Trinidad and Tobago

reggaeA type of music with origins in Jamaica

Vocabulary (cont.)

merengueThe national music and dance of the Dominican Republic

guerrillaAn armed person who takes part in irregular warfare, such as raids

refugeesPeople who flee to another country, usually for economic or political reasons

Vocabulary (cont.)

cooperativesOrganizations owned by their members and operated for their mutual benefit

plantainsA type of banana used in cooking

commonwealthA self-governing territory associated with another country

The Caribbean Today (continued) Puerto Rico—U.S. commonwealth; developed

economy Other islands—Jamaica; St. Kitts; many

islands are territories of other countries

Section 3Section 3

SECTION 3

The Caribbean IslandsThe Caribbean IslandsThe Caribbean Islands

Haiti

Dominican Republic

Puerto Rico

• won independence from France in 1804

• former Spanish colony

• former Spanish colony

• poorest country in Americas

• many corrupt governments• coffee, sugarcane,

plantains

• more development than Haiti

• agriculture, tourism

• commonwealth of United States

• most developed island in region

• densely populated• many refugees in

United States

• education, health care, and housing are improving

• debate over its future

Cuba • taken from Spain by the United States in 1898

• gained independence in 1902

• communist government• trade with United States

restricted• farms organized into

cooperatives• sugarcane, tourism

• most populous country in region

• origin of Santería

HistoryGovernment

and EconomicsPeople

and Culture

Chapter Wrap-Up

1. What two main island groups make up the Caribbean archipelago?

2. When did European powers begin establishing colonies in Central America and the Caribbean islands? What were some effects on the region?

3. Which is the most populous country in Central America? in the Caribbean?

4. What are some musical styles with origins in the Caribbean? What influence have they had abroad?

5. How is the government of Cuba organized?

1. What two main island groups make up the Caribbean archipelago?

2. When did European powers begin establishing colonies in Central America and the Caribbean islands? What were some effects on the region?

3. Which is the most populous country in Central America? in the Caribbean?

4. What are some musical styles with origins in the Caribbean? What influence have they had abroad?

5. How is the government of Cuba organized?

CHAPTER 14