Physical Geography
What land form is the curved chain of Caribbean islands?
an archipelago
What is a part of the Earth's crust that moves?
tectonic plate
A rain forest is a type of _______, a place where plants and animals rely on the environment to survive.
ecosystem
What are people called who illegally harm or kill endangered animals, including sea turtles?
poachers
What is the process of dying out completely called?
extinction
What land form is Central America, a thin strip of land connecting two larger areas of land?
an isthmus
What is the activity that causes earthquakes?
seismic activity
What is the term for the loss or destruction of forests?
deforestation
What alternative ways of making money did marine biologist Jose Urteaga teach the poachers? Name 2.
farming and guiding tourists
Soil that is able to produce good crops can be described as what?
fertile
What is the term for the lowlands that are good for growing sugarcane?
the coastal plains
Why does this region have so many earthquakes?
it's location on the Caribbean Plate and the fact that many islands are actually volcanoes
Why has Central America lost large quantity of their rain forests to deforestation?
forest land was cleared for large farms and cattle
What did Urteaga do to inspire cultural change? Name 2 ways.
launched a media campaign and started school programs
Between what 2 bodies of water are the Caribbean Islands and Central America located?
the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean
What is the term for heavily wooded forests that receive more than 100 inches of precipitation a year?
rain forests
What physical damage did the 2010 earthquake in Haiti cause?
homes, buildings and property were destroyed and there was a major loss of life
What are the pros to economic development of the rain forests? Name 2.
shade coffee & eco-tourism
In ten years, what did Urteaga accomplish?
90% of the sea turtle nests were protected
Why did Urteaga think people poached sea turtles and their eggs?
people poached because they needed the money
Why should the rain forests be protected?
eco-tourism helps the economy, they are homes to endangered plants and animals, they provide elements used in medicine
What are 3 critical systems that were damaged in Haiti as a result of the 2010 earthquake?
medical care, electricity, water
What is the top section of the rain forest called? Tours of this area are quite popular.
the canopy
How would you describe Urteaga's character?
motivated, committed, dedicated, hard working, selfless
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
How has physical geography been a positive or negative influence on this region? Consider the information you have learned about the region. Think about the region's location, climate, economy, earthquakes, and volcanoes, rain forests, and the potential extinction of the sea turtle.
The physical geography of Central America and the Caribbean has both a positive and negative effect on the area. The mountains, coastal plains, and rain forest support the region's major industries: farming and tourism. Central America's rain forests provide and ecosystem where many rare species make their homes. Other aspects of the region's physical geography have had negative effects, in particular the region's vulnerability to earthquakes and volcanoes.