Physical Features of Central America
What kind of climate does Central America have?
Tropical and wet
What kind of climate does most of the Caribbean have?
Tropical and wet
What major storms are a frequent problem for the Caribbean and neighboring areas?
Hurricanes
What does the term "biodiversity" mean?
A large variety of plants and animals
What type of terrain dominates Central America?
Rainforest
Where are the Caribbean Islands located?
Between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, between North and South America
Earthquakes and volcanoes are the result of what process?
Plate tectonics
What is an ecosystem?
A specific place where plants and animals rely on the environment to survive
Where exactly is Central America located?
Between North America (Mexico) and South America (Colombia)
What is a coastal plain?
Flat lowlands next to a seacoast
What is one of the benefits of volcanic activity?
Volcanoes create highly fertile soil
What are common causes of deforestation?
Forests are cleared for farmland, grazing, and for sources of wood.
What is an isthmus?
A narrow strip of land connecting two large land areas
What is an archipelago?
A chain of islands
What is seismic activity?
Earthquakes
How can tourism help protect the environment?
Tourism provides jobs and a source of money for local people so that they do not have to use the environment.
What major export of Central America is grown in the region's mountains?
Coffee
What is the main crop for much of the Caribbean?
Sugarcane
What are examples of critical systems that can be destroyed by a natural disaster?
Running water, gas, electricity, transportation, food services, medical care, etc.
Give an example of a method of farming that does minimal damage to the rainforest.
Shade-grown coffee (grown under the forest trees)