Physical Geography
Central America is this type of landform — a narrow strip connecting two larger land areas.
An isthmus
Central America’s position on moving tectonic plates causes these frequent natural events.
Many earthquakes and volcanoes
The native population was devastated by smallpox and malaria, which were examples of these.
Diseases
European settlers brought this group of people to the Caribbean to work on plantations.
Enslaved Africans
This industry brings major income to the region and provides jobs while reducing pressure on rain forest farming.
Tourism
The movement of tectonic plates created these landforms throughout the region.
Mountains and islands
In 2010, this country experienced its most destructive earthquake in over 200 years.
Haiti
These people first used the native population for labor, then turned to enslaved Africans.
Spanish settlers
This system connected the Americas, Europe, and Africa through trade.
Triangular trade
This revolutionary leader took control of Cuba in 1959 and established a communist government.
Fidel Castro
This natural feature makes the highlands of Central America ideal for growing coffee.
Volcanic soil
Cutting down rain forests for farming, grazing, and building is called this.
Deforestation
This profitable crop grew especially well on Caribbean islands and was in short supply in Europe.
Sugarcane
This transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old World and New World transformed global diets and populations.
The Columbian Exchange
Puerto Rico’s current political status as a U.S. territory that governs itself.
Commonwealth
The Caribbean islands curve in this shape between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
Archipelago
An area where plants and animals rely on their environment to survive.
Rain forest ecosystem
Spanish colonies were ruled by these governors who represented the Spanish king and queen.
Viceroys
These crops traveled from Europe and Africa to the Americas during the Columbian Exchange.
Coffee beans and citrus fruit
This was the first country in the region to gain independence, in 1804.
Haiti
Explain how Central America’s position on the Caribbean and Cocos tectonic plates has shaped both its landforms and its population patterns over time.
Volcanic mountain ranges, fertile soil for coffee, risk of earthquakes, and dense populations near coasts instead of mountains
In Haiti, many trees were cut down to make this type of fuel, leading to erosion and landslides.
Charcoal
This was the main reason European nations took over the region.
To gain riches from growing cash crops
Explain how the triangular trade system created long-term economic inequality in Central America and the Caribbean
European wealth accumulation, dependency on cash crops, slavery, and lasting poverty in the region
Explain why Cuba and Puerto Rico followed such different political and economic paths after the Spanish-American War
U.S. occupation in Cuba, Castro’s communist revolution, and Puerto Rico’s status as a U.S. commonwealth with greater political freedom