Major physical
features
features
What body of water lies to the east of Central America?
The Caribbean sea.
DOUBLE POINTS
What natural event often shakes countries like Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua because they sit on tectonic plates?
Earthquakes.
What country in Central America is famous for its canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans?
Panama
TRIPLE POINTS
What type of government do most Central American countries have, where people vote for their leaders?
Democratic republics.
What happens when farmers in Guatemala cut down large areas of rainforest for coffee or corn?
Deforestation
DOUBLE POINTS
Name the canal that allows ships to travel between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
The Panama Canal.
What type of natural disaster is common along the Pacific coast due to tectonic activity and can generate giant waves?
Tsunami.
What Central American country has the only English speaking mainland population in the region?
Belize
In many Central American countries, what is the title of the person who serves as the head of state and government?
The president
What is the main religion in Central America?
Christianity
DOUBLE POINTS
The longest mountain range of Central America is...
Sierra Madre de Chiapas
DOUBLE POINTS
When the sea rises and pushes water onto the land during a storm and it can flood towns on the coast. What is this called?
Storm surge.
Which Central American country has the largest population?
Guatamala
Which Central American country is known for not having a military and instead invests heavily in education and public services?
Costa Rica
What effect does clearing land in Honduras for cattle ranching have on hillsides?
Soil erosion
What country in Central America is known for having many volcanoes, including the active volcano Pacaya?
Guatemala.
DOUBLE POINTS
Which Central American countries are part of the “Ring of Fire,” making them prone to volcanic eruptions?
Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama.
DOUBLE POINTS
Which Central American country has no army and is known for its protected rainforests and ecotourism?
Costa Rica
Many Central American countries have a national assembly or congress. What is this group responsible for?
Making laws
DOUBLE POINTS
How do protected areas like Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica benefit people and wildlife?
Preserve biodiversity, store carbon, and maintain freshwater.
DOUBLE POINTS
The Motagua River is significant in Guatemala for what reason?
It is the longest river entirely in Guatemala and flows into the Caribbean Sea.
What powerful underwater earthquake type, common along the Middle America Trench, can trigger tsunamis that threaten the Pacific coasts of Central American nations?
Mega-thrust earthquake
Which Central American country is the smallest by land area but has one of the highest population densities in the region?
El Salvador
In several Central American countries, the government is divided into three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial. What is this system of divided power called?
Separation of powers.
DOUBLE POINTS
How do local conservation efforts in Panama help freshwater ecosystems?
Protect watersheds, improve water quality, and maintain habitats for aquatic species.