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Home , Central America, Costa Rica, Outline of Panama

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SECTION 2 If YOU lived there... TEKS 1A, 1B, 2B, 15A, 15B, 18A You live in , in a town that is still living with the effects of a civil war 20 years ago. Your parents and your older neighbors still What You Will Learn… speak about those years with fear. One effect of the war was dam- Main Ideas age to the economy. Many people have gone to to try to 1. The history of Central Amer- make a better life. Now your parents are talking about going there ica was mostly influenced by . to look for work. But you are not sure. 2. The culture of Central America is a mixture of Na- ­ How do you feel about leaving your home? tive American and European traditions. 3. The countries of Central America today have chal- lenges and opportunities. Building Background All the countries of Central America were once colonies of European nations. Years of colonial rule made The Big Idea it hard for most of these countries to establish strong economies or democratic governments. Today things are slowly improving. Central America’s native traditions and colonial history have created a mixed culture, unstable governments, and uncertain economies. History Many countries of Central America have a shared history. This Key Terms and Places shared history has been influenced by the Maya, the Spanish, , p. 220 and the . civil war, p. 220 , p. 221 Early History In several Central American countries, the Maya were building large cities with pyramids and temples by about AD 250. The Maya abandoned most of their cities around 900, but the ruins Use the graphic organizer online of many ancient cities still stand in the today. People of to organize your notes on Central Maya descent still live in and . In fact, many America. ancient Maya customs still influence modern life there. Hundreds of years later, in the early , most of Central America came under European control. Spain claimed most of the region. Britain claimed what is now Belize and also occupied part of ’s coast. The Spanish established large plantations in their colonies to grow crops like and sugarcane. They made Central American Indians work on the plantations or in mines elsewhere in the . In addition, Europeans brought many enslaved Africans to the region to work on plantations and in mines.

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One-Crop Economies

The economies of many Cen- tral American countries relied on only one crop—. The U.S.-based was the biggest exporter and the largest employer in the region for many years. The old photo below shows the company’s hiring hall in Guatemala.

Analyzing Visuals Why do workers place cushions between bananas?

Central America Since In the early to mid-1900s, one land- Independence owner in particular, the U.S.-based United The Spanish colonies of Central America Fruit Company, controlled most of the declared independence from Spain in banana production in Central America. To 1821, but much of the region remained help its business, the company developed joined together as the United Provinces of railroads and port facilities. This kind of Central America. The countries of Costa development helped transportation and Rica, Nicaragua, , El Salvador, communications in the region. and Guatemala separated from each other Many people resented the role of in 1838 to 1839. Panama remained part of foreign companies, however. They thought until 1903. Belize did not gain it was wrong that only a few people should independence from Britain until 1981. own so much land while many people For most countries in Central America, struggled to make a living. In the mid- to independence brought little change. The late 1900s, demands for reforms led to Spanish officials left, but wealthy land- armed struggles in Guatemala, El Salvador, owners continued to run the countries and Nicaragua. Only in recent years have and their economies. The plantation crops these countries achieved peace. of bananas and supported Central Reading Check Evaluating How did Spain American economies. influence the region’s history?

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Culture People of African ancestry also make up a Central America’s colonial history has significant minority in this region. They influenced its culture. The region’s people, live mostly along the Caribbean coast. languages, religion, and festivals reflect In some countries in Central America, both Spanish and native practices. many people still speak the native Indian languages. In places that were colonized by People and Languages England, English is spoken. For example, Most of the people in Central America are it is the official language of Belize. In most , or people of mixed European and countries, however, Spanish is the official Indian ancestry. Various Indian peoples language. The Spanish of descended from the ancient Maya live in Central America left this lasting mark on places such as the Guatemalan Highlands. the region.

Close-up A Market in Guatemala T he Villages in Guatemala and all over Central America is a major influence in hold weekly markets. On market day, people come most towns. from all around to buy and sell food and other items. The market is also an important gathering spot for the community. Scenes like this one are typical in the region.

Patterns on women’s clothing are unique to the village where the woman lives.

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Religion, Festivals, and Food through the streets. Easter is a particularly Many Central practice a religion important holiday. Some towns decorate brought to the region by Europeans. Most whole streets with designs made of flowers people are Roman Catholic because Span- and colorful sawdust. ACADEMIC ish missionaries taught the Indians about During festivals, people eat traditional VOCABULARY Catholicism. However, Indian traditions foods. Central America shares some of its traditional have influenced Catholicism in return. traditional foods, like corn, with Mexico. customary, time-honored Also, Protestant Christians are becoming a The region is also known for tomatoes, hot large minority in places such as Belize. peppers, and cacao (kuh-kow), which is Religion has influenced celebrations in the source of . towns throughout the region. For example, to celebrate special saints’ feast days, some Reading Check Contrasting How is Belize people carry images of the saint in parades culturally different from the rest of the region?

Tourists contribute to the local economy when they buy crafts.

People often spend all day at the market and need to eat lunch there.

ANALYSIS skill Analyzing Visuals How do the contributions of tourists and affect the local economy differently?

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Ecotourism A diver practices ecotourism as he explores Belize’s coral reefs.

Analyzing Visuals What do you think the diver saw in the coral reefs?

Belize Belize has the smallest population in Central America. The country does not have much land for agriculture, either. But ecotourism —the practice of using an ’s natural environment to attract tourists— has become popular lately. Tourists come to see the country’s coral reefs, Maya ruins, and coastal resorts. Central America Today Honduras The countries of Central America share Honduras is a mountainous country. Most similar histories and cultures. However, people live in mountain valleys and along they all face their own economic and the northern coast. The rugged land makes political challenges today. In 2005 Costa transportation difficult and provides little Rica, the Dominican , El Salva- land where crops can grow. However, citrus dor, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua fruits and bananas are important exports. signed the Central American Free Agreement (CAFTA) with the United States El Salvador to help increase trade among the countries. In El Salvador, a few rich families own much of the best land while most people Guatemala live in poverty. These conditions were a Guatemala is the most populous country reason behind a long civil war in the in Central America. More than 13 million 1980s. A civil war is a conflict between two people live there. About 60 percent of or more groups within a country. The war Guatemalans are and European. killed many people and hurt the economy. About 40 percent are Central American El Salvador’s people have been working Indians. Many speak Maya languages. to rebuild their country since the end of Most people in Guatemala live in small the war in 1992. One advantage they have villages in the highlands. Fighting between in this rebuilding effort is the country’s rebels and government forces there killed fertile soil. People are able to grow and some 200,000 people between 1960 and export crops such as coffee and sugarcane. 1996. Guatemalans are still recovering from this conflict. Nicaragua Coffee, which grows well in the cool Nicaragua has also been rebuilding since highlands, is Guatemala’s most important the end of a civil war. In 1979, a group crop. The country also is a major producer called the Sandinistas overthrew a dictator. of , a spice used in Asian foods.

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Many supported the Sandini- The provides a link stas, but rebel forces aided by the United between the Pacific , the Caribbean States fought the Sandinistas for power. , and the . The United The civil war ended in 1990 when elec- States finished building the canal in 1914. tions ended the rule of the Sandinistas. For years the Panama canal played an Nicaragua is now a democracy. important role in the economy and politics of the region. The United States controlled the canal until 1999. Then, as agreed to in Unlike most other Central American a treaty, Panama finally gained full control FOCUS ON countries, Costa Rica has a history of peace. of the canal. READING It also has a stable, democratic government. What word in the paragraphs on Reading Check Drawing Inferences Why The country does not even have an army. Costa Rica Peace has helped Costa Rica make progress do you think Panama might want control of the signals contrast? in reducing poverty. canal? Agricultural products like coffee and bananas are important to Costa Rica’s economy. Also, many tourists visit Costa SUmmary and PReview Native peoples, Rica’s rich tropical rain forests. European colonizers, and the United States have influenced Central America’s Panama history and culture. Today most coun- Panama is the narrowest, southernmost tries are developing stable governments. country of Central America. Most people Their economies rely on tourism and live in areas near the Panama Canal. Canal agriculture. In the next section you will fees and local industries make the canal learn about the main influences on the area the country’s most prosperous region. Caribbean islands and life there today.

Section 2 Assessment ONLINE QUIZ Reviewing Ideas, Terms, and Places Critical Thinking 1. a. Recall What parts of Central America did the 4. Summarizing Copy the graphic organizer below. British claim? Using your notes, write at least one important fact b. Analyze How did independence affect most about each Central American country today.

Central American countries? Guatemala c. Elaborate What benefits and drawbacks might Belize there be to the United Fruit Company’s owning so Honduras much land? El Salvador 2. a. Identify What language do most people in Nicaragua Central America speak? Costa Rica b. Explain How have native cultures influenced Panama cultural practices in the region today? 3. a. Define What is a civil war, and where in Focus on Writing Central America has a civil war been fought? b. Explain Why might some people practice 5. Describing Central America Note details about ecotourism? the history, culture, and life today of people in c. Elaborate Why is the Panama Canal important Central America. Which details will appeal to people to Panama? Why is it important to other countries? who are thinking of visiting the region?

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