Central America and the Caribbean: Geographic Passport
Engage
Overview
In this experience, you will be introduced to the physical geography of Central America and the Caribbean. You'll label maps, research countries, and make connections between geography and economy.
Objectives:
Describe the physical features and climates of Central America and the Caribbean.
Describe natural disasters common to the region.
If you live anywhere in the eastern half of the United States and you just start heading south, you will eventually run into the region of Central America. And if you travel straight south from the state of Florida, you will quickly hit the Caribbean Islands. These places aren't very far away from American soil! Let's learn about their geography in this experience.
Poas Crater, Costa Rica
To begin, let's see which countries you already recognize in Central America.
Click a country on the map, then click its name from the list. Label all seven countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama.
Interactive Map Challenge
Selected Country: None
Geography Terms Match-Up
Match the geographic term with its definition by clicking on a term, then its correct definition.
Complete the Sentence
Drag the words into the correct boxes to complete the sentence about the region's geography.
Page 2: Detailed Study
Explore
Country Profiles
In this section, dive deeper into the individual countries of Central America. Click on a country's card to learn its capital city.
The Journey of Coffee
Drag and drop the images to arrange the steps of coffee production in the correct order from left to right.
Critical Thinking
Based on the image of the cultural festival, what are two elements that showcase the cultural richness of Central America?
Cultural Festival
Central America and the Caribbean are rich in cultural diversity and economic activities. Each country has its unique characteristics that contribute to the region's overall identity.
Page 3: Natural Disasters
Understand
Natural Disasters
Central America and the Caribbean are prone to various natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Click the tabs below to learn about these natural phenomena and their impact on the region.
Hurricanes
This region, particularly the Caribbean islands, is located in "Hurricane Alley." Powerful tropical storms form over the warm Atlantic waters from June to November, often causing widespread flooding, wind damage, and threatening lives and livelihoods.
Earthquakes
Central America sits on the edge of the Caribbean Plate, where it meets several other tectonic plates. This makes the region highly seismically active. Earthquakes can cause significant destruction to buildings and infrastructure, especially in densely populated areas.
Volcanoes
A chain of volcanoes, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, runs down the spine of Central America. While they create fertile volcanic soil that is great for farming (like coffee!), active volcanoes pose a risk of eruptions, which can produce ash clouds, lava flows, and mudslides.
What's the Disaster?
Drag the phenomena below and drop them into the correct disaster category.
Hurricanes
Earthquakes
Volcanoes
Identify the Features
Click on the two main features shown in this image of the Poas Volcano crater.
Hurricane Damage
Understanding natural disasters is crucial for preparing and mitigating their effects. These events profoundly shape the lives of the inhabitants and the economies of the region.
Page 4: Geography and Economy
Analyze
Geography and Economy
The geography of Central America and the Caribbean plays a significant role in shaping the economy of the region. Take the short quiz below to test your knowledge!
Economy & Geography Match
Match the economic activity with the geographic feature that supports it.
Agricultural Fields
Geography and economy are closely linked. The natural resources, climate, and location of a region can greatly influence its economic activities and development.
