Central America (Spanish Countries where Spanish has official status. States of the U.S. where Spanish has no official status but is spoken by 25% or more of the population. States of the U.S. where Spanish has no official status but is spoken by 10-20% of the population. States of the U.S. where Spanish has no official status but is spoken by 5-9.9% of the population: América Central or Centroamérica) is the central geographic Geography is the study of the Earth and its lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes (276-194 B.C.). Four historical traditions in geographical research are the spatial analysis of natural and region Region is most commonly a geographical term that is used in various ways among the different branches of geography. In general, a region may be seen as a collection of smaller units or as one part of a larger whole (as in "the New England region of the United States"). Regions can be defined by physical characteristics, human of the Americas The Americas, or America, are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World, comprising the continents of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions. America may be ambiguous in English, as it is more commonly used to refer to the United States of America. The Americas cover 8.3% of the Earth's total. It is the southernmost, isthmian An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas usually with waterforms on either side. Of note, the Isthmus of Corinth connects the peninsula of Peloponnese with the rest of the Greek peninsula, the Isthmus of Panama connects the continents of North and South America (the Americas), and the Isthmus of Suez in Egypt connects portion of the North American North America is the northern continent of the Americas, situated in the Earth's northern hemisphere and in the western hemisphere. It is bordered on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southeast by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west by the North Pacific Ocean; South America lies to the southeast continent A continent is one of several large landmasses on Earth. They are generally identified by convention rather than any strict criteria, with seven regions commonly regarded as continents – they are : Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia, which connects with South America South America is the southern continent of America, situated in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east by the Atlantic Ocean; North America and the Caribbean Sea lie to the northwest on the southeast.[3][4] Central America is considered to be part of the Mesoamerican Mesoamerica or Meso-America is a region and culture area in the Americas, extending approximately from central Mexico to Honduras and Nicaragua, within which a number of pre-Columbian societies flourished before the Spanish colonization of the Americas in the 15th and 16th centuries biodiversity hotspot A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans, excluding the southern portions of Panama.[5]

Contents

Geography

Central America has an area of 524,000 square kilometers (202,000 sq mi), or almost 0.1% of the Earth's surface. As of 2009, its population was estimated at 41,739,000. It has a density of 77 people per square kilometer or 206 people per square mile.

Physical geography

Central America and the Caribbean Plate The Caribbean Plate is a mostly oceanic tectonic plate underlying Central America and the Caribbean Sea off the north coast of South America.

Physiographically Physical geography is one of the two major subfields of geography. Physical geography is that branch of natural science which deals with the study of processes and patterns in the natural environment like atmosphere, biosphere and geosphere, as opposed to the cultural or built environment, the domain of human geography, Central America is the tapering isthmus An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas usually with waterforms on either side. Of note, the Isthmus of Corinth connects the peninsula of Peloponnese with the rest of the Greek peninsula, the Isthmus of Panama connects the continents of North and South America (the Americas), and the Isthmus of Suez in Egypt connects of southern North America, extending from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec The Isthmus of Tehuantepec is an isthmus in Mexico. It represents the shortest distance between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, and prior to the opening of the Panama Canal was a major shipping route known simply as the Tehuantepec Route. The name is taken from the town of Santo Domingo Tehuantepec in the state of Oaxaca, which in turn in southern Mexico In Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica many cultures matured into advanced civilizations such as the Olmec, the Toltec, the Teotihuacan, the Zapotec, the Maya and the Aztec before the first contact with Europeans. In 1521, Spain conquered and colonized the territory, which was administered as the viceroyalty of New Spain which would eventually become Mexico southeastward to the Isthmus of Panama The Isthmus of Panama, also historically known as the Isthmus of Darien, is the narrow strip of land that lies between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, linking North and South America. It was formed some 3 million years ago during the Pliocene epoch. It contains the country of Panama and the Panama Canal. Like many isthmuses, it is a where it connects to the Colombian Colombia (pronounced /kəˈlʌmbiə/ ), officially the Republic of Colombia (Spanish: República de Colombia, pronounced [reˈpuβlika ðe koˈlombja] ( listen)), is a constitutional republic in northwestern South America. Colombia is bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; Pacific Lowlands The Pacific Region is one of the five major natural regions of the Colombian geography. The Pacific region covers the area near the Pacific Ocean in Colombia that contains certain endemic species and ecosystems accompanied by Colombian cultural influence in northwestern South America South America is the southern continent of America, situated in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east by the Atlantic Ocean; North America and the Caribbean Sea lie to the northwest. Alternatively, the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt The Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt also known locally as Sierra Nevada, is a volcanic belt that extends 900 km from west to east across central-southern Mexico. Several of its highest peaks have snow all year long, and during clear weather, they are visible to a large proportions of those who live in Mexico on the many high plateaus from which these delimits the region on the north. Central America has an area of some 592,000 square kilometres. The Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east lies to the southwest, the Caribbean Sea The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean situated in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded to the southwest by the Central American countries of Panama, to the west by Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico, to the north by The Greater Antilles , and to the east by the Lesser Antilles lies to the northeast, and the Gulf of Mexico The Gulf of Mexico is the eleventh largest body of water in the world. Considered a smaller part of the Atlantic Ocean, it is an ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and lies to the north. Most of Central America rests atop the Caribbean Plate The Caribbean Plate is a mostly oceanic tectonic plate underlying Central America and the Caribbean Sea off the north coast of South America.

The region is geologically active, with volcanic eruptions During a volcanic eruption, lava, tephra , and various gases are expelled from a volcanic vent or fissure and earthquakes An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes are measured with a seismometer; a device which also records is known as a seismograph. The moment magnitude (or the related and mostly obsolete Richter magnitude) of an earthquake is conventionally reported, with magnitude 3 or occurring from time to time. In 1976 Guatemala was hit by a major earthquake, killing 23,000 people; Managua, the capital of Nicaragua Nicaragua (pronounced /ˌnɪkəˈrɑːɡwə/ nik-ə-RAH-gwə) officially the Republic of Nicaragua (Spanish: República de Nicaragua, pronounced [reˈpuβlika ðe nikaˈɾaɣwa] ( listen)), is a representative democratic republic. It is the largest country in Central America with an area of 130,373 km2. The country is bordered by Honduras to the, was devastated by earthquakes in 1931 and 1972, the last one killed about 5,000 people; three earthquakes devastated El Salvador El Salvador (pronounced /ɛl ˈsælvədɔr/ ; Spanish: República de El Salvador, literally meaning "Republic of the Savior") is the smallest and also the most densely populated country in Central America. It borders the Pacific Ocean between Guatemala and Honduras. It lies on the Gulf of Fonseca, as do Honduras and Nicaragua further, one in 1986 and two in 2001; one earthquake devastated northern and central Costa Rica in 2009 killing at least 34 people; in Honduras The 2009 Honduras earthquake occurred on May 28, 2009 at 08:24:45 UTC . The quake was a powerful 7.3 on the Moment Magnitude Scale, with the epicenter being located in the Caribbean Sea, 64 kilometres (40 mi) northeast of the island of Roatán, 130 kilometres (81 mi) north-northeast of La Ceiba. The quake occurred at a depth of around 10 a powerful earthquake killed 7 people in 2009.

Volcanic eruptions are common in the region. In 1968 the Arenal Volcano Arenal Volcano, in Spanish Volcán Arenal, is an active andesitic stratovolcano in north-western Costa Rica around 90 km north-west of San José, in the province of Alajuela, canton of San Carlos, and district of La Fortuna. The volcano rises 1,657 metres above sea level and overlooks Lake Arenal; both are part of Arenal Volcano National Park, in Costa Rica, erupted and killed 87 people. Fertile soils from weathered volcanic lavas have made it possible to sustain dense populations in the agriculturally productive highland areas.

Central America has many mountain ranges A mountain range is a chain of mountains bordered by highlands or separated from other mountains by passes or valleys. Individual mountains within the same mountain range do not necessarily have the same geology, though they often do; they may be a mix of different orogeny, for example volcanoes, uplifted mountains or fold mountains and may,; the longest are the Sierra Madre de Chiapas Sierra Madre is a mountain range (located at 15°30′N 92°36′W / 15.5°N 92.6°W , the Cordillera Isabelia and the Cordillera de Talamanca The Cordillera de Talamanca is a mountain range that lies on the border between Costa Rica and Panama. Much of the range and the area around it is included in the La Amistad International Park, which also is shared between the two countries. Between the mountain ranges lie fertile valleys that are suitable for the people; in fact most of the population of Honduras Honduras (pronounced /hɑnˈdʊrəs/ , Spanish: República de Honduras, pronounced [reˈpuβlika ðe onˈduɾas]) is a republic in Central America. It was formerly known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras (now Belize). The country is bordered to the west by Guatemala, to the southwest by El Salvador, to the southeast by, Costa Rica Costa Rica (pronounced /ˌkoʊstə ˈrikə/ ), officially the Republic of Costa Rica (Spanish: Costa Rica or República de Costa Rica, pronounced [reˈpuβlika ðe ˈkosta ˈrika]) is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the east and south, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the and Guatemala Guatemala (pronounced /ˌgwɑːtəˈmɑːlə/ ; Spanish: República de Guatemala, Spanish pronunciation: [reˈpuβlika ðe ɣwateˈmala]) is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast live in valleys. Valleys are also suitable for the production of coffee, beans and other crops.

Biodiversity

Central America is part of the Mesoamerican Mesoamerica or Meso-America is a region and culture area in the Americas, extending approximately from central Mexico to Honduras and Nicaragua, within which a number of pre-Columbian societies flourished before the Spanish colonization of the Americas in the 15th and 16th centuries Biodiversity hotspot A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans. It has 7% of the world's biodiversity.[6] As a bridge between North North America is the northern continent of the Americas, situated in the Earth's northern hemisphere and in the western hemisphere. It is bordered on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southeast by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west by the North Pacific Ocean; South America lies to the southeast and South America South America is the southern continent of America, situated in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east by the Atlantic Ocean; North America and the Caribbean Sea lie to the northwest, Central America has many species from the Nearctic and the Neotropic ecozones In biogeography, the Neotropic or Neotropical zone is one of the world's eight terrestrial ecozones. This ecozone includes South and Central America, the Mexican lowlands, the Caribbean islands, and southern Florida, because these regions share a large number of plant and animal groups. However the southern countries (Costa Rica Costa Rica (pronounced /ˌkoʊstə ˈrikə/ ), officially the Republic of Costa Rica (Spanish: Costa Rica or República de Costa Rica, pronounced [reˈpuβlika ðe ˈkosta ˈrika]) is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the east and south, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the and Panama Panama (pronounced /ˈpænəmɑː/ ), officially the Republic of Panama (Spanish: República de Panamá; pronounced [reˈpuβlika ðe panaˈma]), is the southernmost country of both Central America and, in turn, North America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the) of the region have more biodiversity than the northern countries (Guatemala Guatemala (pronounced /ˌgwɑːtəˈmɑːlə/ ; Spanish: República de Guatemala, Spanish pronunciation: [reˈpuβlika ðe ɣwateˈmala]) is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast and Belize Belize (pronounced /bɛˈliːz/ ) (formerly British Honduras), is a country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Although Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official language. Belize is bordered by Mexico to its), meanwhile the central countries (Honduras Honduras (pronounced /hɑnˈdʊrəs/ , Spanish: República de Honduras, pronounced [reˈpuβlika ðe onˈduɾas]) is a republic in Central America. It was formerly known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras (now Belize). The country is bordered to the west by Guatemala, to the southwest by El Salvador, to the southeast by, Nicaragua Nicaragua (pronounced /ˌnɪkəˈrɑːɡwə/ nik-ə-RAH-gwə) officially the Republic of Nicaragua (Spanish: República de Nicaragua, pronounced [reˈpuβlika ðe nikaˈɾaɣwa] ( listen)), is a representative democratic republic. It is the largest country in Central America with an area of 130,373 km2. The country is bordered by Honduras to the and El Salvador El Salvador (pronounced /ɛl ˈsælvədɔr/ ; Spanish: República de El Salvador, literally meaning "Republic of the Savior") is the smallest and also the most densely populated country in Central America. It borders the Pacific Ocean between Guatemala and Honduras. It lies on the Gulf of Fonseca, as do Honduras and Nicaragua further) have least biodiversity.[6] The table shows current statistics for the seven countries:

Country Amphibians Birds Mammals Reptiles Wildlife diversity Vascular Plants Biodiversity
Belize Belize (pronounced /bɛˈliːz/ ) (formerly British Honduras), is a country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Although Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official language. Belize is bordered by Mexico to its 46[7] 544[7] 147[7] 140[7] 877[7] 2894[7] 3771[7]
Costa Rica Costa Rica (pronounced /ˌkoʊstə ˈrikə/ ), officially the Republic of Costa Rica (Spanish: Costa Rica or República de Costa Rica, pronounced [reˈpuβlika ðe ˈkosta ˈrika]) is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the east and south, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the 183[8] 838[8] 232[8] 258[8] 1511[8] 12119[8] 13630[8]
El Salvador 30[9] 434[9] 137[9] 106[9] 707[9] 2911[9] 3618[9]
Guatemala 133[10] 684[10] 193[10] 236[10] 1246[10] 8681[10] 9927[10]
Honduras 101[11] 699[11] 201[11] 213[11] 1214[11] 5680[11] 6894[11]
Nicaragua 61[12] 632[12] 181[12] 178[12] 1052[12] 7590[12] 8642[12]
Panama 182[13] 904[13] 241[13] 242[13] 1569[13] 9915[13] 11484[13]

Human geography

Further information: Ethnic groups in Central America and Demographics of Latin America

Geopolitically, Central America has traditionally consisted of the following countries:

Nations of Central America and capitals.
Name of territory, with flag Area (km²)[1] Population (July 2009 est.) Population density (per km²) Capital Official language
Belize 22,966 307,000 13 Belmopan English
Costa Rica 51,100 4,579,000 90 San José Spanish
El Salvador 21,040 6,163,000 292 San Salvador Spanish
Guatemala 108,890 14,027,000 129 Guatemala City Spanish
Honduras 112,090 7,466,000 67 Tegucigalpa Spanish
Nicaragua 130,373 5,743,000 44 Managua Spanish
Panama 78,200 3,454,000 44 Panama City Spanish
Total 523,780 41,739,000 80

Central America emerged as a distinct political entity upon the independence of the Federal Republic of Central America from Spain in 1821. This federation contained most of the states now considered part of Central America, however it did not include what is now Belize and Panama.

Belize was contested between the Spanish Empire and the British Empire, a dispute that continued after the independence of Guatemala, who considered Belize to be a Guatemalan department. It was declared a British colony and given the name British Honduras in 1871, gaining independence as Belize in 1981.

Panama, situated in the very south of Central America on the Isthmus of Panama. For much of its history, Panama was culturally linked to South America. Panama was a part of the Spanish Viceroyalty of New Granada, and then, following independence, became part of Gran Colombia. Only after independence from Colombia in 1903 did some begin to regard Panama as a North or Central American entity.

History

Main article: History of Central America Political Evolution of Central America and the Caribbean from 1700 to present

In pre-Columbian times, the north-western areas of modern Central America were part of the Mesoamerican civilization. The Native American societies of Mesoamerica occupied the land ranging from central Mexico in the north to Costa Rica in the south. Most notable among these were the Maya, who had built numerous cities throughout the region, and the Aztecs, who created a vast empire. The pre-Columbian cultures of Panama traded with both Mesoamerica and South America, and can be considered transitional between those two cultural areas.

Map of the Republic of Central America

Following Christopher Columbus's discovery of the Americas for Spain, the Spanish sent numerous expeditions to the region, and they began their conquest of Maya lands in the 1520s. In 1540, Spain established the Captaincy General of Guatemala, which extended from southern Mexico to Costa Rica, and thus encompassed most of what is currently known as Central America, with the exception of British Honduras (present-day Belize). This lasted nearly three centuries, until a rebellion (which followed closely on the heels of the Mexican War of Independence) in 1821.

After the dissolution of Spanish authority, the former Captaincy General remained intact as part of the short-lived First Mexican Empire, then turned into the Federal Republic of Central America, which was a representative democracy with its capital at Guatemala City. This union consisted of the present day nations of Guatemala (which included the former state of Los Altos), El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica (which included a region which is now part of Panama, and the Guanacaste Province which was once part of Nicaragua), and Soconusco, a portion of the modern Mexican state of Chiapas. The Republic lasted from 1823 to 1838, when it began to disintegrate due to civil wars.

Central American integration

Sistema de Integración Centroamericana Central American Integration System

Motto: «Peace, Development, Liberty and Democracy» Anthem: La Granadera

Area 560,988 km²
Population 50,807,778 hab.
Countries Belize Costa Rica Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua Panama El Salvador Dominican Republic
Countries part of the SICA Main article: Central American Integration System

Central America is going through a process of political, economic and cultural transformation that started in 1907 with the creation of the Central American Court of Justice. In 1951 the integration process continued with the signature of the San Salvador Treaty that created the ODECA, the Organization of Central American States. Unfortunately, the ODECA was not completely successful due to internal conflicts between several states of the region.

It was until 1991 that the integration agenda was completed with the creation of the SICA, Sistema para la Integración Centroamericana or System for the Central American Integration. The SICA provided a clear legal base to avoid discrepancies between the member states. The SICA membership includes the 7 nations of Central America plus the Dominican Republic, a state that is part of the Caribbean.

On December 6, 2008 SICA announced an agreement to pursue a common currency and common passport for the member nations. No timeline for implementation was discussed.

Central America already has several supranational institutions such as the Central American Parliament, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration and the Central American Common Market.

Foreign relations

Until recently, all Central American countries have maintained diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) instead of the People's Republic of China.[14] President Oscar Arias of Costa Rica, however, established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 2007, severing formal diplomatic ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan).

Usage

"Central America" may mean different things to different people in the world according to the context:

See also

Main article: Index of Central America-related articles

References

  1. ^ a b c Areas and population estimates taken from the 2008 CIA World Factbook, whose population estimates are as of July 2007.
  2. ^ Largest Cities in Central America, Rhett Butler. Accessed on line January 10, 2008.
  3. ^ Central America, MSN Encarta. Accessed on line January 10, 2008. Archived 2009-10-31.
  4. ^ "Central America", vol. 3, Micropædia, The New Encyclopædia Britannica, Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 1990, 15th ed. ISBN 0-85229-511-1.
  5. ^ Mesoamerica, Biodiversity Hotspots, Conservation International. Accessed on line January 10, 2008.
  6. ^ a b http://www.webng.com/jerbarker/home/eia-toolkit/downloads/Van04/RojasVancouver.pdf
  7. ^ a b c d e f g "Belize Deforestation Rates and Related Forestry Figures". Rainforests.mongabay.com. http://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/2000/Belize.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g "Costa Rica Deforestation Rates and Related Forestry Figures". Rainforests.mongabay.com. 2005-06-30. http://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/2000/Costa_Rica.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g "El Salvador Deforestation Rates and Related Forestry Figures". Rainforests.mongabay.com. 2005-06-30. http://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/2000/El_Salvador.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g "Guatemala Deforestation Rates and Related Forestry Figures". Rainforests.mongabay.com. http://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/2000/Guatemala.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g "Honduras Deforestation Rates and Related Forestry Figures". Rainforests.mongabay.com. http://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/2000/Honduras.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g "Nicaragua Deforestation Rates and Related Forestry Figures". Rainforests.mongabay.com. http://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/2000/Nicaragua.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g "Panama Deforestation Rates and Related Forestry Figures". Rainforests.mongabay.com. http://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/2000/Panama.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
  14. ^ "Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China". Mofa.gov.tw. http://www.mofa.gov.tw/webapp/ct.asp?xItem=11624&CtNode=1143&mp=1. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
  15. ^ "Central America." Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.
  16. ^ a b "Central America". Encyclopædia Britannica. 2006. Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.
  17. ^ Burchfield, R. W. 2004. "America". Fowler's Modern English Usage (ISBN 0-19-861021-1) New York: Oxford University Press, p. 48.
  18. ^ Centroamérica (Mexican version)"/Centroamérica (Spaniard version). Encarta Online Encyclopedia.. Archived 2009-10-31.
  19. ^ "Norteamérica". Archived from the original on 2009-10-31. http://www.webcitation.org/5kwQijGaa.
  20. ^ a b Augelli, John P. (1962 (Jun.)). "The Rimland-Mainland Concept of Culture Areas in Middle America". Annals of the Association of American Geographers. pp. 52 (2): 119–129. http://www.jstor.org/pss/2561309. Retrieved 2009-02-03. "Occasionally, the term "Central America" is used synonymously with "Middle America," and for some German geographers "Mittelamerika" refers to the isthmian territories from Panama to Guatemala."
  21. ^ Standard Country and Area Codes Classifications (M49). United Nations Statistics Division.
  22. ^ The EU's relations with Central America, European Commission. Accessed on line October 17, 2007.

External links

Central America
Sovereign states

Belize · Costa Rica · El Salvador · Guatemala · Honduras · Nicaragua · Panama1


Mexico2 (CampecheChiapasQuintana RooTabascoYucatan)

1Also in or commonly considered to be part of South America. 2Physiographically, Mexico east of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec is sometimes included.
Regions of the world
Africa Northern · Sub-Sahara (Central · Southern · Western · Eastern) Oceania Australasia (Australia) · Melanesia · Micronesia · Polynesia
Americas North (NorthernMiddleCentralCaribbean) · South · Anglo · Latin Polar Arctic · Antarctic
Asia Central · Eastern (Northeastern) · Northern · Southeastern · Southern · Western (Middle East) Oceans World · Arctic · Atlantic · Indian · Pacific · Southern
Europe Central · Eastern · Northern · Southeastern · Southern · Western Seas List of seas
Related · ·

Categories: Central America

 

The above information uses material from Wikipedia and is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Some facts may not have been fully verified for accuracy. [Disclaimers]
This page was last archived by our server on Tue Jul 27 05:19:45 2010. [ refresh local cache ]
Displaying this page or its contents does not use any Wikimedia Foundation's resources.
The owners of this site proudly support the Wikimedia Foundation.


The first Malaria-Proof Mosquito - KVOA Tucson News
kvoa.com
The first Malaria-Proof Mosquito - KVOA Tucson News
Mon, 19 Jul 2010 04:03:18 GMT+00:00
KVOA Tucson News ... "Most of the deaths are occurring in sub-Sahara Africa but there is Malaria in Southeast Asia, South America, and Central America . ...
Google News Search: Central America,
Thu Jul 22 01:10:34 2010
central america map gif
geology.com
central america map gif
600px x 750px | 59.00kB

[source page]



Yahoo Images Search: Central America,
Mon Jul 26 18:02:39 2010
Costa Rica Land Investment the Best Profit Potential in Central ...
retirement--party-ideas.com
Costa Rica Land Investment the Best Profit Potential in Central ...

admin

ue, 27 Jul 2010 11:16:12 GM

Unlike many other . Central American. countries Costa Rica has a large expat community, with many of the shops and comforts and ammenities of home already in place and lots of developments being added all the time. How to get gains ...

Google Blogs Search: Central America,
Thu Jul 29 02:22:42 2010
I'm going to central america with my mom and I'm underage what documentations should I bring to the airport?
Q. I'm going to honduras wich is in central america I'm going with my mom and I'm underage what documentations do I need to bring to the airport becasue a lot of people are telling me I need somekind of documentation but I don't know what pkease help!
Asked by Jacky - Thu Aug 14 21:14:47 2008 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. You will both need passports. Are you American citizens? \If so, you do not need visas. See site below and read section under "Entry Requirements". You will also need a letter from your father giving your mother permission to take you out of the U.S. See 2nd site. It must be signed and notarized.
Answered by Charlie - Thu Aug 14 21:28:01 2008

Yahoo Answers Search: Central America,
Tue Jul 27 16:41:22 2010