INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND CULTURE Exam 2 Notes Study Guide Review Maps Central America Two countries that do not have more than one coast el Salvador and belize San Salvador is one of the most densely populated areas From pacific into panama canal you are going NW U S built canal france started it Roosevelt led it Belize used to be called British Honduras National language is English English were shipwrecked there and more came to rescue so they claimed it Guatemala largest most impressive Mayan ruins dictatorships not a pretty history El Salvador only faces the Pacific Honduras old banana republic in the 1800s international companies began to plant bananas there Nicaragua largest of all in central america weird politically because lost to Cuba and Venezuela Lake Nicaragua used to be a bay earthquake locked this bay thousands of years ago animals that lived there they adapted only place in the world where sharks can live in fresh water Costa rica hiking stable tourism 1948 elections decided what to do with army only country without an army only a naval force Panama U S built canal panama used to belong to Europe Panamanians now run the canal many U S military installations in Canada 1 24 12 Belize 180 miles people go to belize for the great climate great beaches scuba diving deep sea fishing archaeological sites beautiful resorts nice people 350 000 people population relatively inexpensive Belize city used to be the capital now it is BELMOPAN English is the main language British sailors shipwrecked there stayed on coast and were picked up from English vessels and no one claimed Belize so the British claimed it and called it BRITISH HONDURAS wonderful market great location a lot of Americans are retiring there too Guatemala because of political instability of country can t establish same kind of tourist industry as others El Salvador very small very difficult place right now because of narca trafficking thousands of young men are roaming the streets formed gangs no educational training was provided no trade schools developed Mayan route Mayan archaeological sites Honduras became banana republic miskitos miskitos coast native inhabitants of these islands Miskito Indians on coast of Honduras Nicaragua fresh water sharks in lake Costa rica in 1970 made wise decision to formally begin ecotourism beautiful country different from Caribbean and pacific east coast very little wave action west is drier and a lot of waves no army only police force in constitution of country Panama when you come there on a boat you are coming from southeast 8 10 hours to cross sometimes have to wait turn to go in panama once belonged to Colombia now independent country close ties to US because of many military bases and panama canal many Panamanians speak English BELIZE 2 million people visit belize climate 79 89 degrees all year richest Mayan history traditions archaeological sites over 900 locations Little is known about life in belize prior to the arrival of the explorers in the 1500s The Spanish ignored belize Shipwrecked british sailors established the first European settlement in 1638 The colony was called british Honduras British took over Second longest barrier reef in the world popular scuba diving kayaking caving Became independent in 1981 2 3 of country has been set aside as a national park Guatemala still claims this territory British had military base there for years to protect Belizians Barrier Reef and the Cayes Barrier reef principal tourist attraction key destination Ranks as the world second longest Parallel to the coast Ridges are called cays More than 200 isles Caye caulker and ambergris caye important Ambergris caye rent boat scuba diving need to go to SAN PEDRO most important destination San pedro is the most important access point for dive sites Larger vessels cannot come close to the coastline because of the coral reefs only smaller boats tenders Altun ha extensively excavated huge carved sun god made of Jade national symbol found here Northern belize La ruta maya begins north of belize city Rain is not very hospitable Autoban society a lot of work and funding Crooked tree wildlife sanctuary found in northern belize Western Belize Mostly a savanna gives way to Maya mountains San Ignacio the districts center and base for exploration of the area Maya site of caracol huge cities abandoned which rivals Tikal drought couldn t cultivate left Central Americas largest cave system Chiquibul caves largest in area comparable to DR or PR travel there in dry season march april may SPRING underground caves get flooded in wet season caving in DR Best time to explore the area is from march to may Southern Belize Considered by many as THE place to visit in belize Dangriga the areas largest town The inhabitants are descendants black caribs who fled Honduras after failed revolt persecuted in Honduras and left November 19th Is garifuna settlement day Pretty inexpensive a lot to do good food outdoors water COSTA RICA rich coast Costa rica is linked with ecotourism since 1970s national park system One of the worlds best systems of national parks Best educational systems in south and central America 97 literacy Infrastructure education system medical best in area 25 of territory protected Paradise lies between panama and Nicaragua Coasts on the pacific and the Caribbean Most of the population lives in the central part of the country san Jose is located here Mcdonalds and burger king deliver here Tikos and tikas nicknames for each other family tradition in smaller towns they carry small machetes a lot of work they do in open areas require need for the machete wagons and crates they carry coffee beans oxen pull Tropical paradise 130 species of fresh water fish 850 species of tropical birds 1000 species of butterflies 34000 species of insects 5 6 of biodiversity of the world rich country in ecosystem and ecology and biosphere Land of volcanoes 120 130 volcanic formations that at one point could have been very active Only a slightly larger than new hampshire and Vermont Natural diversity provides tourists with many experiences Puntarenas principal pacific port key destination Puerto caldera to the south is where most cruise liners come to San jose the capital was founded in 1737 mixture of architecture small town modern and old mix located in agricultural center of country Coffee trees surround the city Known for its nightlife food and resturants good cuisine may be the base for visits to other parts butterfly
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