GEOG 202 1st EditionExam # 2 Study GuideLecture 10-Ch. 5: The CaribbeanoPhysical Setting-Caribbean IslandsGreater Antilles-Cuba -Hispaniola -Haiti -Dominican Republic-Puerto Rico-Jamaica-Belize (Central America)-Guianas (South America)Guyana (British)Suriname (Dutch)French Guiana-Isolated ProximityIndies Spanish Main -Worldview dominated by outlook on Caribbean Sea oEnvironmental Issues -Deforestation several hundred years agoSugar cane plantations Lumber for ships -Deforestation todayWood used for fuel by most Haitians -Causes washing away of top soil, serious environmental problem Controversial logging (and mining) in Guianas interiorRoads: Good or Bad?oClimate: Tropical-Close to equator-Tropic of Cancer: Which hemisphere? Northern -Seasonal rainfalloNatural Hazards: Hurricanes -Others: flooding, mudslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes -2010 Earthquake in Haiti killed 316,000 people -MontserratVolcanic eruption in 1995 Covered capital of Plymouth oPopulation and Settlement-1st American region extensively explored and colonized by Europeans and African slaves -43 million people 26 countries and territories -Relatively high population densities Except RimlandsIncreasingly urban -Haiti: HIV/AIDs-Most populous countries?CubaHaitiDominican Republic-Highest Fertility Rate?Haiti -Caribbean Diaspora (forced migration)Emigration (leaving) to US and Europe -Circular Migration-Moving away and coming back-Chain Migration -Moves away without intent of returning, tell family and friends who then move and start a chain -Remittances -Person who moved away receives money and sends back to family -Controversial because of where theyare spent, money is not being spent in community where generated so it hurts economy-Caribbean Cities Since 1960's-Rural to urban migration -60% urban Colonial influence in urban structure and architecture (Spanish)-Grid with central plaza Havana, Cuba -Most important port city in region -2.2 million people -Socialist mode: "frozen in time"-Newest cars are 50 years old -Chinese bikes-Crumbling Spanish architecture -Urban gardens Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic-Largest city in Caribbean - 2.7 million -Oldest continually occupied European city inthe Americas ~1498-World heritage site because of Columbus -Site of first cathedral, hospital, customs house and university in the Americas -African Diaspora - Transatlantic Slave Trade oForced migration - over half of the slaves from Africa went to Caribbean -Culture: Creolization and Caribbean Identity oBlending of Cultural Elements:-Neo-Africa in Americas-Impact of European colonialism -Some Amerindian Maroons-Communities of runaway slaves -Assimilated in Jamaica but still exist in Suriname and French Guiana -Survival of African traditions -Pressures to modernizeLand conflict between maroons and private/state interests Chinese logging Languages (Cohesive in this region) -Spanish - 25 million (Cuba and Dominican Republic)-French - 10 million (Haiti) -English - 6 million -Dutch - 1/2 million -Blended languages -Religion -African Religious Influences -1st catholic cathedral in western hemisphere -Music and Carnival -Music: Caribbean's best known product African rhythms with European melody Political and social protests Carnival: national street parties with roots in Mardi Gras Not necessarily unique to this region but is still a part of their culture -Sports (example of positive part of colonialism) Cricket in eastern Caribbean (from English)Baseball popular in Cuba and Dominican Republic NBA is popular Lecture 11-Geopolitical Framework -European colonies for rum, sugar and spice production Spanish French English Dutch -Today, for protection -Neocolonialism: economic and political influence over weaker states -Many colonies went back and forth between colonial powers resulting in "geopolitical blending"-U.S. Military in CaribbeanMonroe Doctrine, 1823: US wont allow European military in Western Hemisphere. US opposed to colonialism -Cuba Independence from Spain in 1898 as result of US victory in Spanish-American War (result of Monroe Doctrine)Cuban revolution in 1950's Marxists Fidel Castro and his brother Raul led revolution, dictators Che Guevara, violent revolutionary Allied with Communist USSR then w/ Hugo Chavez's Venezuela. Now?-After end of USSR in 1991 Other communist allies (Cuba) impacted "Changes to the Cuban diet after their oil-shock" -Economy-Population is poor by US standards but is -Better than much of the developing world -Exception --- Haiti, worst in Western Hemisphere -Historic economy based on agriculture Sugar, coffee, and bananas -Offshore Banking and Financial Services Bahamas: One of the worlds largest banking centers in 1970's Cayman Islands: regional leader in financial servicesin 1990's Popular because tax exempt and confidential Now, more scrutiny because of global terrorism Online gambling taking the place of offshore banking Opportunity: selling internet access that avoids US routers?-Tourism Negative Capital leakage: gap between gross receipts and total tourist dollars that remain in the region Corporate headquarters outside region Most jobs are low paying Beachfront property turned over to tourist industryDependent upon strong world economy and stable politics Positives Promotes stronger environmental regulation Less destructive than export agCreates lots of jobs Adds significantly to economy when there is no industrial output Brings in money from elsewhere-Economy-wrecking problem?-ChikungunyaMosquito-borne disease Aching joints, but not death Lots of mosquitos in the tropics Controlled by pesticide DDT?-Haiti: Worst (or almost worst) in Americas for:Deforestation and soil erosion Poverty Illiteracy Life expectancy HIV/AIDsTravelers' safety Economy Corruption -Caribbean Issues Economic Viability Dependence on tourism Development of internet industries, finance, and gambling -Geographic stability and cultural identity Colony or protectorate vs independence Separate nations or Caribbean alliance View of US: protector or exploiter?-Natural disasters