Exploring Central America and the Panama Canal

1. Ch. 8.1-Physical Geography of Central America and the Caribbean

2. Warm-up #1

3. Warm-up #2- Panama Canal As you watch, list at least 4 interesting facts dealing with the building of the Panama Canal. Be ready to share with the class.

4. Central America has three distinct belts: the Pacific Lowlands, the Caribbean Lowlands, and the Central Highlands. Central Highlands Pacific lowlands Caribbean Lowlands

5. Volcanic Axis along Ring of Fire

6. The Isthmus of Panama is another distinctive feature of Central America.

7. Many of the more than 7,000 islands, that are the tops of underwater mountains, are considered part of the mainland's Central Highlands.

8. Greater and Lesser Antilles- archipelago, or chain of islands

11. Physical Geography Central America and the Caribbean • Water Systems • Inland lakes and waterways are important to Central America's growth and development, providing transportation, drinking water, irrigation, and hydroelectric power.

12. Lempa River- Hydroelectricity

13. Lake Nicaragua- freshwater with some creatures that live in the ocean

14. One of the world's most important human-made waterways, the Panama Canal, allows ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans without having to travel around South America's Cape Horn.

15. Commercial fishing and the use of other marine resources in the Caribbean Sea have increased international trade.

16. Much of Central America has a tropical wet climate with rainforests found in many of the regions.

17. A tropical dry climate is found on many of the Caribbean islands

18. The climates and ecosystems of some parts of Central America are affected by elevation, resulting in vertical climate zones.

19. Physical Geography Central America and the Caribbean • Climates, Biomes, and Resources • Nickel, iron ore, fish, timber, and petroleum are important natural resources found and used throughout Central America.