Baja California – Northern Mexico

1. Mexico and Central America – Geography and Economic Regions – Land bridge that connects North and South America

2. Baja California – Northern Mexico • www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com • www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com

3. Baja California – Name the economic activity of this area. • http://good-wallpapers.com/places/4760 • www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com -

4. Baja California Sur • www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com • http://www.google.com/search?q=baja+california&safe=active&hl=en&source

5. Northern Region – Close to USA Border. Much drug related crime in this area. Also industry around border due to NAFTAwww.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com

6. Central Region – Looking at the map, what type of land form is Mexico? What major bodies of landdoes it bridge? • www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com • http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/13/world/americas/mexico-volcano • El Popo – Volcano Popocatepetl • 4/13/2013 Major eruption in • 2000

7. Farming in Central Mexico- Volcanic soil is rich for farming.

8. Mexico City in Central Mexico has been around since the early 1500s– before the Spanish arrived. Name the primary type of economic activity?

9. Southern Mexico – Poorest Region- What economic activity offers the most capital (money)? • Subsistence farms • Tourism – Cancun

10. Yucatan Peninsula – Once Home of the Mayan Civilization – From these illustrations, what do you believe to be the major economic activity?

11. Guatemala – A Poor Nation with Rich History • Ancient Mayan Civilization • In the shadows of a volcano Women coop farming has struggled to grow in a male dominated society; however, with help from the US, these women are starting to know success.

12. Belize – The Blue Hole – Is a limestone sinkhole surrounded by atoll. A highly desirable scuba site. http://www.eplerwood.com

13. Mexican cartels are using Belize to move drugs through a new route.http://www.eplerwood.com

14. El Salvador – Thick jungles, volcanos, and coffee growing • http://www.eplerwood.com • Cerro Verde • http://www.eplerwood.com

15. El Salvador – Once plagued by civil war, El Salvador is now attracting Eco tourists. • www.guardian.co.uk • Surfers enjoy the high waves off the coasts of El Salvador. http://www.eplerwood.com

16. Panama and the Canal • www.junglelandpanama.com • Thick with rainforest • www.junglelandpanama.com • Like most of Central America, the economy is largely based on farming. • Coffee fields

17. The Panama Canal – Unlike other Central American countries, Panama’s economy is boosted by the canal. Nearly half of the country’s population live and work in the canal area. • www.junglelandpanama.com

18. The Panama Canal – Short History • 1901-1909 • President Theodore Roosevelt • When Colombia proved uncooperative of US interest, Panamanian business interests and Roosevelt planned and executed a rebellion that lasted only hours. Colombian soldiers were bribe $50 each to lay down their weapons. The USS Nashville cruised the coast to show support. Nov. 3, 1903, Panama is born. • www.socialstudieshelp.com

19. Acquiring the Canal Zone • www.xtimeline.com • $10,000,000 was accepted by the rebel forces. Now, US had control of the 10 mile wide canal zone. • Now America’s empire extended from the Pacific to the Caribbean. • The canal was a must. • www.socialstudieshelp.com

20. Construction and Sacrifice • www.bbc.co.uk • 1,000’s of workers tore through jungle and blasted through mountains. Oppressive heat and stagnate water was a breeding ground for mosquitos. Malaria and yellow fever became the enemy. One worker stated, “Mosquitos get so thick you get a mouthful with every breath.” • www.socialstudieshelp.com

21. A Historic Engineering Feat • www.americanhistoryusa.com • Under horrible conditions, the workers built three sets of concrete locks and a lake. Nine years in the making, the Panama Canal is considered one the greatest of engineering feats, for the incomparable human spirit joined the Pacific and the Atlantic.