Geography (HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES)

Where is the Panama Canal?

Central America

What is the name of the first successful European settlement in America?

Santa Domingo

Which area has the most mineral resources?

South America

What country once ruled most of Central America?

Spain

Which nations are located on the Iberian Peninsula?

Spain and Portugal

Review

The initial discovery of the region was a result of efforts to shorten trade routes between Europe and India. Remember the following about Central America: The Panama Canal was built to create a passageway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The area has few mineral resources. Farming is the major revenue source. Military dictatorships and civil wars have hindered economic development. And remember the following about South America: The area has vast mineral resources. Economic restrictions and social injustice resulted in revolts against the Iberian governments. Boundary disputes were common. Programs were implemented to spur economic development, such as: LAFTA; the Alliance for Progress; MERCOSUR. Finally, remember the following about the Caribbean: The first successful European settlement was in Santo Domingo on Hispaniola. The islands were claimed by the Spanish, British, French, Dutch, and Danish. The region is comprised of seventeen independent nations. Trinidad's large petroleum deposits make it the richest island. Agriculture is the largest revenue source; tourism is second.

junta

a group that controls the government

What is the main revenue source in the Caribbean islands?

agriculture

What is MERCOSUR?

an arrangement to increase economic cooperation

Iberian

of Spain and Portugal