AlexCovarrubias (talk | contribs) m Rv. As a geopolitical entity, Mexico is not included in CA. Moving info to the proper section. |
Corticopia (talk | contribs) revert: same sh*t, different smell: some sources do indicate that Mexico is geopolitically (in whole or part) a part of Central America; stop remvoing citations |
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==Physical geography== |
==Physical geography== |
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[[Physical geography|Physiographically]], Central America is a narrow [[isthmus]] of southern North America extending from the [[Isthmus of Tehuantepec]] in [[Mexico]] |
[[Physical geography|Physiographically]], Central America is a narrow [[isthmus]] of southern North America extending from the [[Isthmus of Tehuantepec]] in [[Mexico]] southeastward to the [[Isthmus of Panama]] where it connects to the [[Colombia]]n [[Geography of Colombia#Pacific Lowlands|Pacific Lowlands]] in northwestern [[South America]]. Alternatively, the [[Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt]] delimits the region on the north. Central America has an area of some 592,000 [[square kilometre]]s. The [[Pacific Ocean]] lies to the southwest, the [[Caribbean Sea]] lies to the northeast, and the [[Gulf of Mexico]] lies to the north. |
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[[Image:Tectonic plates Caribbean.png|thumb|right|Central America and the [[Caribbean Plate]].]] Most of Central America rests atop the [[Caribbean Plate]]. The region is geologically active, with [[volcanic eruption]]s and [[earthquake]]s occurring from time to time. In [[1931]] and [[1972]] earthquakes devastated [[Managua]] the capital of [[Nicaragua]], as also in [[2001]] two earthquakes devastated [[El Salvador]]. Fertile soils from weathered volcanic lavas have made it possible to sustain dense populations in the agriculturally productive highland areas. |
[[Image:Tectonic plates Caribbean.png|thumb|right|Central America and the [[Caribbean Plate]].]] Most of Central America rests atop the [[Caribbean Plate]]. The region is geologically active, with [[volcanic eruption]]s and [[earthquake]]s occurring from time to time. In [[1931]] and [[1972]] earthquakes devastated [[Managua]] the capital of [[Nicaragua]], as also in [[2001]] two earthquakes devastated [[El Salvador]]. Fertile soils from weathered volcanic lavas have made it possible to sustain dense populations in the agriculturally productive highland areas. |
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Panama, situated on the [[Isthmus of Panama]], is a [[transcontinental country|transcontinental territory]]: the [[Panama Canal]] (a bypass connecting the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and [[Pacific Ocean]]s) transects the isthmus, which connects North and South America. Regardless, all of the country—including the segment east of the Panama Canal—is often considered a part of North America alone. Historically, however, Panama was a possession of the [[Viceroyalty of New Granada]], a Spanish jurisdiction largely situated in northwestern South America from 1717 to 1819. When Panama declared independence from [[Spain]] on 28 November 1821, it immediately declared a union with ''la Gran Colombia'' ([[Greater Colombia]]) and later became a [[Departments of Colombia|department/state of Colombia]] until its independence on 3 November 1903. |
Panama, situated on the [[Isthmus of Panama]], is a [[transcontinental country|transcontinental territory]]: the [[Panama Canal]] (a bypass connecting the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] and [[Pacific Ocean]]s) transects the isthmus, which connects North and South America. Regardless, all of the country—including the segment east of the Panama Canal—is often considered a part of North America alone. Historically, however, Panama was a possession of the [[Viceroyalty of New Granada]], a Spanish jurisdiction largely situated in northwestern South America from 1717 to 1819. When Panama declared independence from [[Spain]] on 28 November 1821, it immediately declared a union with ''la Gran Colombia'' ([[Greater Colombia]]) and later became a [[Departments of Colombia|department/state of Colombia]] until its independence on 3 November 1903. |
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<!--{{editnote | NOTE: Before wanting to change this assertion, please cite sources and provide evidence on the talk page. Per the talk page for North America, Fowler's clearly indicates that Mexico (in English) is generally included in Central America. This information was erroneously removed beforehand, despite claims that it was checked. Other references corroborating this assertion about usage follow. Thank you!--> |
<!--{{editnote | NOTE: Before wanting to change this assertion, please cite sources and provide evidence on the talk page. Per the talk page for North America, Fowler's clearly indicates that Mexico (in English) is generally included in Central America. This information was erroneously removed beforehand, despite claims that it was checked. Other references corroborating this assertion about usage follow. Thank you!-->[[Mexico]], in whole or in part, is occasionally included in Central America;<ref>Burchfield, R. W. 2004. "America". ''[[Fowler's Modern English Usage]]'' (ISBN 0-19-861021-1) New York: Oxford University Press, p. 48.</ref> some geographers include the [[Political divisions of Mexico|five states]] of [[Campeche]], [[Chiapas]], [[Tabasco]], [[Quintana Roo]], and [[Yucatán]],<ref>"[http://www.britannica.com/ebc/article-9360160 Central America]". ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''. 2006. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.</ref> together representing 12.1% of the country's total area. The [[United Nations geoscheme|UN geoscheme]] includes Mexico in Central America, defined as all states of North America south of the [[United States]]. In contrast, the [[European Union]] excludes Belize and Mexico from its definition of the region. |
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== History == |
== History == |
Revision as of 11:53, 22 February 2007
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is variably defined either as being a region of the Americas in its own right or as the southern portion of North America.
Physical geography
Physiographically, Central America is a narrow isthmus of southern North America extending from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico southeastward to the Isthmus of Panama where it connects to the Colombian Pacific Lowlands in northwestern South America. Alternatively, the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt delimits the region on the north. Central America has an area of some 592,000 square kilometres. The Pacific Ocean lies to the southwest, the Caribbean Sea lies to the northeast, and the Gulf of Mexico lies to the north.
Most of Central America rests atop the Caribbean Plate. The region is geologically active, with volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occurring from time to time. In 1931 and 1972 earthquakes devastated Managua the capital of Nicaragua, as also in 2001 two earthquakes devastated El Salvador. Fertile soils from weathered volcanic lavas have made it possible to sustain dense populations in the agriculturally productive highland areas.
Human geography
Geopolitically, Central America has traditionally consisted of the following countries:
Name of territory, with flag |
Area (km²) |
Population (1 July 2005 est.) |
Population density (per km²) |
Capital |
---|---|---|---|---|
Belize | 22,966 | 270,000 | 12 | Belmopan |
Costa Rica | 51,100 | 4,327,000 | 85 | San José |
El Salvador | 21,040 | 6,881,000 | 327 | San Salvador |
Guatemala | 108,890 | 12,599,000 | 116 | Guatemala City |
Honduras | 112,492 | 7,205,000 | 64 | Tegucigalpa |
Nicaragua | 129,494 | 5,487,000 | 42 | Managua |
Panama | 75,517 | 3,232,000 | 43 | Panama City |
Total | 521,499 | 40,001,000 | 77 |
Many modern definitions of Central America include Belize and Panama, neither of which existed upon the formation of the Federal Republic of Central America, a short-lived federation in the 19th century. The territory now occupied by Belize was originally contested by the United Kingdom and the Spanish Empire and, later, Guatemala (which has considered it, wholly or partially, an eastern department); it became a British colony (British Honduras) in 1871 and gained independence in 1981.
Panama, situated on the Isthmus of Panama, is a transcontinental territory: the Panama Canal (a bypass connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans) transects the isthmus, which connects North and South America. Regardless, all of the country—including the segment east of the Panama Canal—is often considered a part of North America alone. Historically, however, Panama was a possession of the Viceroyalty of New Granada, a Spanish jurisdiction largely situated in northwestern South America from 1717 to 1819. When Panama declared independence from Spain on 28 November 1821, it immediately declared a union with la Gran Colombia (Greater Colombia) and later became a department/state of Colombia until its independence on 3 November 1903.
Mexico, in whole or in part, is occasionally included in Central America;[1] some geographers include the five states of Campeche, Chiapas, Tabasco, Quintana Roo, and Yucatán,[2] together representing 12.1% of the country's total area. The UN geoscheme includes Mexico in Central America, defined as all states of North America south of the United States. In contrast, the European Union excludes Belize and Mexico from its definition of the region.
History
There was a nation of Central America in the early 19th century, consisting of the present day nations of Guatemala (which included the former state of Los Altos), Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica (which included a region which is nowadays part of Panama), and a portion of the modern Mexican state of Chiapas. This was sometimes known as the United Provinces of Central America or the Federal Republic of Central America.
Foreign relations
All of Central American countries (including Panama) maintains diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) instead of the People's Republic of China.
See also
- Central American Parliament
- Ethnic groups in Central America
- North America
- South America
- Americas (terminology)
- Middle America
References
- ^ Burchfield, R. W. 2004. "America". Fowler's Modern English Usage (ISBN 0-19-861021-1) New York: Oxford University Press, p. 48.
- ^ "Central America". Encyclopædia Britannica. 2006. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
- "Central America". The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. 2001-6. New York: Columbia University Press.
- "Central America". Encyclopædia Britannica. 2006. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
- "Central America". MSN Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2006.
- American Heritage Dictionaries, Central America.
- WordNet Princeton University: Central America
- "Central America". The Columbia Gazetteer of the World Online. 2006. New York: Columbia University Press.