Physical Geography of Central America and the Caribbean

The country of Panama is on

• an archipelago

• an isthmus

• an island

• a volcano

What is an archiplelago?

• a mountain range formed by volcanic activity

• a strip of land connecting two larger land masses

• a line of volcanoes

• a group or chain of islands

Why is the population in the Volcanic Axis dense?

• There is little volcanic activity

• There are mountains, swamp coastlands, and rainforests

• There is fertile soil, making the highlands rich agricultural zones.

• The elevations of some of the volcanic cones are more than 12,000 feet.

What is the importance of the Panama Canal?

• It drastically cuts transportation time from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

• It generates hydroelectricity for Panama and surrounding countries.

• It provides water for drinking and irrigation.

• It is a major part of the drainage system of the surrounding land.

The Lempa River is a vital source of

• irrigation

• commercial fish

• marine life

• hydroelectricity

What has increased international trade in the Antillean regions of the Caribbean Sea?

• the numerous species of marine life such as manatee, dolphins, and sea turtles

• the utilization of marine resources and commercial fishing

• the tourism industry that benefits from the climate

• hydroelectricity generated from rivers flowing down from mountains

How does being located in the Tropics affect the climate of Central America?

• Central America's high elevation leads to cooler temperatures

• Central America has a tropical dry climate, with an extended dry season

• Central America has high temperatures and abundant rainfall year-round

• Central America has a warm, wet climate with many hurricanes

The greater the number of different species of animals and plants in an environment, the greater the A.biodiversity of the environment.

• biodiversity of the environment

• elevation of the region

• distance of the environment from the Equator

• precipitation in the climate

Which of the following best describes how climates and ecosystems of some parts of Central America further from the Equator change with elevation?

• The higher the elevation, the wetter the climate

• The higher the elevation, the warmer the climate

• The higher the elevation, the colder the climate

• The higher the elevation, the greater the biodiversity

What causes leeward island areas in the Caribbean islands to have an extended dry season?

• latitude

• lack of easterly winds

• El Niño

• hurricanes