Central American People & Culture

Why does Central America have a higher percentage of Native and African descendants than other parts of Latin America?

• The region was never colonized

• More Europeans migrated there than to other areas

• Many escaped African slaves and Native groups settled in the region

• The population was always isolated from the rest of the world

What are Maroons?

• A type of festival celebrated in Central America

• The name for Spanish colonizers in the region

• Communities of escaped African slaves and Natives

• A language spoken in parts of Central America

Which Central American country has the highest percentage of Native ancestry?

• Panama

• Belize

• Guatemala

• Costa Rica

What is one reason Costa Rica has a high percentage of people identified as white?

• There were no indigenous people in Costa Rica

• The country attracts European and U.S. retirees

• African slaves were never brought to Costa Rica

• Costa Rica was not colonized by Spain

The term "Mestizo" refers to a person of mixed _______ and _______ ancestry.

• European & Native

• European & African

True/False: The Maya language and cultural traditions are still present today, especially in Guatemala

• True

• False

Match each cultural trait to its correct description

• Roman Catholic

• The major religion in Central America

• Carnival

• A week-long celebration honoring a town’s patron saint

• Fiesta Patronal

• A festival that involves colorful parades before Lent

• Alborada

• The most popular sport in Central America

• Football (Soccer)

• Dawn chorus celebration in Tegucigalpa

True/False: The Maya civilization was centered in Mexico.

• True

• False

True/False: Honduras once defeated Brazil in an international soccer match.

• True

• False

True/False: Portuguese colonizers introduced Carnival to Central America.

• True

• False