Central America is a geographic region that can be considered as the southern part of North America. It is a tapering isthmus renowned for its Mesoamerican culture and history. The isthmus connects with South America on the southeast. Central America extends from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in southern Mexico southeastward to the Isthmus of Panama from where it connects to the Colombian Pacific Lowlands in northwestern South America. The Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt delimits the region on the north. Central America covers an area of about 592,000 square kilometres. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, and the Gulf of Mexico 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. Among the casulties of earthquake included the capital of Nicaragua, Managua, which was devastated in 1931 and 1972, and El Salvador, which was three earthquakes devastated El Salvador, one in 1986 and two in 2001. Fertile soils from weathered volcanic lavas have made it possible to sustain dense populations in the agriculturally productive highland areas.
Countries in Central America
- Belize
- Costa Rica
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Panama
|
|
