The History of Middle America

The History of Middle America

Central America is a land bridge that connects North America to South America. Today, this area of the world is under major reconstruction. Its recent history is filled with civil wars, military dictatorships, and native uprisings. Though the recent economy has turned toward the better, the history of the economy in Central America has not been a fortunate. Poverty, disease, and discontent were common among the people living in this region. Many of the problems faced by these nations date back to the Spanish Colonization of the area. Before the Spanish arrived, this region contained a civilization with a rich written history, sophisticated agricultural systems, and amazing cities.

Civilized society in Central America can be traced back thousands of years to around 2,000 B.C. It is believed that around this time the native people began to plant crops instead of hunting animals. Pottery, which was discovered in the Parita Bay region of Panama, is believed to made around 2,130 B.C. and it reflects some South American cultural influences. After 1,000B.C. organized, sedentary farming communities began to sprout, and communication and commerce developed among them.

After 500 B.C. an advanced civilization, the Mayas, emerged in the present-day lands of Guatemala and El Salvador. Kaminaljuyú was on of the earlier Mayan cities, and was located in the highlands near present-day Guatemala City. Other Mayan cities arose southeastward, towards Nicaragua (a map of Mayan cities is located at the back of the paper). It is clear that the early Mayan people inhabited the higher terrain in Central America because of the suitable climate, but as the civilization grew, the lowland cities became cente...

... middle of paper ...

...a's Agony.(the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch)" The Nation Jan 25, 1999 v268 i3 p21(1)

15. Bentley, Mace and Horstmeyer, Steve "Monstrous Mitch.(hurricane)" Weatherwise March-April 1999 v52 i2 p14(5)

16. MacEoin, Gary "Will Mitch be another curse or disguised blessing? (Hurricane Mitch devastated poor areas and systems will be rebuilt from ground up)" National Catholic Reporter Jan 15, 1999 v35 i11 p12(1)

17. Map of Central America taken from http://www.ladatco.com/ca-map.html

18. Mayan Map taken from http://www.kstrom.net/isk/maya/mayamap.html

19. Map of Middle America taken from http://www.studyabroad.com/content/portals/maps/central_america_map.html

20. Picture of Hurricane Mitch taken from http://www.un.hn/mitch/entrada.htm

21. Picture 2 (smaller) of Hurricane Mitch taken from http://www.disasterrelief.org/Disasters/991026mitchanniversary/