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This region of the continent is very rich in terms of ethnic groups. The majority of the population is mestizo , with sizable Mayan and White populations present, including Xinca and Garifuna minorities. The immigration of Arabs, Jews, Chinese, Europeans and others brought additional groups to the area. The predominant religion in Central America is Christianity Since the s, there has been an increase in other Christian groups, particularly Protestantism , as well as other religious organizations, and individuals identifying themselves as having no religion.
Mola art form , Panama. Central America is currently undergoing a process of political, economic and cultural transformation that started in with the creation of the Central American Court of Justice. SICA provides a clear legal basis to avoid disputes between the member states. SICA membership includes the 7 nations of Central America plus the Dominican Republic , a state that is traditionally considered part of the Caribbean. On 6 December , SICA announced an agreement to pursue a common currency and common passport for the member nations. Until recently, [ when? The parliament started around , and its primary goal was to resolve conflicts in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
Although the group was disbanded in , ideas of unity of Central Americans still remained, so a treaty was signed in to create the Central American Parliament and other political bodies. New members have since then joined including Panama and the Dominican Republic. Costa Rica is not a member State of the Central American Parliament and its adhesion remains as a very unpopular topic at all levels of the Costa Rican society due to existing strong political criticism towards the regional parliament, since it is regarded by Costa Ricans as a menace to democratic accountability and effectiveness of integration efforts.
Excessively high salaries for its members, legal immunity of jurisdiction from any member State, corruption, lack of a binding nature and effectiveness of the regional parliament's decisions, high operative costs and immediate membership of Central American Presidents once they leave their office and presidential terms, are the most common reasons invoked by Costa Ricans against the Central American Parliament. The treaty is aimed at promoting free trade among its members.
Central America : In Central America, the migrant caravans highlight how gang violence , principally from Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio, have generated a wave of extortion and criminal violence that has pushed out families and legitimate businesses , particularly from the Northern Triangle states—Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. By contrasting peoples and places, statements may be made about the continent and its constituents people and places regarding history, social development and change,. This section needs to be updated. Synopsis The nation-states and peoples of the political region of Latin America encompass a wide range of societies, politics and economies. They also significantly increased economic and trade relations, not just between the old and new world but between the different South American regions and peoples. The two main languages are by far Spanish and Portuguese, followed by French, English and Dutch in smaller numbers.
Guatemala has the largest economy in the region. Of its The region is particularly attractive for companies especially clothing companies because of its geographical proximity to the[United States], very low wages and considerable tax advantages. In addition, the decline in the prices of coffee and other export products and the structural adjustment measures promoted by the international financial institutions have partly ruined agriculture, favouring the emergence of maquiladoras.
This sector accounts for 42 per cent of total exports from El Salvador , 55 per cent from Guatemala , and 65 per cent from Honduras. However, its contribution to the economies of these countries is disputed; raw materials are imported, jobs are precarious and low-paid, and tax exemptions weaken public finances. They are also criticised for the working conditions of employees: insults and physical violence, abusive dismissals especially of pregnant workers , working hours, non-payment of overtime. According to Lucrecia Bautista, coordinator of the maquilas sector of the audit firm Coverco, labour law regulations are regularly violated in maquilas and there is no political will to enforce their application.
In the case of infringements, the labour inspectorate shows remarkable leniency. It is a question of not discouraging investors. In some cases, business leaders have used the services of the maras.
Finally, black lists containing the names of trade unionists or political activists are circulating in employers' circles. Economic growth in Central America is projected to slow slightly in —15, as country-specific domestic factors offset the positive effects from stronger economic activity in the United States. Jiquilisco Bay , El Salvador.
Cayos Zapatilla , Panama. Tourism in Belize has grown considerably in more recent times, and it is now the second largest industry in the nation.
Belizean Prime Minister Dean Barrow has stated his intention to use tourism to combat poverty throughout the country. The results for Belize's tourism-driven economy have been significant, with the nation welcoming almost one million tourists in a calendar year for the first time in its history in Costa Rica is the most visited nation in Central America. Tourism in Nicaragua has grown considerably recently, and it is now the second largest industry in the nation.
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has stated his intention to use tourism to combat poverty throughout the country.
The results for Nicaragua's tourism-driven economy have been significant, with the nation welcoming one million tourists in a calendar year for the first time in its history in From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Not to be confused with Central United States. For other uses, see Central America disambiguation. Politics and government.
Barton's textbook on Latin America is a very welcome addition to the geographical, literature on this large and diverse region teachers of political geography. Request PDF on ResearchGate | A Political geography of Latin America | Sumario: Power to the people? -- From pre-Columbian to post-Cold War geopolitics.
List of busiest airports List of largest airlines Rail transport. Related topics. Central American flags. Main article: History of Central America.
Ancient sites of Central America. Coat of Arms of modern Central America. See also: Central America bioregion. Central American forests.
Texiguat Wildlife Refuge Honduras. National flowers of Central America. Legendary National Birds of Central America. Central American Geology. See also: Central American Spanish. Central American art. Guatemalan textiles. El Salvador La Plama art form. Main article: Central American Integration System.
See also: China—Latin America relations. Main article: Central American Parliament. Central American coast. Playa Blanca Guatemala. Pink Pearl Island Nicaragua. Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Central American license plates. See also: Roads in Belize. Main article: Rail transport in Central America. Retrieved 4 September Central America is located between North and South America and consists of multiple countries.
Central America is not a continent but a subcontinent since it lies within the continent America. It borders on the northwest to the Pacific Ocean and in the northeast to the Caribbean Sea. Index Mundi. Retrieved 1 January Retrieved 3 June Annals of the Association of American Geographers. Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks. Archived from the original Online text reproduction on 25 February Zed Books Ltd.
American Free Press. Retrieved 2 January Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary. In Oliver, JE ed. Encyclopedia of world climatology. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series 1st ed. Archived from the original on 6 October Retrieved 8 December Tropical rainforests: deforestation rates tables and charts. Menlo Park, California: Mongabay.