Lesson 5: North and Central America
Since this is a WORLD GEOGRAPHY class you're going to have to learn about the countries of the world.
There are around 200 countries in the world. I say around because certain governments and organizations sometimes can't agree on what is considered a 'country'. There are a few territories that China claims as part of their country, but those territories insist that they are their own country. We'll talk about that more when we learn about Asia.
The first thing you need to understand is that there are 7 continents in the world:
There are around 200 countries in the world. I say around because certain governments and organizations sometimes can't agree on what is considered a 'country'. There are a few territories that China claims as part of their country, but those territories insist that they are their own country. We'll talk about that more when we learn about Asia.
The first thing you need to understand is that there are 7 continents in the world:
Countries are part of continents. Europe is a CONTINENT that is made up of a bunch of countries. South America is a CONTINENT that is made up of a bunch of countries.
When it comes to North America (which you're learning about in this lesson) it is considered everything north of South America. Even though at the beginning of the lesson I said North and Central America, Central America is not its own continent. It is part of North America, but you usually have to designate which part of North America you're talking about, because Central America, though technically part of North America has a lot of cultural ties with South America.
In this lesson we're talking about the yellow part of the map considered North America. If you remember from Lesson 3 when we talked about MAPS the map above is the kind that shows shapes correctly, but the sizes are skewed. Greenland is really a lot smaller than the Continent of Africa. You're going to have to remember the lesson you learned about Maps because you'll be faced with inacurate maps the rest of your life, and it is useful to know which maps are good for what purpose.
When it comes to North America (which you're learning about in this lesson) it is considered everything north of South America. Even though at the beginning of the lesson I said North and Central America, Central America is not its own continent. It is part of North America, but you usually have to designate which part of North America you're talking about, because Central America, though technically part of North America has a lot of cultural ties with South America.
In this lesson we're talking about the yellow part of the map considered North America. If you remember from Lesson 3 when we talked about MAPS the map above is the kind that shows shapes correctly, but the sizes are skewed. Greenland is really a lot smaller than the Continent of Africa. You're going to have to remember the lesson you learned about Maps because you'll be faced with inacurate maps the rest of your life, and it is useful to know which maps are good for what purpose.
Here is a map of the countries in the northern part of the Continent of North America:
On some maps of North America you'll notice Alaska labeled too. Alaska is part of the United States, but some people get confused because it is not connected to the United States, it is actually closer to both Canada and Russia than it is to the rest of the 48 connected states. Hawaii is the other state that isn't connected to the rest. Hawaii isn't a country, it's a state that is part of our country 'The United States of America'. Hawaii actually isn't even on this map, the map would have to be zoomed out to see Hawaii to the west of the United States.
To get a better look at the countries in the southern part of North America look at this map:
To get a better look at the countries in the southern part of North America look at this map:
North and South America are connected to each other. A hundred years ago if you wanted to take a boat from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean you would have to sail south all the way around South America. The country of France (located in the Continent of Europe) started to build a canal, but many of their workers died from diseases so they sold the project to the United States. The United States finished building the canal in 1914 (a little over 100 years ago) and they controlled the canal until 1999 it was given back to the country of Panama. If you're interested in how the canal works watch this video.
There are also quite a few islands that are considered part of North America:
The reason I have used so many maps, is because there are a lot of small island countries that you need a closer map to see. The first map that shows all of the countries in North America isn't nearly close enough for you to see all the island countries in the Caribbean. These islands are located in the Caribbean Sea. Not all of the islands are considered countries- for example Puerto Rico is not a country, it is considered a territory belonging to the United States.
I've mentioned the Caribbean Sea a few times. Seas are part of oceans, just like countries are part of continents. The Carribbean Sea is part of the Atlantic Ocean. You'll see both of them labeled on the map above. You can see the names of the 5 oceans of the world on the map labeled 'Map 2'.
So here is a list of countries that are part of North America:
Canada (see map 3)
Greenland (see map 3)
The United States of America (map 3)
Mexico (map 3)
Guatemala (see map 4)
Belize (map 4)
El Salvador (map 4)
Honduras (map 4)
Nicaragua (map 4)
Costa Rica (map 4)
Panama (map 4)
Cuba (see map 5)
Jamaica (map 5)
Haiti (map 5)
Dominican Republic (map 5)
St. Kitts and Nevis (map 5)
Antigua and Barbuda (map 5)
Dominica (map 5)
St. Lucia (map 5)
Grenada (map 5)
Barbados (map 5)
St. Vincent and the Grenadines (map 5)
Trinidad and Tobago (map 5)
Bahamas (map 5)
There are other islands listed on map 5, but they aren't officially considered countries. Most of them are territories of another country.
It's about time I told you that you will have to memorize the countries on that list. Before the semester ends on December 18, 2015 you will have to come in to the school and fill out an empty map. You will have to know all the countries and capitals in North America, South America, and Africa. To find out what the test will be like you can click on the 'Mid-Semester Test' button at the top of the page.
You can take this test at any time during the semester once you have finished assignments 1-30 (remember you have to contact me and schedule a time to come in and take the test) But make sure you know your countries and capitals before you come in to take the test. The test will go on Term 2's grade. To find out what assignments go on what term you can go the the syllabus page. If you wait until the last day possible to take the Mid Semester Map Test you will not be able to re-take the test. The second map test is the rest of the world (Asia, Europe, and Oceania) and will go on 4th term's grade. Again, if you want to know what assignments and tests go on what grade you can look at the syllabus page.
I've mentioned the Caribbean Sea a few times. Seas are part of oceans, just like countries are part of continents. The Carribbean Sea is part of the Atlantic Ocean. You'll see both of them labeled on the map above. You can see the names of the 5 oceans of the world on the map labeled 'Map 2'.
So here is a list of countries that are part of North America:
Canada (see map 3)
Greenland (see map 3)
The United States of America (map 3)
Mexico (map 3)
Guatemala (see map 4)
Belize (map 4)
El Salvador (map 4)
Honduras (map 4)
Nicaragua (map 4)
Costa Rica (map 4)
Panama (map 4)
Cuba (see map 5)
Jamaica (map 5)
Haiti (map 5)
Dominican Republic (map 5)
St. Kitts and Nevis (map 5)
Antigua and Barbuda (map 5)
Dominica (map 5)
St. Lucia (map 5)
Grenada (map 5)
Barbados (map 5)
St. Vincent and the Grenadines (map 5)
Trinidad and Tobago (map 5)
Bahamas (map 5)
There are other islands listed on map 5, but they aren't officially considered countries. Most of them are territories of another country.
It's about time I told you that you will have to memorize the countries on that list. Before the semester ends on December 18, 2015 you will have to come in to the school and fill out an empty map. You will have to know all the countries and capitals in North America, South America, and Africa. To find out what the test will be like you can click on the 'Mid-Semester Test' button at the top of the page.
You can take this test at any time during the semester once you have finished assignments 1-30 (remember you have to contact me and schedule a time to come in and take the test) But make sure you know your countries and capitals before you come in to take the test. The test will go on Term 2's grade. To find out what assignments go on what term you can go the the syllabus page. If you wait until the last day possible to take the Mid Semester Map Test you will not be able to re-take the test. The second map test is the rest of the world (Asia, Europe, and Oceania) and will go on 4th term's grade. Again, if you want to know what assignments and tests go on what grade you can look at the syllabus page.
Assignment 5
For this assignment you are going to study 3 countries. The list of countries above is separated into 3 sections, pick one country from each section to do a small report on. Do not pick the United States. Here is what each of your three reports should have:
1. A picture of a Famous Landmark in the country
2. A picture of the Country's Flag
3. A picture of Traditional Food from the country
4. A Write-Up (2 Paragraphs). Find a news story that involves your country and write a 2 paragraph summary on what the article was about, what your opinion is, and if the article is good or bad news for the country. Make sure to cite your sources
After you have completed your mini reports on 3 countries (remember one from each area) download and print the following:
1. A picture of a Famous Landmark in the country
2. A picture of the Country's Flag
3. A picture of Traditional Food from the country
4. A Write-Up (2 Paragraphs). Find a news story that involves your country and write a 2 paragraph summary on what the article was about, what your opinion is, and if the article is good or bad news for the country. Make sure to cite your sources
After you have completed your mini reports on 3 countries (remember one from each area) download and print the following:
You can upload the Microsoft version or the PDF version, whichever is easier:
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The worksheet you just downloaded and printed has 2 pages. Complete both of them.
The first page is a map that has some of the countries of North America listed. Label the countries AND capitals. You'll have to look up a country's capital online. There are a few countries on the list above that don't have a place to label them on the map (some of the small island countries in the Caribbean) Draw your own arrows >>> and write those countries and their capitals in as well. Color in the 3 countries you chose to do your mini reports on.
There is a question at the bottom of the word search, make sure you complete the question as well as the matching and the word search.
The first page is a map that has some of the countries of North America listed. Label the countries AND capitals. You'll have to look up a country's capital online. There are a few countries on the list above that don't have a place to label them on the map (some of the small island countries in the Caribbean) Draw your own arrows >>> and write those countries and their capitals in as well. Color in the 3 countries you chose to do your mini reports on.
There is a question at the bottom of the word search, make sure you complete the question as well as the matching and the word search.
Once you have completed your 3 mini country reports and the two worksheets, upload them below: