Central America
From YourTravelGuide
Central America is often considered to be, some might say, a land without a continent. In all actuality, however, Central America is the southern most region of North America.
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[edit] Introduction
[edit] Current Events
[edit] History
[edit] Culture
Most of Central America has its history in pre-European trading with Native American tribes, particularly the ancient Mayans. When Europe started plotting their seizure of American lands, the Spaniards became a great influence. While most of Central America dealt with Europeans, (not only Spain but France and others as well), the people in Panama traded with both the North Americans and the South Americans, giving them a more diverse culture than the other regions of Central America.
Today, Central America maintains good relationships (although rebel forces try to undo governmental involvements) with world governments. They maintain trade relations with Taiwan, instead of The People’s Republic of China due to needed funding from such projects as Puente de la Amistad de Taiwan in Costa Rica.
[edit] Geography
Geographically speaking, Central America is an isthmus; a narrow strip of land, surrounded on two sides by water, connecting two larger landmasses. In this case, Central America connects the North American continent with South America. The Pacific Ocean lies to the southwest, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, and the Gulf of Mexico lies to the north of this 592,000 sq km isthmus.
It should be pointed out, that even though Panama, an isthmus itself, of which the Panama Canal dissects the country, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is generally considered to be part of Central America; but not by all.
[edit] Countries
[edit] Transport
[edit] Get There
[edit] Documents
The Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security were required to create and implement a plan to strengthen border security and control entry in and out of the United States. This plan, called The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, was devised to be put into effect in January 2007, with total completion due in January 2008.
Acceptable forms of identification for traveling between the United States and Central America include: a passport, a pass card (currently in development), an Air NEXUS card, SENTRI, FAST, U.S.Coast Guard Merchant Mariner document, or Alien Registration card, form I-551 if applicable.
[edit] Get Around
[edit] See
[edit] Highlights
[edit] Itineraries
[edit] World Heritage Sites
[edit] Costa Rica
Cocos Island National Park is located 550 km off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The area is an ideal natural laboratory for the study of biological processes due to its location as the first point of contact with the northern equatorial counter-current. The island is the only one in the tropical eastern Pacific with a tropical rainforest. A renowned attraction for divers, it is considered one of the best places in the world for viewing large pelagic species such as sharks, rays, tuna and dolphins.
[edit] El Salvador
Joya de Ceren is the ruins of a pre-Hispanic farming community in El Salvador. A volcano destroyed the village around 600 AD. The quality of preservation to the ruins makes it a prime example of how the people of that time lived.
[edit] Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala is the capital of the Captaincy-General of Guatemala, and was built in the early sixteenth century. Built 1500 m above sea level, in an earthquake safe zone, the building was indeed destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. Many of the great monuments were untouched, making this site a prime example of Guatemalan history.
[edit] Stay Safe
[edit] Health
[edit] Vaccinations
Diseases in Central America vary from country to country. There are precautions that travelers should make when considering a visit to the region. Vaccinations should be up to date at least four months before entering the country. Yellow fever and malaria are the biggest concerns in Central America, but other vaccinations should include: Hepatitis A & B, rabies, typhoid, diphtheria- tetanus and measles.
