Wiktionary
n. The part of the Americas between North America and South America.
Wikipedia
Central America is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. Central America is bordered by Mexico to the north, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Central America consists of seven countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. The combined population of Central America is between 41,739,000 (2009 estimate) and 42,688,190 (2012 estimate).
The Central American land mass has an area of , or almost 0.1% of the Earth's surface. It is part of the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot, which extends from northern Guatemala through central Panama. Due to the presence of several active geologic faults and the Central America Volcanic Arc, there is a great deal of seismic activity in the region. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur frequently; these natural disasters have resulted in the loss of many lives and much property.
In the Pre-Columbian era, Central America was inhabited by the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica to the north and west and the Isthmo-Colombian peoples to the south and east. Soon after Christopher Columbus's voyages to the Americas, the Spanish began to colonize the Americas. From 1609 until 1821, most of the territory within Central America—except for the lands that would become Belize and Panama—was governed by the Viceroyalty of New Spain from Mexico City as the Captaincy General of Guatemala. After New Spain achieved independence from Spain in 1821 becoming the First Mexican Empire, the former Captaincy General remained annexed to it, but soon seceded from Mexico to form the Federal Republic of Central America, which lasted from 1823 to 1838. The seven states finally became independent autonomous nations, beginning with Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Guatemala (1838), followed by El Salvador (1841), then Panama (1903), and finally Belize (1981).
Central America: The United States' Backyard War is a board wargame published by the Victory Games imprint of Avalon Hill in 1987. Designed by James McQuaid and developed by Mark Herman, it came with thick rules and 780 counters. Although interest in the topic was high, the game met with a lukewarm reception from purchasers. Nevertheless, it won the 1987 Charles S. Roberts Award for Best Modern Era Board Game.
Central America may refer to:
- Central America, a central region of the Americas
- Federal Republic of Central America, a former republic comprising Los Altos (now Chiapas, Mexico), Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
- SS Central America, a steamship which sailed along the American coasts in the 1850s and sank in 1857.
Usage examples of "central america".
This is a very large forest tree, which grows in vast numbers in the West India Islands and in certain parts of Central America.
Atahuallpa remained entirely ignorant about Spain's conquests of Central America's most powerful and populous Indian societies.
Cedron has always been used in Central America as a remedy for snake-bite, and first came into notice in Britain in 1699.
It's equally true for Mexico, Central America, and the parts of South America which are chiefly Indian.
No two marine faunas are more distinct, with hardly a fish, shell, or crab in common, than those of the eastern and western shores of South and Central America.