CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

The countries of Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama) comprise an area rich with a diverse range of plant and animal life. It is estimated that approximately 7 percent of the world's animal species live in Central America, a narrow strip of forests and beaches that accounts for only 0.5 percent of earth's land area. The population of Central America is approximately 37 million, with a yearly growth rate of about 3 percent. Although Central America has been plagued for decades by civil wars and natural disasters, the region witnessed a period of economic growth throughout the 1990s. Expanding economies coupled with growing populations have put significant new stresses on the environment in Central America. Observers from around the world have concluded that the environmental quality of the region is in rapid decline.

Despite its recent economic growth, Central America remains one of the poorest regions on earth; a fact which has led to massive exploitation of the area's natural resource base. Large areas of forest have been cut down and burned for firewood or used in the production of paper, while significant portions of land have been cleared for agricultural use. Approximately half of all Central Americans live in rural areas, and it is estimated that the average family living below the poverty line burns approximately 12 tons of firewood a year. Also, as a result of oil exploration activities in certain parts of Guatemala, such as the northern Peten rainforest region, the building of roads has led to the clearing of land and forested areas. These activities have contributed to large-scale erosion and soil loss, leaving many areas vulnerable to flash floods and mudslides as the natural landscape's ability to retain water is jeopardized.

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Sub sections:

• Belize
• Costa Rica
• Dominican Republic
• Guatemala
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Panama