On Disk Monthly 63/odm63.zip/GEO3.DAT

Text File | 1991-11-07 | 42KB | 1,001 lines

â
Belize
* Official Name : Commonwealth of Belize
* Languages : English, Spanish
* Population : 200,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Parliamentary
* Flag : Seal of Belize on a Blue field with maroon bars
  on the top and bottom border.
* Natural resources : timber
* Exports : sugar, molasses, clothing, lumber, citrus
  fruits, fish
* Imports : fuels, transportation equipment, foodstuffs,
  textiles, machinery
* Location : Eastern coast of Central America
* Area : 8,867 sq. mi. (22,965 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Victoria Peak, 3,681 ft. (11,220 m)


Belize (formerly British Honduras) is situated on the Bay
of Honduras in the Caribbean Sea.  Originally settled by
British timber cutters in the 17th century, Belize
reluctantly accepted its independence on September 21,
1981.  The independence was delayed by the citizens of
Belize over concerns of Guatemalan aggression.  An
agreement to allow Guatemala access to the Caribbean
through Belize was reached in March of 1981, but broke
down before the independence day.  Sixteen hundred British
troops are maintained at bases in Belize to keep the
peace.
â
Costa Rica
* Official Name : Republic of Costa Rica
* Languages : Spanish
* Population : 2,900,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Republic
* Flag : The national flag, representing the country, has
  horizontal, blue, white, and red stripes.  The state
  flag, used by the government, has the coat of arms on
  the red bar.
* National Anthem : "Himno Nacional"
* National Holiday : Independence Day, September 16
* Natural resources : timber
* Exports : coffee, bananas, beef, sugar, cocoa
* Imports : manufactured products, machinery, chemicals,
  foodstuffs, fuels, fertilizer
* Location : Southern coast of Central America
* Area : 19,652 sq. mi. (50,898 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Chirripo Grande 12,530 ft. (3,819 m)


Costa Rica was discovered in 1502 by Christopher Columbus
and was first settled in 1563.  It remained a Spanish
province until 1821 when it won its independence.  In
1821, Costa Rica was absorbed into the Mexican Empire of
Augustine de Iturbide.  Two years later Costa Rica
regained its independence and formed a republic in 1848.
Costa Rica has had the distinction of being the most
stable government in Central America.  In 1986, under the
direction of President Sanchez, Costa Rica adopted a
policy of neutrality and refused to allow the continued
presence of Nicaraguan guerrilla resistance fighters,
known as the Contras.
â
El Salvador
* Official Name : Republica de El Salvador
* Languages : Spanish
* Population : 300,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Republic
* Flag : National flag has a horizontal white stripe
  between two blue stripes
* National Anthem : "Himno Nacional de El Salvador"
* Natural resources : timber, balsam
* Exports : coffee, cotton, sugar
* Imports : machinery, automotive vehicles, petroleum,
  foodstuffs, fertilizer
* Location : Central America
* Area : 8,260 sq. mi. (21,393 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Santa Ana, 7,825 ft. (2,385 m)


Pedro de Alvarado, a lieutenant of Cortez, conquered El
Salvador in 1525.  The violent beginning of El Salvador
was the portent of its history.  Since its independence
from Spain in 1821, El Salvador has repeatedly been
involved in coups, civil war, and open war with its
neighbors.  In May of 1984, voters defied death threats by
guerrillas and elected Jose Napoleon Duarte as president
of El Salvador.  Despite the continued terrorism and
guerrilla warfare, El Salvador has managed to maintain its
democratic principles.
â
Guatemala
* Official Name : Republica de Guatemala
* Languages : Spanish, Indian dialects
* Population : 8,700,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Republic
* Flag : The flag was adopted in 1871.  The two blue
  stripes represent the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, which
  form part of the country's borders.
* National Anthem : "Himno de Guatemala"
* National Holiday : Independence Day, September 15
* Natural resources : nickel, timber, shrimp
* Exports : coffee, cotton, sugar, petroleum, bananas
* Imports : manufactured products, machinery,
  transportation equipment, chemicals, fuels
* Location : Central America
* Area : 42,042 sq. mi. (108,889 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Tajumulco, 13,845 ft. (4,220 m)


Once the site of the Mayan civilization, which flourished
in this region from 2000 B.C. to 900 A.D., Guatemala was
conquered by Spain in 1524.  Guatemala remained under
Spanish control until 1821 when the five provinces which
comprised the Captaincy General of Guatemala declared
their independence.  A year later they joined the Mexican
Empire of Augustine de Iturbide.  When Iturbide was driven
from power in 1823 the provinces formed a coalition known
as the United Provinces of Central America.  In 1839,
Guatemala seceded from the coalition and became the
Republic of Guatemala.  Since that time, control of the
country has repeatedly been held by dictators and
generals.  In 1950, considerable properties were
appropriated by the government of Guatemala, including
many holdings of U.S. companies.  A U.S.-backed coup
placed Castillo Armas in power until he was killed in
1957.  Since then numerous elections and coups have
occurred and as yet there is no functioning constitution
in Guatemala.
â
Honduras
* Official Name : Republica de Honduras
* Languages : Spanish, Indian dialects
* Population : 4,800,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Democratic Constitutional republic
* Flag : The flag of Honduras was adopted in 1866.  The
  five stars represent the five Central American republics
  that formed a union in the early 1800's.
* National Anthem : "Himno Nacional de Honduras"
* National Holiday : Independence Day, September 15
* Natural resources : timber, gold, silver, lead, zinc,
  antimony
* Exports : bananas, coffee, lumber, meat, petroleum
  products, tobacco, sugar, shrimp and lobster
* Imports : manufactured goods, machinery, transportation
  equipment, chemicals, petroleum
* Location : Central America
* Area : 43,277 sq. mi. (112,088 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Las Minas, 9,347 ft. (2,849 m)


Honduras, a part of the Captaincy of Guatemala, was
discovered by Columbus in 1502.  Honduras declared its
independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Federation of
Central American States in 1838.  Since the beginning of
the twentieth century, U.S. Marines have been sent to
Honduras five times to restore order.  In 1982,
Parliamentary elections placed Roberto Cordova in the
Presidency.  From 1982 to 1987, one billion dollars in
U.S. economic and military aid has been sent to Honduras
in response to massive Soviet aid to Nicaragua.
â
Nicaragua
* Official Name : Republica de Nicaragua
* Languages : Spanish
* Population : 3,600,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Republic
* Flag : Nicaragua's flag was adopted in 1908 from that of
  the United Provinces of Central America.  This union of
  the early 1800's consisted of Nicaragua and four other
  nations.
* National Anthem : "Himno Nacional de Nicaragua"
* National Holiday : Independence Day, September 15
* Natural resources : timber, fisheries
* Exports : coffee, chemical products, meat, sugar
* Imports : machinery, chemicals and pharmaceuticals,
  transport equipment, clothing, petroleum
* Location : Central America
* Area : 50,180 sq. mi. (130,000 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Cerro Mocoton, 6,913 ft. (2,107 m)


Nicaragua was visited by the Spanish in 1522 and was named
for the Indian chief that controlled the region.  It was
part of the Captaincy of Honduras and the Federation of
Central American States until 1838.  U.S. Marines were
sent repeatedly from 1909 to 1925 to quell internal
violence.  The final time in 1927 resulted in fighting
that lasted until 1933 when U.S. troops were forced to
withdraw.  From 1934 until 1979, the Somoza family held
a dynastic rule over Nicaragua.  A victory won by the
Sandan Istas on July 19, 1979 was accompanied by promises
to maintain a mixed economy, a non-aligned foreign policy,
and a pluralistic political system.  Prominent at the
victory celebration was Fidel Castro, dictator of Cuba.
Since that time no independently verifiable election has
been held in Nicaragua.  In addition, Nicaragua has become
the second most heavily armed nation in the western
hemisphere.
â
Panama
* Official Name : Republica de Panama
* Languages : Spanish, English
* Population : 2,370,000 (est. mid-1989)
* Government : Republic
* Flag : The white upper left quarter has a blue star.
  The upper right quarter is red and the lower left
  quarter is blue.  The white lower right quarter has a
  red star.  Blue stands for the Conservative Party and
  red for the Liberal Party of 1903.  White stands for
  peace, and the stars symbolize faith and strength.
* National Anthem : "Himno Nacional de la Republica de
  Panama"
* National Holiday : Independence Day, November 3
* Natural resources : copper (unexploited)
* Exports : bananas, refined petroleum, sugar, shrimp
* Imports : crude oil, crude petroleum, chemicals, food
* Location : Central America
* Area : 29,761 sq. mi. (77,082 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Vol. Baru, 11,401 ft. (3,475 m)


Discovered by Columbus during his fourth voyage in 1502,
Panama was an important trade center and shipment point in
the Spanish Empire.  Spanish trade along the Pacific coast
of Central and South America was brought to Panama City
for transportation to Colon, then Puerto Bello, where it
awaited ships bound for Spain.  The tremendous wealth
accumulated by the Spanish Empire attracted numerous
pirates.  Chief among these was Henry Morgan who sacked
and razed Panama City in 1671.  In 1746 the Spanish
abandoned the use of Panama as a collection point for
treasure in favor of shipping around Cape Horn (the
southernmost point of South America) and conditions in
Panama quickly declined.

In 1821, Panama won its independence from Spain and joined
the Republic of Greater Columbia.  Except for a brief
thirteen month period, when Panama won independence, it
remained part of Columbia until 1903.  In 1880, the French
company De Lesseps began construction on the Panama canal
but went bankrupt before its completion.  The United
States bought the rights to the canal, but Columbia
refused to allow the U.S. to complete it.  In 1903,
Panama, encouraged by the United States, revolted against
Columbia and was assisted by the arrival of U.S. Marines.
A treaty was signed between the United States and Panama
granting rights to the canal to the United States in
perpetuity in exchange for tonnage fees and rental
payments.

In 1978, Congress approved the Panama Canal Treaty which
declared that the canal was placed in a state of perpetual
neutrality, and allowed for the return of the canal to
Panama in 1999.  On December 20, 1989, President George
Bush committed 24,000 U.S. troops to secure the canal
after Manuel Noriega, president of Panama, declared war on
the United States.
â
Antigua and Barbuda
* Official Name : Antigua and Barbuda
* Languages : English
* Population : 100,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Constitutional monarchy with British style
  parliament
* Flag : Yellow starburst in blue and white field
  surrounded by red.
* Natural resources : none
* Exports : clothing, rum, lobsters
* Imports : fuel, food, machinery
* Location : Eastern Caribbean
* Area : 170 sq. mi. (442 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Boggy Peak, 1,319 ft. (402 m)


Discovered by Columbus in 1493, Antigua was named after a
church in Seville.  It was settled by Britain in 1632 and
used as a base of operation for numerous pirates.  In
1958, both islands joined the West Indies Federation, but
with the break up of that organization it became a member
of the West Indies Associated States in 1967.  It gained
its independence in 1981.
â
The Bahamas
* Official Name : Commonwealth of the Bahamas
* Languages : English
* Population : 242,000 (est. 1988)
* Government : Constitutional monarchy
* Flag : A black triangle represents the Bahamian people.
  The blue and gold horizontal stripes stand for the sea
  and the land.  The flag was adopted in 1973.
* National Anthem : "March on, Bahamaland"
* Natural resources : salt, aragonite
* Exports : lobster, fish, pharmaceuticals, cement, rum
* Imports : foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels
* Location : In Atlantic ocean, east of Florida
* Area : 5,380 sq. mi. (13,939 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Mt. Alvernia 206 ft. (63 m)


The Bahamas were discovered by Columbus in 1492 and were a
favorite base for pirates throughout the 16th and 17th
century.  They became a British Crown colony in 1717 and
attained self government in 1967.  Over 3100 islands,
islets and cays comprise this 760 mile long nation.  Only
eight of the islands are permanently inhabited.
â
Barbados
* Languages : English
* Population : 257,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Constitutional Monarchy
* Flag : The two outer stripes are blue (for the sea and
  sky) and the center stripe is gold (for the sand of the
  beaches).  A black trident head with a broken shaft is
  in the center.  It stands for Neptune, the sea god, and
  for the change from dependence to independence.
* Natural resources : lime, fish
* Exports : sugar and sugar cane by-products, clothing
* Imports : foodstuffs, machinery, manufactured goods
* Location : In Atlantic, farthest East of West Indies
* Area : 166 sq. mi. (431 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Mt. Hillaby, 1,104 ft. (336 m)


Barbados was settled in 1627 by the British and was used
as a market for slaves being shipped from Africa.  As a
consequence, the population is almost 90% black.  Barbados
became a crown colony in 1885, and with the rigorous
enforcement of anti-slavery laws by the British Government
in the late 18th century, the slave trade collapsed.  In
1966, Britain granted the colony independence.  In an
effort to establish better relations with other western
countries, Barbados established diplomatic ties with Cuba
in 1972.
â
Cuba
* Official Name : Republica de Cuba
* Languages : Spanish
* Population : 10,500,000 (est. mid-1989)
* Government : Dictatorship
* Flag : Cuba's flag was officially adopted in 1902,
  shortly after Cuba became a republic.  The star stands
  for independence.
* National Anthem : "La Bayamesa"
* National Holiday : July 26, the anniversary of Fidel
  Castro's attack on the Moncada Army Barracks.
* Natural resources : metals, primarily nickel
* Exports : sugar, nickel, shellfish, tobacco
* Imports :  capital goods(industrial raw materials and
  machinery), petroleum, foodstuffs
* Location : Westernmost of West Indies
* Area : 44,218 sq. mi. (114,524 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Pico Turquino, 6,561 ft. (2,000 m)


Discovered in 1492 by Columbus, Cuba's native population
of Arawak Indians was wiped out by disease and settlers.
Comprised mostly of Spanish immigrants, the colony acted
as a base for the conquest of Mexico and Central America.
A major revolt in 1867 against the Spanish led to a decade
of bloody fighting.  In 1899, Cuba won its independence
from Spain with the assistance of the U.S.  A treaty was
signed in 1902, which established Cuba as a republic under
U.S. protection.  In 1906 and 1909, Congress invoked the
Platt amendment and sent U.S. troops into Cuba to restore
order.  U.S. forces returned in 1912 and 1917.  In 1934,
Congress repealed the Platt amendment prior to Batista's
Cuban revolution.  From 1934 to 1956, Batista ruled what
was arguably the most corrupt government in the history of
the western hemisphere.

On Christmas day 1956, Fidel Castro landed in Cuba and
began his revolution.  The U.S. embargoed arms to the
Batista government in an effort to assist the revolution.
On New Years day 1959, Batista fled the country and Castro
seized power.  The U.S., delighted by the thought of a
democracy in Cuba, initially welcomed the revolution.  But
upon taking office as president, Castro immediately seized
all U.S. assets in Cuban banks, nationalized all
businesses in Cuba and established tribunals to remove all
political opposition.

On April 17, 1961, U.S. President John F. Kennedy launched
the ill-fated "Bay of Pigs Invasion" but, inexplicably,
withheld U.S. air support from the effort.  Doomed from
the outset, the "Freedom Brigade," was trapped on the
beaches and wiped out.  This effort provoked Castro into
asking the Soviet Union for strategic nuclear forces
(nuclear missiles) to be stationed in Cuba.  Kennedy
countered by blockading Cuba in what is known today as the
"Cuban Missile Crisis."  This tense episode in history is
considered to be the closest to nuclear war that the
world has ever come.  Since that time Cuba has been active
in the exportation of advisors and weapons used in warfare
throughout the Americas and Africa.
â
Dominica
* Official Name : Commonwealth of Dominica
* Languages : English and French patois (a dialect of
  French)
* Population : 100,000 (est. mid-1989)
* Government : Parliamentary democracy
* Flag : Green parrot surrounded by ten stars in a red
  circle all on a green field with yellow, blue and white
  quarter bars.
* Natural resources : forest
* Exports : bananas, lime juice, cocoa, coconut oil, soap
* Imports : machinery and equipment, foodstuffs,
  manufactured goods, chemicals
* Location : In Eastern Caribbean, most northerly Windward
  Islands
* Area : 290 sq. mi. (751 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Morne Diabotin 4,747 ft. (1,447 m)


Dominica was discovered by Columbus in 1493 and was
settled by Britain and France in the 16th century.  The
island had the distinction of being the first Co-Dominion
in the western hemisphere.  In 1815, Britain declared
sovereignty over the island in response to Napoleon's
return from exile in Elbe.  Dominica was granted
independence in 1978, and established a socialist economy
under Prime Minister Patrick John.  In 1980, the Freedom
Party took control after economic hardship stuck the
island in the wake of devastation caused by hurricane
David.  Since 1980, Dominica has pursued a free market
economy.
â
The Dominican Republic
* Official Name : Republica Dominicana
* Languages : Spanish
* Population : 7,000,000 (est. mid-1989)
* Government : Republic
* Flag : A white cross divides the flag into quarters
  which are alternately red and blue.  The Dominican coat
  of arms is centered on the cross.  Blue stands for
  liberty, white for salvation, and red for the blood of
  heroes.
* National Anthem : "Himno Nacional"
* Natural resources : nickel, gold, silver
* Exports : sugar, nickel, coffee, tobacco, gold, cocoa
* Imports : foodstuffs, petroleum, capital goods
  (industrial raw materials and production equipment)
* Location : In West Indies, sharing island of Hispaniola
  with Haiti
* Area : 18,704 sq. mi. (48,442 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Pico Duarte, 10,417 ft. (3,175 m)


The island of La Espanola, modern day Hispaniola, was
discovered by Columbus in 1492.  His son was named viceroy
of the island in 1496.  Also in that year, the capital of
Santa Domingo, the oldest European settlement in the
Western Hemisphere, was established.  Spain ceded a
colony (the present day Dominican Republic) located on
Hispaniola to France in 1795, which it lost to Haiti in
1801.  In 1808, the people revolted and set up the first
Dominican Republic.  Spain regained title to the colony in
1814, but lost it to a revolution in 1821.  In 1822, Haiti
overran the island but lost it to revolt again in 1844.
The Dominican Republic was finally established under the
rule of Pedro Santana.  In 1861, he declared the country
to be a province of Spain in order to put a stop to unrest
at home and war with Haiti.  In 1865, the U.S. Senate
refused to approve a treaty of annexation and allowed
disorder to continue until the dictatorship of Ulises
Heureaux in 1916.  When disorder broke out again, U.S.
Marines were dispatched to restore order and remained
until 1934.  Rafael Leonides Trujillo Molina, a sergeant
in the Dominican Army, overthrew the Vasquez government in
1930 and maintained power until assassinated in 1961. The
first free election since 1924 was held in 1962.  Juan
Bosch, a leftist, was elected, but before establishing a
government, a military coup nullified the election and
placed a civilian triumvirate in power.  In 1965, leftists
rebelled and U.S. President Lyndon Johnson sent in the
Marines to restore order.  After free elections in 1966,
that elected Joaquin Balaguer, U.S. and OAS (Organization
of American States) peacekeeping forces withdrew.
Balaguer remained in power until 1978 when he was defeated
in national elections.  When he tried to suspend the
election results, President Carter pressured him into
abiding by the election.
â
Grenada
* Official Name : State of Grenada
* Languages : English
* Population : 86,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Parliamentary
* Religion : Roman Catholic, Anglican
* Flag : Yellow and green angular quarters surrounded by a
  red border, three gold stars line the top and bottom red
  border and there is a single gold star in a red circle
  in the center of the flag.
* Natural resources : bauxite
* Exports : nutmeg, cocoa bean, bananas, mace
* Imports : foodstuffs, machinery, building materials
* Location : Lesser Antilles 100 miles north of the South
  American coast
* Area : 133 sq. miles  (344 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Mount St. Catherine, 2756 ft.  (841 m)


Columbus sighted the island in 1498 but it remained
unoccupied until 1650 when French settlers came.  It was
controlled alternately by Britain and France until the
British established a firm grip on the island in 1784.
Grenada achieved its independence in 1974 with Eric M.
Gairy as Prime Minister.  In 1979, Gairy was ousted by the
New Jewel Movement of Maurice Bishop.  Bishop, a follower
of Fidel Castro, brought in Cuban advisors and
technicians.  Construction was begun on what was
reportedly a civilian airport for increased tourism.  The
runway, built by Cubans, was blast hardened and built to
support Soviet Strategic Bombers.  When Bishop was
assassinated in 1983, the U.S., prompted by Dominica,
invaded Grenada and captured several hundred Cuban troops.
After securing the island, the U.S. oversaw free elections
in which Herbert A. Blaize was elected Prime Minister.
â
Haiti
* Official Name : Republic of Haiti
* Languages : French, Creole
* Population : 6,400,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Military Council
* Flag : The black half of the national flag flown by the
  people, stands for the Negroes of Haiti; the red half
  represents its mulattos.  In the center of the state
  flag, used by the government, appears the Haitian coat
  of arms.
* Natural resources : bauxite
* Exports : coffee, light industrial products, sugar,
  cocoa, sisal
* Imports : consumer goods, foodstuffs, industrial
  equipment, petroleum products
* Location : In West Indies, occupies western third of
  Island of Hispaniola
* Area : 10,714 sq. mi. (27,750 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Pic la Selle 8,783 ft. (2,677 m)


Haiti was first visited by Columbus in 1492 and became a
colony of France in 1677.  Haiti gained its independence
in 1804.  The rebellion was led by a former slave,
Toussaint L'Ouverture.  Following a period of civil
violence and war with the Dominican Republic, the U.S.
sent peace-keeping forces from 1915 to 1934.  Francois
Duvalier was elected President in 1957.  He declared
himself President for life and passed the presidency on to
his son, Jean-Claude "Baby-Doc" Duvalier.  After a string
of severe natural disasters from 1975 to 1980, Haiti was
left as the poorest nation in the western hemisphere with
an unemployment rate near 50%.  Following several weeks of
unrest, Duvalier fled Haiti aboard a U.S. Air Force Jet.
A military-civilian council, headed by General Henri
Namphry, assumed control.  A new constitution was drafted
in 1987 and voters approved it. In 1988, Leslie Manigat
was elected president, but the election was plagued with
widespread fraud.  In order to avert civil unrest, General
Namphry took control of the government and appointed
himself president.  Namphry was in turn overthrown by Lt.
Gen. Prosper Avril who, only recently, was overthrown
himself.
â
Jamaica
* Official Name : Jamaica
* Languages : English
* Population : 2,500,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Constitutional Monarchy
* Flag : Gold diagonal crossed bars with black triangular
  side panels and green triangular top and bottom panels.
* National Anthem :  Jamaica
* Natural resources : bauxite, gypsum
* Exports : alumina, bauxite, sugar, clothing, citrus
  fruits, rum, cocoa
* Imports : Fuels, machinery, transport and electrical
  equipment, food and fertilizer
* Location : West Indies 90 miles south of Cuba and 100
  miles west of Haiti
* Area : 4,411 square miles  (11,424 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Blue Mountain 7,402 ft. (2,256 m)


Columbus discovered Jamaica in 1494 and named it St. Iago.
In 1655, it was lost by Spain to the British.  The island
became rich off the loot gathered by buccaneers operating
from Port Royale.  When the native Indians began to die
off from disease and exploitation, slaves were imported to
work the plantations.  The abolition of the slave trade in
1807, the emancipation of slaves in 1833, and the drop in
sugar prices led to a depressed economy.  A revolt spurred
Britain into granting Jamaica colony status in 1865.
Jamaica attained internal autonomy in 1953 and led the
effort to form the West Indies Federation.  Unhappy with
the course of events in the Federation, Jamaica pulled out
and declared independence in 1961.
â
St. Kitts and Nevis
* Official Name : St. Christopher Nevis
* Languages : English
* Population : 40,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Constitutional Monarchy
* Flag : The flag has two white stars on a black diagonal
  stripe bordered by two yellow.  The top left diagonal
  portion is green, while the lower right portion is red.
* Natural resources : agriculture
* Exports : sugar, cotton, molasses
* Imports : foodstuffs, manufactured goods
* Location : Windward Islands
* Area : 100 sq miles  (259 sq. km)


Discovered by Columbus in 1493, St. Kitts was originally
known as Liamuiga.  The islands were settled by Britain in
1623 but ownership was disputed by France until 1713.  The
Islands have been part of the regional government starting
in 1871 with the Leeward Island Federation.  In 1958, they
joined the West Indies Federation, and in 1967, they
became an independent associated state of the United
Kingdom.  In 1983, they became fully independent.
â
St. Lucia
* Official Name : St. Lucia
* Languages : English and Patios
* Population : 100,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Flag : dark blue wedge on a yellow triangle on a blue
  field
* Government : Constitutional Monarchy
* Natural resources : forest
* Exports : bananas, clothing
* Imports : foodstuffs, machinery, petroleum
* Location : Windward Islands
* Area : 238 sq miles  (616 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Mt. Gimie, 3,145 feet  (959 m)


Discovered by Spain in 1503, St. Lucia has been ruled by
the French and British.  In 1979, St. Lucia was granted
full independence and has been faced with a growing
unemployment problem and increased trade deficits.  To
supplement the exports, St. Lucia offered financial
incentives to Amerada Hess to place an oil refining and
trans-shipment plant on the island.
â
St. Vincent and The Grenadines
* Official Name : St Vincent and the The Grenadines
* Languages : English
* Flag : blue, yellow and green vertical bars with three
  green diamonds in the shape of a Vee on the yellow bar
* Population : 112,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Constitutional Monarchy
* Exports : bananas, arrowroot, copra (from which coconut
  oil is extracted)
* Imports : foodstuffs, machinery, fuels
* Location : Windward Islands
* Area : 238 sq miles  616 sq. km)
* Highest Point : La Soufriere 4,048 feet (1,234 m)


Discovered by Columbus in 1498 and claimed by Britain and
France, Saint Vincent was ceded to Britain by France at
the Treaty of Paris in 1783.  The island was awarded home
rule in 1969 and achieved full independence on Oct. 26,
1979.  St. Vincent relies solely on tourism and
agriculture for survival.
â
Trinidad and Tobago
* Official Name : Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
* Languages : English and Hindi
* Population : 1,300,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Parliamentary Democracy
* Flag : black diagonal stripe bordered by white on a red
  field
* Natural resources : petroleum
* Exports : petroleum, ammonia
* Imports : foodstuff, machinery, equipment
* Location : northeast of Venezuela in the Caribbean sea
* Area : 1,980 sq miles (5,128 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Mount Aripo 3,085 ft. (940 m)


Trinidad was discovered by Columbus in 1498.  In 1797, the
island was captured by the British and was ceded to them
in 1802.  In 1899, Trinidad was combined with Tobago and
elevated to colony status.  The islands continued their
ties with Britain until 1976, when they declared their
independence and became a republic with association in
the British Commonwealth.
â
Mexico
* Official Name : United Mexican States
* Languages : Spanish, Indian dialects
* Population : 88,087,000  (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Federal Republic
* Flag : Mexico's flag was adopted in 1821.  The green
  stands for independence, white for religion and red for
  union.  The coat of arms is in the center.
* National Anthem : "Himno Nacional de Mexico"  ("National
  Hymn of Mexico")
* National Holiday : Independence Day, September 16
* Natural resources : petroleum, silver, copper, gold,
  lead, zinc, natural gas, timber
* Exports : cotton, sugar, shrimp, cattle and meat,
  coffee, machinery, petroleum
* Imports : machinery, equipment, industrial vehicles,
  intermediate goods
* Location : Southern North America
* Area : 761,600 sq. mi. (1,972,547 sq. km)
* Highest Point : Citaltepetl, 18,855 ft. (5,747 m)


Mexico was the site of three civilized nations prior to
the arrival of Cortes in 1519.  Spain ruled Mexico until
1810 when the Mexicans first revolted.  The warfare
lasted eleven years before the Mexicans finally won
independence.  From 1821 to 1877, the government of Mexico
remained in a state of constant change.  Over sixty
presidents, dictators and provisional governments ruled
Mexico.  In 1836, Mexico lost Texas after Santa Anna
refused to allow the land holders in Texas representation
and fair taxes.  After the Mexican-American War from
1846 to 1848, Mexico lost the area comprising California,
Nevada, Utah, most of New Mexico and Arizona, and parts
of Wyoming and Colorado.  In 1861, France invaded Mexico
and established Maximilian of Austria as Emperor of
Mexico.  He was overthrown and executed by Juarez in
1867.  U.S. intervention in 1916 and 1917 against the
revolutionary Pancho Villa proved unsuccessful.  Mexico
has had a period of gradual growth and improving
conditions ever since.
â
Puerto Rico
* Official Name : The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
* Languages : English
* Population : 3,300,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Protectorate
* Flag : U.S. Stars & Stripes
* Exports : chemicals, apparel, fish, electronic products
* Imports : foodstuffs, fuel
* Location : Central Caribbean
* Area : 3100 sq. miles  (8029 sq. km)


Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain to the United States as a
result of the Spanish-American War.  Puerto Rico has
maintained a free association with the United States under
the U.S. Constitution.  The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
has become the most prosperous region in Latin America.
The residents of Puerto Rico are citizens of the United
States.
â
The U.S. Virgin Islands
* Official Name : United States Virgin Islands
* Languages : English
* Population : 200,000 (est. mid-1985)
* Government : Protectorate
* Flag : Stars & Stripes and V.I. Territorial Flag
* Exports : chemicals, apparel, fish, electronic products
* Imports : foodstuffs, fuel
* Location : Central Caribbean
* Area : 3100 sq. miles  (8029 sq. km)


The Virgin Islands were purchased from the Netherlands in
1917 for $25,000,000 dollars.  Residents of the Virgin
Islands are citizens of the United States and have
substantially the same rights with the exception that
residents of the Virgin Islands cannot vote in
Presidential elections.
â
The Cayman Islands
* Official Name : Dependencies of the United Kingdom
* Languages : English
* Population : 23,000
* Government : Dependency
* Flag : Union Jack
* Exports : Turtle products
* National Anthem : "God Save the Queen"
* Location : Western Caribbean
* Area : 100 sq. miles. (259 sw. km)

This collection of islands lies about 200 miles northwest
of Jamaica.  It consists of three islands, Grand Cayman
(the largest and southernmost), Little Cayman (the
westernmost of the smaller pair) and Cayman Brac.
The islands were dependancies of Jamaica until 1959, when
they joined the Federation of the West Indies.  When the
Federation was dissolved in 1962, the islands became
British dependancies.
â
The U.K. Virgin Islands
* Official Name : Dependencies of the United Kingdom
* Languages : English
* Population : 12,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Dependency
* Flag : Union Jack
* National Anthem : "God Save the Queen"


This collection of 36 islands lies to the northeast of
Puerto Rico and is economically interdependent with the
U.S. Virgin Islands to the southwest.  The islands became
a British crown colony in 1956 and a British dependency
with the adoption of a new constitution in 1967.  The
principal islands are Tortola and Virgin Gorda to the
west, and Anegda to the northeast.
â
Montserrat
* Official Name : Dependency of the United Kingdom
* Languages : English
* Population : 12,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Dependency
* Flag : Union Jack
* Exports : Cattle, potatoes, cotton, mangoes, tomatos
* Highest Point : Soufriere Hills, 3,000 ft. (910 m)
* Area : 38 sq. mi. (98 sq. km)

Montserrat was discovered by Columbus in 1493 and he named
it after a famous mountain near Barcelona in Spain.  Irish
settlers arrived in 1632, and many inhabitants today speak
with an Irish brogue.  Although France and Britain fought
for control for about 150 years, Britain has controlled
the island since 1783.
Formerly a member of the Leeward Islands, Montserrat never
joined the West Indies Associated States, but instead
became a British Colony.
â
The Turks and Caicos Islands
* Official Name : Dependency of the United Kingdom
* Languages : English
* Population : 9,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Dependency
* Exports : Crayfish and Conch
* Flag : Union Jack
* Area : 193 sq. mi. (500 sq. km)

These islands were dependencies of Jamaica until 1959 when
they became members of the Federation of the West Indies.
In 1962 they became a British colony and in 1969 with the
adoption of the current constitution, they became British
dependencies.
â
Guadeloupe
* Official Name : Overseas Department of France
* Languages : French, Creole (French dialect)
* Population : 338,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : directorate
* Flag : blue, white and red vertical bars.
* National Anthem : "La Marseillaise"
* National Holiday : Bastille Day, July 14
* National Motto  : Liberte, Egalite, Franternite
* Exports : refined petroleum, fruits, sugar, clothing
* Imports : foodstuffs, clothing, consumer goods
* Location : Lesser Antilles
* Area : 1118 sq miles  (2896 sq. km)
* Highest Point :  La Grande Soufriere 4,813 ft.
  (1,467 m)


Columbus discovered Guadeloupe in 1493 and the French
began settling the island in 1635.  It has been part of
the nation of France ever since, electing to remain part
of the French Republic.
Guadeloupe consists of twin islands, Basse-Terre and
Grande-Terre, and five dependencies including Marie-Galant
to the south (Not shown on this map) and St. Barthelemy
(also not shown) some 140 miles to the northeast.
Volcanic activity on La Grande Soufriere caused
evacuations in 1976.
â
Martinique
* Official Name : Overseas Department of France
* Languages : French  Creole (French dialect)
* Population : 361,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : directorate
* Flag : blue, white and red vertical bars.
* National Anthem : "La Marseillaise"
* National Holiday : Bastille Day, July 14
* National Motto  : Liberte, Egalite, Franternite
* Natural resources : fish
* Exports : refined petroleum, citrus, fruit
* Imports : foodstuffs, clothing, consumer goods
* Location : Lesser Antilles
* Area : 1118 sq. miles  (2896 sq. km)


Columbus discovered Martinique in 1502.  The French took
the island in 1635.  After the French-German armistice in
1940, it had a semi-autonomous status until 1943.  It has
been part of the nation of France ever since, electing to
remain part of the French Republic.
â
The Netherlands Antilles
* Official Name : Netherlands Antilles
* Languages : Dutch
* Population : 200,000 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
* Flag : red, white, and blue horizontal bars
* Natural Resources : phosphate
* Exports : refined petroleum
* Imports : crude petroleum
* Location : Lesser Antilles and south Caribbean off
  Venezuela
* Area : 383 sq miles  (992 sq. km)


The various islands of the Netherlands Antilles were
settled by Dutch traders throughout the 15th century.  In
the usual tradition of the Dutch, complete autonomy in
internal affairs has been granted to the islands.  The
government is appointed by the Governor.
â
Aruba
* Official Name : Aruba
* Languages : Dutch
* Population : 62,300 (est. mid-1988)
* Government : Member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
* Flag : red, white, and blue horizontal bars
* Natural Resources : phosphate
* Exports : Consumer goods, refined oil
* Imports : Crude Oil
* Location : Lesser Antilles and south Caribbean off
  Venezuela
* Area : 75 sq miles  (193 sq. km)


Like the islands of the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba was
settled by Dutch traders throughout the 15th century.  In
the usual tradition of the Dutch, complete autonomy in
internal affairs has been granted to the island.  The
government is appointed by the Governor.
â
The Region
^C** Central America and The Caribbean **
^CCentral America
* Population : 110,957,000
* Highest Point : Tajumulco, 13,845 ft. (4223 m)
  (Guatemala)

^CThe Caribbean
* Population : 33,254,000
* Highest Point : Pico Duarte, 10,417 ft. (3177 m)
  (Dominican Republic )

The 8 countries which are part of Central America are:
    Belize            Costa Rica            El Salvador
    Guatemala         Honduras              Mexico
    Nicaragua         Panama

The 23 Countires and territories the are part of the
Caribbean are:
  Antigua and Barbuda             Aruba
  The Bahamas                     Barbados
  The Cayman Islands              Cuba
  Dominica                        The Dominican Republic
  Grenada                         Guateloupe
  Haiti                           Jamaica
  Martinique                      Montserrat
  The Netherlands Antilles        Puerto Rico
  St. Kitts and Nevis             St. Lucia
  St. Vincent and The Grenadines  Trinidad and Tobago
  The Turks and Caicos Islands    The U.K. Virgin Islands
  The U.S. Virgin Islands

This volume of Geotutor covers the area between the United
States of America and the South American Continent.  It
includes Mexico, which is actually considered a part of
North America.  It covers all the countries down to
Panama, as well as all but the smallest countries and
territories in the Caribbean, also known as the West
Indies.  In addition to the information provided on each
country individually, here is some information useful for
understanding the region.

The Caribbean: The Islands of the Caribbean are also known
as the West Indies or (except for the Bahamas) as the
Antilles.  They are grouped into the Greater Antilles
which include Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and the Island of
Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) and the
Lesser Antilles which stretch from the Virgin Islands
south to Trinidad.  The Lesser Antilles are divided into
the Leeward Islands to the north, and the Windward Islands
to the south.

West Indies Associated States: An association of five
islands states in the Caribbean with the United Kingdom.
Great Britain is responsible for the foreign affairs and
defense of the states, but each is an independent nation
in all other respects.

West Indies Federation: In 1958, the British islands of
the Lesser Antilles were formed into a member of the
British commonwealth.  The Federation was dissolved in
1962 when Trinidad and Jamaica seceded.

Organization of American States: An association of Latin-
American countries (those from Mexico south through South
America).  The OAS exists to keep the peace and promote
economic welfare among member nations.
â