THINK ABOUT IT

Compared to the rest of US, Hawaii has a very different location, climate, culture, and history. However, it is included in the geographic region. Why do you think it is included here?

Hawaii was voted to be a state. It was protectorate before it was voted.

Some countries in this region still have names based on Indian words. Others were named by European conquerors. Find out the origins and meaning of at least three of these countries names: Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Uruguay.

Costa Rica: Spanish word for rich coast. Named by Columbus. Ecuador: Spanish word for Equator, so called by virtue of its geographical position. Puerto Rico: Spanish word for rich harbor. Jamaica: Xamaika, an ancient Arawak Indian name for the island, meaning land of wood and water

Europe has been called a peninsula of peninsulas How many European peninsulas can you name?

Italian peninsula, Iberian peninsula, Jutland peninsula, Balkan peninsula.

Look up the word balkanize in an unabridged dictionary. It comes from the Balkan Peninsula of Eastern Europe. How do you think the word balkanize came to have its current meaning?

Because how Europe is divided (mostly because of the wars) . Example: Former Yugoslavia. Also the hate (nationalism) and conflicts between the countries ex: Greece & Macedonia, Serbia and Croatia.

One of Russias czars fought several wars in order to extend his territory as far as the Baltic Sea. At that time, Russia only had ports on the north- the Barents Sea, the Kara Sea, the Arctic Ocean, and so forth. Based on Russias geography, why would a port on the Baltic Sea be important? Because of access to Europe. Most of other ports in Russia freeze over the winter, but Baltic Sea stays warm.

Most people in Southwest Asia live near rivers, along coasts, or in the mountains. Why do you think this is?

Because the middle east is a very dry place. They live along coasts or in the mountains because of water and food.

Eight countries in West Africa have currencies named after the French franc. Why do you think this might be?

Because they were French colonies.

The Himalayas have been called the rooftop of the world. Why do you think they might be called this?

Because they are the largest mountain on the Earth. Mount Everest is the highest (29,029 ft)

The only country in Southeast Asia that never came under colonial control was Thailand. The Thai sometimes compare themselves to bamboo, a flexible plant that bends with the wind, instead of breaking. How do you think being flexible might have kept Thailand free of European domination?

Because in 1909. Britain and France couldnt agree to a portioning of it and so they allowed it to be independent.