Resources for Learning About Central America
Published:
January 11, 2021
Contributor:
Jeannette Tuionetoa
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.
Central America consists of seven countries: El Salvador, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. These resources for learning about Central America will help your homeschool explore the countries that form a connection between two continents.
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Central America
Clearly, Central America is in the center of South America and North America. Although these two Americas are continents, Central America is not a continent but is in fact a part of North America.
The area is defined as an archaeological bridge connecting North and South America. It is also an isthmus that separated the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Caribbean Sea. By the way, an isthmus is a strip of land that connects two larger landmasses, but with bodies of water on both sides.
Central America was also considered a country, in and of itself at one time, but then was divided up into El Salvador, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
I might as well tell you numerous other facts we found about Central America.
Interesting Facts about Central America
- The land stretches roughly 1,140 miles (1,835 km) in an arc shape from northwest to southeast.
- At its very narrowest point, the land is only about 30 miles (50km) wide.
- This one is cool. There is nowhere in Central America that is more than 125 miles (200km) from the sea.
- All of the countries in Central America have a Spanish speaking population, except Belize. The primary/official language in Belize is English.
- 3/5 of Central America’s population is mixed European (mostly Spanish) and of Mayan heritage.
- El Salvador and Panama still print their own currency, but the other countries use the United States Dollar (USD).
- Belize is a little bigger than El Salvador, yet El Salvador has thirty (yes, thirty) times the population of Belize.
Is Central America the same as Latin America?
Because there are so many Spanish speaking people in these countries, Central America is sometimes confused for Latin America. Many think they are one and the same.
However, Latin America is actually a much broader term defining Spanish-speaking countries which include Central America along with Mexico, the Caribbean (but only whose inhabitants speak Spanish), and all the countries of South America.
Central America Worksheets
Explore some Spanish speaking countries in your homeschool with these resources for learning about Central America.
- Central America Quiz | Teaching Central America
- Central America Internet Research BUNDLE (Print + Digital Activities) ($10.50)| The Gifted Writer
- Map Activity Central America | Culture Over Content
- Flags of Central America – Match the flag with the country | Interactive Printables
- Central America Crossword Puzzles | Global Guy Ink
Central America Free Downloads
- Label Central America | Enchanted Learning
- Central America FREE Lessons Plans, Games, and Presentations | MrDonn.org
- Word Search Puzzle Central America | Interactive Printables
- Country Research Project ( Central America and the Caribbean ) | ESL Village
- Map of Central America and the Caribbean | Jodi’s Jewels
Learn About Central America
- Central America Facts | Cool Kid Facts
- Central America Facts for Kids | Kids.Kiddle
- Countries of Central America Lapbook | MsAPlusTeacher
- All About Central America | Easy Science for Kids
- Central America and the Caribbean Geography | Ducksters
- Lesson Plan Central America – Geography | Elephango
- 17 Things You Didn’t Know About Central America | Trip Savvy
Videos about Central America
- Rock The Countries – Central America Video (Song) | sillie4cats
- 10 YouTube Videos for Exploring Central America | BookShark
- Introducing Central America | Lonely Planet
- Videos To Learn About Central America | National Geographic
Printables for Countries in Central America
Nicaragua
- 18 Fun & Interesting Facts About Nicaragua | HubPages
- 7 Fascinating Facts About Nicaragua | Travel Awaits
- Nicaragua Facts & Worksheets | kidskonnect
El Salvador
- Free El Salvador – Printable handout with map and flag | Interactive Printables
- 55 Interesting Facts About El Salvador That Will Blow Your Mind! | Gum Nuts Abroad
- El Salvador Facts & FREE Worksheets | kidskonnect
Costa Rica
- Costa Rica Country For Kids Free Resources | 123 Homeschool 4 Me
- Costa Rica Country Lapbook | Homeschool Share
- Costa Rica Free Journal Pack | Our Edventures
- Facts Costa Rica & Free Worksheets | kidskonnect
- 10 Fun Facts about Costa Rica: Learning Countries of the World | Mai’s Adventures
Belize
- Printable handout with map and flag Belize | Interactive Printables
- Free Belize Notebooking Page | Homeschool Helper Online
- Belize Facts & Worksheets | kidskonnect
- Free Flag of Belize | Free Printable Flags
Guatemala
- Printable handout with map and flag – Guatemala | Interactive Printables
- Guatemala Country Study | Beyond Imagination
- Best Children’s Books About Guatemala | Rebekah Gienapp
- Guatemala Facts & FREE Worksheets | kidskonnect
Honduras
- FREE Honduras Flag Coloring Page | Best Coloring Pages
- Honduras Country Study | Beyond Imagination
- Printable handout with map and flag HONDURAS | | Interactive Printables
- Honduras Facts & FREE Worksheets | kidskonnect
Panama
- The Educational Summer Vacation: Studying Panama (FREE Resource) | Unremarkable Files
- FREE Printable Facts about Panama | Making Friends
- Panama – Printable handouts with map and flag | Interactive Printables
- FREE Panama Facts & Worksheets | kidskonnect
In Conclusion
These Central American countries all have rich and vibrant cultures with deep Mayan and Spanish roots. You will find that studying the countries and cultures of Central America will bring fun, color, flavor, and life to your otherwise everyday geography units.
