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Central America is a narrow Isthmus extending from the north where it connects to Mexico or the Southern portion of North America, heading to the South East through Panama to connect to Colombia on the northern part of the South America continent.
For prospective travelers, Central America is one of the best potential locations in the world. It’s interesting location and diverse mix of cultures has made Central America a nice place to get away for many decades. Situated between North and South America, there is a nice blend of cultural and linguistic similarities throughout the many countries that make up Central America. So why should travelers consider countries like Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama for their vacation needs?
It has everything to do with the vast number of opportunities available there, from history to culture to sitting on the beach.
One of the cool things about Central America is its diverse history. Not every nation was founded or discovered in the same way. Some were discovered when Christopher Columbus made his famed voyages to the Americas for Spain. Others were already apart of the Native American civilizations in Mexico. Pre Colombian era saw these lands occupied by the Mesoamerican civilization. Making up the Mesoamerican civilization were most notably the Aztec and the Maya Indians who had vast trade routes throughout the region and were known for their advanced mathematical and scientific levels.
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The Spanish sent many expeditions to Central America after the discoveries of the Americas by Christopher Columbus. And thus began their conquest of Aztec and Mayan civilizations. Between the 16th Century and the 1900s, a lot changed in Central America and many nations were formed with their own distinct cultures. Though these nations are often lumped together, each one has something a little bit different to offer a person who might travel there.
Today with a population around 43 million people, integration projects are ongoing to make Central America more singular in nature. What this has led to is a lot of spillover with the different cultures taking some things from each other. This is a nice thing for those who are looking to travel to the area, since it has produced lots of different countries that all have a great deal to offer. From the vibrant food selections that are customary in Belize to the beach going culture in Costa Rica, each country brings something to the table
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Central America lies between the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Caribbean to the east. The Isthmus sits on top of the Caribbean Plate which makes this region very active with Volcano eruptions and earthquakes. The Volcanos offer some unbelievable and surreal views throughout the region. With the weathered lava’s from past volcanic activity, the area has very fertile soil that has contributed to the productive agriculture.
Those who come to Central America typically do so to take advantage of the coastal cities. Costa Rica is undoubtedly the most popular option for this purpose, but it's certainly not the only option. The tourism industry produces more than $2 billion dollars per year, which should give travelers an idea of Costa Rica's popularity. It has some of the best beaches in all of the Americas and the sun shines hot in Costa Rica for many months of the year.
Panama and its capital Panama City are also quite popular, especially in recent years when political unrest has died down. This is now a place with a perfect tropical climate and a vibrant culture to offer. Not only does it have some top notch beaches like much of Central America, but Panama also features a strong European feel. The streets are often lined with individuals providing entertainment and there are plenty of great local restaurants in the large cities and the smaller villages alike. This is a place that attracts those people who really want to get intimate with the culture in Central America, as it has plenty to provide in the way of unique experiences.
All in all, Central America is a place with 7 different countries that are all excellent tourist options. Though Costa Rica is the king of tourism, it’s important to note that other countries can provide a similar experience.
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