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The Dividing Link
Teacher Consultant Marty Mater
Michigan Geographic Alliance
This side of the map is a land cover map of Mexico and Central America, showing both natural and
human characteristics. The introductory paragraph explains some effects of the connection of North
America to South America three million years ago, and the numerous text boxes explain how each of the
geographic features formed. In addition, three maps on the right show graphically how this connection
took place over time.
National Geography Standards:
Standard 1: How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire,
process, and report information.
Standard 4: The physical and human characteristics of places.
Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations:
EARTH SCIENCE Solid Earth
E.SE.06.52 Demonstrate how major geological events (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, mountain building) result
from these plate motions.
SCIENCE PROCESSES Inquiry Analysis
S.IA.06.15 Use multiple sources of information to evaluate strengths and weaknesses of claims, arguments, or
data.
GEOGRAPHY: G1 The World in Spatial Terms: Geographical Habits of Mind.
6 – G1.2.6 Apply the skills of geographic inquiry (asking geographic questions, acquiring geographic
information, organizing geographic information, analyzing geographic information, and answering geographic
questions) to analyze a problem or issue of importance to a region of the Western Hemisphere.
6 – G1.3.3 Explain the different ways in which places are connected and how those connections demonstrate
interdependence and accessibility.
GEOGRAPHY: G2 Places and Regions
6 – G2.1.1 Describe the landform features and the climate of the region (within the Western or Eastern
Hemispheres) under study.
Objectives: The student will be able to:
Describe some effects caused by the connection of North and South America
Locate and describe major geographic features of the area
Explain how the movement of tectonic plates caused geographic features
Describe the significance of major geographic features
Materials: NGS map “The Dividing Link/Mexico and Central America”; Overhead chart and questions; Student
worksheet
Learning Activities:
1) Dividing Link: Have each group read the introduction “The Dividing Link” (bottom left of map) and
answer the following questions from the overhead:
a. What were 4 effects caused by the connection of North and South America which occurred about
3 million years ago? (Atlantic equatorial currents became today’s Gulf Stream; Atlantic became
saltier and denser; The Arctic ice pack expanded; Previously isolated species began to travel
between North and South America)
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b. For each of these effects, tell a consequence to people today. Answers will vary; some possible
answers: The Gulf Stream keeps England warmer than its latitude would predict. Saltier and
denser oceans changed the habitats of species. The Arctic icepack expanded into the Ice Ages,
changing the land (e.g., Michigan). Animals traveling from one continent to the other carried
seeds of new plants.
c. Which geologic processes helped create the current geography of Middle America? (Movement
of at least 5 tectonic plates; scores of active volcanoes; eruptions and earthquakes.)
d. How did one geologist describe the creation of the land bridge? (It may be the most important
natural event to affect the surface of the Earth in the last 60 million years.)
Share answers, using the cause – effect – consequence chart
2) Birth of a Land Bridge: (Note: the red lines are the modern day shapes and coastlines) Have student
describe the changes which have occurred. Questions to get them started (see overhead):
a. What land masses in the first map (90 million years ago) are out of place from today? (Cuba and
Honduras)
b. What continent/countries gained land from 90 million years ago to 50 million years ago? (South
America, United States, Mexico, Honduras, Hispaniola, Costa Rica and Panama).
c. What might be the effect of Cuba colliding with the limestone platform? (It may not move any
closer to Florida)
d. Why does Florida not show up in these maps? (Warmer temperatures caused sea level to rise,
causing flooding).
3) Direct students to the text boxes located around the map. Have students read the text box “Baja
California” and think about both the origin and the significance (or effect) of the event that created it.
Using Student Worksheet #1, model the answer to the first row on the graphic organizer. For each row,
one box is completed, and the students must read the text boxes to fill in the blanks. The activity will be
less difficult if students are given the place names and be required to find the origin and significance.
K:\MGA\NGS Maps\The Dividing Link Mexico and Central America\Mexico and Central America.doc
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After reading “The Dividing Link” introduction, answer the
following questions in your group. One student should
record your answers.
What were 4 effects caused by the connection of North
and South America which occurred about 3 million years
ago?
For each of these effects, tell a consequence to people
today.
Which geologic processes helped create the current
geography of Middle America?
How did one geologist describe the creation of the land
bridge?
Describe the changes which have occurred from one map to
the next. Questions to get you started:
What land masses in the first map (90 million years ago)
are out of place from today?
What continent/countries gained land from 90 million
years ago to 50 million years ago?
What might be the effect of Cuba colliding with the
limestone platform?
Why does Florida not show up in these maps?
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Student Worksheet #1
Place
Baja California
Origin
Broke away from mainland and was dragged
along the San Andreas Fault.
.
Significance
Rifting and spreading widened the split
and lifted the mountain spine.
The Motagua Fault was recently
discovered to be the source of jade prized
by the Olmec and Maya.
Erosion carved layers of lava and ash from
intense volcanic eruptions.
These densely vegetated plains of eastern
Nicaragua and Honduras have
accumulated to depths as great as three
miles.
Belize Barrier
Reef
An axis of volcanism (caused by the subduction
of the Cocos plate) is crowned by Orizaba,
North America’s 3rd highest peak.
Lake Nicaragua
Costa Rica’s highest point, this ridge was
created as the Cocos plate crossed the
Galapagos volcanic hot spot far to the south.
These eastern mountains share the same origin
as the Rockies
Algae and phytoplankton hardened into
limestone and was cooked into petroleum,
forming Mexico’s massive oil deposits.
Yucatan
Peninsula
An ancient lake basin traps Mexico City’s
shrouding smog. Corn was first
domesticated here 9000 years ago.
Isthmus of
Panama
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Answers, Student Worksheet #1
Place
Baja California
Origin
Broke away from mainland and was dragged
along the San Andreas Fault.
Earth Movers
Tectonic forces brought Guatemala, El
Salvador, and some of Honduras and Nicaragua
into place and caused the 1976 Guatamala City
Earthquake.
Sierra Madre
Occidental
Erosion carved layers of lava and ash from
intense volcanic eruptions.
Mosquito Coast
Sediments eroding from the highlands created
these alluvial plains.
Belize Barrier
Reef
Trans-Mexican
Volcanic Belt
Lake Nicaragua
Cordillara de
Talamanca
Sierra Madre
Oriental
Gulf of Mexico
Yucatan
Peninsula
Mexican
Plateau
Isthmus of
Panama
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Significance
Rifting and spreading widened the split and
lifted the mountain spine.
The Motagua Fault was recently
discovered to be the source of jade prized
by the Olmec and Maya.
Veins of silver make Mexico the world’s
second leading producer. Canyons are the
deepest in the hemisphere
These densely vegetated plains of eastern
Nicaragua and Honduras have accumulated
to depths as great as three miles.
The reef is on top of towering fault ridges
The longest coral reef system in the
created by the eastward movement of the
Western Hemisphere stretches more than
Caribbean plate, which also created the Cayman
150 miles.
Trench.
This process also created the Middle
An axis of volcanism (caused by the subduction
America Trench, the Sierra Madre del Sur
of the Cocos plate) is crowned by Orizaba,
and coastal mountains the length of Central
North America’s 3rd highest peak.
America.
This trough was opened by faulting between
The capital, built on lake sediment and
volcanic ranges and became the largest lake in
volcanic ash, was destroyed by earthquakes
Middle America and its sister Lake Managua.
in 1931 and again in 1972.
Costa Rica’s highest point, this ridge was
created as the Cocos plate crossed the
Galapagos volcanic hot spot far to the south.
These eastern mountains share the same origin
as the Rockies.
When the supercontinent Pangaea broke up, the
Gulf opened.
Sediment covers the 110 mile-wide crater
caused by an asteroid or comet 65 million years
ago.
Crustal stretching and breaking created the
northern basin-and-range terrain. Volcanic
outpourings left rich soil in the south.
A string of volcanic islands fused and was
carried northeast by tectonic drift to complete
the land bridge across Panama and adjacent
Columbia.
The Talamancas top 12,500 feet, but is not
volcanically active.
These mountains are older and more
weathered than their western twins.
Algae and phytoplankton hardened into
limestone and was cooked into petroleum,
forming Mexico’s massive oil deposits.
No rivers flow across the porous land, but
underground rivers and sinkholes called
cenotes were used by Mayans,
An ancient lake basin traps Mexico City’s
shrouding smog. Corn was first
domesticated here 9000 years ago.
Low terrain and the absence of active
volcanoes mark the site of the Panama
Canal, connecting the oceans once more.
CAUSE – EFFECT – CONSEQUENCE
Cause
North and South
America were
connected about 3
million years ago
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Effect
Consequence
Atlantic equatorial currents became
today’s Gulf Stream
The Gulf Stream keeps England
warmer than its latitude would
predict.
Atlantic became saltier and denser
Saltier and denser oceans changed
the habitats of species.
The Arctic ice pack expanded
The Arctic icepack expanded into the
Ice Ages, changing the land (e.g.,
Michigan)
Previously isolated species began to
travel between North and South
America
Animals traveling from one continent
to the other carried seeds of new
plants.
CAUSE – EFFECT – CONSEQUENCE
Cause
North and South
America Were
connected about 3
million years ago
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Effect
Consequence
Mexico and Central America
Teacher Consultant Marty Mater
Michigan Geographic Alliance
This side of the map is a political map of Mexico and Central America. The text boxes include
information about each country, and 3 important ancient civilizations.
National Geography Standards:
Standard 1: How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire,
process, and report information
Standard 4: The physical and human characteristics of places
Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations:
6-G2.2.1: Describe the human characteristics of the region under study (including languages, economic
system, governmental system, cultural traditions).
Objectives: Using the following geographic activities, the students will:
Locate Mexico and the countries in Central America
Describe geographic, cultural, and political characteristics of the area
Materials: NGS map for each group: “The Dividing Link/Mexico and Central America”; County Puzzle
Pieces; Student Worksheet #1; I Have, Who Has strips.
Learning Activities:
1. Optional opening activity: Give each group of students a set of puzzle pieces of the countries (labeled or
unlabeled) of this region and have them create a map. Note: Mexico has been divided into 6 pieces.
2. Give each group of students the map of Mexico and Central America. Have them describe the political
side of the map by writing one or two sentences about what they see. Be sure they include at least three
categories of information shown. (e. g., “This map shows the countries of Mexico and Central America
and includes cities, mountains, and international borders.” “You can find information about 3 ancient
cultures, and population and languages of the countries in Central America.”)
3. Using Student Worksheet #1, have groups find the answers to the questions. Option: when finished and
shared, these may be used as an “I Have, Who Has” activity.
Extension Activities:
Research economies of countries
Research major Biosphere Reserves to find out
o History
o Major objectives
o Funding sources
http://www.mexonline.com/natlpark.htm
See interactive map:
http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/bios1-2.htm
The Special Biosphere Reserves are
representative zones of one or more
ecosystems that haven't been altered by
men. These areas are the habitat to
endemic, and/or species threatened
with extinction. Today, Mexico counts
with 44 National Parks, 13 Special
Biosphere Reserves, 16 Biosphere
Reserves, 8 Protected Areas, 3 Natural
Monuments and 2 Marine Parks.
K:\MGA\NGS Maps\The Dividing Link Mexico and Central America\Mexico and Central America.doc
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Student Worksheet #2
1. Name the countries of Central America from Mexico to Columbia.
2. Name the bodies of water that surround Middle America.
3. In which country is English the first language? Why do you think this is true?
4. Which countries are the poorest?
5. Which is the smallest (but most densely populated) country?
6. Which two countries of Central America are most closely associated with the Mayan empire?
7. Which Central American country encourages tourists to visit their rain forests?
8. What country is the furthest south in North America?
9. This country is very mountainous; the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Sierra Madre Oriental stretch
nearly the entire length.
10. Which Central American country has a coast only on the Pacific Ocean?
11. Which Central American country has a coast only on the Caribbean Sea?
12. Which ancient culture developed a calendar system and the oldest known writing system in the New
World?
13. What was the capital of the Aztec empire that was conquered by the Spanish?
14. Name two large peninsulas in Mexico.
15. What four U. S. states border Mexico?
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Answers, Student Worksheet #2
1. Name the countries of Central America from Mexico to Columbia.
a. Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama
2. Name the bodies of water that surround Middle America.
a. Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean
3. In which country is English the first language? Why do you think this is true?
a. Belize; British colony until 1981
4. Which countries are the poorest?
a. Honduras, Nicaragua
5. Which is the smallest (but most densely populated) country?
a. El Salvador
6. Which two countries of Central America are most closely associated with the Mayan empire?
a. Guatemala, Honduras
7. Which Central American country encourages tourists to visit their rain forests?
a. Costa Rica
8. What country is the furthest south in North America?
a. Panama
9. This country is very mountainous; the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Sierra Madre Oriental stretch
nearly the entire length.
a. Mexico
10. Which Central American country has a coast only on the Pacific Ocean?
a. El Salvador
11. Which Central American country has a coast only on the Caribbean Sea?
a. Belize
12. Which ancient culture developed a calendar system and the oldest known writing system in the New
World?
a. Olmec
13. What was the capital of the Aztec empire that was conquered by the Spanish?
a. Tenochtitlan
14. Name two large peninsulas in Mexico.
a. Yucatan Peninsula, Baja California
15. What four U. S. states border Mexico?
a. California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas
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Cut apart to use above questions for I Have, Who Has:
I have Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico,
Caribbean Sea, and Atlantic Ocean
Who has the poorest countries in Central
America?
I have Mexico
Who has the Central American country with a
coast only on the Caribbean Sea?
I have Honduras and Nicaragua
I have Belize
Who has the smallest (but most densely
populated) country which has a coast only on the
Pacific Ocean?
Who has the ancient culture which developed a
calendar system and the oldest known writing
system in the New World?
I have El Salvador
I have Olmec
Who has the two countries of Central America
which are most closely associated with the
Mayan empire?
Who has the capital of the Aztec empire that
was conquered by the Spanish?
I have Guatemala and Honduras
I have Tenochtitlan
Who has the Central American country that
encourages tourists to visit their rain forests?
Who has the two large peninsulas in Mexico?
I have Costa Rica
I have Yucatan Peninsula, and Baja
California
Who has the country that is the furthest south in
North America?
I have Panama
Who has the very mountainous country; the
Sierra Madre Occidental and the Sierra Madre
Oriental stretch nearly the entire length?
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Who has the four U. S. states that border
Mexico?
I have California, Arizona, New Mexico, and
Texas
Who has the bodies of water that surround
Middle America?