Central America Fun Stuff

Ten Things You Probably Didn't Know about Central America

Ten strange facts for your entertainment:

1. Mexico introduced chocolate to the world. Now aren't you warming to the place!
2. Mexico City is sinking at a rate of 6 to 8 inches a year because it's built on top of an underground reservoir. So visit before it's gone!
3. Belize is one of the least populated countries in the world.
4. Guatemala City was home to one of the first Mayan societies dating back to 2000 BC.
5. The Panama Canal was originally started by the French in 1880, they gave up after 20 years and an estimated 20,000 deaths. The U.S. took over in 1903, poured hundreds of millions of dollars into the project, and opened the Panama Canal in August of 1914.
6. On the 11th June 1990 Costa Rica shocked Scotland by beating them 1 - 0 in the world cup. It was Costa Rica's first appearance at the world cup, needless to say Scotland went home. Sorry, we couldn't resist that one!
7. Coffee was brought into Costa Rica from Cuba by a Spanish traveller, Navarro, in 1779. Surprisingly it is not their native plant.
8. All the countries in Central America are now democracies and their cities are safer than New York!
9. At least 50% of the population of Central America live in poverty.
10. The Nicaraguan Flag consists of one white stripe and two blue stripes. It symbolises a land with two coastlines. Yep, were running out if ideas for number ten!

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