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hurricane—
a very powerful and destructive storm, characterized by high winds and
significant rainfall, that often occurs in the western Atlantic Ocean and the
Caribbean Sea between June and November.
leeward—
a side that is sheltered or away from the wind.
mestizo—
a person of mixed Amerindian and European (typically Spanish) descent.
offshore banking—
a term applied to banking transactions conducted between partici-
pants located outside of a country. Such transactions Some Caribbean countries
have become known for this practice thanks to their banking laws.
plaza—
the central open square at the center of colonial-era cities in Latin America.
plebiscite—
a vote by which the people of an entire country express their opinion on a
particularl government or national policy.
population density—
a measurement of the number of people living in a specific area,
such a square mile or square kilometer.
pre-Columbian—
referring to a time before the 1490s, when Christopher Columbus
landed in the Americas.
regime—
a period of rule by a particular government, especially one that is considered
to be oppressive.
service industry—
any business, organization, or profession that does work for a cus-
tomer, but is not involved in manufacturing.
windward—
the side or direction from which the wind is blowing.
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Series Glossary