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The Narrow Bridge of Land

on the Caribbean plains feeds tropical rainforests and provides the right condi- tions for bananas. Sudden, violent storms often plague Central America. Hurricanes batter the Caribbean coast each summer and cause flooding, mudslides, and damage to roads and bridges. The Environmental Challenge Although Central America is home to an amazing range of exotic animals, such as jaguar, deer, puma, ocelot, armadillo, monkey, tapir, crocodile, and numerous species of reptiles and birds, the region faces a critical biodiversity challenge. Of the approximately 12,000 plants and animals at risk of extinction in the world, around 10 percent are located in Central America and Mexico, where poverty and logging are shrinking habitats and wiping out species. Central America ranks among the world’s poorest defenders of native plants and animals, despite most countries’ efforts to create national parklands and pre- serves. Poverty that forces people to use cut-down forests for fuel and poachers who catch and sell rare animals for profit are a continuing threat. In addition, cash-strapped Central American governments often don’t have the money to stop forest fires that rage out of control during dry seasons. Furthermore, the tremen- dous demand for beef in the United States has led to thousands of acres of rainfor- est being turned into pastureland for cattle raising.

TEXT-DEPENDENT QUESTIONS 1. How many countries are located in Central America? 2. What is the highest mountain peak in Central America?