Middle America:
Mainland / Rimland

Introduction
Rimland
Mainland

INTRODUCTION

Geographer John Augelli highlighted the regional differences between mainland Middle America, and the Caribbean Islands and coastal areas of Central America and southern Mexico. He identifies a Euro-Amerindian MAINLAND, and a Euro-African RIMLAND [mmrimsmall] [mmrimlarge] . This regional dichotomy is a useful way to view the cultural diversity of Middle America.

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RIMLAND

Various European colonies [mmcol50]
Lowlands - Tierra Caliente [mmeleves]
Euro-African (mulatto) population [mmethnic]
High degree of accessibility [mmwor]
Plantation economy / agriculture

• northern European institution
• foreign ownership
• commercial agriculture
• African slave labor
• seasonal labor
• single crop
  (sugar, bananas)
• efficient - "factory in the field"

Currently: U.S. Companies

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MAINLAND

Spanish colonies [lacol]
Highlands [mmeleves]
Euro-Amerindian (mestizo) population [mmethnic]
Isolated [mmwor]
Hacienda economy/agriculture:

• Spanish institution
• large personal estates
• self-sufficient agric.
• share cropping by Amerindians / landless peasants
• many crops and animals
• inefficient / non productive

Currently:

• economic and political liability
• some land reform - ejidos
• more specialization

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