ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts covered in the preceding chapters of this book. It illustrates huge diversity within the broad geographical area, considerable economic, social, political and cultural commonalities have also emerged. The significant political violence and social unrest have wrought undeniable hardship for the peoples of Middle America, with some sections of society, usually the poor, women and indigenous populations, experiencing the worst effects. Violence and crime are threatening to undermine political stability in the region in the twenty-first century; this obtains not only in Central America, but also in many Caribbean nations untouched by civil wars, especially in Jamaica, and even in Barbados. Enhanced access to paid employment among women has accounted for some of these changes. Also under the general rubric of gradual changes associated with globalisation has been the environmental sustainability of both rural and urban transformations.
