Central America () is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with the South American continent on the southeast. Central America is bordered by Mexico to the north, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Central America consists of seven countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. The combined population of Central America is between 41,739,000 (2009 estimate) and 42,688,190 (2012 estimate). 

Central America is a part of the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot, which extends from northern Guatemala through to central Panama. Due to the presence of several active geologic faults and the Central America Volcanic Arc, there is a great deal of seismic activity in the region. Volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur frequently; these natural disasters have resulted in the loss of many lives and much property. 

In the Pre-Columbian era, Central America was inhabited by the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica to the north and west and the Isthmo-Colombian peoples to the south and east. Soon after Christopher Columbus's voyages to the Americas, the Spanish began to colonize the Americas. From 1609 until 1821, most of the territory within Central America—except for the lands that would become Belize and Panama—was governed by the Viceroyalty of New Spain from Mexico City as the Captaincy General of Guatemala. After New Spain achieved independence from Spain in 1821, some of its provinces were annexed to the First Mexican Empire, but soon seceded from Mexico to form the Federal Republic of Central America, which lasted from 1823 to 1838. The seven states finally became independent autonomous states: beginning with Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Guatemala (1838); followed by El Salvador (1841); then Panama (1903); and finally Belize (1981). Even today, though, people in Central America sometimes still refer to their nations as though they are provinces of a Central American state (e.g. it is still common to write "C.A." after the country names, in formal and informal contexts).
Where is Central America in relation to North America?
Is it a single nation?
How many countries are in it?
WHat are some of them?
Are all of the countries landlocked?
What bodies of water does it border?
Is the poopulation growing?
What was it in 2012?
Were Europeans the first people to live there?
Who were?
WHat European nation came there first?
Who did they send?
When did they start taking over?
Do they still have control of the area?
When did their control end?
Were they taken over by anyone else then?
WHat did they become after they left Mexico?
Which modern nation was the last to leave that republic?
WHen did that happen?
Is the area geologically stable?
southernmost
southernmost
no
Central America () is the southernmost, 
seven
seven
Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala
Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala
no
Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean
Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean
yes
 41,739,000 (2009 estimate) and 42,688,190 (2012 estimate). 
42,688,190
42,688,190
no
was inhabited by the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica
indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica, and the Isthmo-Colombian
indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica to the north and west and the Isthmo-Colombian
Spanish
Spanish
Christopher Columbus'
Christopher Columbus'
1609
1609
no
Honduras, Costa Rica, and Guatemala (1838); followed by El Salvador (1841); then Panama (1903); and finally Belize (1981). Eve
1821,
1821,
No they were annexed though
First Mexican Empire, 
Federal Republic of Central America
Federal Republic of Central America
Belize
Belize
1981
1981
no
 several active geologic faults 