Central America Definition: South of Mexico, North of South America — Not Colombia

Central America comprises the seven countries connecting North and South America:

1. Guatemala
2. Belize
3. Honduras
4. El Salvador
5. Nicaragua
6. Costa Rica
7. Panama

Geographic Boundaries

• North: Mexico (border at Suchiate River / Cuchumatán Mountains)
• South: Colombia (border at Darién Gap — roadless rainforest, no highway connection)
• East: Caribbean Sea
• West: Pacific Ocean

Why Not "North Colombia"?

Colombia is a South American country. Its northern departments (Chocó, Antioquia, Córdoba, Sucre, Bolívar, Atlántico, Magdalena, La Guajira, Cesar, Norte de Santander) are part of South America. The Darién Gap (Panama-Colombia border) is the continental divide — no road, rail, or pipeline crosses it.

Common Confusions

• Mexico = North America (geographically), though culturally Latin American
• Caribbean islands (Cuba, DR, Jamaica, etc.) = separate region, not Central America
• Panama = Central America (southernmost), not South America

Central America = the isthmus. Colombia = South America. The distinction is geographic, not cultural.