The economy of Central America is the eleventh-largest economy in Latin America, behind Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Colombia, According to the World Bank, the nominal GDP of Central America reached 204 billion US dollar in 2010, as recovery from the crisis of 2009, where gross domestic product (GDP) suffered a decline to 3.8%.[1] The major economic income are the agriculture and tourism, although the industrial sector is in strong growth, mainly in Panama.
Towns grew up along the rivers which had access to the sea. Rivers also provided protection from invaders. Farmers grew crops in the fertile fields that surrounded the towns. The lack of mountains was good for farming, but it made the towns easier to be invaded by enemies.
