State Historical Society of Iowa

Workers Cutting Bananas from Trees in Costa Rica, between 1910 and 1920

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Image
Image depicting Costa Rica farm workers cutting down large bunches of bananas.
Courtesy of Library of Congress, "Costa Rica - workers cutting bananas from trees," between 1910 and 1920

Description

The photograph shows laborers working to cut bananas from trees in Costa Rica. The photo comes from the Frances Carpenter Collection and was taken sometime between 1910 and 1920. This image shows how different places in the world have different types of vegetation and commodities for farmers.

Source-Dependent Questions

  • Examine the image and describe what you see.
  • What does the man in the middle appear to be holding on his shoulder?
  • Describe the vegetation in the background of the image.
  • How does Iowa's geography differ from Costa Rica's?
  • How does this image compare to the photos of merchants in the Sahara Desert and farm land in Monona? What do all three images have in common? How are they different?

Citation Information 

"Costa Rica - workers cutting bananas from trees," between 1910 and 1920. Courtesy of Library of Congress