Download Latin America Dossier - Brock Cherry

Latin America Dossier
Brock Cherry
Bro. Palmer
Latin American Studies
July 19th 2011
“Well, I learned a lot... I went down to Latin America to
find out from them and (learn) their views. You'd be
surprised. They're all individual countries”
-Ronald Reagan, 40
th
US President
Argentina
Capitol: Buenos Aires
Population: 40.9 million (2009 est.)
Climate: The northern Chaco region is wet and hot; the central plains, or Pampas are temperate with
moderate rainfall; Southern Patagonia is arid, becoming wet and cold in the southern most part.
Official Language: Spanish
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism
Currency: Peso
Former Colonial Status: Spanish Crown Colony
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 7.5%
Population below poverty line: 30%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt): 2.9
Culture: Argentine culture has significant European influences. Buenos Aires, its cultural capital, is
largely characterized by both the prevalence of people of European descent, and of conscious imitation
of European styles in architecture. The other big influence is the gauchos and their traditional country
lifestyle of self-reliance. Finally, indigenous American traditions (like yerba mate infusions) have been
absorbed into the general cultural milieu.
Belize
Capitol: Belmopan
Population: 307,899 (2009 est.)
Climate: Hot and Humid
Official Language: English
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, Anglican Protestant Christianity
Currency: Belize Dollar
Former Colonial Status: British Colony
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 2%
Population below poverty line: 43%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt): Unavailable
Culture: The Belizan culture is made up of influences and people from Kriol, Maya, Garinagu (also
known as Garifuna), Mestizo (a mixture of Spanish and Native Americans), Mennonites who are of
German descent, with a blend of many other cultures from Chinese to Lebanese. It is a unique blend
that emerged through the country's long and occasionally violent history.
Bolivia
Capitol: La Paz
Population: 9.775 million (2009 est.)
Climate: The eastern lowlands are hot year round; they are wet November through March, dry from
May through September. The highland climate varies greatly with the altitude. The high plateau, or
altiplano, is dry and cold all year round.
Official Language: Spanish
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, Christianity
Currency: Bolivian Peso
Former Colonial Status: Spanish Colony
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 4.2%
Population below poverty line: 30.3%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt): 2.8
Culture: Bolivia is a country in South America located at the Andes mountains. It has a Native
American population which mixed Spanish Cultural elements with their ancestors' traditions. The
Spanish-speaking population mainly follows the Western customs.
Brazil
Capitol: Brasilia
Population: 198.7 million (2009 est.)
Climate: The northern lowlands are hot with heavy rainfall.; the central plateau and northwestern
regions are subtropical and dry; the southern regions are temperate with moderate rainfall.
Official Language: Portuguese
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, Protestant Evangelical
Currency: Real
Former Colonial Status: Portuguese Colony
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 7.5%
Population below poverty line: 26%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt): 3.7
Culture: Brazilian culture is a culture of a very diverse nature. An ethnic and cultural mixing occurred
in the colonial period between Native Americans, Portugese and Africans formed the bulk of Brazilian
culture. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries Italian, German, Spanish, Arab and Japanese
immigrants settled in Brazil, and played an important role in its culture, creating a multicultural and
multiethnic society.
Chile
Capitol: Santiago
Population: 16.6 million (2009 est)
Climate: The northern coastal lowlands are very hot and dry; the central valley is warm and dry from
October through April and mild and damp through September; the southern regions are wet and cold
Official Language: Spanish
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, Christianity
Currency: Peso
Former Colonial Status: Spanish Crown Colony
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 5.3%
Population below poverty line: 8.7%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt): 7.2
Culture: The culture of Chile is one of a relatively homogenous society where historically its
geographical isolation and remoteness has played a key role. Since colonial times the Chilean culture
has been a mix of Spanish colonial elements and indigenous (essentially Mapuche) culture.
Colombia
Capitol: Bogota
Population: 44.2 million (2010 est.)
Climate: The lowlands are generally hot, with heavy rainfall except for the Guajira Peninsula, which is
arid. Highland climate varies with altitude, becoming quite temperate and pleasant in high elevations
Official Language: Spanish
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, Christianity
Currency: Peso
Former Colonial Status: Spanish Crown Colony
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 4.3%
Population below poverty line: 45.5%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt): 3.5
Culture: Historically, the country's imposing landscape left its various regions largely isolated from one
another, resulting in the development of very strong regional identities, in many cases stronger than the
national. Modern transport links and means of communication have mitigated this and done much to
foster a sense of nationhood, but social and political instability, and in particular fears of armed groups
and bandits on intercity highways, have contributed to the maintenance of very clear regional
differences. Accent, dress, music, food, politics and general attitude vary greatly between the
Bogotanos and other residents of the central highlands, the paisas of Antioquia and the coffee region,
the costeños of the Caribbian Coast, the llaneros of the eastern plains, and the inhabitants of the Pacific
Coast and the vast Amazon Region to the south east.
Costa Rica
Capitol: San Jose
Population: 4.516 million (2010 est)
Climate: The coastal lowlands are hot and tropical, with heavy rains April to December. The valley of
the central highlands is temperate, with moderate rains during wet season.
Official Language: Spanish
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, Christianity
Currency: Peso
Former Colonial Status: Spanish Crown Colony
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 4.2%
Population below poverty line: 16%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt):5.3
Culture:
Costa Rican culture is heavily influenced by Spanish culture, with the exception of Limon and the
Cordillera de Talamanca.
Pura vida literally means Pura = pure and vida = life, but "Pure life" in Spanish would be "Vida pura"
instead, so the real meaning is closer to "plenty of life", "full of life", "this is living!", "going great",
"real living", or "cool!".It can be used both as a greeting and a farewell, to express satisfaction, to
politely express indifference when describing something or even to say "thank you". The phrase has
become widely known; this highly flexible statement has been used by many Costa Ricans (and
expatriates) since 1956.
Dominican Republic
Capitol: Santo Domingo
Population: 9.79million (2010 est.)
Climate: tropical tempered by sea breezes; moderate rainfall is heaviest from April to December.
Official Language: Spanish
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, Christianity
Currency: Peso
Former Colonial Status: Spanish Crown Colony/ French Possesion/ Spanish Control
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 7.8%
Population below poverty line: 42.2%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt):3
Culture: The culture and people of the Dominican Republic, like its Spanish Caribbean neighbors, is a
blend of the cultures of the Spanish colonists, African slaves, and Taíno natives. European, African and
Taíno cultural elements are most prominent in food, family structure, religion and music. Many
Arawak/Taíno names and words are used in daily conversation and for many foods native to the
Dominican Republic.
Ecuador
Capitol: Quito
Population: 14.79 million (2010 est.)
Climate: The eastern lowlands are hot and wet, the coastal plains receive seasonally heavy rainfall; the
highland climate becomes increasingly temperate with altitude.
Official Language: Spanish
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, Christianity
Currency: U.S Dollar
Former Colonial Status: Spanish Crown Colony/ French Possesion/ Spanish Control
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 3.2%
Population below poverty line: 33.1%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt):2.5
Culture:
The majority of the Ecuadorean population is mestizo, a mixture of both European and Amerindian
ancestry, and much like their ancestry, the national culture is also a blend of these two sources, along
with influences from kings from Africa. 96% of Ecuador’s population is German, Italian,and Spaniard
descent. 95% of Ecuadorians are Roman Catholic, although their Christian beliefs are mixed with
ancient indigenous customs.
There is tension and dislike between the residents of Quito and Guayaquil. Additionally, there is
centralism in these two cities, so people from other provinces also tend to dislike its residents.
Furthermore, due to the at times extreme cultural difference between the Coast and the Sierra, there is a
general dislike between those two regions that traces back to prehispanic times.
El Salvador
Capitol: San Salvador
Population: 6.1 million (2010 est.)
Climate: Tropical in the coastal plain, becoming temperate at high altitudes
Official Language: Spanish
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, Christianity
Currency: U.S Dollar
Former Colonial Status: Spanish Crown Colony/ French Possesion/ Spanish Control
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: .7%
Population below poverty line: 37.8%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt):3.6
Culture: The culture of El Salvador is much like any other country in Latin America, or more
specifically of Central America. The European influences are emphasized in the architecture of the
colonial churches, museums and theaters throughout most of El Salvador. In addition, contemporary
life in its cities has become similar to that of the rest of Latin America.
Guatemala
Capitol: Guatemala City
Population: 13.55 million (2010 est.)
Climate: Tropical on the coastal plains, temperate at higher alltitudes, heaviest rainfall is from May to
October.
Official Language: Spanish
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, A substancial number of people have converted to evengalical
Protestantism (25-30%)
Currency: Quetzal
Former Colonial Status: Spanish Crown Colony/ French Possesion/ Spanish Control
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 2.6%
Population below poverty line: 56.2%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt): 3.2
Culture: The culture of Guatemala reflects strong Mayan and Spanish influences and continues to be
defined as a contrast between poor Mayan villagers in the rural highlands, and the urbanized and
relatively wealthy mestizos population (known in Guatemala as ladinos) who occupy the cities and
surrounding agricultural plains.
Honduras
Capitol: Tegucigalpa
Population: 7.989 (2009)
Climate: Tropical with clearly marked wet and dry seasons
Official Language: Spanish
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, Christianity
Currency: Lempira
Former Colonial Status: Spanish Crown Colony
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 2.8%
Population below poverty line: 65%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt): 2.4
Culture: The wealth of cultural expression in Honduras owes its origins primarily to being a part of
Latin America but also to the multi-ethnicc nature of the country. The population comprises 90%
Mestizo, 7% Amerindian, 2% Black and 1% Caucasian. This influences all aspects of the culture:
customs, practices, ways of dressing, religion, rituals, codes of behavior and belief systems.
Mexico
Capitol: Mexico City
Population: 112,468,855 (2010 est.; growth 1.12% per year, est.
Climate: Hot,wet on coast; milder winters, hot summers in dry north; mild dry winters in central
highlands
Official Language: Spanish
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, Christianity
Currency: Peso
Former Colonial Status: Spanish Crown Colony
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 5.5%
Population below poverty line: 5.6%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt): 3.1
Culture: Mexican culture reflects the complexity of the country's history through the blending of preHispanic civilizations and the culture of Spain, imparted during Spain's 300-year colonization of
Mexico. Exogenous cultural elements mainly from the United States have been incorporated into
Mexican culture.
Nicaragua
Capitol: Managua
Population: 6.0 million (2010 est.)
Climate: Tropical with distinct wet and dry seasons. Rainfall is heavier on Atlantic coast, with the
heaviest downpours from May to December
Official Language: Spanish
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, Christianity
Currency: Cordoba
Former Colonial Status: Spanish Crown Colony
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 4.5%
Population below poverty line: 48%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt): 2.5
Culture: Nicaraguan culture has several distinct strands. The west of the country was colonized by
Spain and has a similar culture to other Spanish-speaking Latin American countries. The eastern half of
the country, on the other hand, was once a British protectorate and their culture is similar to that of
Caribbean nations that were or are British possessions. The people of Nicaragua are mostly mestizos,
and Spanish is invariably their first language. Nicaraguans are prone to refer to themselves as Nicas,
Nicoyas & Pinoleros.
Panama
Capitol: Panama City
Population: 3,410,676 (2010 est.)
Climate: Tropical with clearly marked wet and dry seasons The heaviest rain from May to December
Official Language: Spanish
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, Christianity
Currency: Balboa
Former Colonial Status: Spanish Crown Colony
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 7.5%
Population below poverty line: 25.6%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt): 3.6
Culture: An example of undisturbed, unique culture in Panama stems from the Kuna Indians who are
known for molas. Mola is the Kuna Indian word for blouse, but the term mola has come to mean the
elaborate embroidered panels that make up the front and back of a Kuna woman's blouse. Molas are
works of art created by the women of the Central American Cuna (or Kuna) tribe. They are several
layers of cloth varying in color that are loosely stitched together made using an applique process
referred to as "reverse applique".
Paraguay
Capitol: Asuncion
Population: 6.4 million (2010 est.)
Climate: The eastern section (oriental) lies in a temperature zone; the western (occidental) section is
hot and oppressive. Rainfall is heaviest Febuary to May; Most of Paraguay receives adequate water
except for western plains
Official Language: Spanish
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, Christianity
Currency: Guarani
Former Colonial Status: Spanish Crown Colony
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 15.3%
Population below poverty line: 18.8%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt):2.2
Culture: Paraguayan’s cultural ancestry can be traced to the extensive intermarriage between the
original male Spanish settlers and female indigenous Guarani brides. Paraguayan culture therefore is a
fusion of two things cultures and traditions: one European, the other Southern Guarani. More than 93%
of Paraguayans are mestizos, and this makes Paraguay one of the most homogeneous countries in Latin
America. A characteristic of this cultural fusion is the extensive bilingualism present to this day: more
than 80% of Paraguayans speak both Spanish and the indigenous language, Guarani. Jopara, the
mixture of Guarni and Spanish, is also widely spoken.
Peru
Capitol: Lima
Population: 29.9 million (2010 est.)
Climate: The eastern lowlands are hot and humid; the coast is arid and mild; the highlands are
increasingly temperate as altitude rises.
Official Language: Spanish
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, Christianity
Currency: Sol
Former Colonial Status: Spanish Crown Colony
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 8.8%
Population below poverty line: 34.8%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt): 3.5
Culture: Peruvian culture is primarily rooted in Amerindian and Spanish traditions, though it has also
been influenced by various African, Asian, and European ethnic groups. Peruvian artistic traditions date
back to the elaborate pottery, textiles, jewelry, and sculpture of Pre-Inca cultures. The Incas maintained
these crafts and made architectural achievements including the construction of Machu Pichu.
Uruguay
Capitol: Montevido
Population: 3,510,386 (2010 est)
Climate: Temperate throughout the year. There is a warm season through November to April and a
milder season from May through October. Rainfall is moderate and evenly distributed.
Official Language: Spanish
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, Christianity
Currency: New Peso
Former Colonial Status: Spanish Crown Colony
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 8.5%
Population below poverty line: 20.9%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt): 6.9
Culture: Contemporary Uruguayan culture is diverse in its nature since the nation's population is one
of multicultural origins. The country has an impressive legacy of artistic and literary traditions,
especially for its small size. The contribution of its alternating conquerors, Spain and Portugal, and
diverse immigrants -Italians. Germans, Swiss, Jews and Armenians among others- has resulted in
traditions that integrate this diversity with Native American elements. Uruguay has centuries-old
remains and fortresses of the colonial era. Its cities have a rich architectural heritage and an impressive
number of writers, artists, and musicians. Carnival and candobe are the most important examples of
African influence by slaves, as well as Umbanda religious beliefs and practices. Guarani traditions can
be seen in mate, the national drink. The folk and popular music of Uruguay shares with Argentina not
only its gaucho roots but also the tango
Venezuela
Capitol: Caracas
Population: 27,223,228 million (2010 est.)
Climate: Tropical in coastal lowlands, increasingly higher temperate at higher elevations in the interior.
Heaviest rainfall is from June to December
Official Language: Spanish
Principle Religion: Roman Catholicism, Christianity
Currency: Bolivar
Former Colonial Status: Spanish Crown Colony
Government Structure: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
GDP Real Growth Rate: 1.9%
Population below poverty line: 37.9%
On a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt): 2
Culture: Venezuela's heritage, art, and culture have been heavily influenced by the Caribbean context.
These elements extend to its historic buildings, architecture, art, landscape, boundaries, and monuments.
Venezuelan culture has been shaped by indigenous, Spanish and African influences. Before this period,
indigenous culture was expressed in art (petrographic), crafts, architecture (shabonos), and social
organization. Aboriginal culture was subsequently assimilated by Spaniards; over the years, the hybrid
culture had diversified by region.