“Quick Look Reference Guide to South America”
April 2004
Prepared
by: Dr. Francisco J. Collazo
President/CEO/Chairman
6726 Odyssey Ave
Huntsville, Al 35806
Research Assistant/Editor:
Charles Wade Pace
Acknowledgement:
I want to express my deep
appreciation to Dr Peter Vander Haeghen for his exceptional support during the
entire period of this project. His
guidance and experience have contributed immeasurably to the quality of the
report. Billie Foster, my Executive
Assistant edited the reports, and Wade Pace, my research assistant ensured that
all the facts for each country were validated.
My wife, Carmen and my daughter Rosana have supported me in all aspects
of my business over the years. In
summary, I learned a tremendous amount about South America that leads me to the
conclusion of how much I did not know, and how much I still do not know.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
1.0 Purpose
2.0 Executive Summary
2.1 Argentina
2.1.1 Demographics of Argentina:
Population distribution by race, religion, age groups, literacy rate, mortality
rate of children, longevity by sex.
2.1.2 Geography of Argentina: Land
area, agriculture land, commercial zone, water land, flooding areas and earthquake
areas.
2.1.3 Government of Argentina: Government overview, executive branch,
legislative branch, judicial branch
2.1.4 Economy of Argentina: Economy
overview, exports (dollar figure), gdp, gdp real growth rate, gdp percapita,
gdp composition by sector, population below poverty line, inflation rate, labor
force, unemployment rate and budget.
2.1.5 Exports and Imports of Argentina:
Exports (dollar figure), export commodities, export partners, imports (dollar
figure), import commodities, import partners, debt external, economic aid
recipient, currency, currency code, currency exchange rates, and fiscal year.
2.1.6 Communications of Argentina:
Telephone main lines in use, telephone mobile cellular system, radio broadcast,
television broadcast stations, internet country code, internet service
providers, and internet users.
2.1.7 Transportation of Argentina:
Railways, highways, waterways, pipelines, ports and harbors, merchant marine,
airports, airports with paved runways, and airports without paved runways.
2.1.8 Military of
Argentina: Military branches, manpower military age, manpower availability,
manpower fit of service, manpower reaching military age annually, military
expenditures (dollar figure), and military expenditures percent of gdp.
2.1.9 Argentina’s link to Spanish
culture and Catholic church.
2.1.10 Major issues and disputes of
Argentina: International disputes and illicit drugs.
2.2 Bolivia
2.2.1 Demographics of Bolivia:
Population distribution by race, religion, age group, literacy rate, mortality
rate of children, longevity by sex.
2.2.2 Geography of Bolivia: Land area,
agriculture land, commercial zone, water land, flooding areas and earthquake
areas.
2.2.3 Government of Bolivia: Government overview, executive branch,
legislative branch, judicial branch
2.2.4 Economy of Bolivia: Economy
overview, exports (dollar figure), gdp, gdp real growth rate, gdp percapita,
gdp composition by sector, population below poverty line, inflation rate, labor
force, unemployment rate and budget.
2.2.5 Exports and Imports of Bolivia:
Exports (dollar figure), export commodities, export partners, imports (dollar
figure), import commodities, import partners, debt external, economic aid
recipient, currency, currency code, currency exchange rates, and fiscal year.
2.2.6 Communications of Bolivia:
Telephone main lines in use, telephone mobile cellular system, radio broadcast,
television broadcast stations, internet country code, internet service
providers, and internet users.
2.2.7 Transportation of Bolivia:
Railways, highways, waterways, pipelines, ports and harbors, merchant marine,
airports, airports with paved runways, and airports without paved runways.
2.2.8 Military of
Bolivia: Military branches, manpower military age, manpower availability,
manpower fit for service, manpower reaching military age annually, military
expenditures (dollar figure), and military expenditures percent of gdp.
2.2.9 Bolivia’s link to Spanish culture
and Catholic church.
2.2.10 Major issues and disputes of
Bolivia: International disputes and illicit drugs.
2.3 British Guiana
2.3.1 Demographics of British
Guiana: Population distribution by race, religion, age groups, literacy rate,
mortality rate of children, longevity by sex.
2.3.2 Geography of British Guiana: Land
area, agriculture land, commercial zone, water land, flooding areas and
earthquake areas.
2.3.3 Government of British
Guiana: Government overview, executive
branch, legislative branch, judicial branch.
2.3.4 Economy of British Guiana:
Economy overview, exports (dollar figure), gdp, gdp real growth rate, gdp
percapita, gdp composition by sector, population below poverty line, inflation
rate, labor force, unemployment rate and budget.
2.3.5 Exports and imports of British
Guiana: Exports (dollar figure), exports commodities, export partners, imports
(dollar figure), import commodities, import partners, debt external, economic
aid recipient, currency, currency code, currency exchange rates, and fiscal
year.
2.3.6 Communications of British Guiana:
Telephone main lines in use, telephone mobile cellular system, radio broadcast,
television broadcast stations, internet country code, internet service
providers, and internet users.
2.3.7 Transportation of British Guiana:
Railways, highways, waterways, pipelines, ports and harbors, merchant marine,
airports, airports with paved runways, and airports without paved runways.
2.3.8 Military of
British Guiana: Military branches, manpower military age, manpower
availability, manpower fit for service, manpower reaching military age
annually, military expenditures (dollar figure), and military expenditures
percent of gdp.
2.3.9 British Guiana link to Spanish
culture and Catholic church.
2.3.10 Major issues and disputes of
British Guiana: International disputes and illicit drugs.
2.4 Brazil
2.4.1 Demographics of Brazil:
Population distribution by race, religion, age groups, literacy rate, mortality
rate of children, longevity by sex.
2.4.2 Geography of Brazil: Land area,
agriculture land, commercial zone, water land, flooding areas and earthquake
areas.
2.4.3 Government of Brazil: Government overview, executive branch,
legislative branch, judicial branch.
2.4.4 Economy of Brazil: Economy
overview, exports (dollar figure), gdp, gdp real growth rate, gdp percapita,
gdp composition by sector, population below poverty line, inflation rate, labor
force, unemployment rate and budget.
2.4.5 Exports and Imports of Brazil:
Exports (dollar figure), export commodities, export partners, imports (dollar
figure), import commodities, import partners, debt external, economic aid
recipient, currency, currency code, currency exchange rates, and fiscal year.
2.4.6 Communications of Brazil:
Telephone main lines in use, telephone mobile cellular system, radio broadcast,
television broadcast stations, internet country code, internet service
providers, and internet users.
2.4.7 Transportation of Brazil:
Railways, highways, waterways, pipelines, ports and harbors, merchant marine,
airports, airports with paved runways, and airports without paved runways.
2.4.8 Military of
Brazil: Military branches, manpower military age, manpower availability,
manpower fit for service, manpower reaching military age annually, military
expenditures (dollar figure), and military expenditures percent of gdp.
2.4.9 Brazil’s link to Spanish culture
and Catholic church.
2.4.10 Major issues and disputes of
Brazil: International disputes and illicit drugs.
2.5 Chilie
2.5.1 Demographics of Chilie:
Population distribution by race, religion, age groups, literacy rate, mortality
rate of children, longevity by sex.
2.5.2 Geography of Chilie: Land area,
agriculture land, commercial zone, water land, flooding areas and earthquake
areas.
2.5.3 Government of Chilie: Government overview, executive branch,
legislative branch, judicial branch.
2.5.4 Economy of Chilie: Economy
overview, exports (dollar figure), gdp, gdp real growth rate, gdp percapita,
gdp composition by sector, population below poverty line, inflation rate, labor
force, unemployment rate and budget.
2.5.5 Exports and Imports of Chilie:
Exports (dollar figure), export commodities, export partners, imports (dollar
figure), import commodities, import partners, debt external, economic aid
recipient, currency, currency code, currency exchange rates, and fiscal year.
2.5.6 Communications of Chilie:
Telephone main lines in use, telephone mobile cellular system, radio broadcast,
television broadcast stations, internet country code, internet service
providers, and internet users.
2.5.7 Transportation of Chilie:
Railways, highways, waterways, pipelines, ports and harbors, merchant marine,
airports, airports with paved runways, and airports without paved runways.
2.5.8 Military of
Chilie: Military branches, manpower military age, manpower availability,
manpower fit for service, manpower reaching military age annually, military
expenditures (dollar figure), and military expenditures percent of gdp.
2.5.9 Chilie’s link to Spanish culture
and Catholic church.
2.5.10 Major issues and disputes of
Chilie: International disputes and illicit drugs.
2.6 Colombia
2.6.1 Demographics of Colombia:
Population distribution by race, religion, age groups, literacy rate, mortality
rate of children, longevity by sex.
2.6.2 Geography of Colombia: Land area,
agriculture land, commercial zone, water land, flooding areas and earthquake
areas.
2.6.3 Government of Colombia: Government overview, executive branch,
legislative branch, judicial branch.
2.6.4 Economy of Colombia: Economy
overview, exports (dollar figure), gdp, gdp real growth rate, gdp percapita,
gdp composition by sector, population below poverty line, inflation rate, labor
force, unemployment rate and budget.
2.6.5 Exports and Imports of Colombia:
Exports (dollar figure), export commodities, export partners, imports (dollar
figure), import commodities, import partners, debt external, economic aid
recipient, currency, currency code, currency exchange rates, and fiscal year.
2.6.6 Communications of Colombia: Telephone
main lines in use, telephone mobile cellular system, radio broadcast,
television broadcast stations, internet country code, internet service
providers, and internet users.
2.6.7 Transportation of Colombia:
Railways, highways, waterways, pipelines, ports and harbors, merchant marine,
airports, airports with paved runways, and airports without paved runways.
2.6.8 Military of
Colombia: Military branches, manpower military age, manpower availability,
manpower fit for service, manpower reaching military age annually, military
expenditures (dollar figure), and military expenditures percent of gdp.
2.6.9 Colombia’s link to Spanish
culture and Catholic church.
2.6.10 Major issues and disputes of
Colombia: International disputes and illicit drugs.
2.7 Ecuador
2.7.1 Demographics of Ecuador:
Population distribution by race, religion, age groups, literacy rate, mortality
rate of children, longevity by sex.
2.7.2 Geography of Ecuador: Land area,
agriculture land, commercial zone, water land, flooding areas and earthquake
areas.
2.7.3 Government of Ecuador: Government overview, executive branch,
legislative branch, judicial branch.
2.7.4 Economy of Ecuador: Economy
overview, exports (dollar figure), gdp, gdp real growth rate, gdp percapita,
gdp composition by sector, population below poverty line, inflation rate, labor
force, unemployment rate and budget.
2.7.5 Exports and Imports of Ecuador:
Exports (dollar figure), export commodities, export partners, imports (dollar
figure), import commodities, import partners, debt external, economic aid
recipient, currency, currency code, currency exchange rates, and fiscal year.
2.7.6 Communications of Ecuador:
Telephone main lines in use, telephone mobile cellular system, radio broadcast,
television broadcast stations, internet country code, internet service
providers, and internet users.
2.7.7 Transportation of Ecuador:
Railways, highways, waterways, pipelines, ports and harbors, merchant marine,
airports, airports with paved runways, and airports without paved runways.
2.7.8 Military of
Ecuador: Military branches, manpower military age, manpower availability,
manpower fit for service, manpower reaching military age annually, military
expenditures (dollar figure), and military expenditures percent of gdp.
2.7.9 Ecuador’s link to Spanish culture
and Catholic church.
2.7.10 Major issues and disputes of
Ecuador: International disputes and illicit drugs.
2.8 French Guyana
2.8.1 Demographics of French Guyana:
Population distribution by race, religion, age groups, literacy rate, mortality
rate of children, longevity by sex
2.8.2 Geography of French Guyana: Land
area, agriculture land, commercial zone, water land, flooding areas and
earthquake areas.
2.8.3 Government of French Guyana: Government overview, executive branch,
legislative branch, judicial branch.
2.8.4 Economy of French Guyana: Economy
overview, exports (dollar figure), gdp, gdp real growth rate, gdp percapita,
gdp composition by sector, population below poverty line, inflation rate, labor
force, unemployment rate and budget.
2.8.5 Exports and Imports of French
Guyana: Exports (dollar figure), export commodities, export partners, imports
(dollar figure), import commodities, import partners, debt external, economic
aid recipient, currency, currency code, currency exchange rates, and fiscal
year.
2.8.6 Communications of French Guyana:
Telephone main lines in use, telephone mobile cellular system, radio broadcast,
television broadcast stations, internet country code, internet service
providers, and internet users.
2.8.7 Transportation of French Guyana:
Railways, highways, waterways, pipelines, ports and harbors, merchant marine,
airports, airports with paved runways, and airports without paved runways.
2.8.8 Military of
French Guyana: Military branches, manpower military age, manpower availability,
manpower fit for service, manpower reaching military age annually, military
expenditures (dollar figure), and military expenditures percent of gdp.
2.8.9 French Guyana’s link to Spanish
culture and Catholic church.
2.8.10 Major issues and disputes of
French Guyana: International disputes and illicit drugs.
2.9 Paraguay
2.9.1 Demographics of Paraguay:
Population distribution by race, religion, age groups, literacy rate, mortality
rate of children, longevity by sex.
2.9.2 Geography of Paraguay: Land area,
agriculture land, commercial zone, water land, flooding areas and earthquake
areas.
2.9.3 Government of Paraguay: Government overview, executive branch,
legislative branch, judicial branch.
2.9.4 Economy of Paraguay: Economy
overview, exports (dollar figure), gdp, gdp real growth rate, gdp percapita,
gdp composition by sector, population below poverty line, inflation rate, labor
force, unemployment rate and budget.
2.9.5 Exports and Imports of Paraguay:
Exports (dollar figure), export commodities, export partners, imports (dollar
figure), import commodities, import partners, debt external, economic aid
recipient, currency, currency code, currency exchange rates, and fiscal year.
2.9.6 Communications of Paraguay:
Telephone main lines in use, telephone mobile cellular system, radio broadcast,
television broadcast stations, internet country code, internet service
providers, and internet users.
2.9.7 Transportation of Paraguay:
Railways, highways, waterways, pipelines, ports and harbors, merchant marine,
airports, airports with paved runways, and airports without paved runways.
2.9.8 Military of
Paraguay: Military branches, manpower military age, manpower availability, manpower
fit for service, manpower reaching military age annually, military expenditures
(dollar figure), and military expenditures percent of gdp.
2.9.9 Paraguay’s Link to Spanish
culture and Catholic church.
2.9.10 Major issues and disputes of
Paraguay: International disputes and illicit drugs.
2.10 Peru
2.10.1 Demographics of Peru: Population
distribution by race, religion, age groups, literacy rate, mortality rate of
children, longevity by sex.
2.10.2 Geography of Peru: Land area,
agriculture land, commercial zone, water land, flooding areas and earthquake
areas.
2.10.3 Government of Peru: Government overview, executive branch,
legislative branch, judicial branch.
2.10.4 Economy of Peru: Economy
overview, exports (dollar figure), gdp, gdp real growth rate, gdp percapita,
gdp composition by sector, population below poverty line, inflation rate, labor
force, unemployment rate and budget.
2.10.5 Exports and Imports of Peru:
Exports (dollar figure), export commodities, export partners, imports (dollar
figure), import commodities, import partners, debt external, economic aid
recipient, currency, currency code, currency exchange rates, and fiscal year.
2.10.6 Communications of Peru:
Telephone main lines in use, telephone mobile cellular system, radio broadcast,
television broadcast stations, internet country code, internet service
providers, and internet users.
2.10.7 Transportation of Peru:
Railways, highways, waterways, pipelines, ports and harbors, merchant marine,
airports, airports with paved runways, and airports without paved runways.
2.10.8 Military of
Peru: Military branches, manpower military age, manpower availability, manpower
fit for service, manpower reaching military age annually, military expenditures
(dollar figure), and military expenditures percent of gdp.
2.10.9 Peru’s link to Spanish culture
and Catholic church.
2.10.10 Major issues and disputes of
Peru: International disputes and illicit drugs.
2.11 Suriname
2.11.1 Demographics of Suriname:
Population distribution by race, religion, age groups, literacy rate, mortality
rate of children, longevity by sex.
2.11.2 Geography of Suriname: Land
area, agriculture land, commercial zone, water land, flooding areas and
earthquake areas.
2.11.3 Government of Suriname: Government overview, executive branch,
legislative branch, judicial branch
2.11.4 Economy of Suriname: Economy
overview, exports (dollar figure), gdp, gdp real growth rate, gdp percapita,
gdp composition by sector, population below poverty line, inflation rate, labor
force, unemployment rate and budget.
2.11.5 Exports and imports of Suriname:
Exports (dollar figure), export commodities, export partners, imports (dollar
figure), import commodities, import partners, debt external, economic aid
recipient, currency, currency code, currency exchange rates, and fiscal year.
2.11.6 Communications of Suriname:
Telephone main lines in use, telephone mobile cellular system, radio broadcast,
television broadcast stations, internet country code, internet service providers,
and internet users.
2.11.7 Transportation of Suriname:
Railways, highways, waterways, pipelines, ports and harbors, merchant marine,
airports, airports with paved runways, and airports without paved runways.
2.11.8 Military of
Suriname: Military branches, manpower military age, manpower availability,
manpower fit for service, manpower reaching military age annually, military
expenditures (dollar figure), and military expenditures percent of gdp.
2.11.9 Suriname’s link to Spanish
culture and Catholic church.
2.11.10 Major issues and disputes of
Suriname: International disputes and illicit drugs.
2.12 Uruguay
2.12.1 Demographics of Uruguay:
Population distribution by race, religion, age groups, literacy rate, mortality
rate of children, longevity by sex.
2.12.2 Geography of Uruguay: Land area,
agriculture land, commercial zone, water land, flooding areas and earthquake
areas.
2.12.3 Government of Uruguay: Government overview, executive branch,
legislative branch, judicial branch.
2.12.4 Economy of Uruguay: Economy
overview, exports (dollar figure), gdp, gdp real growth rate, gdp percapita,
gdp composition by sector, population below poverty line, inflation rate, labor
force, unemployment rate and budget.
2.12.5 Exports and imports of Uruguay:
Exports (dollar figure), export commodities, export partners, imports (dollar
figure), import commodities, import partners, debt external, economic aid
recipient, currency, currency code, currency exchange rates, and fiscal year.
2.12.6 Communications of Uruguay:
telephone main lines in use, telephone mobile cellular system, radio broadcast,
television broadcast stations, internet country code, internet service
providers, and internet users.
2.12.7 Transportation of Uruguay:
Railways, highways, waterways, pipelines, ports and harbors, merchant marine,
airports, airports with paved runways, and airports without paved runways.
2.12.8 Military of
Uruguay: Military branches, manpower military age, manpower availability,
manpower fit for service, manpower reaching military age annually, military
expenditures (dollar figure), and military expenditures percent of gdp.
2.12.9 Uruguay’s Link to Spanish
culture and Catholic church.
2.12.10 Major issues and disputes of
Uruguay: International disputes and illicit drugs.
2.13 Venezuela
2.13.1 Demographics of Venezuela:
Population distribution by race, religion, age groups, literacy rate, mortality
rate of children, longevity by sex.
2.13.2 Geography of Venezuela: Land
area, agriculture land, commercial zone, water land, flooding areas and
earthquake areas.
2.13.3 Government of Venezuela: Government overview, executive branch,
legislative branch, judicial branch.
2.13.4 Economy of Venezuela: Economy
overview, exports (dollar figure), gdp, gdp real growth rate, gdp percapita,
gdp composition by sector, population below poverty line, inflation rate, labor
force, unemployment rate and budget.
2.13.5 Exports and imports of Venezuela: Exports (dollar figure), export
commodities, export partners, imports (dollar figure), import commodities,
import partners, debt external, economic aid recipient, currency, currency
code, currency exchange rates, and fiscal year.
2.13.6 Communications of Venezuela:
Telephone main lines in use, telephone mobile cellular system, radio broadcast,
television broadcast stations, internet country code, internet service
providers, and internet users.
2.13.7 Transportation of Venezuela:
Railways, highways, waterways, pipelines, ports and harbors, merchant marine,
airports, airports with paved runways, and airports without paved runways.
2.13.8 Military of
Venezuela: Military branches, manpower military age, manpower availability,
manpower fit for service, manpower reaching military age annually, military
expenditures (dollar figure), and military expenditures percent of gdp.
2.13.9 Venezuela’s link to Spanish
culture and Catholic church.
2.13.10 Major issues and disputes of
Venezuela: International disputes and illicit drugs.
3.0 Gross National Product ranking in alphabetical
order.
3.1 Gross National Product ranking by population.
3.2 Gross National Product ranking in dollar amount.
4.0 Chronology of South
America.
“Quick Look Reference Guide
to South America”
1.0 Purpose
The purpose of this report is to provide a "Quick Look" reference of South America plus historical and statistical information that can be used as a reference tool for conducting future business. The report shall encompass the history of each country outlining the events leading to independence of the country. The demographics will outline the age group, life expectancy and mortality rate. The geography of each country describes the landmass and topography of the land, earthquake and flooding areas. The economy activity will include the export and import levels of the main products produced in the country and type of commodity imported from other countries. The currency dependence on another country's currency and what country the currency is slaved to the dependent country. The cultural aspects of the country and the influence of the Catholic Church and Spain reign on the entire continent. The disputes among countries in South America will be addressed. An analysis will be performed to measure progress for the last one hundred years in the continent.
2.0 Executive Summary
History: After 1453, when the Turks completed the conquest of the Byzantine Empire and won control of the eastern Mediterranean, the western nations, chiefly Portugal and Spain, were forced to seek a new route to Asia. The Portuguese, who had made a number of pioneering voyages southward in the Atlantic Ocean, sought the new route by probing the coast of Africa, reaching the Cape of Good Hope in 1486. In 1492 Christopher Columbus attempted to reach India by sailing due west across the Atlantic Ocean; but he landed in the present-day West Indies, opening up a new world to European commerce and civilization. For information concerning the pre-Columbian cultures of South America, see Native Americans of Middle and South America: History; Araucanian; Arawak; Carib; Chibcha; Guaraní; Inca; Pre-Columbian Art and Architecture; Quechua; Tiwanaku; Tupí-Guaraní. After Columbus returned to Europe, Spain and Portugal became involved in controversy concerning land rights in the New World. The dispute was settled in 1493 by Pope Alexander VI, who allotted to Portugal all new territory east of a line in the Atlantic Ocean running due north and south 100 leagues west of the Azores and to Spain, all territory to the west of the line (see Demarcation, Line of). The demarcation line was later modified, with the result that Portugal obtained suzerainty over the eastern bulge of South America. This region subsequently became Brazil. On August 1, 1498, during his third voyage, Columbus sailed to a point off the mouth of the Orinoco River and sighted the South American mainland. After cruising along the coast for several days he began to comprehend the continental character of the region.
Post-Columbian
Explorers:
The next European to reach the continent was Portuguese
navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral. In April 1500 a fleet under his command
anchored off the coast of present-day Brazil, which he claimed for
Portugal. The Portuguese, who had
meanwhile found their way to India by sailing around Africa, paid little
attention for three decades to the territory found by Cabral. During this
period the Spanish steadily intensified exploration and colonizing activities
in the New World, devoting most of their effort during the first 20 years to
the West Indies and Central America.
Various explorers, chiefly navigators in the service of Spain, visited
the northeastern coast of the continent in the early years of the 16th century. Noteworthy among these men was Spanish
mariners Vicente Yáñez Pinzón, Alonso de Ojeda, and Pedro Alonso Niño; Spanish
navigator and geographer Juan de la Cosa; and Italian-born navigator Amerigo
Vespucci. Late in 1519 Portuguese
mariner Ferdinand Magellan, then seeking a westward route to the East for the
Spanish monarchy, explored the estuary of the Río de la Plata. He resumed his search in the next year,
cruising southward. On November 28,
1520, having completed the passage of the strait that now bears his name, he
simultaneously accomplished his mission and realized the dream of countless
navigators.
Exploration
Of The Interior:
Germans began the systematic exploration and conquest of the South American
interior, paradoxically. In 1529
Bartholomaus Welser received a huge grant of territory in South America from
Charles V, Holy Roman emperor and king of Spain, who was in debt to him. Welser immediately dispatched an expedition
to the territory, which included present-day Venezuela. About 17 years later
Welser's grant was revoked, partly because of extreme brutality inflicted by
the German colonists on the Native Americans.
The first European to penetrate the continental interior
successfully was Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Pushing southward from
Panama, he invaded the gold-rich empire of the Inca in 1531. Within five years, by skillful use of arms
and treachery, Pizarro acquired control of the Inca Empire, which included all
of present-day Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. One of Pizarro's chief associates was
Diego de Almagro, who conquered what is now northern Chile. Spanish soldier
Pedro de Mendoza began the conquest and colonization of the region bordering
the Río de la Plata in 1535. He founded
a settlement at Buenos Aires in 1536. Between 1536 and 1538 Spanish soldier
Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada subjugated the Chibcha and founded the Audiencia of
New Granada (present-day Colombia). In
1539 Gonzalo Pizarro, brother of Francisco, crossed the Andes and arrived at
the upper reaches of the Amazon River.
One of his companions, Francisco de Orellana, followed the river down to
its mouth, reaching the Atlantic Ocean in 1542. In the previous year
conquistador Pedro de Valdivia began the systematic subjugation of the
Araucanian, the native people of Chile.
Valdivia founded Santiago in 1541. Meanwhile (about 1530) the Portuguese
had begun to establish settlements along the coast of the eastern bulge of
South America.
Sugar estates were soon established on the eastern coast
of Brazil, leading to the importation of millions of African slaves. Exploration westwards extended to the
Amazon, and in the 17th century exploring parties (bandeiras) extended Portuguese control west and southward from São
Paulo. An important gold strike in 1693
rapidly intensified settlement in what is now Minas Gerais State in Brazil,
attracting major immigration from Portugal and promoting the rapid growth of
the new port of Rio de Janeiro. After
almost three centuries of economic exploitation and political injustice, a
powerful revolutionary movement swept the South American colonies. The movement, which was led by the Creoles
and which was basically liberal in character, was stimulated by the successful
revolt of the British colonies in North America (1775-1783) and by the French
Revolution (1789-1799).
Problems of
the 19th Century: At the end of the Wars
of Independence the sovereign Spanish states in South America were Great
Colombia, Peru, Chile, the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata (later
Argentina), Paraguay, and Bolivia.
Between 1830 and 1832 Great Colombia evolved into the sovereign states
of Venezuela, Ecuador, and New Granada. Until 1903 New Granada, which later
became Colombia, included Panama.
Uruguay, after periods of Portuguese and Brazilian control, became a
sovereign state in 1828.
Geography Description: South America, fourth largest of the Earth's seven continents (after Asia, Africa, and North America), occupying 17,820,900 sq km (6,880,700 sq mi), or 12 percent of the Earth's land surface. It lies astride the equator and tropic of Capricorn and is joined by the Isthmus of Panama, on the north, to Central and North America. The continent extends 7,400 km (4,600 mi) from the Caribbean Sea on the north to Cape Horn on the south, and its maximum width, between Ponta do Seixas, on Brazil's Atlantic coast, and Punta Pariñas, on Peru's Pacific coast, is 5,160 km (3,210 mi). South America has a 2000 estimated population of 348 million, or 6 percent of the world's people. The continent comprises 12 nations. Ten of the countries are Latin: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Two of the nations are former dependencies: Guyana, of the United Kingdom, and Suriname, of The Netherlands. South America also includes French Guiana, an overseas department of France. Located at great distances from the continent in the Pacific Ocean are several territories of South American republics: the Juan Fernández Islands and Easter Island (Chile) and the Galápagos Islands (Ecuador). Nearer the coast, in the Atlantic Ocean, is the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, which is a Brazilian territory, and, farther south, the British dependency of the Falkland Islands, which is claimed by Argentina as the Islas Malvinas. The coastline of South America is relatively regular except in the extreme south and southwest, where numerous fjords indent it.
Andes Mountains: The northern and western fringes are dominated by the Andes Mountains, the second highest mountain range in the world. The main lowland is the vast Amazon Basin in the equatorial part of the continent; the Amazon River, the world’s second longest river, drains it. The Orinoco River drains lowland in the north; to the south lies the Paraguay-Paraná basin. The lowest point in South America (40 m/ 131 ft below sea level) is on Península Valdés in eastern Argentina, and the greatest elevation (6,960 m/22,834 ft) is atop Aconcagua in western Argentina, the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere. Rising abruptly from the northwestern and western coasts of the continent is the Andes. They consist of a single chain in Venezuela, in the north, and through much of Chile and Argentina, in the south, but the central part of the mountain system consists of two or three parallel axes of mountains, known as cordilleras, or ranges. In southwestern Bolivia and southern Peru, a region of large intermountain plateaus called the Altiplano separates the ranges. In Peru and Argentina relatively narrow but deep valleys separate the ranges. Among the two-dozen peaks that exceed an elevation of 17,000 ft (equivalent to 5,182 m) are a number of active volcanoes located in south central Chile, southern Peru and Bolivia, and Ecuador.
Rivers: The greater part of South America is drained to the Atlantic Ocean by three river systems: the Amazon, Orinoco, and Paraguay-Paraná. Each of these large rivers also provides access to the interior. The most important of these is the Magdalena River and its tributary, the Cauca River. This system, which drains north through Andean valleys in western Colombia to empty into the Caribbean Sea, has also provided a traditional access route to the interior. Scores of short Andean streams have sustained agriculture for centuries in Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and northwestern Argentina. Considerable hydroelectric power potential exists in the streams of the Andes and in those of the Guiana and Brazilian Highlands. The Mantaro Valley hydroelectric scheme in the Andes of Peru provides most of Lima's electricity.
Lakes: South America has few large lakes. Many of the large permanent lakes are situated at relatively high elevations in the Andes. Among the largest are Lake Titicaca and Lake Poopó in Bolivia; Buenos Aires, Argentino, and Nahuel Huapí lakes in Argentina; and Lake Valencia in Venezuela
South America, fourth largest of the Earth's seven continents (after Asia, Africa, and North America), occupying 17,820,900 sq km (6,880,700 sq mi), or 12 percent of the Earth's land surface. It lies astride the equator and tropic of Capricorn and is joined by the Isthmus of Panama, on the north, to Central and North America. The continent extends 7,400 km (4,600 mi) from the Caribbean Sea on the north to Cape Horn on the south, and its maximum width, between Ponta do Seixas, on Brazil's Atlantic coast, and Punta Pariñas, on Peru's Pacific coast, is 5,160 km (3,210 mi).
South America has a 2000 estimated population of 348 million, or 6 percent of the world's people. The continent comprises 12 nations. Ten of the countries are Latin: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Two of the nations are former dependencies: Guyana, of the United Kingdom, and Suriname, of The Netherlands. South America also includes French Guiana, an overseas department of France. Located at great distances from the continent in the Pacific Ocean are several territories of South American republics: the Juan Fernández Islands and Easter Island (Chile) and the Galápagos Islands (Ecuador). Nearer the coast, in the Atlantic Ocean, is the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, which is a Brazilian territory, and, farther south, the British dependency of the Falkland Islands, which is claimed by Argentina as the Islas Malvinas. The coastline of South America is relatively regular except in the extreme south and southwest, where numerous fjords indent it.
The Natural Environment: South America consists of four upland provinces, extending inland from the coasts, and, between them, three lowland provinces. The northern and western fringes are dominated by the Andes Mountains, the second highest mountain range in the world. The broader—and generally less elevated—highland areas of the Guiana and Brazilian massifs and the Patagonian Plateau fringe most of the eastern coast. The main lowland is the vast Amazon Basin in the equatorial part of the continent; the Amazon River, the world’s second longest river, drains it. The Orinoco River drains a lowland in the north; to the south lies the Paraguay-Paraná basin. The lowest point in South America (40 m/ 131 ft below sea level) is on Península Valdés in eastern Argentina, and the greatest elevation (6,960 m/22,834 ft) is atop Aconcagua in western Argentina, the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere.
A. Geological History
The oldest and most stable structural element of the continent is the shield area of the Brazilian and Guiana highlands of the east and northeast. It comprises a Precambrian (before 570 million years ago) complex of igneous and metamorphic rocks. In most places sedimentary rocks, mostly of Paleozoic age (570 million to 225 million years ago), overlay the shield although some areas of younger basalts occur, notably in southern Brazil. Fossils found in the Brazilian Highlands offer evidence of continental drift, indicating that in the Permian period the continent was linked to Gondwanaland, a great landmass incorporating Africa and Asia.
The complex that underlies the Patagonian Plateau is largely mantled by sediments deposited in the Mesozoic Era (225 million to 65 million years ago) and Tertiary Period (65 million to 1.6 million years ago) and by basalts of recent formation.
Material eroded from the old shield areas contributed to the thick deposits of sediments in the surrounding seas. These sedimentary formations were uplifted repeatedly in the Mesozoic Era to form the coast ranges of Chile and southern Peru and the higher and more extensive Andes. This mountain-building process, which continued through the Tertiary Period, was accompanied by intrusions of magma (molten rock) and by the formation of volcanoes. Volcanic and seismic activity continues all up and down the continent's western rim. The glaciers of the southernmost Andes are remnants of the great ages of glaciation of the Quaternary Period (beginning 2.5 million years ago). The erosion of the highlands continues to contribute sediments to surrounding lowlands.
B. Natural Regions
Rising abruptly from the northwestern and western coasts of the continent is the Andes. They consist of a single chain in Venezuela, in the north, and through much of Chile and Argentina, in the south, but the central part of the mountain system consists of two or three parallel axes of mountains, known as cordilleras, or ranges. In southwestern Bolivia and southern Peru, a region of large intermountain plateaus called the Altiplano separates the ranges. In Peru and Argentina relatively narrow but deep valleys separate the ranges. Among the two-dozen peaks that exceed an elevation of 17,000 ft (equivalent to 5,182m) are a number of active volcanoes located in south central Chile, southern Peru and Bolivia, and Ecuador.
The vast uplands of Guiana, in the northeast, and of Brazil, in the east, have rolling to hilly surfaces, with broad plateaus and high mesas. The plateaus are higher and less broad in the highlands of Guiana. In the Brazilian Highlands, the greatest relief occurs in mountains that lie along the eastern coast, in many places rising abruptly from the sea. In general, the rocks of these uplands have weathered into infertile, reddish soils. Fertile soils derived from basaltic rocks are found in many valleys, however. To the south is the less elevated and relatively flat Patagonian Plateau (see Patagonia). Although soils here are generally fertile, climatic constraints limit their agricultural usefulness.
The northernmost of the continent's principal lowland areas is the Orinoco Basin, which includes the Llanos—a region of alluvial plains and low mesas—and a vast system of valleys that converge toward the Amazon between the Caquetá and Madeira rivers. The Amazon Basin itself is a region of slightly rolling terrain. Farther south are the shallow valleys and flat plains of the Gran Chaco and the Pampas, both of which merge with the swampy floodplains of the Paraguay and Paraná rivers.
C. Drainage and Water Resources
The greater part of South America is drained to the Atlantic Ocean by three river systems: the Amazon, Orinoco, and Paraguay-Paraná. Each of these large rivers also provides access to the interior. The smaller São Francisco River drains northeastern Brazil. Numerous lesser rivers drain the Caribbean and Pacific flanks of the Andes. The most important of these is the Magdalena River and its tributary, the Cauca River. This system, which drains north through Andean valleys in western Colombia to empty into the Caribbean Sea, has also provided a traditional access route to the interior. Scores of short Andean streams have sustained agriculture for centuries in Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and northwestern Argentina. Considerable hydroelectric power potential exists in the streams of the Andes and in those of the Guiana and Brazilian Highlands. The Mantaro Valley hydroelectric scheme in the Andes of Peru provides most of Lima's electricity.
South America has few large lakes. Many of the large permanent lakes are situated at relatively high elevations in the Andes. Among the largest are Lake Titicaca and Lake Poopó in Bolivia; Buenos Aires, Argentino, and Nahuel Huapí lakes in Argentina; and Lake Valencia in Venezuela.
D. Climate
South America is dominated by relatively warm climatic regimes. There are climate broad zones of the continent. The entire continent along the equator is a belt of humid tropical climate that grades to the north and south into broad zones where the length of the rainy season and the amount of rainfall diminish. These zones have wet summers and dry winters and are subject to prolonged droughts. Droughts are a particularly serious problem in northeastern Brazil and along the northern coast of Venezuela and Colombia. The areas of rainy tropical and tropical wet-dry climate extend along the Pacific coast of Colombia and Ecuador but are marked by a sharp southern transition into the arid climate of coastal Peru and northern Chile. In the northern half of South America only the Andes region has a cool climate. Temperatures decrease with increasing elevation, so that the tropical climate of the lowlands and lower slopes changes to subtropical and temperate climates at intermediate elevations, and finally to cold alpine climate at the mountain crests. South of the tropic of Capricorn, South America has cool to cold winters and cool to warm summers.
Vegetation: The vegetation zones of South America correspond closely with the climatic zones. The areas of wet tropical climate have a dense cover of rain forest, or selva. The largest forest area in the world, this rain forest covers much of equatorial South America, including the Brazilian coast and the lower slopes of the Andes, and contains tropical hardwoods, palms, tree ferns, bamboo, and lianas. Open forests and brush-lands are found in the areas of winter drought chiefly on the Venezuelan coast, in northeastern Brazil, and on the Gran Chaco. Between these drier areas and the rain forest are zones of tall grass (savannas, or campos) and of scrub and grass (campos cerrados). Mixed (containing both deciduous and evergreen trees) and deciduous forests occur in southern Brazil and along the slopes of the Andes. In Brazil the forest grades, to the south, into areas of rolling prairie interrupted by wooded hills. Grassy plains and open thorn scrub forest characterize the Gran Chaco. The flat Pampas of east central Argentina is the largest mid-latitude grassland of South America. To the south a zone of scrub steppe (monte) marks the transition to the low brush and bunch grass that cover the drier and cooler Patagonia region. Along the Pacific coast, the vegetation grades northward from forest to open woodland, to shrubs and grass in central Chile, and eventually to the scrub and desert vegetation that prevails into northern Peru and up to the mountain flanks.
Animals: South America, Central America, the lowlands of Mexico, and the West Indies may be classified as a single zoogeographic region usually called the Neo-tropical Region. Fauna is characterized by variety and a singular lack of affinity with the fauna of other continents, including North America north of the Mexican Plateau. Found throughout are families of mammals absolutely confined to the region, including two unique species of monkey, bloodsucking bats, and many unusual rodents. The region has only one kind of bear, the spectacled bear; no horses or related animals, aside from one species of tapir; and no ruminants, except lamoids (members of the camel family), which include alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas.
Natural Resources: South America has diverse mineral resources, many of which have not been extensively exploited. Mineral deposits are widely distributed, but certain areas of the continent are particularly renowned for their wealth. In the Andes placer gold has been worked in various areas since before the colonial era. The mountains between central Peru and southern Bolivia produced silver and mercury in the colonial era, and industrial minerals such as copper, tin, lead, and zinc today. Copper is worked at large deposits in northern and central Chile and in central and southern Peru. A highly mineralized area containing bauxite, iron ore, and gold lies between Ciudad Bolívar and northern Suriname, near the northern margin of the Guiana Highlands.
Population: South America's overall population has been increasing rapidly, especially in the developing tropical countries, and urban populations have increased greatly in all parts of the continent. Immigration to South America has been minimal since 1930. Internal migration has been of great significance, however, increasing the concentration of people living on the continent's periphery, while vast areas of the interior remain sparsely populated. The overall population density is 20 persons per sq km (52 per sq mi), but more than half the continent has a population density of fewer than 2 persons per sq km (5 per sq mi). Although South America's population has a diverse ethnic heritage, its principal elements are the Native Americans and the descendants of Spaniards, Portuguese, and African blacks. The Native Americans are most numerous in the highlands of the central Andean republics. People of Spanish descent are relatively more numerous in Argentina and Uruguay than elsewhere. In Brazil, the Portuguese are the predominant Iberian element, and the black and mulatto groups are more numerous than in any other South American country. In the Guiana’s and coastal Colombia and Ecuador, the number of blacks is also large.
Demography: South America's population more than doubled between 1960 and 2000. About one-half of the continent's people live in Brazil. Six other countries claim nearly 45 percent of the remaining population: Colombia (11.5 percent), Argentina (10.7 percent), Peru (7.8 percent), Venezuela (6.8 percent), Chile (4.4 percent), and Ecuador (3.7 percent). Average population growth rates approached 2.4 percent per year between 1965 and 1990, although Argentina and Uruguay have grown more slowly, as, to a lesser extent, have Chile and Bolivia. The growth in population is due largely to natural increase, the birth rate being 21 per 1,000 people and the death rate 8 per 1,000 in 2000. In many areas death rates have been declining substantially for decades, whereas high birth rates only recently have shown a downward tendency. The estimated number of people under the age of 15 in 2000 was 31 percent, while the median age was 25.1 years in 2000. Natural increase and migration from provincial areas have caused urban populations to grow by up to 4 percent a year. In Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, the rate of urban growth has slowed, but in the tropical countries, cities are growing with great rapidity. In the most urbanized of the larger countries—Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Venezuela—at least 80 percent of the population lives in urban centers; in the least urbanized—Bolivia, Ecuador, and Paraguay—less than 65 percent of the population is classified as urban.
Languages: Spanish is the official language of 9 of the 13 political entities on the continent. Portuguese is the official language of Brazil; English, of Guyana; Dutch, of Suriname; and French, of French Guiana. Among the scores of Native American languages, the largest numbers of people speaks Quechua, Aymara, and Guaraní. The speakers of Quechua (7.6 million in 1998) are primarily in the central Andean highlands and the speakers of Aymara (2.1 million in 1998) in the highlands of Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. Guaraní is an official language of Paraguay, along with Spanish.
Religion: South America is unusual among the continents for its religious homogeneity. About 90 percent of the population is Roman Catholic. Most of the Protestants are in Brazil and Chile; the remainder is widely distributed, primarily in urban centers. The Jews of South America also tend to be urban dwellers and are widely distributed; about three-fourths are in Argentina and Brazil, and more than 10 percent are in Uruguay and Chile. Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists are concentrated in Guyana and Suriname. The Spaniards and Portuguese brought the Roman Catholic faith to the continent during the Spanish conquest. Protestantism is a reflection of later European immigration and of missionary activity begun in the 19th century. North American evangelical groups were particularly active in the 20th century.
Economic Development: Historically a colonial area, economically dependent on the export of agricultural and mineral commodities, South America has experienced growth and diversification in most of its economic sectors since the 1930s. After World War II (1939-1945) national policies of import substitution (the local manufacture of formerly imported goods) reshaped industry. The benefits of this rapid economic development have not spread evenly but have accrued more to the leading cities and their environs. The development of free trade, beginning in the late 1960s with the Andean Pact and continuing into the 2000s with the Southern Cone Common Market (MERCOSUR) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), has greatly improved South America's economic prospects.
Agriculture: Most crop and livestock production in South America is for home consumption and domestic markets. Nevertheless, revenues from agricultural exports are very important in many South American countries. Although agriculture, together with hunting, fishing, and forestry, accounted for about 12 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) within the continent in the 1990s, it accounted for more than 30 percent of the labor force in Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, and Ecuador, between 20 percent and 30 percent in Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana, and less than 20 percent in Suriname, Chile, Uruguay, Venezuela, Argentina, and French Guiana.
Forestry and Fishing: Although the continent is 50 percent forested and is surrounded by seas rich in marine life, the forestry and fishing industries in most South American nations are small and oriented toward domestic markets. Some tropical hardwoods and softwoods are exported, however, much of the wood coming from the Amazon Basin, where large tracts of forest are being cleared for conversion into range and cropland. Also exported is pine lumber from southern Brazil and south central Chile, together with some pulpwood. Significant areas of commercial forest have been planted in Chile and Brazil. The widespread planting of eucalyptus trees for firewood, for timbering, and for use in rough construction has historically been important.
Mining: Most mining for export is on
a large scale. The long history of foreign corporate control of South American
mining operations is waning because of national political pressures. Petroleum,
copper, bauxite, and iron ore are the principal commodities in value and
volume, but mineral exports are greatly diversified. South America is an
important world producer of lead, zinc, manganese, and tin. Although all South
American countries have some mineral production, Venezuela's oil and gas
account for more than half the total value of the continent's output. Mineral
production is of great importance to several national economies. Crude and
refined petroleum, and derivatives dominate Venezuela’s exports, while the
dependence on mineral exports is somewhat less in Suriname, Bolivia, and Chile.
Peru and, in recent years, Ecuador, have relied heavily on the sale of
minerals. Such exports generate government revenue, but mining contributes
little to continental GDP and employment. Nevertheless, mineral commodities are
important to the continent's growing industrial diversification.
Manufacturing:
By the late 1970s manufacturing accounted for at
least 25 percent of South America's GDP, up from 20 percent in 1956, when it
first exceeded in importance both agriculture and commerce and finance. In the
late 1990s, the industrial sector accounted for more than 30 percent of the GDP
in Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, and Ecuador.
Energy: Petroleum and natural gas are the
principal sources of energy in South America. More primitive sources, such as
firewood and charcoal, however, are used widely in industry, sometimes in
making iron and steel or in refining sugar. Dependence on petroleum and natural
gas is of concern because only Colombia and Venezuela are self-sufficient in
petroleum. Distribution needs are met with fairly extensive petroleum and gas
pipeline systems in Argentina, Venezuela, and Colombia and lesser systems
elsewhere. Nevertheless, most pipeline systems in South America transport crude
oil and gas to export terminals, rather than to internal markets. Coal, available
in relatively small reserves, was important to the early development of rail
and water transportation and industry in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and
Colombia, but has long been superseded in importance as an energy source.
Alcohol derived from sugarcane is an important automotive fuel in Brazil.
Hydroelectric power has become a viable alternative to thermal-electric power
only since the 1950s. The development of hydroelectric power began in Brazil,
Chile, and Colombia; installed hydroelectric capacities now constitute more
than 60 percent of electricity-producing capacity in Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay,
Colombia, and Bolivia. Hydroelectric power is also important in Peru, Chile,
Ecuador, Suriname, and Argentina, where installed hydroelectricity-generating
capacity accounts for more than 40 percent of all generating capacity.
Hydroelectric development ranges from small installations used by provincial
towns to the enormous facilities built in the middle and upper Paraná Basin and
the upper and lower reaches of the São Francisco River.
Transportation: Although a great variety of
forms of transportation are in common use, the road and railroad networks are
of primary importance because of the bulk and value of their freight and the
number of passengers carried. Motor-vehicle traffic dominates in most parts of
the continent. Railroads and coastal and river ships remain relatively more
important in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile than elsewhere, but even in these
countries the bus, truck, and automobile are the principal modes of
transporting goods and passengers. Air transport has developed rapidly since
the end of World War II, and an important network exists in South America.
National rail and highway networks are dense only in southeastern Brazil and in
the Pampas of Argentina and, to a lesser extent, in the populous areas of
Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador. The construction of roads has been most
important since the 1950s. Venezuela and coastal Peru have a good system of
surfaced roads; in Paraguay and Bolivia the road networks are not as good. The
Andean countries have been extending roads into the interior for decades, and
Brazil has spanned parts of the Amazon Basin with roads.
Trade: Most of South America's trade
is intercontinental, the United States, Western Europe, and Japan being major
trading partners. Petroleum and its derivatives are the principal components of
foreign trade. Brazil and Venezuela dominate the continent's export trade, and
Brazil accounts for much of the imports. Intra-continental trade has been
fostered since the 1960s by regional trade associations, the most important of
which is the Latin American Integration Association (LAIA), formerly known as
the Latin American Free Trade Association (LAFTA). Commodities such as wheat, cattle,
wine, and bananas are principal items of intra-continental trade, and
manufactured goods are of growing importance. Nevertheless, the continent's
external trades in agricultural and mining commodity remains more important
than the internal trade of these commodities. South America contributes
significantly to world trade in petroleum, coffee, copper, bauxite, fishmeal,
and oilseed, trade in these and other primary goods are essential to the
underwriting of the continent's economic development.
References
David J. Robinson/Microsoft ® Encarta ® Reference Library 2004. © 1993-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
2.1
ARGENTINA:
|
Argentina: |
Background: It is the second-largest country in South America (after Brazil). Argentina has five border countries and a coastline of 5,000 kilometers. There are disputes with some of the border states. The strategy of defense of the country is organized in five sectors. The climate has three zones: mostly temperate, arid in southeast, sub-Antarctic in southwest-The last two zones are not very suitable for agriculture. The terrain is comprised of the rich plains of the Pampas in northern half that have a variety of minerals (lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, and uranium) (and is subject to flooding), flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border that connects with Chile subject to earthquake. Cerro Aconcagua is South America’s tallest mountain, while the Valdes Peninsula is the lowest point on the continent. Ten percent of the land is arable. The population composition is white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo, Amerindian, or other nonwhite groups 3%; and religion distribution is nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%; and Spanish as the native language with secondary as Italian and Germans. The literacy rate is 97%. |
2.1.1
DEMOGRAPHICS:
|
Population
distribution by race: |
38,740,807 (July
2003 est.) White (mostly
Spanish and Italian) 97%, Mestizo, Amerindian, or other nonwhite groups 3% |
|
Religion: |
Nominally Roman
Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing) Protestant 2% Jewish 2% Other 4% |
|
Age Groups: |
0-14 years: 26.2% (male
5,185,548; female 4,955,551) |
|
Literacy Rate: |
Definition: age 15
and over can read and write |
|
Mortality Rate: |
Total: 16.16 deaths/1,000
live births |
|
Longevity: |
Total population:
75.48 years |
2.1.2
GEOGRAPHY:
|
Land Area: |
Total: 2,766,890
sq km |
|
Agricultural Land: |
Arable land: 9.14%
|
|
Commercial Zone: |
N/A |
|
Water Land: |
Water: 30,200 sq km |
|
Flooding Areas: |
Pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the Pampas and northeast; heavy flooding |
|
Earthquake Areas: |
San Miguel de
Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquake; |
2.1.3
GOVERNMENT:
|
Government: |
The government is a Republic with bicameral Congress with 23 provinces, and one autonomous city-Buenos Aires. Independence was obtained from Spain 1816. The constitution was adopted in May 1853 and revised in August 1984. The legal system is a mixture of West European legal systems and US legal systems. Citizens above eighteen years can vote for local and federal officials. |
|
Executive Branch: |
The chief of state: President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May 2003). * Note - declared winner of a runoff election by default after Carlos Saul MENEM withdrew his candidacy on the eve of the election, Vice President Daniel SCIOLI (since 25 May 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government. The president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet. The president appoints the Cabinet. |
|
Legislative Branch: |
The
bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate (72
seats; members are elected by direct vote; presently one-third of the members
being elected every two years to a six-year term), and the Chamber of
Deputies. (257 seats; members are elected
by direct vote; one-half of the members elected every two years to a
four-year term) |
|
Judicial Branch: |
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (the nine Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval by the Senate). |
2.1.4
ECONOMY:
|
Economy Overview: |
Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Over the past decade, however, the country has suffered recurring economic problems of inflation, external debt, capital flight, and budget deficits. Growth in 2000 was a negative 0.8%, as both domestic and foreign investors remained skeptical of the government's ability to pay debts and maintain the peso's fixed exchange rate with the US dollar. The economic situation worsened in 2001 with the widening of spreads on Argentine bonds, massive withdrawals from the banks, and a further decline in consumer and investor confidence. Government efforts to achieve a "zero deficit," to stabilize the banking system, and to restore economic growth proved inadequate in the face of the mounting economic problems. The peso's peg to the dollar was abandoned in January 2002, and the peso was floated in February; the exchange rate plunged and inflation picked up rapidly, but by mid-2002 the economy had stabilized, albeit at a lower level. Strong demand for the peso compelled the Central Bank to intervene in foreign exchange markets to curb its appreciation in early 2003. Led by record exports, the economy began to recover with output up 5.5% in 2003, unemployment falling, and inflation sliced to 4.2% at year-end. GDP- Purchasing power parity - $403.8 billion (2002 est.); |
|
GDP: |
Purchasing power parity - $403.8 billion (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - real growth
rate: |
10.9% (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - per capita: |
Purchasing power parity - $10,500 (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - composition
by sector: |
Agriculture: 5% Industry: 28% Services: 66% (2000 est.) |
|
Population below
poverty line: |
37% (2001 est.) |
|
Inflation rate
(consumer prices): |
41% (2002, yearend). |
|
Labor force: |
15, 36% of the population |
|
Unemployment rate: |
21.5% |
|
Budget: |
Revenues - $44 billion Expenditures- $48 billion -a net deficit of 4 billion |
2.1.5
EXPORTS AND
IMPORTS:
|
Exports: |
$25.3 billion f.o.b. (2002) |
|
Exports -
commodities: |
Edible oils Fuels and energy Cereals feed Motor vehicles |
|
Exports - partners: |
Brazil 23.6% US 10.9% Chile 9.7% Spain 4.3% (2002) |
|
Imports: |
$9 billion f.o.b. (2002) |
|
Imports -
commodities: |
Machinery and
equipment Motor vehicles Chemicals Metal manufactures Plastics |
|
Imports - partners: |
Brazil 42% US 12.8% Germany 4.4% (2002) |
|
Debt - external: |
$155 billion (2001
est.) |
|
Economic aid -
recipient: |
$10 billion (2001 est.) |
|
Currency: |
Argentine peso (ARS) |
|
Currency code: |
(ARS) |
|
Exchange rates: |
Argentine peso per US
Dollar-3.06 (2002) 1 (2001) 1 (2000) 1 (1999) 1 (1998) |
|
Fiscal year: |
Calendar Year |
2.1.6
COMMUNICATIONS:
|
Telephone -
main lines in use: |
7.5 million (1998) |
|
Telephone - mobile
cellular: |
3 million (December
1999)
|
|
Telephone system: |
General assessment: By
opening the telecommunications market to competition and foreign investment
with the "Telecommunications Liberalization Plan of 1998,"
Argentina encouraged the growth of modern telecommunication technology;
fiber-optic cable trunk lines are being installed between all major cities;
the major networks are entirely digital and the availability of telephone
service is being improved; however, telephone density is presently minimal,
and making telephone service universally available will take time Domestic: Microwave
radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domestic satellite system with 40 earth
stations serve the trunk network; more than 110,000 pay telephone are
installed and mobile telephone use is rapidly expanding
|
|
Radio broadcast
stations: |
AM 260 (including 10
inactive stations) FM NA (probably more than 1,000, mostly
unlicensed) Shortwave 6
(1998) |
|
Television
broadcast stations: |
42 (plus 444 repeaters) (1997) |
|
Internet country
code: |
. 27 |
|
Internet Service
Providers (ISPs): |
33 (2000) |
|
Internet users: |
3.88 million (2001) |
2.1.7
TRANSPORTATION:
|
Railways: |
Total: 34,463 km (168
km electrified) Broad gauge: 20,736 km
1.676-m gauge (142 km electrified) Standard gauge: 3,115
km 1.435-m gauge (26 km electrified) Narrow gauge: 10,375 km 1.000-m gauge; 237 km 0.750-m gauge (2002) |
|
Highways: |
Total: 215,471 km Paved: 63,348 km
(including 734 km of expressways) Unpaved: 152,123 km (1999) |
|
Waterways: |
10,950 km |
|
Pipelines: |
Gas 26,797 km Liquid petroleum gas
41 km Oil 3,668 km Refined products 2,945
km Unknown (oil/water) 13 km (2003) |
|
Ports and harbors: |
Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Comodoro Rivadavia, Concepcion del Uruguay, La Plata, Mar del Plata, Necochea, Rio Gallegos, Rosario, Santa Fe, Ushuaia |
|
Merchant marine: |
Total: 23 ships (1,000
GRT or over) 141,851 GRT/208,821 DWT Ships by type: cargo
9, Petroleum tanker 8, Railcar carrier 1, Refrigerated cargo 2, Roll on/roll off 1, Short-sea passenger 1,
Specialized tanker 1, Includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: United Arab Emirates 1, Uruguay 1 (2002 est.) |
|
Airports: |
1,342 (2002) |
|
Airports - with
paved runways: |
Total: 145 Over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 26 1,524 to 2,437 m: 62 914 to 1,523 m: 44 Under 914 m: 9 (2002) |
|
Airports - with
unpaved runways: |
Total: 1,197 Over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 50 914 to 1,523 m: 572 Under 914 m: 571 (2002) |
2.1.8
MILITARY:
|
Military
branches: |
Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic (includes naval aviation and Marines), Coast Guard, Argentine Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Aeronautical Police Force |
|
Military manpower
military age: |
20 years of age (2003
est.) |
|
Military manpower
availability: |
Males age 15-49:
9,780,063 (2003 est.)
|
|
Military
manpower - fit for military service: |
Males age 15-49:
7,942,837 (2003 est.) |
|
Military
manpower - reaching military age annually: |
Males: 331,011 (2003 est.) |
|
Military
expenditures - dollar figure: |
$4.3 billion (FY99) |
|
Military
expenditures - percent of GDP: |
1.3% (FY00) |
2.1.9
CULTURAL
ASPECTS:
|
Link to
Spanish Culture and Catholic Church: |
The Spanish influenced South America in many ways. It brought with it new customs, a new language and a new religion. The Catholic Church brought profound changes to South America. The Catholic Church ended human sacrifice and cannibalism and replaced human sacrifice with the consumption of the host (body and blood of Christ). Christian ideas replaced native ideas in art through the Church, but the native style was retained. Cathedrals were built on the sites of the old native worshiping ground and saints replaced the native deities. Polytheistic religion of aboriginal peoples was replaced by the monotheistic religion of the Spanish. Rituals and dances associated with previously existing gods were reapplied to the Christian saints and locals became servants of the Spanish king and members of the Church’s “flock”. Spain attempted to crush the spirit of the reformation and resisted reforms of the Counter Reformation as while the Church kept its crusading spirit visible in Latin America. Franciscan and Jesuit missions created a machine for the propagation of the faith, the schools. The Church took over many functions that belong to the state in the modern world, such as education, banking, hospitals, public charity, customs and application and enforcement of immigration laws, which were designed to exclude Jews and Lutherans. The Inquisition became a reign of terror in the Americas and intellectual movements were quashed. The Church saw the expression of aboriginal culture as the work of the devil, idols were destroyed and especially the Franciscans razed temples. Native manuscripts were destroyed, but book burning was not unusual in those days. The Catholic Church in Argentina is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. The Roman Catholic Church is the world's largest Christian Church, and its largest religious grouping. There are an estimated 33 Million baptized Catholics in Argentina, roughly 89% of the population. |
2.1.10
MAJOR ISSUES
AND DISPUTES:
|
Disputes -
international: |
Claims UK-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in its constitution, but in 1995 ceded the right to settle the dispute by force; Beagle Channel islands dispute resolved through Papal mediation in 1984, but armed incidents persist since 1992 oil discovery; territorial claim in Antarctica partially overlaps UK and Chilean claims (see Antarctic disputes); unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking, and harbors Islamist militants; uncontested dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim leaves the tri-point with Argentina in question |
|
Illicit drugs: |
Used as a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe and the US; some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers is increasing |
2.2
BOLIVIA:
|
BOLIVIA: |
Background: Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825; much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly 200 coups and counter-coups. Comparatively democratic civilian rule was established in the 1980s, but leaders have faced difficult problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and drug production. Current goals include attracting foreign investment, strengthening the educational system, resolving disputes with coca growers over Bolivia's counter drug efforts, continuing the privatization program, and waging an anticorruption campaign. |
2.2.1
DEMOGRAPHICS:
|
Population
distribution by race: |
8,586,443 (July
2003 est.) Quechua 30%, Mestizo (mixed
white and Amerindian ancestry) 30%, Aymara 25%, White 15% |
|
Religion: |
Roman Catholic 95%
Protestant (Evangelical Methodist)/Other 5% |
|
Age Groups: |
0-14 years: 37.1% (male
1,624,366; female 1,562,501) |
|
Literacy Rate: |
Definition: age 15
and over can read and write |
|
Mortality Rate: |
Total: 56.05
deaths/1,000 live births |
|
Longevity: |
Total population:
64.78 years |
2.2.2
GEOGRAPHY:
|
Land Area: |
Total: 1,098,580
sq km |
|
Agricultural Land: |
Arable land: 1.73%
|
|
Commercial Zone: |
N/A |
|
Water Land: |
Water: 14,190 sq km |
|
Flooding Areas: |
Flooding in the
northeast section of the country (March-April) |
|
Earthquake Areas: |
No information
reporting earthquake. |
2.2.3
GOVERNMENT:
|
Government: |
The government is a Republic with bicameral Congress with 9 administrative divisions. Independence was obtained from Spain 1825. The constitution was adopted in February 1967 and revised in August 1984. The legal system is a mixture of Spanish Law and Napoleonic Code. Citizens above eighteen years can vote for local and federal officials only if they are married. Citizens who are not married have to be twenty-one years of age or older. |
|
Executive Branch: |
Chief of state: President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert (since
17 October 2003); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the
chief of state and head of government Head of government: President Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert
(since 17 October 2003); Vice President (vacant); note - the president is
both the chief of state and head of government Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president |
|
Legislative Branch: |
Bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - some members are drawn from party lists, thus not directly elected)
|
|
Judicial Branch: |
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges appointed for 10-year terms by National Congress); District Courts (one in each department); provincial and local courts (to try minor cases) |
2.2.4
ECONOMY:
|
Economy Overview: |
Bolivia, long one of the poorest and least developed Latin American countries, made considerable progress in the 1990s toward the development of a market-oriented economy. Successes under President SANCHEZ DE LOZADA (1993-97) included the signing of a free trade agreement with Mexico and becoming an associate member of the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur), as well as the privatization of the state airline, telephone company, railroad, electric power company, and oil company. Growth slowed in 1999, in part due to tight government budget policies, which limited needed appropriations for anti-poverty programs, and the fallout from the Asian financial crisis. In 2000, major civil disturbances held down growth to 2.5%. Bolivia's GDP failed to grow in 2001 due to the global slowdown and laggard domestic activity. Growth picked up slightly in 2002, but the first quarter of 2003 saw extensive civil riots and looting and loss of confidence in the government. Bolivia will remain highly dependent on foreign aid unless and until it can develop its substantial natural resources. |
|
GDP: |
Purchasing power parity - $21.15 billion (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - real growth
rate: |
2.8% (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - per capita: |
Purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - composition
by sector: |
Agriculture: 20% |
|
Population below
poverty line: |
70% (1999 est.) |
|
Inflation rate
(consumer prices): |
2% (2001 est.) |
|
Labor force: |
2.5 million |
|
Unemployment Rate: |
7.6% |
|
Budget: |
Revenues: $4 billion |
2.2.5
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS:
|
Exports: |
$1.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) |
|
Exports -
commodities: |
Soybeans Natural gas Zinc Gold Wood (2000) |
|
Exports - partners: |
Brazil 24.3% Switzerland 15.7% US 14.1% Venezuela 12.8% Colombia 10.2% Peru 5.4% (2002) |
|
Imports: |
$1.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) |
|
Imports -
commodities: |
Capital goods Raw materials and semi-manufactures Chemicals Petroleum Food |
|
Imports - partners: |
Brazil 22% Argentina 17.4% US 15.6% Chile 7% Japan 5.5% Peru 5.4% China 4.8% (2002) |
|
Debt - external: |
$5.9 billion (2002 est.) |
|
Economic aid -
recipient: |
$588 million (1997) |
|
Currency: |
Bolivian (BOB) |
|
Currency code: |
BOB |
|
Exchange rates: |
Bolivians per US dollar - 7.17 (2002) 6.61 (2001) 6.18 (2000) 5.81 (1999) 5.51 (1998) |
|
Fiscal year: |
Calendar year |
2.2.6
COMMUNICATIONS:
|
Telephone - main lines in use: |
327,600 (1996) |
|
Telephone - mobile
cellular: |
116,000 (1997) |
|
Telephone system: |
General assessment: new subscribers face bureaucratic
difficulties; most telephone are concentrated in La Paz and other cities;
mobile cellular telephone use expanding rapidly |
|
Radio broadcast
stations: |
AM 171 FM 73 Shortwave 77 (1999) |
|
Television
broadcast stations: |
48 (1997) |
|
Internet country
code: |
26 |
|
Internet Service
Providers (ISPs): |
9 (2000) |
|
Internet users: |
78,000 (2000) |
2.2.7
TRANSPORTATION:
|
Railways: |
Total: 3,519 km |
|
Highways: |
Total: 53,790 km |
|
Waterways: |
10,000 km (commercially navigable) |
|
Pipelines: |
Gas 4,860 km Liquid petroleum gas 47 km Oil 2,460 km Refined products 1,589 km Unknown (oil/water) 247 km (2003) |
|
Ports and harbors: |
Puerto Aguirre (on the Paraguay/Parana waterway, at the Bolivia/Brazil border); also, Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay |
|
Merchant marine: |
Total: 53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 347,535 GRT/591,113
DWT Cargo 25 Chemical tanker 4 Container 4 Livestock carrier 1 Petroleum tanker 12 Roll on/roll off 1 Short-sea passenger 3 Specialized tanker 1 |
|
Airports: |
1,081 (2002) |
|
Airports - with
paved runways: |
Total: 12 |
|
Airports - with
unpaved runways: |
Total: 1,069 |
2.2.8
MILITARY:
|
Military branches: |
Army (Ejercito Boliviano), Navy (Fuerza Naval, includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana), National Police Force (Policia Nacional de Bolivia) |
|
Military manpower -
military age: |
19 years of age (2003 est.) |
|
Military manpower -
availability: |
Males age 15-49: 2,118,908 (2003 est.) |
|
Military manpower -
fit for military service: |
Males age 15-49: 1,380,883 (2003 est.) |
|
Military manpower -
reaching military age annually: |
Males: 96,003 (2003 est.) |
|
Military
expenditures - dollar figure: |
$147 million (FY99) |
|
Military
expenditures - percent of GDP: |
1.8% (FY99) |
2.2.9
CULTURAL ASPECTS:
|
Link to Spanish Culture and Catholic Church: |
The Spanish influenced South America in many ways. It brought with it new customs, a new language and a new religion. The Catholic Church brought profound changes to South America. The Catholic Church ended human sacrifice and cannibalism and replaced human sacrifice with the consumption of the host (body and blood of Christ). Christian ideas replaced native ideas in art through the Church, but the native style was retained. Cathedrals were built on the sites of the old native worshiping ground and saints replaced the native deities. Polytheistic religion of aboriginal peoples was replaced by the monotheistic religion of the Spanish. Rituals and dances associated with previously existing gods were reapplied to the Christian saints and locals became servants of the Spanish king and members of the Church’s “flock”. Spain attempted to crush the spirit of the reformation and resisted reforms of the Counter Reformation as while the Church kept its crusading spirit visible in Latin America. Franciscan and Jesuit missions created a machine for the propagation of the faith, the schools. The Church took over many functions that belong to the state in the modern world, such as education, banking, hospitals, public charity, customs and application and enforcement of immigration laws, which were designed to exclude Jews and Lutherans. The Inquisition became a reign of terror in the Americas and intellectual movements were quashed. The Church saw the expression of aboriginal culture as the work of the devil, idols were destroyed and especially the Franciscans razed temples. Native manuscripts were destroyed, but book burning was not unusual in those days. |
2.2.10
MAJOR ISSUES AND DISPUTES:
|
Disputes - international: |
Continues to press Chile and Peru to restore the Atacama corridor ceded to Chile in 1884; Chile demands water rights to Bolivia's Rio Lauca and Silala Spring |
|
Illicit drugs: |
World's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Colombia and Peru) with an estimated 24,400 hectares under cultivation in June 2002, a 23% increase from June 2001; intermediate coca products and cocaine exported to or through Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile to the US and other international drug markets; eradication and alternative crop programs under the SANCHEZ DE LOZADA administration have been unable to keep pace with farmers' attempts to increase cultivation after significant reductions in 1998 and 1999; money-laundering activity related to narcotics trade, especially along the borders with Brazil and Paraguay |
2.3
BRITISH
GUYANA:
|
British Guyana: |
Background: Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, but until the early 1990s mostly socialist-oriented governments ruled it. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president, in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. Upon his death five years later, his wife Janet, who resigned in 1999 due to poor health, succeeded him. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001. |
2.3.1
DEMOGRAPHICS:
|
Population
distribution by race: |
702,100 East Indian 50%, Black 36%, Amerindian 7%, White, Chinese, and mixed 7% |
|
Religion: |
Christian 50%, Hindu 35%, Muslim 10%, Other 5% |
|
Age Groups: |
0-14 years: 27% (male
96,775; female 93,077) |
|
Literacy Rate: |
Definition: age 15
and over has ever attended school |
|
Mortality Rate: |
Total: 37.55
deaths/1,000 live births |
|
Longevity: |
Total population:
63.09 years |
2.3.2
GEOGRAPHY:
|
Land Area: |
Total: 214,970 sq
km |
|
Agricultural Land: |
Arable land: 2.44%
|
|
Commercial Zone: |
N/A |
|
Water Land: |
Water: 18,120 sq km |
|
Flooding Areas: |
Flash floods are a
constant threat during rainy seasons |
|
Earthquake Areas: |
No reports of earthquake in this country. |
2.3.3
GOVERNMENT:
|
Government: |
The government is a republic within the commonwealth with a unicameral National Assembly with 10 regions. Independence was obtained from the United Kingdom on May 26, 1966. A constitution was adopted on October 6, 1980. The legal system is based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law and has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction. Citizens must be at least eighteen years of age to vote. This is universal for the country. |
|
Executive Branch: |
Chief of state: President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August 1999); note - assumed presidency after resignation of President JAGAN.
|
|
Legislative Branch: |
Unicameral National
Assembly (68 seats, 65 elected by popular vote, 1 elected Speaker of the
National Assembly, and 2 nonvoting members appointed by the president;
members serve five-year terms) |
|
Judicial Branch: |
Supreme Court of Judicature; Judicial Court of Appeal;
High Court |
2.3.4
ECONOMY:
|
Economy Overview: |
The Guyanese economy has exhibited moderate economic growth in 2001-02, based on expansion in the agricultural and mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiatives, a more realistic exchange rate, fairly low inflation, and the continued support of international organizations. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. The government is juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. The bauxite-mining sector should benefit in the near term by restructuring and partial privatization. |
|
GDP: |
Purchasing power parity - $2.628 billion (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - real growth
rate: |
1.1% (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - per capita: |
Purchasing power parity - $3,800 (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - composition
by sector: |
Agriculture: 35% |
|
Population below poverty
line: |
NA% |
|
Inflation rate
(consumer prices): |
4.7% (2002 est.) |
|
Labor force: |
418,000 (2001 est.) |
|
Unemployment rate: |
9.1% (understated) (2000) |
|
Budget: |
Revenues: $227 million |
2.3.5
EXPORTS AND
IMPORTS:
|
Exports: |
$500 million f.o.b. (2002) |
|
Exports -
commodities: |
Sugar Gold Bauxite/aluminum Rice Shrimp Molasses Rum Timber |
|
Exports - partners: |
Canada 21.1% US 17.9% Netherlands Antilles 12.9% UK 10.4% Jamaica 5.3% Portugal 4.2% (2002) |
|
Imports: |
$575 million c.i.f. (2002) |
|
Imports -
commodities: |
Manufactures Machinery Petroleum Food |
|
Imports - partners: |
US 23.7% Netherlands Antilles 20.2% Trinidad and Tobago 15.2% Italy 6.3% UK 5.1% Cuba 4.2% (2002) |
|
Debt - external: |
$1.2 billion (2002) |
|
Economic aid -
recipient: |
$84 million (1995), Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative (HIPC) $253 million (1997 |
|
Currency: |
Guyanese dollar (GYD) |
|
Currency code: |
GYD |
|
Exchange rates: |
Guyanese dollars per US dollar - NA (2002) 187.32 (2001) 182.43 (2000) 178 (1999) 150.52 (1998) |
|
Fiscal year: |
Calendar year |
2.3.6
COMMUNICATIONS:
|
Telephone -
main lines in use: |
70,000 (2000) |
|
Telephone - mobile
cellular: |
6,100 (2000)
|
|
Telephone system: |
General assessment: fair system for long-distance calling
|
|
Radio broadcast
stations: |
AM 3 FM 3 Shortwave 1 (1998) |
|
Television
broadcast stations: |
3 (one public station; two private stations which relay US satellite services) (1997) |
|
Internet country
code: |
49 |
|
Internet Service
Providers (ISPs): |
3 (2000) |
|
Internet users: |
95,000 (2002) |
2.3.7
TRANSPORTATION:
|
Railways: |
Total: 187 km |
|
Highways: |
Total: 7,970 km |
|
Waterways: |
5,900 km (total length of navigable waterways) |
|
Pipelines: |
NA% |
|
Ports and harbors: |
Bartica, Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Parika |
|
Merchant marine: |
Bartica, Georgetown, Linden, New
Amsterdam, Parika |
|
Airports: |
51 (2002) |
|
Airports - with
paved runways: |
Total: 8 |
|
Airports - with
unpaved runways: |
Total: 43 |
2.3.8
MILITARY:
|
Military
branches: |
Guyana Defense Force (including Ground Forces, Coast Guard, and Air Corps), Guyana Police Force, Guyana People's Militia, Guyana National Service |
|
Military manpower -
military age: |
NA% |
|
Military manpower -
availability: |
Males age 15-49: 207,890 (2003 est.)
|
|
Military manpower -
fit for military service: |
Males age 15-49: 156,174 (2003 est.) |
|
Military manpower -
reaching military age annually: |
NA% |
|
Military
expenditures - dollar figure: |
$NA |
|
Military
expenditures - percent of GDP: |
$NA |
2.3.9
CULTURAL
ASPECTS:
|
Link to
Spanish Culture and Catholic Church: |
The Spanish influenced South America in many ways. It brought with it new customs, a new language and a new religion. The Catholic Church brought profound changes to South America. The Catholic Church ended human sacrifice and cannibalism and replaced human sacrifice with the consumption of the host (body and blood of Christ). Christian ideas replaced native ideas in art through the Church, but the native style was retained. Cathedrals were built on the sites of the old native worshiping ground and saints replaced the native deities. Polytheistic religion of aboriginal peoples was replaced by the monotheistic religion of the Spanish. Rituals and dances associated with previously existing gods were reapplied to the Christian saints and locals became servants of the Spanish king and members of the Church’s “flock”. Spain attempted to crush the spirit of the reformation and resisted reforms of the Counter Reformation as while the Church kept its crusading spirit visible in Latin America. Franciscan and Jesuit missions created a machine for the propagation of the faith, the schools. The Church took over many functions that belong to the state in the modern world, such as education, banking, hospitals, public charity, customs and application and enforcement of immigration laws, which were designed to exclude Jews and Lutherans. The Inquisition became a reign of terror in the Americas and intellectual movements were quashed. The Church saw the expression of aboriginal culture as the work of the devil, idols were destroyed and especially the Franciscans razed temples. Native manuscripts were destroyed, but book burning was not unusual in those days. |
2.3.10
MAJOR ISSUES
AND DISPUTES:
|
Disputes -
international: |
All of the area west of the Essequibo (river) claimed by Venezuela; Suriname claims area between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari [Koetari] rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne); territorial sea boundary with Suriname is in dispute. |
|
Illicit drugs: |
Transshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis |
2.4
BRAZIL:
|
Brazil: |
Background: Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil has overcome more than half a century of military intervention in the governance of the country to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of the interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, Brazil is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution remains a pressing problem. |
2.4.1
DEMOGRAPHICS:
|
Population
distribution by race: |
182,032,604 White (includes
Portuguese, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish) 55% Mixed white and black 38% Black 6% Other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 1% |
|
Religion: |
Roman Catholic (nominal) 80% |
|
Age Groups: |
0-14 years: 27.1% (male
25,151,855; female 24,196,506) |
|
Literacy Rate: |
Definition: age 15
and over can read and write |
|
Mortality Rate: |
Total: 31.74
deaths/1,000 live births |
|
Longevity: |
Total population:
71.13 years |
2.4.2
GEOGRAPHY:
|
Land Area: |
Total: 8,511,965
sq km |
|
Agricultural Land: |
Arable land: 6.3% |
|
Commercial Zone: |
N/A |
|
Water Land: |
Water: 55,455 sq km |
|
Flooding Areas: |
Recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south. No reports of flooding in Brazil. |
|
Earthquake Areas: |
No reported earthquake
in Brazil |
2.4.3
GOVERNMENT:
|
Government: |
The country is a federative republic with a Bicameral Congress with 26 states and I federal district. Independence was obtained from Portugal on September 7, 1822. A constitution was adopted on October 5, 1988. The legal system is based on Roman Codes and has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction. Suffrage is voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70, compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age. |
|
Executive Branch: |
Chief of state: President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government. Elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 6 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006); runoff election held 27 October 2002.
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president.
Head of government: President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government |
|
Legislative Branch: |
Bicameral National
Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado
Federal (81 seats; three members from each state or federal district elected
according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third
elected after a four-year period, two-thirds elected after the next four-year
period) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats;
members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) Elections: Federal Senate - last held 6 October 2002 for two-thirds of the Senate (next to be held NA October 2006 for one-third of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 6 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006) |
|
Judicial Branch: |
Supreme Federal Tribunal (11 ministers are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Higher Tribunal of Justice; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life) |
2.4.4
ECONOMY:
|
Economy Overview: |
Possessing large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence in world markets. The maintenance of large current account deficits via capital account surpluses became problematic as investors became more risk averse to emerging markets as a consequence of the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and the Russian bond default in August 1998. After crafting a fiscal adjustment program and pledging progress on structural reform, Brazil received a $41.5 billion IMF-led international support program in November 1998. In January 1999, the Brazilian Central Bank announced that the real would no longer be pegged to the US dollar. The consequent devaluation helped moderate the downturn in economic growth in 1999, and the country posted moderate GDP growth in 2000. Economic growth slowed considerably in 2001-03 - to less than 2% - because of a slowdown in major markets and the hiking of interest rates by the Central Bank to combat inflationary pressures. New president DA SILVA, who took office 1 January 2003, has given priority to reforming the complex tax code, trimming the overblown civil service pension system, and continuing the fight against inflation. |
|
GDP- purchasing
power parity: |
$1.376 trillion
(2002 est.) |
|
GDP - real growth
rate: |
1.5% (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - per capita: |
Purchasing power parity - $7,600 (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - composition
by sector: |
Agriculture: 8% Industry: 36% Services: 56% (2001 est.) |
|
Population below
poverty line: |
22% (1998 est.) |
|
Inflation rate
(consumer prices): |
8.3% (2002) |
|
Labor force: |
79 million (1999 est.)
|
|
Unemployment rate: |
6.4% (2001 est.) |
|
Budget: |
Revenues: $100.6 billion Expenditures: $91.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000) |
2.4.5
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS:
|
Exports: |
$59.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) |
|
Exports -
commodities: |
Transport equipment Iron ore Soybeans Footwear Coffee Autos |
|
Exports - partners: |
US 23.8% Argentina 8.5% Germany 5% China 4.3% Netherlands 4.2% (2002) |
|
Imports: |
$46.2 billion f.o.b. (2002) |
|
Imports -
commodities: |
Machinery Electrical and transport equipment Chemical products Oil |
|
Imports - partners: |
US 23.3% Argentina 12.6% Germany 8.7% France 5.2% (2002) |
|
Debt - external: |
$222.4 billion (2002) |
|
Economic aid -
recipient: |
$30 billion IMF disbursement (2002) |
|
Currency: |
Real (BRL) |
|
Currency code: |
BRL |
|
Exchange rates: |
Real per US dollar - 2.92 (2002), 2.36 (2001), 1.83 (2000), 1.81 (1999), 1.16 (1998) Note: from October 1994 through 14 January 1999, the official rate was determined by a managed float; since 15 January 1999, the official rate floats independently with respect to the US dollar |
|
Fiscal year: |
Calendar year |
2.4.6
COMMUNICATIONS:
|
Telephone - main lines in use: |
17.039 million (1997) |
|
Telephone - mobile
cellular: |
4.4 million (1997) |
|
Telephone system: |
General assessment: good working system Domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations International: 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station |
|
Radio broadcast
stations: |
AM 1,365 FM 296 Shortwave 161 (of which 91 are collocated with AM stations) (1999) |
|
Television
broadcast stations: |
138 (1997) |
|
Internet country
code: |
27 |
|
Internet Service
Providers (ISPs): |
50 (2000) |
|
Internet users: |
13.98 million (2002) |
2.4.7
TRANSPORTATION:
|
Railways: |
Total: 31,543 km (1,981 km electrified) Broad gauge: 4,961 km 1.600-m gauge (692 km electrified) Narrow gauge: 25,992 km 1.000-m gauge (581 km electrified) Dual gauge: 396 km 1.000-m and 1.600-m gauges (three rails) (78 km electrified) (2002) Standard gauge: 194 km 1.440-m gauge (630 km electrified) |
|
Highways: |
Total: 1,724,929 km Paved: 94,871 km Unpaved: 1,630,058 km (2000) |
|
Waterways: |
50,000 km |
|
Pipelines: |
Condensate/gas 243 km Gas 10,984 km Liquid petroleum gas 341 km Oil 5,113 km Refined products 4,800 km (2003) |
|
Ports and harbors: |
Belem, Fortaleza, Ilheus, Imbituba, Manaus, Paranagua, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Salvador, Santos, Vitoria |
|
Merchant marine: |
Total: 159 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,256 186 GRT/5,101,578 DWT Note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as
a flag of convenience: Chile 2, Germany 6, Ships by type: bulk 29 Cargo 23 Chemical tanker 7 Combination ore/oil 7 Container 12 Liquefied gas 11 Multi-functional large-load carrier 1 Passenger/cargo 5 Petroleum tanker 53 Roll on/roll off 10 Short-sea passenger 1 |
|
Airports: |
3,590 (2002) |
|
Airports - with
paved runways: |
Total: 665 Over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 23 1,524 to 2,437 m: 155 914 to 1,523 m: 435 Under 914 m: 45 (2002) |
|
Airports - with
unpaved runways: |
Total: 2,925 1,524 to 2,437 m: 70 914 to 1,523 m: 1,384 Under 914 m: 1,471 (2002) |
2.4.8
MILITARY:
|
Military branches: |
Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy (includes naval air and marines), Brazilian Air Force, Federal Police (paramilitary) |
|
Military manpower -
military age: |
18 years of age (2003 est.) |
|
Military manpower -
availability: |
Males age 15-49: 51,381,048 (2003 est.) |
|
Military manpower -
fit for military service: |
Males age 15-49: 34,347,078 (2003 est.) |
|
Military manpower -
reaching military age annually: |
Males: 1,744,148 (2003 est.) |
|
Military
expenditures - dollar figure: |
$13.408 billion (FY99) |
|
Military
expenditures - percent of GDP: |
1.9% (FY99) |
2.4.9
CULTURAL ASPECTS:
|
Link to Spanish Culture and Catholic Church: |
The Spanish influenced South America in many ways. It brought with it new customs, a new language and a new religion. The Catholic Church brought profound changes to South America. The Catholic Church ended human sacrifice and cannibalism and replaced human sacrifice with the consumption of the host (body and blood of Christ). Christian ideas replaced native ideas in art through the Church, but the native style was retained. Cathedrals were built on the sites of the old native worshiping ground and saints replaced the native deities. Polytheistic religion of aboriginal peoples was replaced by the monotheistic religion of the Spanish. Rituals and dances associated with previously existing gods were reapplied to the Christian saints and locals became servants of the Spanish king and members of the Church’s “flock”. Spain attempted to crush the spirit of the reformation and resisted reforms of the Counter Reformation as while the Church kept its crusading spirit visible in Latin America. Franciscan and Jesuit missions created a machine for the propagation of the faith, the schools. The Church took over many functions that belong to the state in the modern world, such as education, banking, hospitals, public charity, customs and application and enforcement of immigration laws, which were designed to exclude Jews and Lutherans. The Inquisition became a reign of terror in the Americas and intellectual movements were quashed. The Church saw the expression of aboriginal culture as the work of the devil, idols were destroyed and especially the Franciscans razed temples. Native manuscripts were destroyed, but book burning was not unusual in those days. |
2.4.10
MAJOR ISSUES AND DISPUTES:
|
Disputes - international: |
Unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking, and harbors Islamist militants; uncontested dispute with Uruguay over certain islands in the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada boundary streams and the resulting tri-point with Argentina |
|
Illicit drugs: |
Illicit producer of cannabis; minor coca cultivation in the Amazon region, used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment country for Colombian and Peruvian cocaine headed for the US and Europe; also used by traffickers as a way station for narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia; upsurge in drug-related violence and weapons smuggling; important market for Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit narcotics proceeds earned in Brazil are often laundered through the financial system; significant illicit financial activity in the Tri-Border Area |
2.5
CHILE:
|
Chile: |
Background: A three-year-old Marxist government was overthrown in 1973 by a dictatorial military regime led by Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound economic policies, first implemented by the PINOCHET dictatorship, led to unprecedented growth in 1991-97 and have helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. |
2.5.1
DEMOGRAPHICS:
|
Population distribution
by race: |
15,665,216 (July
2003 est.) White and
white-Amerindian 95% Amerindian 3% Other 2% |
|
Religion: |
Roman Catholic 89% Protestant 11% Jewish NEGL% |
|
Age Groups: |
0-14 years: 26.4% (male
2,112,251; female 2,018,099) |
|
Literacy Rate: |
Definition: age 15
and over can read and write Total population:
96.2% |
|
Mortality Rate: |
Total: 8.88
deaths/1,000 live births |
|
Longevity: |
Total population:
76.35 years |
2.5.2
GEOGRAPHY:
|
Land Area: |
Total: 756,950 sq
km |
|
Agricultural Land: |
Arable land: 2.65%
Permanent crops: 0.42% |
|
Commercial Zone: |
N/A |
|
Water Land: |
Water: 8,150 sq km |
|
Flooding Areas: |
No flooding reported for Chile. |
|
Earthquake Areas: |
Severe earthquake;
active volcanism; tsunamis |
2.5.3
GOVERNMENT:
|
Government: |
The government is a republic with a bicameral National Congress with 13 regions. *Note: one region claimed is in Antarctica and the US does not recognize this claim. The country obtained it independence from Spain on September 18, 1810. The judicial system is based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law, judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court and has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction. *Note: Chile is in the process of completely overhauling its criminal justice system; a new, US-style adversarial system is being gradually implemented throughout the country. Citizens must be eighteen years of age to vote universally and compulsory. |
|
Executive Branch: |
Chief of state: President Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
|
|
Legislative Branch: |
Bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists
of the Senate or Senado (49 seats, 38 elected by popular vote, 9 designated
members, and 2 former presidents who serve six-year terms and are senators
for life); elected members serve eight-year terms (one-half bicameral
National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (49
seats, 38 elected by popular vote, 9 designated members, and 2 former
presidents who serve six-year terms and are senators for life); elected
members serve eight-year terms (one-half elected every four years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de
Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year
terms) Elections: Senate - last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2005); Chamber of Deputies - last held 16 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2005) |
|
Judicial Branch: |
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected by the 21-member court); Constitutional Tribunal |
2.5.4
ECONOMY:
|
Economy Overview: |
Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a
high level of foreign trade. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation as a
role model for economic reform was strengthened when the democratic
government of Patricio AYLWIN - which took over from the military in 1990 -
deepened the economic reform initiated by the military government. Growth in
real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-97, but fell to half that level in 1998
because of tight monetary policies implemented to keep the current account
deficit in check and because of lower export earnings - the latter a product
of the global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the recession in
1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls and
electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic growth for the
first time in more than 15 years. Despite the effects of the recession, Chile
maintained its reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy
that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. By
the end of 1999, exports and economic activity had begun to recover, and
growth rebounded to 4.4% in 2000. Growth fell back to 2.8% in 2001 and 1.8%
in 2002, largely due to lackluster global growth and the devaluation of the
Argentine peso. Unemployment remains stubbornly high, putting pressure on
President LAGOS to improve living standards. One bright spot was the signing
of a free trade agreement with the US, which will take effect on 1 January
2004. |
|
GDP-purchasing
power parity: |
$156.1 billion (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - real growth
rate: |
2.1% (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - per capita: |
Purchasing power parity - $10,100 (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - composition
by sector: |
Agriculture: 11% |
|
Population below
poverty line: |
21% (1998 est.) |
|
Inflation rate
(consumer prices): |
2.5% (2002 est.) |
|
Labor force: |
5.9 million (2000 est.) |
|
Unemployment rate: |
9.2% (2002) |
|
Budget: |
Revenues: $17 billion |
2.5.5
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS:
|
Exports: |
$17.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) |
|
Exports -
commodities: |
Copper Fish Fruits Paper and pulp Chemicals |
|
Exports - partners: |
US 19.1% Japan 10.5% China 6.7% Mexico 5% Italy 4.7% UK 4.4% (2002) |
|
Imports: |
$15.6 billion f.o.b. (2002) |
|
Imports -
commodities: |
Consumer goods Chemicals Motor vehicles Fuels Electrical machinery Heavy industrial machinery Food |
|
Imports - partners: |
Argentina 18% US 14.9% Brazil 9.5% China 6.5% Germany 4.3% (2002) |
|
Debt - external: |
$40.4 billion (2002) |
|
Economic aid -
recipient: |
ODA, $40 million (2001 est.) |
|
Currency: |
Chilean peso (CLP) |
|
Currency code: |
CLP |
|
Exchange rates: |
Chilean pesos per US dollar - 688.95 (2002) 634.94 (2001) 535.47 (2000) 508.78 (1999) 460.29 (1998) |
|
Fiscal year: |
Calendar year |
2.5.6
COMMUNICATIONS:
|
Telephone - main lines in use: |
2.603 million (1998) |
|
Telephone - mobile
cellular: |
944,225 (1998) |
|
Telephone system: |
General assessment: modern system based on extensive
microwave radio relay facilities |
|
Radio broadcast
stations: |
AM 180 (eight inactive) FM 64 Shortwave 17 (one inactive) (1998) |
|
Television
broadcast stations: |
63 (plus 121 repeaters) (1997) |
|
Internet country
code: |
25 |
|
Internet Service
Providers (ISPs): |
7 (2000) |
|
Internet users: |
3.1 million (2002) |
2.5.7
TRANSPORTATION:
|
Railways: |
Total: 6,585 km |
|
Highways: |
Total: 6,585 km |
|
Waterways: |
725 km |
|
Pipelines: |
Gas 2,267 km Gas/liquid petroleum gas 42 km Liquid petroleum gas 531 km Oil 983 km Refined products 545 km (2003) |
|
Ports and harbors: |
Antofagasta, Arica, Chanaral, Coquimbo, Iquique, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Talcahuano, Valparaiso |
|
Merchant marine: |
Total: 50 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 696,202 GRT/900,317
DWT Cargo 6 Chemical tanker 9 Container 4 Liquefied gas 2 Passenger 4 Petroleum tanker 6 Roll on/roll off 6 Vehicle carrier 4 |
|
Airports: |
363 (2002) |
|
Airports - with
paved runways: |
Total: 71 |
|
Airports - with
unpaved runways: |
Total: 71 |
2.5.8
MILITARY:
|
Military branches: |
Army of the Nation, National Navy (including naval air, coast guard, and marines), Air Force of the Nation, Chilean Carabineros (National Police), Investigations Police |
|
Military manpower -
military age: |
19 years of age (2003 est.) |
|
Military manpower -
availability: |
Males age 15-49: 4,154,636 (2003 est.) |
|
Military manpower -
fit for military service: |
Males age 15-49: 3,070,140 (2003 est.) |
|
Military manpower -
reaching military age annually: |
Males: 131,324 (2003 est.) |
|
Military
expenditures - dollar figure: |
$2.5 billion (FY99) |
|
Military
expenditures - percent of GDP: |
3.1% (FY99) |
2.5.9
CULTURAL ASPECTS:
|
Link to Spanish Culture and Catholic Church: |
The Spanish influenced South America in many ways. It brought with it new customs, a new language and a new religion. The Catholic Church brought profound changes to South America. The Catholic Church ended human sacrifice and cannibalism and replaced human sacrifice with the consumption of the host (body and blood of Christ). Christian ideas replaced native ideas in art through the Church, but the native style was retained. Cathedrals were built on the sites of the old native worshiping ground and saints replaced the native deities. Polytheistic religion of aboriginal peoples was replaced by the monotheistic religion of the Spanish. Rituals and dances associated with previously existing gods were reapplied to the Christian saints and locals became servants of the Spanish king and members of the Church’s “flock”. Spain attempted to crush the spirit of the reformation and resisted reforms of the Counter Reformation as while the Church kept its crusading spirit visible in Latin America. Franciscan and Jesuit missions created a machine for the propagation of the faith, the schools. The Church took over many functions that belong to the state in the modern world, such as education, banking, hospitals, public charity, customs and application and enforcement of immigration laws, which were designed to exclude Jews and Lutherans. The Inquisition became a reign of terror in the Americas and intellectual movements were quashed. The Church saw the expression of aboriginal culture as the work of the devil, idols were destroyed and especially the Franciscans razed temples. Native manuscripts were destroyed, but book burning was not unusual in those days. |
2.5.10
MAJOR ISSUES AND DISPUTES:
|
Disputes - international: |
Bolivia continues to press Chile and Peru to restore the Atacama corridor ceded to Chile in 1884; dispute with Peru over the economic zone delimited by the maritime boundary; Chile demands water rights to Bolivia's Rio Lauca and Silala Spring; Beagle Channel islands dispute resolved through Papal mediation in 1984, but armed incidents persist since 1992 oil discovery; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims |
|
Illicit drugs: |
A growing transshipment country for cocaine destined for the US and Europe; economic prosperity and increasing trade have made Chile more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising |
2.6
COLOMBIA:
|
Colombia: |
Background: Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and Venezuela). A 40-year insurgent campaign to overthrow the Colombian Government escalated during the 1990s, undergirded in part by funds from the drug trade. Although the violence is deadly and large swaths of the countryside are under guerrilla influence, the movement lacks the military strength or popular support necessary to overthrow the government. An anti-insurgent army of paramilitaries has grown to be several thousand strong in recent years, challenging the insurgents for control of territory and illicit industries such as the drug trade and the government's ability to exert its dominion over rural areas. While Bogotá steps up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, neighboring countries worry about the violence spilling over their borders. |
2.6.1
DEMOGRAPHICS:
|
Population
distribution by race: |
41,662,073 (July
2003 est.) Mestizo 58% White 20% Mulatto 14% Black 4% Mixed
black-Amerindian 3% Amerindian 1% |
|
Religion: |
Roman Catholic 90% |
|
Age Groups: |
0-14 years: 31.3% (male
6,601,581; female 6,447,679) |
|
Literacy Rate: |
Definition: age 15
and over can read and write |
|
Mortality Rate: |
Total: 22.47
deaths/1,000 live births |
|
Longevity: |
Total population:
71.14 years |
2.6.2
GEOGRAPHY:
|
Land Area: |
Total: 1,138,910
sq km |
|
Agricultural Land: |
Arable land: 1.9% |
|
Commercial Zone: |
N/A |
|
Water Land: |
Water: 100,210 sq km |
|
Flooding Areas: |
No flooding reported
in Colombia. |
|
Earthquake Areas: |
Highlands subject
to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquake; periodic droughts |
2.6.3
GOVERNMENT:
|
Government: |
The government is a republic with a bicameral congress consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives with 32 departments and one capital district. Colombia obtained its independence from Spain on July 10, 1810. A constitution was adopted on July 5, 1991. The judicial system is based on based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled after US procedures was enacted in 1992-93; judicial review of executive and legislative acts and accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations. Citizens must be eighteen years of age to vote universally. |
|
Executive Branch: |
Chief of state: President Alvaro URIBE Velez (since 7 August 2002); Vice President Francisco SANTOS (since 7 August 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
|
|
Legislative Branch: |
Bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) |
|
Judicial Branch: |
Four coequal, supreme judicial organs; Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justical (highest court of criminal law; judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms); Council of State (highest court of administrative law, judges are selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms); Constitutional Court (guards integrity and supremacy of the constitution, rules on constitutionality of laws, amendments to the constitution, and international treaties); Higher Council of Justice (administers and disciplines the civilian judiciary; members of the disciplinary chamber resolve jurisdictional conflicts arising between other courts; members are elected by three sister courts and Congress for eight-year terms) |
2.6.4
ECONOMY:
|
Economy Overview: |
Colombia's economy suffers from weak domestic and foreign demand, austere government budgets, and serious internal armed conflict. Other economic problems facing the new president URIBE range from reforming the pension system to reducing high unemployment. Two of Colombia's leading exports, oil and coffee, face an uncertain future; new exploration is needed to offset declining oil production, while coffee harvests and prices are depressed. Colombian business leaders are calling for greater progress in solving the conflict with insurgent groups. On the positive side, several international financial institutions have praised the economic reforms introduced by President URIBE and have pledged enough funding to cover Colombia's debt servicing costs in 2003. |
|
GDP- purchasing
power parity: |
$251.6 billion (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - real growth
rate: |
1.5% (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - per capita: |
$6,100 (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - composition
by sector: |
Agriculture: 13% |
|
Population below
poverty line: |
55% (2001) |
|
Inflation rate
(consumer prices): |
6.2% (2002 est.) |
|
Labor force: |
18.3 million (1999 est.) |
|
Unemployment rate: |
Services 46% Agriculture 30% Industry 24% (1990) |
|
Budget: |
Revenues: $24 billion |
2.6.5
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS:
|
Exports: |
$12.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) |
|
Exports -
commodities: |
Petroleum Coffee Coal Apparel Bananas Cut flowers |
|
Exports - partners: |
US 44.8% Venezuela 9.4% Ecuador 6.8% (2002) |
|
Imports: |
$12.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) |
|
Imports -
commodities: |
Industrial equipment Transportation equipment Consumer goods Chemicals Paper products Fuel Electricity |
|
Imports - partners: |
US 32.6% Venezuela 7% Mexico 5.3% Japan 5.3% Brazil 5.2% Germany 4.2% (2002) |
|
Debt - external: |
$38.4 billion (2002 est.) |
|
Economic aid -
recipient: |
$NA |
|
Currency: |
Colombian peso (COP) |
|
Currency code: |
COP |
|
Exchange rates: |
Colombian pesos per US dollar - 2,504.24 (2002) 2,299.63 (2001) 2,087.9 (2000) 1,756.23 (1999) 1,426.04 (1998) |
|
Fiscal year: |
Calendar year |
2.6.6
COMMUNICATIONS:
|
Telephone - main lines in use: |
5,433,565 (December 1997) |
|
Telephone - mobile
cellular: |
1,800,229 (December 1998) |
|
Telephone system: |
General assessment: modern system in many respects |
|
Radio broadcast
stations: |
AM 454 FM 34 Shortwave 27 (1999) |
|
Television
broadcast stations: |
60 (includes seven low-power stations) (1997) |
|
Internet country
code: |
.co |
|
Internet Service
Providers (ISPs): |
18 (2000) |
|
Internet users: |
1.15 million (2002) |
2.6.7
TRANSPORTATION:
|
Railways: |
Total: 3,304 km |
|
Highways: |
Total: 110,000 km |
|
Waterways: |
18,140 km (navigable by river boats) (April 1996) |
|
Pipelines: |
Gas 4,360 km Oil 6,134 km Refined products 3,140 km (2003) |
|
Ports and harbors: |
Bahia de Portete, Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Leticia, Puerto Bolivar, San Andres, Santa Marta, Tumaco, Turbo |
|
Merchant marine: |
Total: 15 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 51,445 GRT/55,930 DWT Cargo 6 Container 1 Petroleum tanker 3 |
|
Airports: |
1,050 (2002) |
|
Airports - with
paved runways: |
Total: 96 |
|
Airports - with
unpaved runways: |
Total: 954 |
|
Heliports: |
1 (2002) |
2.6.8
MILITARY:
|
Military branches: |
Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada Nacional, including Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Colombiana), National Police (Policia Nacional) |
|
Military manpower -
military age: |
18 years of age (2003 est.) |
|
Military manpower -
availability: |
Males age 15-49: 11,101,719 (2003 est.) |
|
Military manpower -
fit for military service: |
Males age 15-49: 7,403,433 (2003 est.) |
|
Military manpower -
reaching military age annually: |
Males: 392,468 (2003 est.) |
|
Military
expenditures - dollar figure: |
$3.3 billion (FY01) |
|
Military
expenditures - percent of GDP: |
3.4% (FY01) |
2.6.9
CULTURAL ASPECTS:
|
Link to Spanish Culture and Catholic Church: |
The Spanish influenced South America in many ways. It brought with it new customs, a new language and a new religion. The Catholic Church brought profound changes to South America. The Catholic Church ended human sacrifice and cannibalism and replaced human sacrifice with the consumption of the host (body and blood of Christ). Christian ideas replaced native ideas in art through the Church, but the native style was retained. Cathedrals were built on the sites of the old native worshiping ground and saints replaced the native deities. Polytheistic religion of aboriginal peoples was replaced by the monotheistic religion of the Spanish. Rituals and dances associated with previously existing gods were reapplied to the Christian saints and locals became servants of the Spanish king and members of the Church’s “flock”. Spain attempted to crush the spirit of the reformation and resisted reforms of the Counter Reformation as while the Church kept its crusading spirit visible in Latin America. Franciscan and Jesuit missions created a machine for the propagation of the faith, the schools. The Church took over many functions that belong to the state in the modern world, such as education, banking, hospitals, public charity, customs and application and enforcement of immigration laws, which were designed to exclude Jews and Lutherans. The Inquisition became a reign of terror in the Americas and intellectual movements were quashed. The Church saw the expression of aboriginal culture as the work of the devil, idols were destroyed and especially the Franciscans razed temples. Native manuscripts were destroyed, but book burning was not unusual in those days. |
2.6.10
MAJOR ISSUES AND DISPUTES:
|
Disputes - international: |
Nicaragua filed a claim against Honduras in 1999 and against Colombia in 2001 at the ICJ over disputed maritime boundary involving 50,000 sq km in the Caribbean Sea, including the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian drug activities penetrate Peruvian border area |
|
Illicit drugs: |
Illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator (cultivation of coca in 2002 was 144,450 hectares, a 15% decline since 2001); potential production of opium between 2001 and 2002 declined by 25% to 91 metric tons; potential production of heroin declined to 11.3 metric tons; the world's largest processor of coca derivatives into cocaine; supplier of about 90% of the cocaine to the US market and the great majority of cocaine to other international drug markets; important supplier of heroin to the US market; active aerial eradication program; a significant portion of non-US narcotics proceeds are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso exchange |
2.7
ECUADOR:
|
Ecuador: |
Background: The "Republic of the Equator" was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. |
2.7.1
DEMOGRAPHICS:
|
Population
distribution by race: |
13,710,234 (July
2003 est.) Mestizo (mixed
Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others
7%, Black 3% |
|
Religion: |
Roman Catholic 95% |
|
Age Groups: |
0-14 years: 34.9% (male
2,430,303; female 2,351,166) |
|
Literacy Rate: |
Definition: age 15
and over can read and write |
|
Mortality Rate: |
Total: 31.97
deaths/1,000 live births |
|
Longevity: |
Total population:
71.89 years |
2.7.2
GEOGRAPHY:
|
Land Area: |
Total: 283,560 sq
km |
|
Agricultural Land: |
Arable land: 5.69%
|
|
Commercial Zone: |
N/A |
|
Water Land: |
Water: 6,720 sq km |
|
Flooding Areas: |
Frequent
earthquake, landslides, volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts |
|
Earthquake Areas: |
Frequent
earthquake, landslides, volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts |
2.7.3
GOVERNMENT:
|
Government: |
The government is a republic with a unicameral congress, consisting of 100 seats, with 22 provinces. Ecuador gained its independence from Spain on May 24, 1882. Ecuador’s constitution was adopted on August 10, 1998. The judicial system is based on the civil law system and has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction. Citizens eighteen years of age can vote universal, compulsory for literate persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters. |
|
Executive Branch: |
Chief of state: President Lucio GUTIERREZ (since 15 January 2003); Vice President Alfredo PALACIO (since 15 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
|
|
Legislative Branch: |
Unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (100 seats; members are popularly elected by province to serve four-year terms)
|
|
Judicial Branch: |
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (new justices are elected by the full Supreme Court) |
2.7.4
ECONOMY:
|
Economy Overview: |
Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural areas. Because the country exports primary products such as oil, bananas, and shrimp, fluctuations in world market prices can have a substantial domestic impact. Ecuador joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1996, but has failed to comply with many of its accession commitments. The aftermath of El Nino and depressed oil market of 1997-98 drove Ecuador's economy into a free-fall in 1999. The beginning of 1999 saw the banking sector collapse, which helped precipitate an unprecedented default on external loans later that year. Continued economic instability drove a 70% depreciation of the currency throughout 1999, which forced a desperate government to "dollarize" the currency regime in 2000. The move stabilized the currency, but did not stave off the ouster of the government. Gustavo NOBOA, who assumed the presidency in January 2000, has managed to pass substantial economic reforms and mend relations with international financial institutions. Ecuador completed its first standby agreement since 1986 when the IMF Board approved a 10 December 2001 disbursement of $96 million, the final installment of a $300 million standby credit agreement. In February 2003, newly installed president Lucio GUTIERREZ faced a budget gap and massive foreign debt. He has pledged to use oil revenues to pay off debt and is seeking additional IMF support. |
|
GDP-purchasing
power parity: |
$42.65 billion (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - real growth
rate: |
3.4% (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - per capita: |
Purchasing power parity - $3,200 (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - composition
by sector: |
Agriculture: 11% |
|
Population below
poverty line: |
70% (2001 est.) |
|
Inflation rate
(consumer prices): |
12.5% (2002 est.) |
|
Labor force: |
3.7 million (urban) |
|
Unemployment rate: |
7.7%; note - widespread underemployment (2001 est.) |
|
Budget: |
Revenues: $5.6 billion |
2.7.5
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS:
|
Exports: |
$4.9 billion (2002 est.) |
|
Exports -
commodities: |
Petroleum Bananas Shrimp Coffee Cocoa Cut flowers Fish |
|
Exports - partners: |
US 39% Colombia 5.6% South Korea 5.1% |