Federation of Latin America. Composition of Latin America

Capturing the edge of the continent of North America, occupying the entire mainland of South America, the adjacent islands, this part of the planet was called Latin America in the distant historical past to designate the dependent territories of European colonialists.

Almost all countries in the region have access to the oceans, washing the territory from all sides. This circumstance contributes to free access to the world trade space - the export of manufactured products and raw materials makes up the main part of the economy of each state.

The countries of Latin America on the map are located in the equator zone, which divides the territory geographically into the northern and southern hemispheres. Proximity to the equator allows for plenty of sunlight and heat, which makes it possible to harvest tropical fruits and crops all year round throughout the territory called Latin America. The region is home to many exported cultivated plants.

Despite the territorial remoteness from the rest of the world, the entire list of Latin American countries and their capitals are invariably attractive to tourists from all over the globe.

So, the list of Latin American countries with capitals:

Brazil

The capital of the country is Brasilia.

The time difference with Moscow is -6 hours. Citizens of Russia for the purpose of tourism, a short-term business visit or visiting friends and relatives for a period not exceeding 90 days do not require a visa.

The country's monetary unit is the Brazilian real.

Brazil has a real abundance of natural and historical attractions. Here are some of them:

Rio de Janeiro ("January River") is the former capital and most visited city in Brazil.

Sao Paulo is the largest industrial center not only in Brazil, but throughout Latin America. The Museum of Modern Art, the Pakaembu stadium, where the “king of football” Pele often performed, as well as the Butantan snake reserve, are of interest there.

Brasilia is an “airplane city”: the center of the “fuselage” occupies the Three Powers Square, the “wings” are residential areas, and in the very “nose”, away from the center, is the Aurora Palace - the residence of the President of the Republic.

Manaus is the capital of the Amazon state. Museum of the Indians, Municipal Theater (1896), the colossal Palacio Negro, the Church of San Sebastian, the Museum of Man, the Museum of Numismatics, the Teatro Amazonas Opera House, numerous floating markets, as well as many magnificent houses decorated with blue ceramics " azulejos."

Iguazu Falls are a real wonder of the world, they are located in the Iguazu National Park at the meeting point of the Parana and Iguazu rivers, on the border between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, and are an impressive sight of cascades of water falling from a height of 72 m up to 3 km wide. The sound of the waterfall can be heard for many kilometers, and huge whirlwinds of spray create a rainbow of extraordinary beauty. A little less known is the Guaira waterfall (or Seti-Kedas) on Paran.

The city of Salvador is famous for the richness of its churches and the beauty of its historical buildings, crazy festivals and rich history. The sights of the city include the historic quarter of Pelourinho, the old port of Barra (Vila Velha), the Afro-Brazilian Museum, the Museum of Carlos Costa Pinto, the Museum of the Carmelite Order, the Medical Memorial, the Museum of Abelardo Rodriguez.

Recife, the capital of the state of Pernambuco, is located 835 km north of Salvador. This city is often compared to Venice. Olinda is located 7 km from Recife, one of the best preserved colonial cities in Brazil, famous for its old quarter, which is under the protection of UNESCO.

Belo Horizonte is the first city in the country that was created from scratch, thus paving the way for the modern capital. The historical museum of Abilio Bareto, the Palace of Liberty and the religious center of Congonhas do Campo, 80 km from the city with the famous "cross road" of 78 statues, are of interest here.

Brazilian beaches.

Copacabana is the most famous beach historically, on Sundays traffic is blocked along the avenida along it, turning it into a footpath along which jogging, rollerblading and just walking with combed dogs. Volleyball is played on the beach and it is mostly locals rather than tourists. It is here that the Copacabana Palace Hotel is located - one of the pearls of the Orient Express chain.

Ipanema - known throughout the world thanks to a song about a girl from Ipanema. This beach is the most prestigious - the best hotels, restaurants and boutiques are located here, and the highest real estate prices are in this part of Rio.

Leblon - located behind Ipanema, a little more calm, it is believed that this is the best beach in Rio for families with children.

The best surfer beaches in Rio de Janeiro are Barra de Tijuca and Recreo, there are surf schools here, and there are almost always waves, even small ones.

The best beach for swimming in Rio is Urca, near the Sugar Loaf, there are almost no waves.

Dominican Republic

The capital is Santo Domingo.

The time difference with Moscow is t−7 hours. For citizens of Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, visa-free entry to the Dominican Republic is provided for up to 30 days.

The monetary unit of the country is the Dominican peso.

All hotels in the Dominican Republic are classified and have an official "star rating". As a rule, it corresponds to the list of services provided. Almost all hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis, which includes three meals a day, snacks at any time, local drinks, soft drinks in the minibar and non-motorized beach activities. The hotel complexes have large green areas, mini-trains usually go through them, since walking to the pool or the beach is sometimes quite far, there is animation. All hotels are not high-rise (maximum 4 floors), mostly "four" and "five".

Dominican beaches.

Punta Cana beach. The most popular among family tourists with a well-groomed coastline, a chain of five-star hotels, excellent fish restaurants and amazing nature. Nearby are three national parks with lush vegetation and exotic inhabitants.

Puerto Plata Beach is 120 km of picturesque beaches in the resorts of Cabarete, Sosua and Playa Dorada. The first is a paradise for windsurfers: the waves here are impressive. Young people come here in search of new acquaintances and adventures. Although it is better to go to Sosua for acquaintances: this small town with a lively beach is full of clubs and bars that beckon thrill-seekers. And Playa Dorada consists entirely of all-inclusive hotels and entertainment outlets: there is a golf course, a casino, and excellent shops and restaurants.

Boca Chica Beach is a cozy lagoon protected from the outside world by a coral reef. It is good to combine a beach holiday with all sorts of activities: diving or tennis, windsurfing or horseback riding, sailing or water skiing.

Juan Dolio beach. It is better to stay there for those who plan to visit the capital often: the resort is located just 50 km from Santo Domingo.

Bayahibe Beach is famous for its clean beaches, calm seas and a variety of underwater life.

Samana beach. There are many secluded corners surrounded by untouched nature, and dolphins, manatees and even humpback whales look into the local waters.

La Romana beach. The lack of historical monuments is compensated by the developed tourist infrastructure.

Sights of the Dominican Republic.

Santo Domingo. Its central streets, elegant and solemn, are rightfully included in the list of UNESCO treasures. The symbol of the city is Santa Maria la Menor, America's oldest cathedral. It is built of golden coral limestone and combines baroque and gothic elements in its appearance. Osama Fortress is the oldest surviving military fort in America, built in 1508 in the style of a medieval castle. The Alcazar de Colon Palace was created for the son of Columbus, Diego, and for a long time served as the residence of viceroys, but was plundered by Francis Drake. And the remains of the legendary discoverer rest in the Columbus Lighthouse, which is not a lighthouse at all, but a monumental museum with a collection of ancient artifacts.

La Romana. The key attraction of La Romana is Altos de Chavon, the city of artists. This is a carefully recreated copy of a medieval village with limestone houses, the Church of St. Stanislaus, the "Greek" amphitheater and the Archaeological Museum.

Puerto Plata. In Puerto Plata you can visit the fortress of San Felipe, the cathedral and the lighthouse of Fortaleza, as well as the Amber Museum and local production: a rum factory and a chocolate factory.

"Los Aitises" - endless expanses on the Samana Peninsula. Mangrove swamps, caves with rock paintings, thickets of palms and cotton - a paradise for lovers of ecotourism.

Cuba

Mexico

The capital is Mexico City.

The time difference with Moscow is -8 hours. Citizens of Russia and Ukraine have the opportunity to obtain an electronic Mexican visa.

Hotels in Mexico are fully consistent with their stardom.

The monetary unit of the country is the Mexican peso.

Mexican beaches.

Cancun. One of the most popular resorts, whose coast is divided into long and short parts. The first is famous for its cleanest sea and excellent conditions for surfing, the second is ideal for a family holiday: the nearby Isla Mujeres reliably protects from waves (by the way, on the “island of women” itself, you can swim only on the crowded Playa Norte). Pearl Beach is famous for its impeccable cleanliness, Playa Linda - for a wide range of sports entertainment.

Tulum. The best beach in the Yucatan Peninsula with amazing scenery and a rich underwater world accessible to the naked eye.

Riviera Maya. The main resorts of the Riviera Maya are Playa del Carmen, equally loved by both wealthy tourists and broken young people, and the island of Cozumel with a narrow but very beautiful coastal strip (children's play areas on Paradise Beach, a trendy restaurant on Palancar), giant coral reef and national park.

Acapulco. In Acapulco, off the coast of the Pacific Ocean, the beaches of Caleta, Caletilla and Pi de la Cuesta are noteworthy. The well-equipped Condeza was chosen by representatives of the LGBT community, and the wild Revolcadero was chosen by desperate surfers.

Los Cabos is a paradise for lovers: Playa del Amor can only be reached by boat, and there you can enjoy the views of rocks and caves, the diversity of coastal fauna and the pleasant company of each other.

Puerto Vallarta. The most famous beaches of Puerto Vallarta are Los Muertos with extraordinary sunsets, La Manzanilla and Destiladeras with developed infrastructure and Conchas Chinas with pristine nature.

Landmarks of Mexico.

Teotihuacan ("The place where the gods are born") - it is still unclear when the first people began to settle here and why the city was abandoned, but its architectural monuments stagger the imagination. The pyramids of Teotihuacan are located about 40 km northeast of the capital, Mexico City. Taxco, a picturesque mountain town under the auspices of UNESCO as a monument of world culture, has retained the layout and buildings with typical cobbled streets and houses characteristic of the colonial period.

Puebla is located about 100 km east of Mexico City at the foot of the Popocatepetl volcano and was founded in 1531. It has preserved such outstanding religious buildings as the Cathedral of the 16th and 17th centuries, beautiful buildings like the old palace of the archbishop, as well as a number of residential buildings with walls lined with colored tiles - "azuleijos".

Oaxaca is located in the southeast of Mexico and is the capital of the state of the same name. The city was founded in 1532 by Spanish settlers who came after Hernan Cortes. The special charm of Oaxaca lies in the combination of Indian traditions and colonial splendor. It is also famous for the fact that it produces a special kind of tequila - "Mescal".

Monte Alban is the ritual center of three civilizations. Inhabited for more than 1.5 thousand years by successive peoples - the Olmecs, Zapotecs and Mixtecs - the Monte Alban complex, with its terraces, dams, canals, pyramids and artificial hills, was literally carved out of the mountains, becoming a masterpiece of sacred topography. The Yucatan Peninsula is the cradle of the Maya civilization and the center of a huge number of archaeological sites.

Mexican entertainment center KidZania (KidZania) is a small copy of a real city for children. It includes buildings, shops, theaters and urban transport. Younger guests can spend the whole day here, choosing any of the 70 professions.

Uxmal ("Three Times Built") is another important Mayan ceremonial center in the Yucatan. The local historical monuments are simply countless - the Great Pyramid, the Wizard's Pyramid ("Dwarf's House") 38 m high, the building of the ruler's palace with its famous "throne of the two-headed jaguar", the Temple of the Phalluses, the Turtle House, the quadrangle of the Monastery of the Nuns and the Pyramid of the Old Sorceress.

Palenque is a historical mystery of the country. This famous Mayan city is located in the mountain selva and is surrounded on all sides by tropical vegetation. More than 1400 of its beautifully preserved buildings cover an area four times the size of any known Mayan city.

Merida is the capital of the state of Yucatan. The city was founded in 1542 on the ruins of one of the Mayan cities. Merida is famous for one of the best traditional markets in Mexico. It is here that you can buy a hammock for every taste (family, for two, for one, colored and just white), all of them are of excellent quality.

Chichen Itza - this sacred place was one of the greatest centers of the Maya in the Yucatan Peninsula. Over the course of about a thousand years of history, various peoples have left their mark on the appearance of the city. The ideas of the Maya, Toltecs and Itza about the world and the universe were reflected in stone monuments and works of art.

Jamaica

The capital is Kingston.

The time difference with Moscow is -8 hours.

Citizens of Russia do not need a visa to Jamaica if the period of stay on the island does not exceed 30 days, and the purpose of the visit is tourism.

The monetary unit of the country is the Jamaican dollar.

Beaches of Jamaica.

White House Bay Beach is located on the southwest coast of Jamaica, an hour and a half drive from Montego Bay. This is the hottest tropical coast with pristine beaches, jungles and the only but luxurious Sandals Whitehouse 5 * hotel built in the style of a Caribbean village.

Runaway Bay is a 20-minute drive from Ocho Rios. This resort, surrounded on all sides by green hills and mountains, offers a serene rest. It is very quiet and calm here.

Montego Bay (or simply Mo Bay) is the second largest city in Jamaica, one of the international airports and the center of a huge resort area in the northwest of the island is located here. Nearly half of the luxury hotels with excellent sandy beaches are concentrated here. The center of gravity is the never-ending Gloucester Ave, which is the birthplace of the hip-strip area. Most of the hotels, restaurants, bars and souvenir shops of the resort are neatly lined up along the beach.

Negril is the westernmost and fastest growing resort area, located 80 km from the airport and Montego Bay. This resort is famous for its almost 11-kilometer strip of white sandy beaches, excellent hotels and exceptional ecology. There is not a single industrial enterprise around, and all the buildings are no taller than palm trees. In addition, Negril is considered the best diving spot on the island.

Ocho Rios is located in the center of the northern part of Jamaica, on the shores of Discovery Bay, 105 km from Montego Bay Airport. The resort area consists of a chain of beaches, bays, capes, small old towns and fishing villages. Here you can choose accommodation for every taste and budget.

Port Antonio is a quiet town where the wealthy part of the country's population lives. The resort is very calm, completely devoid of fuss; it is surrounded by virgin jungle, home to exotic birds and butterflies. Also, the surroundings of Port Antonio are famous for their beautiful waterfalls, many of which fall directly into the sea. The waters of the ocean off the coast have been declared a marine reserve, and the world-famous film of the same name is filmed in the famous Blue Lagoon of Port Antonio.

Runaway Bay. Here is the world-famous nudist resort "Hedonism III" (Hedonism III), which is part of the chain of hotels "Super Clubs" - Super Inclusive Resorts. Runaway Bay is a popular beach destination, with a reputation for diving, watersports and horseback riding, as well as a true golfer's paradise.

Landmarks of Jamaica.

Dance River Falls - visit the resort town of Ocho Rios and the main attraction of Jamaica, Dance River Falls.

Kingston — a tour of the historical part of the capital (Spanish Town), to the residence of the Chief Ruler, a visit to the house-museum of Bob Marley.

National Park and Waterfalls — an excursion to the southern part of Jamaica to the banks of the Black River, a boat trip to the national park, a trip to the waterfalls at the foot of Mount Nassau.

Blue Mountains - visiting the highest point on the island (2147 m), as well as the estate of a coffee planter with a tasting of freshly brewed coffee.

The video lesson is dedicated to the topic “Composition of Latin America. Political Map. This topic is the first in the Latin America section of the lessons. You will get to know the diverse and interesting countries of the region, which play a significant role in the modern world. The teacher will tell in detail about the composition, borders, originality of the countries of Latin America. Three topics are considered as additional material in the lesson: "Liberty Island", "Junta", "The Capture of Grenada".

Theme: Latin America

Lesson: Composition of Latin America. political map

Latin America is the region of the Western Hemisphere located between the United States and Antarctica. Latin America is divided into several sub-regions. These are Middle America (Mexico, the countries of Central America and the West Indies), the Andean countries (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile), the countries of the La Plata basin (Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina), Brazil. The name "Latin America" comes from the historically prevailing influence of the language, culture and customs of the Romanesque (Latin) peoples of the Iberian Peninsula in this part of the world.

The region covers an area of 21 million square meters. km with a population of more than 570 million people.

Rice. 1. Political map of Latin America ()

The countries of Latin America are different in area: the largest country in the region is Brazil, the smallest are in the Caribbean.

The borders between countries pass mainly along rivers, ranges and other orographic features.

Economic and geographical position of Latin America:

1. Proximity to the USA.

2. Remoteness from other regions of the world.

3. The presence of the Panama Canal.

4. Almost all countries (except Bolivia and Paraguay) have access to the sea.

According to the form of government, all countries of the region are republics. Latin America includes more than 33 countries. Some countries are members of the Commonwealth (for example, Guyana, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago). Guiana belongs to France. Cuba is a socialist state.

In terms of the form of the administrative-territorial structure, unitary states predominate, the following countries have a federal structure: Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Rice. 2. Flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis ()

Stages of formation of the political map of Latin America:

1. Stage of pre-European colonization.

2. Colonial stage.

3. Post-colonial stage.

4. Stage after the Second World War.

On the territory of Latin America, the Mayan, Aztec, Inca civilizations were located.

The territory of Latin America was mastered mainly by Spain and Portugal.

Puerto Rico has a special status. Puerto Rico is a territory dependent on the United States and has the status of an "unincorporated organized territory", which means that this territory is under the control of the United States (and is not an integral part of them), the effect on the territory of the US Constitution is limited; supreme power belongs to the US Congress, but the territory has its own system of self-government.

At present, many issues concerning the borders and ownership of territories have not been resolved. A striking example is the disputed Falkland (Malvinas) Islands between Britain and Argentina.

Cuba. The official name is the Republic of Cuba, unofficial since 1959 - Liberty Island - an island state in the northern part of the Caribbean. The capital is Havana. Cuba is the largest island state in the region, stretching for 1250 km. It is located at the junction of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, forming the "American Mediterranean". The key depicted on the coat of arms of the country is a symbol of the fact that the island discovered by Columbus in 1492 has been a kind of key to the New World for centuries. Cuba is a socialist state, for a long time it was an ally of the USSR.

Junta. In many countries, this word denotes various government bodies, including civilian ones. In modern Russian (as well as in a number of other languages of the world), the word " junta" used mainly to refer to a military dictatorship established as a result of a coup d'état. A striking example is the government junta of Chile.

Homework

Topic 10, Item 1

1. What regions (subregions) are distinguished in Latin America?

2. Name the features of the EGP of Latin America.

Bibliography

Main

1. Geography. A basic level of. 10-11 cells: Textbook for educational institutions / A.P. Kuznetsov, E.V. Kim. - 3rd ed., stereotype. - M.: Bustard, 2012. - 367 p.

2. Economic and social geography of the world: Proc. for 10 cells. educational institutions / V.P. Maksakovskiy. - 13th ed. - M .: Education, JSC "Moscow textbooks", 2005. - 400 p.

3. Atlas with a set of contour maps for grade 10. Economic and social geography of the world. - Omsk: Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Omsk Cartographic Factory", 2012. - 76 p.

Additional

1. Economic and social geography of Russia: Textbook for universities / Ed. prof. A.T. Khrushchev. - M.: Bustard, 2001. - 672 p.: ill., cart.: tsv. incl.

Encyclopedias, dictionaries, reference books and statistical collections

1. Geography: a guide for high school students and university applicants. - 2nd ed., corrected. and dorab. - M.: AST-PRESS SCHOOL, 2008. - 656 p.

Literature for preparing for the GIA and the Unified State Examination

1. Thematic control in geography. Economic and social geography of the world. Grade 10 / E.M. Ambartsumova. - M.: Intellect-Centre, 2009. - 80 p.

2. The most complete edition of typical options for real USE assignments: 2010. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyov. - M.: Astrel, 2010. - 221 p.

3. The optimal bank of tasks for preparing students. Unified State Exam 2012. Geography: Textbook / Comp. EM. Ambartsumova, S.E. Dyukov. - M.: Intellect-Centre, 2012. - 256 p.

4. The most complete edition of typical options for real USE assignments: 2010. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyov. - M.: AST: Astrel, 2010. - 223 p.

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8. Unified state exam 2009. Geography. Universal materials for the preparation of students / FIPI - M .: Intellect-Center, 2009. - 240 p.

9. Geography. Answers on questions. Oral exam, theory and practice / V.P. Bondarev. - M.: Publishing house "Exam", 2003. - 160 p.

Latins

A collective term for countries that speak Romance languages (Portuguese and Spanish) derived from Latin, hence the name. Latin America is often associated with Catholicism, with a strong Roman legal and cultural tradition. Latin America is often referred to in the West as Latin Europe, just as there is German Europe or Slavic Europe. The countries of South America began to be called Latin America in the 19th century, when a very strong influence of Roman Catholicism was discovered here, in this region the contribution of European Romance countries was most visible in terms of culture, language, religion, and also at the genetic level. The majority of Hispanics are of Latin European ancestry, specifically from Italy, Spain, France, and Portugal. North America, in contrast, is called Anglo-Saxon America, however, the Americans themselves and the inhabitants of Latin America call Americans nothing more than simply Americans, Canada is simply Canada, and the inhabitants are Canadians.

Population of Latin America

Today, the population of Latin America is estimated at more than 610 million people.

ethnic groups

Latin America is the most diverse region in the world in terms of the presence of ethnic groups and races, the ethnic composition varies from country to country, the majority of the population of Latin America are mestizos, descendants of marriages between Europeans and local Indians. In most countries, the Indian population predominates, in some countries it is white, there are countries where the majority of the population is black or mulatto. Nevertheless, about 80% of the population of Latin America have European roots.

Latin American countries

In addition to the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries of mainland America, the list of Latin American countries also includes the countries of the Caribbean region: Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba. Often, countries in which French is spoken are also included in the countries of Latin America, the former and current colonies of France are French Guiana, Saint Martin, Haiti, with the exception of Quebec, which is located on the territory of Canada.

Many countries in Latin America belong to North America, so do not confuse the concepts of South America and Latin. North America includes Mexico, most countries in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.

Countries in which the majority of the population speaks English traditionally do not include Latin America - these are Guyana, Belize, Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica and others.

Latin America is picturesque and bizarre, despite its unfavorable climatic conditions for a white person, it is a popular tourist destination, here is the world's highest Angel Falls, the largest mountain lake Titicaca and the largest functioning volcano Cotopaxi, the longest Andes mountain system on Earth, the greatest Amazon river. There are many natural resources here, many countries live off the sale of oil and gas.

Languages in Latin America

Most Latin American countries are Spanish-speaking, with Portuguese being spoken by the largest country in the region, Brazil. In Suriname they speak Dutch, French in Guyana, English in Guyana, Belize, Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica.

60% of the population of Latin America consider Spanish as their first language, 34% Portuguese, 6% of the population speak other languages such as Quechua, Maya, Guarani, Aymara, Nahuatl, English, French, Dutch and Italian. Portuguese is only spoken in Brazil (Brazilian Portuguese), the largest and most populous country in the region. Spanish is the official language of most of the rest of Latin America, as well as Cuba, Puerto Rico (where it is equal to English), and the Dominican Republic. French is spoken in Haiti and in the French overseas departments of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guiana, the French overseas community of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and French is also spoken in Panama. Dutch is the official language in Suriname, Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles. Dutch is related to Germanic, so these territories are not necessarily considered part of Latin America.

Indian languages: Quechua, Guarani, Aymara, Nahuatl, Maya lenguas, Mapudungun are widely spoken in Peru, Guatemala, Bolivia, Paraguay and Mexico, to a lesser extent in Panama, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina and Chile. In the Latin American countries not named above, the population of speakers of indigenous languages tends to be small or non-existent, such as in Uruguay. Mexico is the only country that boasts a wider variety of indigenous languages than any other Latin American country, the most widely spoken Indian language in Mexico is Nahuatl.

In Peru, the Quechua language is the official language, along with Spanish and any other language of other indigenous peoples of the country where they predominate. There is no official language in Ecuador and Quechua is a recognized indigenous language under the country's Constitution, but Quechua is spoken by only a few groups in the highlands. In Bolivia, Aymara, Quechua and Guarani have official status along with Spanish. Guarani, along with Spanish, is the official language of Paraguay, where the majority of the population is bilingual, in the Argentine province of Corrientes, only Spanish is official. In Nicaragua, Spanish is the official language, but on the country's Caribbean coast the official languages are English and indigenous languages such as Miskito, Sumo and Rama.

Colombia recognizes all the indigenous languages spoken by the locals, however, only 1% of the country's population are native speakers of these languages. Nahuatl is one of 62 indigenous native languages in Mexico that are officially recognized by the government as "national languages" along with Spanish.

Other European languages that are common in Latin America are English, spoken by some groups in Puerto Rico, as well as in neighboring countries that are not considered Latin America, these are Belize and Guyana.

German is spoken in southern Brazil, southern Chile, parts of Argentina, Venezuela and Paraguay.

Italian is spoken in Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Uruguay.

Ukrainian and Polish in southern Brazil, southern Argentina.

Yiddish and Hebrew are common in the vicinity of Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo.

Japanese is spoken in Brazil and Peru, Korean in Brazil, Arabic in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, and Chinese throughout South America.

In the Caribbean, Creole is spoken, including Haitian Creole, which is the predominant language of Haiti, this is primarily due to the mixing of French with West African languages, Amerindian, with influences from English, Portuguese and Spanish.

The Garifuna language is spoken along the Caribbean coast in Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Belize.

Latin American countries

The largest country in Latin America by area is Brazil with an area of 8515767 square kilometers, followed by Argentina 2780400, Mexico 1972550, Peru 1285216, Colombia 1141748, the smallest region is the French overseas territory of Saint-Martin with an area of 25 square kilometers.

If you look at the population, then again the largest state is Brazil 201032714 people, then Mexico 118395054, Colombia 47387109 and only in fourth place is Argentina 41660417.

Cities in Latin America

The largest city in Latin America is the Mexican capital of Mexico City 20631353 people, then São Paulo Brazil 19953698, Buenos Aires Argentina 13333912, Rio de Janeiro Brazil 11968886, Lima Peru 10231678, Bogota Colombia 8868395, Santiago Chile 7023167, Belouzonti Brazil405767 , Caracas Venezuela 5297026, Guadalajara Mexico 4593444.

Latin America's richest city Buenos Aires with a GDP per capita of $26,129 followed by Caracas 24,000, Sao Paulo 23,704, Santiago 21,393, Mexico City 19,940, Lima 17,340, Belo Horizonte 17,239, Guadalajara 16,855, Rio de Janeiro 16282, Bogotá 15891.

Religion in Latin America

90% of Hispanics are Christians, 70% of the Hispanic population identify themselves as Latin Rite Catholics. As we have noticed, Latin America is dominated by Catholicism, in contrast to Protestant North America with the USA and Canada.

Hispanics and migration

For example, about 10 million Mexicans live in the USA today, 29 million Americans today can boast of Mexican roots. 3.33 million Colombians today live outside their homeland, 2 million natives of this country live outside of Brazil. One and a half million Salvadorans live in the United States and as many more de Dominicans, 1.3 million Cubans.

0.8 million Chileans live in Argentina, United States, Canada, Sweden and Australia.

Education, schools and literacy in Latin America

In Latin America today there is a big problem with access to education, however, in recent years the situation has improved, most children already go to school. Children who live in remote areas do not have access to education, as well as children of black families who may live in extreme poverty. Only 75% of the poorest youth aged 13 to 17 attend school. Currently, more than half of children in low-income or rural areas cannot complete nine years of secondary school.

Crime and violence in Latin America

Latin America is synonymous with the word crime. Latin America and the Caribbean are the most dangerous regions of the modern world in terms of crime, it is in Latin America that the most dangerous cities in the world are located, which can be justified by the highest level of social inequality in the incomes of the population. The crime problem will not be solved until the social gap between the rich and the poor is bridged. Therefore, the prevention of crime, the increase in the number of police and prisons will lead to nothing. The murder rate in Latin America is the highest in the world. From the early 1980s to the mid-1990s, the homicide rate increased by 50 percent. The main victims of such killings are young people, 69% of whom are between the ages of 15 and 19.

The most dangerous countries in Latin America

The most dangerous countries in Latin America are: Honduras 91.6 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, El Salvador 69.2, Venezuela 45.1, Belize 41.4, Guatemala 38.5, Puerto Rico 26.2, Dominican Republic 25, Mexico 23.7 and Ecuador 18.2.

For example, the global average is 6.9. In 1995, Colombia and El Salvador broke the world record in terms of crime - 139.1 murders per 100,000 inhabitants. Crime and violence in Latin America is a major health threat and claims more lives than AIDS or other infectious diseases.

Economy of Latin America

nominal GDP of US$5,573,397 million. Human Development Index (HDI) in Latin America

All Latin American countries are countries with developing economies. If we evaluate the countries of the region according to the Human Development Index (HDI), then the leader here is Chile with a coefficient of 0.819, then Argentina 0.811, Uruguay 0.792, Panama 0.780, Mexico 0.775, Costa Rica 0.773, Peru 0.741, Colombia 0.719, Dominican Republic 0.702, Bolivia 0.675, Paraguay 0.669, Guatemala 0.628, Honduras 0.617, Nicaragua 0.599, Haiti is the underdog at 0.456.

Poverty in Latin America

The richest and poorest countries in Latin America

If we evaluate countries by poverty level, then people in Uruguay feel best of all, where only 3% of the population is below the poverty line, followed by Chile with a coefficient of 3.2, Argentina 3.7, Costa Rica 3.7, Cuba 4.6, Mexico 5.9, Venezuela 6.6, Panama 6.7, Colombia 7.6, Ecuador 7.9, Brazil 8.6, Haiti 31.5 worst. For example, 54.9% of the population lives on less than $1.25 a day in Haiti, 16.9% in Guatemala, 15.8% in Nicaragua, 23.3% in Honduras, and 15.1% in El Salvador.

Malnutrition affects up to 47% of Haitians, 27% of Nicaraguans, 23% of Bolivians and 22% of Honduras.

Life expectancy in Latin America

The level of life expectancy is one of the most important indicators of the quality of life. So from this point of view, it is best to live in Cuba, in Costa Rica and Chile, where the figure is 79 years. Mexico and Uruguay have 77, Panama, Ecuador and Argentina have 76, while Haiti is the lowest at 62.

The best countries in Latin or South America to live in

So, Chile and Uruguay share the palm, Chile has the highest human development index, GDP, life expectancy and the lowest crime rate for this region. Uruguay boasts the lowest income inequality score, the lowest poverty rate, the lowest extreme poverty rate, and the highest peacefulness score.

Panama has the highest level of real GDP growth. Cuba boasts success in education, the lowest illiteracy rate of the local population, and people in Cuba have a very long life, Costa Rica also boasts a relatively high life expectancy for its citizens.

Haiti has the worst performance, it's scary to live in this country. However, surprisingly, Haiti has a very low crime rate, despite the extreme poverty of the population, the murder rate of only 6.9 per 100,000 people per year is about the same crime rate in prosperous Uruguay. But it is already very dangerous in Honduras, El Salvador, Venezuela, Guatemala, Colombia, Mexico.

The best country to live in Latin America

The popular countries of Argentina and Brazil show average figures for the entire Latin American region. So, from our point of view, the best country to live in is Chile and Uruguay, followed by Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, Venezuela, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil. Accident data in Cuba may be skewed.

Ecology in Latin America

The highest ecology in Costa Rica, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador. The lowest in Haiti, Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Chile and Argentina.

Tourism in Latin America

Among the countries of Latin America, Mexico is doing well in terms of international trismus, due to its close geographical location to the United States and a large number of archaeological sites, it is worth mentioning such a resort as Cancun.

Mexico is visited by 22.3 million foreign tourists annually, the next pursuer is very far behind, this is Argentina with a figure of 5.2 million, followed by Brazil 5.1, Puerto Rico with 3.6, Chile with 2.7, Colombia 2.38 , Dominican Republic 4.1, Panama 2.06.

Most visited cities and attractions in Latin America

Most visited cities and attractions in Latin America: Cancun, Galapagos, Machu Picchu, Chichen Itza, Cartagena, Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Rio de Janeiro, El Salvador, Margarita Island, Sao Paulo, Salar de Uyuni , Punta del Este, Santo Domingo, Labadee, San Juan, Havana, Panama City, Iguazu Falls, Puerto Vallarta, Poas Volcano National Park, Punta Cana, Viña del Mar, Mexico City, Quito, Bogotá , Santa Marta, San Andres, Buenos Aires, Lima, Maceio, Florianopolis, Cusco, Ponce and Patagonia.

If we talk about the effectiveness of tourism in Latin America, then the leader here is the Dominican Republic, where the largest receipts from the tourism sector from the country's GDP, but per capita tourism receipts are the highest in Uruguay. Very high receipts from tourism in Venezuela, but this is also due to the cosmic local prices. A trip to Brazil, Panama, the Dominican Republic is considered very expensive.

The most unattractive countries for tourism in Latin America are: Haiti, Paraguay, Venezuela, El Salvador - you can skip such countries on your trip to South America.