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19.01.18 10:38
Climbing the obstinate hills old houses of cheerful colors, powerful Catholic cathedrals, friendly harbors with shimmering turquoise waves, narrow streets overlooking the balconies of buildings densely entwined with tropical flowers. All these are the cities of Latin America, keeping the memory of the colonial past and making generous concessions to the present and the future (in the form of skyscrapers winking at the sun with panoramic windows). Do you think that this top will be headed by the contrasting Rio de Janeiro or the Argentine dandy Buenos Aires? And here it is not. We will show you the other 10 cities in Latin America that you must see "live".
From the valley of the Incas to the mausoleum of the great navigator: the most colorful cities in Latin America
Brazilian Salvador: Up and Down Passenger Elevator
In Brazil's third largest city, Salvador, you can enjoy an outlandish mix of African, European and indigenous cultures from Latin America. Here are some of the best examples of colonial architecture in the Americas, and there are beautiful beaches nearby. In the old central districts of Salvador, you will find a collection of pastel-coloured buildings dating from the time when the Portuguese were fortifying their frontiers - now the ancient quarters are protected by UNESCO. This is the Upper City, where, in addition to architectural monuments, there are many important institutions (some of them are also located in historical buildings), museums and temples. In the Lower City, you will make a unique shopping experience by going down to the center of shopping centers on an unusual type of transport - a passenger elevator (Lacerda lift).
Lima: Artifacts of Pre-Columbian Civilizations and Gastronomic Wonders
Lima - the capital of Peru and a very interesting city - was once the richest in Latin America, you will find a reflection of that era in the main square, Plaza Mayor. Treasures of ancient pre-Columbian civilizations, exhibited in the National Museum and the Larco Museum, are one of the main motivations for tourists. And here's another great "bait": the gastronomic miracles that celebrity chefs create in Lima (for example, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino and Gaston Acurio). The historical center of Lima is called the City of Kings, it enchants with colonial architecture, the modern Miraflores district attracts sun seekers and inveterate fashionistas, but Barranco is considered a haven of bohemia.
Cusco: Gateway to Machu Picchu
Speaking of Peru, one cannot forget about the main attraction of the country, the sacred valley of Machu Picchu, the most impressive and well-preserved Inca ruins, evidence of the stunning pre-Columbian era. So, in our list of cities in Latin America, we can not do without Cusco, not without reason it has long been nicknamed the “Gateway to Machu Picchu”. Despite the fact that Cusco is often crowded with tourists, he managed to save his face. Therefore, before you go on a mountain hike "through the Inca places", admire the fortresses, temples, mansions and palaces in the Baroque and Renaissance styles, starting from the Plaza de Armas (the heart of Cusco and its central square). In recent years, this city has managed to emerge from the shadow of Lima and become the pearl of the country, because everything in it - from the former Temple of the Sun to the delicious Andean cuisine - is very popular with travelers.
Colombian Cartagena: a charmer with a special charm
It was here that the heroine of the cult adventure comedy "Romancing the Stone" Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) was heading, but she mixed up the buses and ended up in the impenetrable jungle. Cartagena is a colorful city in Colombia that attracts more tourists than the country's capital, Bogota. And there are reasons for that! It is a charming city with an old waterfront protected by fortresses, photogenic cobbled alleys and colorful squares. All this makes Cartagena (full name - Cartagena de Indias) one of the most romantic cities in Latin America. It was named after the Spanish Cartagena, the magnificent old city (St. Peter's Church, University, Inquisition Palace, Main Square, Cathedral) is filled with colonial charm and is protected by UNESCO.
Santiago: futuristic dandy against the backdrop of the Chilean mountains
The Chilean capital of Santiago seems to be a much more modern city - a kind of futuristic dandy - compared to other participants in our top. It's a thriving metropolis with a beautiful backdrop (snow-capped mountain peaks), trendy galleries, and prominent skyscrapers (thanks to the economic boom of the last decade). However, there are also vineyards, and colonial mansions, neoclassicism, and what a cuisine in Santiago! The cozy restaurants serve world-class cuisine and excellent local wines. Exquisite boutiques will satisfy any "experienced" shopaholic. Set in the Maipo Valley, flanked by the stunning Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, Santiago has withstood invasions, earthquakes, dictatorships, and that doesn't stop it from being one of Latin America's most popular cities.
Valparaiso: multi-colored houses scattered along the slopes
Compared to Santiago, which is in demand among tourists, another pearl of Chile - Valparaiso - fades slightly, but in vain. Valparaiso is a very beautiful port city, which is easily accessible from the capital (about two hours drive). Bright multi-colored houses, surrealistically scattered along the slopes of the hill, are the hallmark of Valparaiso. Many of the historic buildings have been renovated to become trendy restaurants and comfortable boutique hotels. The city has several bohemian quarters, where 19th-century mansions are perfectly preserved. Due to the fact that the streets of Valparaiso fit between steep cliffs, rugged coastline and hills, there are a lot of stairs, narrow pedestrian streets, if you feel sorry for your feet, then you can use funiculars.
Asuncion: Paraguayan Jewel
The beginning of the next city in Latin America was laid by the traveler, conquistador from Spain Juan de Salazar, who landed here in 1537. Now Asuncion is the capital of Paraguay, filled with sights that are best seen by walking around the ancient center. About half a million people live in the city, so no fuss and traffic jams! Buildings of the 16th-18th centuries, cathedrals and churches erected by the Jesuits, and even the Orthodox Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, built by Russian engineers in the 1920s, are waiting for you. But, of course, the most majestic is the National Cathedral, which takes on a completely different, some kind of otherworldly look, at dusk with successful illumination. The city can be reached by car, plane or boat. Every July, a fair is held in the Paraguayan capital, where local food, vegetables, fruits are presented, national melodies are played - a very colorful festival!
The Uruguayan capital of Montevideo: Art Deco Art Nouveau, Baroque
In one of the last episodes of The Blacklist (now in its 5th season), the FBI's most wanted criminal Raymond Reddington (James Spader) recommended a companion (in trouble) to escape to Montevideo. And what, the concierge of the underworld, moving billions of dollars, will not advise bad! The capital of Uruguay remains underestimated: wanting to visit the cities of Latin America, people choose the more "promoted" Rio or Buenos Aires. However, Montevideo is an outstanding metropolis, a major industrial port (which does not prevent the city from having more than 14 miles of luxurious beaches), a historical center carefully restored with Art Deco or Art Nouveau houses and a Baroque cathedral from 1726. The city even has a bronze copy of Michelangelo's David. Montevideo (translation of the name - “view from the hill”) arose as a fortress at the entrance to La Plata Bay: the Spaniards defended themselves from smugglers. In modern Montevideoo there are monuments and theaters, museums and skyscrapers, as well as the Centenario stadium, which hosted the World Cup (previously it accommodated 120 thousand people, after the reconstruction there were 80 thousand seats left).
Santo Domingo: Residence of the Viceroys and Columbus Lighthouse
Probably, there is no other such city in Latin America (yes, perhaps, there is not on Earth either), in which there would be so much associated with the name of Christopher Columbus, like Santo Domingo (the capital of the Dominican Republic). This jewel of the country, perched in the south of Haiti, was discovered in 1496 by the brother of Christopher Columbus Bartolomeo and named (by him) New Isabella. True, in 1502 the city received a name in honor of St. Dominic. Santo Domingo is the oldest living settlement founded by Europeans in the Americas. Its buildings are a real digression into the history of urban planning: Arabic style, Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance. The Rosario chapel dates back to the end of the 15th century, the Alcazar castle (the residence of the viceroys) was built by order of the son of Christopher Columbus Diego in 1514. Until 1922, the ashes of Columbus himself were housed in the ancient Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor. Today, for the great navigator, a grandiose structure was erected (in the image and likeness of the Indian pyramids) - Columbus Lighthouse. It was opened in 1992, its construction required more than 70 million dollars. In the mausoleum of the Lighthouse, the remains of the discoverer (at least what is considered to be his ashes) are placed, which are guarded by a permanent honor guard of the guards. The historic center (the so-called Colonial City) of Santa Domingo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ecuadorian Loja and Podocarpus National Park
To finish the list of cities in Latin America to visit, we want a kind of "dark horse". You may not have heard of this small town of 130,000 people. This is Loja (Ecuador), which occupies the southern part of the Cordillera Real mountain range, located not far from Peru (180 km to the border). The ancient city is distinguished by interesting architecture and decoration, there are stunning churches and squares, museums and botanical gardens with 800 species of plants.
But the main advantage of Loja is different: next to the city is the amazing Podocarpus National Park. The biological diversity of the park is amazing, because it is the intersection of four ecological zones: the Pacific, the Amazon, the South Andes and the North Andes.
The park has many hiking trails, a fantastic landscape with hills and waterfalls, 560 species of birds and 68 species of mammals, including many endemics.
Territory, borders, position.
Latin America is the region of the Western Hemisphere located between the United States and Antarctica. It includes Mexico, the countries of Central and South America and the island states of the Caribbean (or West Indies). Most of the population of Latin America speaks Spanish and Portuguese (Brazil) languages belonging to the group of Romanesque or Latin languages. Hence the name of the region - Latin America.
All Latin American countries are former colonies of European countries (mainly Spain and Portugal).
The area of the region is 21 million square meters. km, population - 500 million people.
All Latin American countries, with the exception of Bolivia and Paraguay, either have access to the oceans and seas (Atlantic and Pacific Oceans), or are islands. The EGL of Latin America is also determined by the fact that it is located in relative proximity to the United States, but far from other major regions.
Political map of the region.
Within Latin America there are 33 sovereign states and several dependent territories. All independent countries, either republics or states within the British-led Commonwealth (Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Grenada, Dominica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago , Jamaica). Unitary states predominate. The exception is Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina, which have a federal form of administrative-territorial structure.
|
Political system |
Territory. |
||
|
Antilles |
Willemstad |
Possession of the Netherlands | |
|
Argentina (Argentine Republic) |
Buenos Aires |
Republic | |
|
Antigua and Barbuda |
St. John's | ||
|
Aruba |
Oranjestad |
Possession of the Netherlands | |
|
Bahamas (Commonwealth of the Bahamas) |
Monarchy within the Commonwealth | ||
|
Barbados |
Bridgetown | ||
|
Belmopan |
Monarchy within the Commonwealth | ||
|
Bermuda |
Hamilton |
UK possession | |
|
Bolivia (Republic of Bolivia) |
Republic | ||
|
Brazil (Federative Republic of Brazil) |
Brasilia |
Republic | |
|
Venezuela (Republic of Venezuela) |
Republic | ||
|
Virgin (British Isles) |
UK possession | ||
|
Virgin Islands (US) |
Charlotte Amalie |
US possession | |
|
Haiti (Republic of Haiti) |
Port-au-Prince |
Republic | |
|
Guyana (Cooperative Republic of Guyana) |
Georgetown |
Republic within the Commonwealth | |
|
Guadeloupe |
| ||
|
Guatemala (Republic of Guatemala) |
Guatemala |
Republic | |
|
Guiana |
"Overseas Department" of France | ||
|
Honduras (Republic of Honduras) |
Tigucigalpa |
Republic | |
|
St. George's |
Republic within the Commonwealth | ||
|
Dominica (Republic of Dominica) |
Republic within the Commonwealth | ||
|
Dominican Republic |
Santo Dominga |
Republic | |
|
Cayman islands |
Georgetown |
UK possession | |
|
Colombia (Republic of Colombia) |
Republic | ||
|
Costa Rica |
Republic | ||
|
Cuba (Republic of Cuba) |
Republic | ||
|
Martinique |
fort de france |
"Overseas Department" of France | |
|
Mexico (United Mexican States) |
Republic | ||
|
Nicaragua |
Republic | ||
|
Panama (Republic of Panama) |
Republic | ||
|
Paraguay |
Asuncion |
Republic | |
|
Peru (Republic of Peru) |
Republic | ||
|
Puerto Rico (Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) |
US possession | ||
|
Salvador |
San Salvador |
Republic | |
|
Suriname (Republic of Suriname) |
Paramaribo |
Republic | |
|
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
Kingstown |
Republic within the Commonwealth | |
|
Saint Lucia |
Monarchy within the Commonwealth | ||
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis |
Monarchy within the Commonwealth | ||
|
Trinidad and Tabago |
Port of Spain |
Republic within the Commonwealth | |
|
Uruguay (Oriental Republic of Uruguay) |
Montevideo |
Republic | |
|
Santiago |
Republic | ||
|
Ecuador (Republic of Ecuador) |
Republic | ||
|
kingston |
Republic |
Note:
Form of government (state system): KM - constitutional monarchy;
Form of territorial structure: U - unitary state; F - federation;
The countries of the region are very diverse in area. They can be roughly divided into 4 groups:
very large (Brazil);
large and medium (Mexico and most countries in South America);
relatively small (countries of Central America and Cuba);
very small (the islands of the West Indies).
All Latin American countries are developing countries. In terms of the pace and level of economic development achieved, they occupy an intermediate position in the developing world - they surpass the developing countries of Africa in this respect and are inferior to the countries of Asia. Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, which are among the key countries of the developing world, have achieved the greatest success in economic development. They account for 2/3 of industrial production in Latin America and the same amount of regional GDP. The most developed countries in the region also include Chile, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru. Haiti is a subset of the least developed countries.
Within their region, Latin American countries have created several economic integration groupings, the largest of which is the South American Common Market of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay (MERCOSUR), concentrating 45% of the population, 50% of total GDP and 33% of Latin America's foreign trade.
Population of Latin America
Exceptionally difficult ethnic sos population of Latin America. It was formed under the influence of three components:
1. Indian tribes and peoples who inhabited the territory before the arrival of the colonists (Aztecs and Mayans in Mexico, Incas in the Central Andes, etc.). The indigenous Indian population today is about 15%.
2. European settlers, primarily from Spain and Portugal (Creoles). Whites in the region currently make up about 25%.
3. Africans are slaves. To date, blacks in Latin America, about 10%.
About half of the population of Latin America are descendants of mixed marriages: mestizos, mulattoes. Therefore, almost all Latin American nations have a complex ethnic background. In Mexico and the countries of Central America, mestizos are predominant, in Haiti, Jamaica, the Lesser Antilles - blacks, in most of the Andean countries Indians or mestizos predominate, in Uruguay, Chile and Costa Rica - Hispanic Creoles, in Brazil half of the "whites", and half are blacks and mulattoes.
The colonization of America had a significant impact on the formation religious composition region. The vast majority of Hispanics profess Catholicism, which has long been implanted as the only official religion.
Three main features characterize the distribution of the population of Latin America:
1. Latin America is one of the least populated regions in the world. The average population density is only 25 people per 1 sq. km. km.
2. The uneven distribution of the population is much more pronounced than in other regions. Along with densely populated areas (the island states of the Caribbean, the Atlantic coast of Brazil, most metropolitan areas, etc.), vast expanses are almost deserted.
3. In no other region of the world has the population mastered the plateau to such an extent and does not rise so high into the mountains.
By indicators urbanization Latin America resembles economically developed rather than developing countries, although its pace has slowed down recently. Most (76%) of the population is concentrated in cities. At the same time, there is an increasing concentration of the population in large cities, the number of which has exceeded 200, and in cities with “millionaires” (there are about 40 of them). A special Latin American type of city has developed here, bearing some signs of European cities (the presence of a central square, on which the town hall, cathedral, and administrative buildings are located). Streets usually diverge from the square at right angles, forming a "chess grid". In recent decades, modern buildings have been superimposed on such a grid.
In recent decades, there has been an active process of formation in Latin America urban agglomerations. Four of them are among the largest in the world: Greater Mexico City (1/5 of the country's population), Greater Buenos Aires (1/3 of the country's population), Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro.
Latin America is also characterized by "false urbanization". In slum areas ("poverty belts") sometimes live up to 50% of the city's population.
Natural resource potential of Latin America.
The natural resources of the region are rich and varied, favorable for both agriculture and industrial development.
Latin America is rich in minerals: it accounts for about 18% of oil reserves, 30% of ferrous and alloying metals, 25% of non-ferrous metals, 55% of rare and trace elements.
Geography of distribution of mineral resources of Latin America
|
Mineral resources |
Accommodation in the region |
|
Venezuela (about 47%) - the basin of Lake Maracaibo; Mexico (about 45%) - shelf of the Gulf of Mexico; Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Trinidad and Tabago. |
|
|
Natural gas |
Venezuela (about 28%) - Lake Maracaibo basin; Mexico (about 22%) - shelf of the Gulf of Mexico; Argentina, Trinidad and Tabago, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador. |
|
Coal |
Brazil (about 30%) - the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the state of Santa Catarina; Colombia (about 23%) - the departments of Guajira, Boyac and others; Venezuela (about 12%) - the state of Anzoategui and others; Argentina (about 10%) - the province of Santa Cruz and others; Chile, Mexico. |
|
Iron ores |
Brazil (about 80%) - the Serra dos Caratas, Ita Bira field; Peru, Venezuela, Chile, Mexico. |
|
manganese ores |
Brazil (about 50%) - the Serra do Naviu deposit and others; Mexico, Bolivia, Chile. |
|
molybdenum ores |
Chile (about 55%) - confined to copper ore deposits; Mexico, Peru, Panama, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil. |
|
Brazil (about 35%) - the Trombetas deposit, etc.; Guyana (ca. 6%) |
|
|
copper ores |
Chile (about 67%) - Chuquicamata, El Abra, etc. Peru (about 10%) - Tokepala, Cuahone, etc. Panama, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia. |
|
Lead-zinc ores |
Mexico (about 50%) - the San Francisco field; Peru (about 25%) - Cerro de Pasco field; Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Venezuela, Honduras. |
|
Tin ores |
Bolivia (about 55%) - Llallagua field; Brazil (approx. 44%) - state of Rondonia |
|
Precious metal ores (gold, platinum) |
Mexico (ca. 40%); Peru (about 25%); Brazil etc. |
The richness and diversity of the mineral resources of Latin America can be explained by the peculiarities of the geological structure of the territory. Deposits of ores of ferrous, nonferrous and rare metals are associated with the crystalline basement of the South American Platform and the folded belt of the Cordillera and Andes. Fields of oil and natural gas are associated with marginal and intermountain troughs.
In terms of water resources, Latin America ranks first among the major regions of the world. The Amazon, Orinoco, Parana rivers are among the largest in the world.
The great wealth of Latin America is its forests, which occupy more than 1/2 of the territory of this region.
The natural conditions of Latin America are generally favorable for the development of agriculture. Most of its territory is occupied by lowlands (La Platskaya, Amazonian and Orinocskaya) and plateaus (Guiana, Brazilian, Patagonian plateau), convenient for agricultural use. Due to its geographical position (almost the entire territory of the region is located in tropical and subtropical latitudes), Latin America receives a large amount of heat and sunlight. Areas with a sharp lack of moisture occupy a relatively small area (the south of Argentina, northern Chile, the Pacific coast of Peru, the northern regions of the Mexican Highlands), the predominant red-brown, black earth, black and brown soils, combined with an abundance of heat and moisture, can produce high yields of many valuable tropical and subtropical crops.
Vast areas of savannas and subtropical steppes (Argentina, Uruguay) can be used for pastures. The main difficulties for agricultural activity are created by significant forest cover and waterlogging of lowland areas (especially the Amazonian lowland).
General characteristics of the economy of Latin America.
Yielding to Asia and Africa in terms of territory and population, Latin America is ahead in terms of the level of industrialization of production. In contrast to these regions of the world, the leading role in the economy here has recently shifted to the manufacturing industry. Both the basic branches of the manufacturing industry (ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, oil refining) and the avant-garde industries (electronics, electrical engineering, automotive, shipbuilding, aircraft building, machine tool building) are developing here.
However, the mining industry continues to play a prominent role in the economy. In the structure of the cost of production, 80% falls on fuel (mainly oil and gas) and about 20% on mining raw materials.
Latin America is one of the oldest oil and gas producing regions in the world. Mexico, Venezuela and Ecuador stand out in terms of production and export of oil and natural gas.
Latin America is a prominent world producer and exporter of non-ferrous metal ores: bauxite (Brazil Jamaica, Suriname, Guyana stand out), copper (Chile, Peru, Mexico), lead-zinc (Peru, Mexico), tin (Bolivia) and mercury (Mexico) ores
Latin American countries are also of great importance in the world production and export of iron and manganese (Brazil, Venezuela), uranium (Brazil, Argentina) ores, native sulfur (Mexico), and potash and sodium nitrate (Chile).
The main manufacturing industries - mechanical engineering and the chemical industry - are essentially developed in three countries - Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. The Big Three account for 4/5 of the manufacturing industry. Most of the rest of the countries do not have mechanical engineering and chemical industries.
Engineering specialization - automotive, shipbuilding, aircraft building, production of electrical household appliances and machines (sewing and washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners), etc. The main areas of the chemical industry are petrochemistry, pharmaceutical and perfume industries.
The oil refining industry is represented by its enterprises in all oil-producing countries (Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, etc.). The world's largest (in terms of capacity) oil refineries have been created on the islands of the Caribbean Sea (Virginia, Bahamas, Curacao, Trinidad, Aruba, etc.).
Non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy is developing in close contact with the mining industry. Copper smelting enterprises are located in Mexico, Peru, Chile, lead and zinc - in Mexico and Peru, tin - in Bolivia, aluminum - in Brazil, steel - in Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico and Argentina.
The role of the textile and food industries is great. The leading branches of the textile industry are the production of cotton (Brazil), woolen (Argentina and Uruguay) and synthetic (Mexico) fabrics, food - sugar, canning, meat-packing, fish processing. The largest producer of cane sugar in the region and in the world is Brazil.
Agriculture The region is represented by two completely different sectors:
The first sector is a highly commercial, predominantly plantation economy, which in many countries has acquired the character of a monoculture: (bananas - Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Panama; sugar - Cuba, etc.).
The second sector is consumer small-scale agriculture, not at all affected by the "green revolution"
The leading branch of agriculture in Latin America is crop production. The exceptions are Argentina and Uruguay, where the main industry is animal husbandry. At present, Latin American crop production is characterized by monoculture (3/4 of the value of all production falls on 10 products).
The leading role is played by cereals, which are widely used in subtropical countries (Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Mexico). The main crops of Latin America are wheat, rice, and corn. The largest producer and exporter of wheat and corn in the region is Argentina.
The main producers and exporters of cotton are Brazil, Paraguay, Mexico, sugar cane - Brazil, Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, coffee - Brazil and Colombia, cocoa beans - Brazil, Ecuador, Dominican Republic.
The leading branches of animal husbandry are cattle breeding (mainly for meat), sheep breeding (for wool and meat and wool), and pig breeding. In terms of the size of the livestock of cattle and sheep, Argentina and Uruguay stand out, pigs - Brazil and Mexico.
In the mountainous regions of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, llamas are bred. Fishing is of world importance (Chile and Peru stand out).
Transport.
Latin America accounts for 10% of the world's railway network, 7% of roads, 33% of inland waterways, 4% of air passenger traffic, and 8% of the world's merchant fleet tonnage.
The decisive role in domestic transportation belongs to motor transport, which began to develop actively only from the 60s of the 20th century. The most important highways are the Pan-American and Trans-Amazon Highways.
The share of railway transport, despite the large length of railways, is declining. The technical equipment of this type of transport remains low. Many old railway lines are closed.
Water transport is most developed in Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, and Uruguay.
Maritime transport dominates in external transportation. 2/5 of maritime traffic falls on Brazil.
Recently, as a result of the development of the oil refining industry, pipeline transport has been rapidly developing in the region.
The territorial structure of the economy of Latin American countries largely retains colonial features. The "economic capital" (usually a seaport) usually forms the main focus of the entire territory. Many areas with a specialization in the extraction of minerals and fuels, or plantations are located inland. The railway network, which has a tree structure, connects these areas with a "growth point" (seaport). The rest of the territory remains underdeveloped.
Many countries in the region are implementing regional policies aimed at mitigating territorial disparities. For example, in Mexico there is a shift of productive forces to the north to the US border, in Venezuela - to the east, to the rich resource region of Guayana, in Brazil - to the West, to the Amazon, in Argentina - to the south, to Patagonia.
Sub-regions of Latin America
Latin America is divided into several sub-regions:
1. Middle America includes Mexico, Central America and the West Indies. The countries of this region have great differences in economic terms. On the one hand, Mexico, whose economy is based on the extraction and processing of oil, and on the other, the countries of Central America and the West Indies, known for the development of the plantation economy.
2. Andean countries (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile). For these countries, the extractive industry is of particular importance. In agricultural production, this region is characterized by the cultivation of coffee, sugarcane and cotton.
3. Countries of the La Plata Basin (Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina). This region is characterized by internal differences in the economic development of countries. Argentina is the most developed country with a developed manufacturing industry, while Uruguay and especially Paraguay lag behind in development and are characterized by an agrarian direction of the economy.
4. Countries such as Guiana, Suriname, Guyana . The basis of the economy of Guyana and Suriname is the bauxite mining industry and the production of alumina. Agriculture does not meet the needs of these countries. The main crops are rice, bananas, sugarcane, citrus fruits. Guiana is an economically backward agricultural country. Its economy is based on agriculture and the meat processing industry. The main crop is sugarcane. Fishing is developed (fishing for shrimp).
5. Brazil is a separate sub-region of Latin America. This is one of the largest countries in the world in size. It ranks fifth in terms of population (155 million people). Brazil is one of the key countries in the developing world, its leader. The country has large reserves of minerals (50 types of mineral raw materials), forest and agro-climatic resources.
In the industry of Brazil, a significant role belongs to mechanical engineering, petrochemistry, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy. The country stands out for its large-scale production of automobiles, aircraft, ships, mini and microcomputers, fertilizers, synthetic fibers, rubber, plastics, explosives, cotton fabrics, footwear, etc.
Important positions in industry are occupied by foreign capital, which controls most of the country's production.
Brazil's main trading partners are the US, Japan, UK, Switzerland and Argentina.
Brazil is a country with a pronounced oceanic type of economic location (90% of its population and production are located in a band of 300-500 km on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean).
Brazil occupies a leading position in the production of agricultural products. The main branch of agriculture is crop production, which has an export orientation. More than 30% of the cultivated area is devoted to five main crops: coffee, cocoa beans, cotton, sugarcane, soybeans. Corn, rice, wheat are grown from grain crops, which are used to meet the country's domestic needs (in addition, up to 60% of wheat is imported).
Livestock has a predominantly meat profile (Brazil accounts for 10% of the world beef trade).
Latin America is a region located in the Western Hemisphere, stretching from the US-Mexico border in the north to Tierra del Fuego and Antarctica in the south, stretching over 12,000 kilometers in length. It includes the southern part of the mainland North America, Central America, the islands of the West Indies and the mainland South America. From the west it is washed by the Pacific Ocean, from the east by the Atlantic. The countries of Latin America are subdivided into 33 states and 13 colonies and dependent territories, and the total area of this region is 21 million square meters. km, which is more than 15% of the world's land mass.
The name "Latin America" was introduced by the French Emperor Napoleon III as a political term. Latin America and Indochina were considered then as territories in the sphere of special national interests of the Second Empire. This term originally referred to those parts of America in which Romance languages are spoken, that is, territories inhabited by immigrants from the Iberian Peninsula and France during the 15th-16th centuries. Sometimes this region is also called Ibero-America.
The Cordillera belt, which in South America is called the Andes, is the world's longest system of ridges and mountain ranges, which stretches along the Pacific coast for 11 thousand km, the largest peak of which is the Argentine Aconcagua (6959 m) near the border with Chile, and it is here (in Latin America) is the highest active volcano on Earth - Cotopaxi (5897 m), located near Quito and the highest waterfall in the world - Angel (979 m), located in Venezuela. And on the Bolivian-Peruvian border, there is the largest of the alpine lakes in the world - Titicaca (3812 m, 8300 sq. Km). Also here is the longest river in the world - the Amazon (6.4 - 7 thousand km), which is also the most full-flowing on the planet. The largest lake-lagoon Macaraibo (13.3 thousand sq. km) is located in the north-west of Venezuela. The animal world of Latin America is rich and varied, nowhere else are sloths, armadillos, American ostriches, guanaco llamas found.
Since the time of the conquest, European conquerors have forcibly planted their languages in Latin America, therefore, in all its states and territories, Spanish has become the state language, with the exception of Brazil, where the official language is Portuguese. Spanish and Portuguese languages function in Latin America in the form of national varieties (variants), which are characterized by the presence of a number of phonetic, lexical and grammatical features (most of them in colloquial communication), which is explained, on the one hand, by the influence of Indian languages, and on the other hand, relative autonomy of their development. In the Caribbean, the official languages are mainly English and French (Haiti, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana), and in Suriname, Aruba and the Antilles (Netherlands) Islands - Dutch. The Indian languages after the conquest of America were supplanted, and today only Quechua and Aymara in Bolivia and Peru, and Guarani in Paraguay are official languages, they, like some others (in Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and Chile), have a written language and published literature. In a number of Caribbean countries, in the process of interethnic communication, the so-called Creole languages arose, which were formed as a result of incomplete mastery of European languages, usually English and French. In general, a significant part of the population of Latin America is characterized by bilingualism (bilingualism) and even multilingualism.
The religious structure of the population of Latin America is marked by the absolute predominance of Catholics (more than 90%), since during the colonial period Catholicism was the only mandatory religion, and belonging to other religions was persecuted by the Inquisition.
The history of Latin America is rich, interesting and varied. Once upon a time, there were ancient civilizations of the Aztecs, Mayans, Incas, Mochica and many other cultures of Latin America, subsequently conquered by the Spanish conquistadors led by Hernan Cortes and Francisco Pizarro. Later there was a struggle for Independence from the Spanish crown, led by Padre Hidalgo, Francisco Miranda, Simon Bolivar and José San Martin, and its latest history, with drug lords, juntas, guirelleros guerrillas and terrorist organizations.
Dozens of diverse national parks, many archaeological sites, cities with colonial architecture and other interesting places are located in this region. You can watch small short video clips from the most interesting places in Latin America at
It includes parts of North and South America. The list of Latin American countries consists of thirty-three states and thirteen colonies. The area of this region is 21 sq. million
Detailed map of Latin America
The development of all Latin American countries is different. They are inhabited by people of different nationalities, including Indians and Spaniards. Because of this, Latin American countries amaze with the variety of traditions and customs that are observed everywhere.
List of countries
List of countries in Latin America.
- is one of the largest countries in the world. The country became famous for its love of football and an energetic dance called "tango". In Argentina, travelers are waiting for ancient monasteries, theaters and many kilometers of beaches of Buenos Aires.
- Bolivia is a poor but safe country for tourists. To visit it, citizens of Russia and the population of the CIS countries will need a visa. On the territory of Bolivia there are six sites that are included in the UNESCO list.
- Brazil is a country of carnivals and carelessness. It attracts millions of travelers from all over the world who want to relax under the scorching sun. .
In this video, watch how to apply for a visa to Brazil. - Venezuela is the country with the highest waterfall in the world. The state is rich in national parks and protected areas. It is recommended to go on a trip from December to March. At this time, ideal climatic conditions reign.
- Haiti is a state that has become famous because of its poverty. Development in the country has practically stopped. However, the unique tradition and culture of the people of Haiti attract tourists from all over the world.
- Guatemala is a small state in Latin America, which has a rich history. Volcanoes and untouched nature are what attracts travelers to this place.
- Honduras is a state that continues the list of Latin American countries. It consists of islands located in the Caribbean Sea. The main problem of the state is crime.
- famous for its beaches and gentle sea. The official language is Spanish. Tourists are expected by a friendly population. It is recommended to travel to the Dominican Republic from December to March.
- Colombia is a state that Russians do not need a visa to visit. You are allowed to stay in the country for 90 days. The vast plains of the country and the Andes mountains will not leave indifferent any traveler.
- - a state famous for its diverse and magnificent beaches. The country has all the conditions that are required for scuba diving and surfing.
- A country that has Spanish as its official language. Despite this, almost all employees of hotels, restaurants and shops are fluent in English. The holiday season in Cuba lasts from November to April.
- - a state for visiting which residents of Russia and Ukraine can obtain a visa in electronic form. This country is a real paradise for diving and surfing lovers.
- Nicaragua is a country with great political and economic problems. Despite this, it is a charming place to travel. Picturesque nature and diverse landscapes are the main advantages of the state.
- Panama is an interesting country in Latin America, in which the well-known resort called Bocas del Toro is located. Panama will appeal to lovers of ecotourism and hiking;
- Paraguay is a country where you need to get vaccinated against yellow fever. Colonial architecture is what attracts many tourists.
- Peru is a country that can be proud of its rich ecosystem. Citizens of Russia and Ukraine do not need a visa to visit the country. It is allowed to stay in Peru without a visa for 90 days.
- El Salvador is a state that is practically not focused on tourism. This is due to the activity of local volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. In El Salvador, volunteer programs became more prevalent after the disaster in 2001.
- Uruguay is one of the smallest countries in Latin America. It is located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Despite the constant flow of tourists, Uruguay is absolutely safe.
- Ecuador is a country that is located not only on the mainland, but also on the Galapagos Islands. Russians and the population of the CIS countries do not need a visa to visit the country. The permitted period of stay is 90 days. Ecuador is one of the safest countries in the world.
- Chile is a state for visiting which Russians do not need to apply for a visa. Lake Chungara and Miscanti are the main attractions.
- Martinique is a state located on an island. The main attraction of the camp is nature - beaches and bays. There are all conditions for water sports or swimming.
- Guadeloupe is a country that requires a visa to visit. The state consists of eight islands, in which there are many protected areas.
- - a country rich in Spanish architecture and ancient fortresses located on the sea coast. Tourists are attracted by seasonal competitions in fishing and canoeing.
- St. Barts is an island that strikes with its beauty. Mostly oligarchs of different nationalities, including Russians, live on its territory. High prices are the reason for the lack of huge masses of tourists.
- Saint Martin is one of the small but inhabited islands in the world. Tourists are attracted by kilometers of beaches, blue and warm sea, all the conditions necessary for diving, fishing and water sports.
French Guiana location on the map
The concept of "Latin America"
Remark 1
This completely conditional concept unites all continental countries located south of the United States and the West Indies. The territories of Latin America were colonized by the Spaniards, the Portuguese, the French. England, France and the USA had numerous colonies here. Latin American countries are dominated by Romance languages - Spanish and Portuguese, which are descended from Latin.
The term "Latin America" was introduced as a political term by Napoleon $III$ - the French emperor. At that time, both Latin America and Indo-China were considered nothing more than a sphere of special French interests, so the term originally denoted those parts of America where Romance languages are spoken. From the moment of the conquest, there was a forced imposition of languages, therefore, in many modern countries of the region, Spanish became the official language. The exception is Brazil, where the official language is Portuguese. Both languages function in the region as national variants. They are characterized by their own linguistic features, which, on the one hand, were influenced by Indian languages, and on the other hand, the autonomy of their development. In countries such as Haiti, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, English and French are official languages. The population of Suriname, Antilles, Aruba speaks Dutch.
Indian languages were supplanted after the colonization of America. Only in Bolivia, Peru and Paraguay have the Quechua, Aymara, Guarani languages survived and are official languages. In general, Latin America is bilingual and a number of countries use multilingualism. Today, the term "Latin America" indicates a region that is united by supranational cultural interests and is a mixture of the cultures of the Romance peoples of Europe with Indian and African cultures, this is the difference between Latin America and European cultures of Romanesque origin. The religious structure of Latin America is dominated by Catholics, because it was the only obligatory religion during the period of colonization, all other religions were severely persecuted, suppressed by the Inquisition.
Composition of Latin America
Latin America includes:
- Argentina,
- Belize,
- Bolivia,
- Brazil,
- Venezuela,
- Guatemala,
- Haiti,
- Honduras,
- Dominican Republic,
- Colombia,
- Costa Rica,
- Cuba,
- Mexico,
- Nicaragua,
- Panama,
- Paraguay,
- Peru,
- Salvador,
- Trinidad and Tobago,
- Uruguay,
- Chile,
- Ecuador,
- Jamaica.
French territories are Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana. The United States controls the territory of Puerto Rico.
Remark 2
Sometimes this list includes, culturally and linguistically different from the rest of Latin America, the Falkland Islands, Guyana, Suriname.
In general, Latin America is the largest region in the world, within which there are more than $30$ of independent states and a number of still remaining colonial possessions. There are developing countries on the continent that have gone through a rather long path of independent development. Countries are far from homogeneous, they are distinguished from each other by the occupied area, population, ethnic composition, level of economic development. In addition, they are distinguished by their political significance. For example, Brazil is the largest country in terms of area. The country occupies $40% of the territory of the region, which is $400$ times larger than El Salvador.
It has the first place in the region and in terms of population. This state has the greatest economic potential and the most developed industry. In addition to Brazil, the La Plata countries include Uruguay and Paraguay, which have an agrarian-export specialization of the economy. Paraguay is a typically agrarian, most backward country on the continent.
The Bahamas, which are still formally a British colony, are considered a tiny state of Latin America, and $300 thousand islanders call themselves subjects of the British Crown. The standard of living of the population of the islands is high and many times exceeds the level of Argentina, Mexico, Brazil. Not far from the Bahamas is one of the poorest countries in the world - Haiti. Mexico has the most complex and turbulent history, which marks the continuous struggle of Mexicans for their rights and independence against Spain and the United States.
Today, Mexico has achieved great success in the development of the national economy and provides itself with most of the necessary industrial goods. Latin American countries are developing countries, but occupy an intermediate position - the pace and level of economic development achieved is much higher than the countries of the African continent, but lower than the countries of Asia. Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, which provide $2/3$ of industrial production in the region, are included in the group of newly industrialized countries. They also include Chile, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru. In their region, the countries have created several economic integration groupings. This is the South American Common Market (MERCOSUR), which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay. The grouping covers $45$% of the population, $50$% of total GDP, $33$% of Latin America's foreign trade.
Remark 3
If we compare the countries of Latin America with the developing countries of Asia and Africa, then it must be said that many indicators of the economic and social development of Latin American countries are largely ahead of the independent countries of Asia and Africa. But, within the region itself, there are significant differences between countries in their levels of development.
Geographic location of Latin America
The countries of Latin America are located in the western hemisphere of the planet south of the border with the United States. The first country in this composition is Mexico. Thus, Latin America includes the southern part of the mainland North America, Central America, the islands of the West Indies and the mainland South America. From the western side, the region is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, from the eastern side - by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
The area of the region is $21 million sq. km, which is about $15% of the total land area. Continental countries have natural borders between themselves, passing either along large rivers or along mountain ranges. Most of the countries have open access to the oceans, except for Bolivia and Paraguay, or are island states. The region is very close to the USA. The territory stretches from north to south for $13,000 km, and the maximum length from west to east is $5,000 km. Despite the remoteness of Latin America from other regions of the planet, its economic and geographical position is quite favorable for the development of the economy.
It contributes to:
- Open access to the seas and oceans;
- The presence of the Panama Canal;
- Close position to the USA;
- Huge and yet unrealized natural resource potential;
- On a global scale, this is the zone of influence of the United States.
Remark 4
If Brazil is the largest mainland state, then the largest island is the Republic of Cuba, located at the junction of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico and stretching for $1250$ km. The countries of the region by state structure are either republics or states within the British Commonwealth. The rest of the countries are the possessions of Great Britain, the USA, the Netherlands. There were no major political or other conflicts within this region.
This is explained as follows:
- Significant commonality in the culture and history of countries;
- The countries are almost similar in terms of economic development;
- Natural conditions and relief do not favor the development of armed conflicts.
