Los Paises Hispanohablantes

America del Sur

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America Central

Cuba

• Know for its tobacco.• Leading producer of

medical supplies in the world.

• Boxing & Baseball• Guantanamo Bay• Fidel Castro• Rhumba, Conga,

Samba

La Republica Dominicana

• Extremely poor.• Economy primarily

based on tourism.• Capital is Santo

Domingo.• African influence is

prevelent.

Puerto Rico

• Commonwealth to US and not a country.

• Obtained in Spanish American War.

• San Juan is the capital.• Many business have

their home here to avoid high taxes.

Mexico

• The capital is Mexico D.F .

• Is known for its travel industry: Puerta Vallarta, Yucutan etc.

• Has a rich history of ancient culture: The Mayas, Aztecs

• In the recent past it has had issues with its economy and with immigration.

• Many migrant workers cross the border to work on farms.

• Famous Mexicans: Kahlo, Rivera, Pancho Villa, and etc.

Guatemala

• Borders both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

• Major exports are fruits and veggies.

• Has a poor population.• Experiences high

emigration to US.

Honduras

• One of several countries in the region experiencing a long civil war.

• Extremely poor.• Tropical to jungle type

climate.

Nicaragua

• Experienced a long Civil War.

• Sandinistas vs. Contras backed by US funds to prevent spread of communism by US.

• Know for textile products.

El Salvador

• Very bad economy.• Many fights between,

army, government, drug lords and police.

• Located along Pacific Ocean.

• Emigration due to fighting.

Costa Rica

• One of the richest countries in Region.

• Know for fruit economy and tourism.

• Resembles a small Europe.

• Known for Volcanoes and Nature Reserves.

Panama

• US constructed Panama Canal.

• Canal connects Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

• Economy strengthened by US funds due to canal and protection of it.

• Known for their molas.

Colombia

• Currently fighting a war between drug dealers, the military, and farmers.

• Oil present but economy is based on farming.

• Mountainous and Jungle type terrain.

• Home of Shakira.

Ecuador

• Home to the Galapagos Islands.

• Wool textiles and weaving are dominant in the economy.

• Currently pipelines are being constructed to produce oil wealth.

• Large indigenous population. Quechua.

Peru

• Home to Machu Picchu.

• Home of the Inca and the Nazca Lines.

• Large Indigenous Poplulation.

• Cuzco was one of the largest silver mines in the New World.

Chile

• Home of dictator Augusto Pinnochet.

• Known for wine and grape production.

• Takes less than a day to cross the entire country.

• Known for skiing industry.

Venezuela

• Know for oil production.

• Hugo Chavez current president/ dictator.

• Baseball is one of the largest sports played in the country.

• Currently not on good terms with the US.

Bolivia

• Has a large indigenous population.

• Very mountainous.• Know for local

dances.• Mining• Textile and woolen

products.

Paraguay

• One of the poorest countries of S.A.

• Only have one airport.• Monetary unit is the

Gurani.• Mostly jungle.

Uruguay

• Home to some of the largest Amethyst mines in the world.

• Known as the home of the Guachos.

• Large tracts of land devoted to farming and cattle ranching.

Argentina

• Home of Eva Peron Evita.

• Birthplace of Tango.

• Capital is Buenos Aires.

• After WWII many German military men fled here to escape prosecution.

• Resembles a small Europe.

• High German and Italian influence.

Non-Spanish Speaking Countries

• The non-Spanish speaking countries are:

• Brazil• Suriname• Guyana• French Guiana• Belize (Centr. Am)