Latin America. Good to know: list of Latin American countries and their capitals Economically developed countries of Latin America list

The expression "Latin America" ​​is heard quite often. Everyone understands it in their own way: for some it is South America, for others it is the countries of the American continent, whose population speaks mainly in Spanish. And for the third - it's just warm and small states located far from Europe, somewhere south of the United States. In fact, the countries of Latin America and their capitals, it is not so easy to form a list of these states. The reason is the difference in approaches.

As you know, South America was colonized mainly by immigrants from Spain and Portugal. Naturally, it so happened that subsequently young states were formed here, which adopted these two languages ​​as official ones. But linguists know that Spanish and Portuguese belong to the so-called group of Ibero-Romance languages, they arose at one time on the basis of ancient Latin. There is also the language of the French, it is also Romance, but Gallo-Romance. Like it or not, but he is not alien to Latin.

Thus, the list of Latin American countries was formed precisely on the basis of belonging to these conditionally Latin languages ​​(hence the name).

However, focusing only on the linguistic feature, we get a somewhat strange picture. In a close group of countries, individual states will be singled out that do not speak Romance languages, nevertheless, geographically most closely related to the "Latin" countries. It turns out that for convenience it is necessary to take into account not only the language of the country, but also its geographical location.

A striking example is Belize - an English-speaking state, surrounded on all sides by Spanish-speaking countries. Belize is usually included in the list of countries in Latin America, although, in terms of language, it should not be there.

Thus, a person interested in which countries are included in the concept of Latin America will quickly find that there is no single list. If we talk about the classical Latin countries that speak Spanish and Portuguese, we get one list. If we add here French, as well as, for example, the Creole language, there will be a different picture. And if we take into account the close geographical connection, our list will increase even more, but, strictly speaking, it will no longer be “Latin”.

But this is not all the difficulties. The fact is that not all countries in this region are separate states in the classical sense of the word. Some, such as Puerto Rico, are "semi-states", overseas territories of larger metropolitan areas (in the example given, a US territory). This leads to the fact that not all compilers agree to include them in the general list, citing the fact that these territories do not have real statehood. In any case, they have their own capitals, so we are inclined to include them in the list we are compiling.

What is more important: alphabet or geography?

There are quite a few countries included in the concept of "Latin America". Usually, if they are combined into one alphabetical list, it is poorly readable, attention is forced to “jump” from region to region, from the mainland to the island and back. We decided to split the list into several parts based on their geographic location.

So, here are the countries and capitals located south of the United States, but north of Colombia. Simply put, these are states located on the territory of North America, as well as on the narrow isthmus between the two Americas.

1. Mexico (Mexico City);
2. Guatemala (Guatemala);
3. Honduras (Tegucigalpa);
4. Belize (Belmopan);
5. Salvador (San Salvador);
6. Nicaragua (Nicaragua);
7. Costa Rica (San Jose);
8. Panama (Panama).

Well, further in our list of Latin American countries are states located in South America. This is a vast territory located between the Isthmus of Panama and the Drake Passage, from which it is already "within a stone's throw" to the coast of Antarctica.

1. Venezuela (Caracas);
2. Colombia (Bogota);
3. Guyana (Georgetown);
4. Suriname (Paramaibo);
5. Guiana (Cayenne);
6. Ecuador (Quito);
7. Peru (Lima);
8. Brazil (Brazilia);
9. Bolivia (La Paz);
10. Chile (Santiago);
11. Argentina (Buenos Aires);
12. Paraguay (Asuncion);
13. Uruguay (Montevideo).

Thus, our list includes 21 countries. All of them are located on the mainland of both Americas, and their belonging to Latin America is usually not disputed. Although, as already mentioned, in connection with the same Belize, some compilers do not quite agree with this list. As a rule, these are adherents of the "pure" version, according to which only Spanish-speaking states are considered countries of Latin America.

But in addition to continental America, there is also island America. A considerable number of small (and sometimes quite large) states and semi-states are located in the so-called West Indies, on the islands of the Caribbean. Among them there are Spanish-speaking ones, such as, for example, the largest state in the region - Cuba, but there are also many whose language does not belong to Latin at all. Nevertheless, geographically these states are closely related to each other, they have a similar history in many respects, which allows them to be attributed to Latin America. Although it is obvious that the main principle in this case is the “neighborhood factor”.

1. Cuba (Havana);
2. Jamaica (Kingston);
3. Haiti (Port-au-Prince);
4. Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo);
5. Bahamas (Nassau);
6. Puerto Rico (San Juan);
7. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Kingstown);
8. Grenada (St. George's);
9. Dominica (Roseau);
10. Barbados (Bridgetown);
11. Trinidad and Tobago (Port of Spain);
12. Antigua and Barbuda (St. John's).

We will limit our list of Latin American countries to these states, although in some sources it is brought up to 42. As a rule, it expands at the expense of tiny semi-states such as the British Virgin Islands, which are not truly independent countries, but constitute the so-called dependent territories. However, do not rush to think that these are colonies. As a rule, their metropolis is one of the developed countries of the world, which makes the standard of living in such quasi-states quite high.

Latin America is a huge and diverse region. In order to assess its scale, we present only some data:

• This territory lies simultaneously in two hemispheres: Northern and Southern.
• The lands of the region are washed by two oceans at once: the Atlantic and the Pacific.
• The region is home to the Andes, the longest mountain system in the world.
• The total area of ​​the region is almost 21 million km².
• About 630 million people live in the countries of the region.
• Latin America is a bridge (think about it!) between the USA and Antarctica.

Studying the countries of Latin America and their capitals, the list, it becomes clear how diverse natural conditions are here, what a rich culture of numerous peoples who mixed here as a result of colonization, the slave trade, and mass migrations of the population. It is difficult to find another similar region on the planet, where the destinies of peoples representing different continents would be so closely intertwined. Latin - a real "Noah's Ark" of mankind!

More serious prerequisites for modernization existed in the countries of Latin America. Colonial dependence on Spain and Portugal was eliminated there at the beginning of the 19th century. After the war of independence (1816), Argentina was liberated, in 1821 - Mexico, in 1824 - Peru, Brazil also gained independence in 1822, although until 1889 it remained a monarchy under the rule of a son, and then grandson of the King of Portugal.

In 1823, the United States adopted the Monroe Doctrine, which proclaimed the inadmissibility of interference by European powers in the affairs of American states. Thanks to this, the danger of a second colonial conquest of Latin America disappeared. The United States, which had a vast and not yet fully developed territory, limited itself to the annexation of part of the territory of Mexico and the establishment of control over the Panama Canal zone, which previously belonged to Colombia.

By the beginning of the 20th century, thanks to the influx of capital from the United States, partly from England, a developed network of railways was created in many Latin American countries. Only in Cuba was it longer than in all of China. Oil production in Mexico and Venezuela grew rapidly. The mining industry developed in Chile, Peru and Bolivia, although the agrarian orientation of the economy generally prevailed.

A characteristic feature of Latin America was the existence of large landed estates - latifundia, which produced coffee, sugar, rubber, leather, etc. for the markets of developed countries. The local industry was poorly developed, the basic needs for industrial goods were met by their import from industrialized countries. Nevertheless, at the beginning of the 20th century, in a number of Latin American states (Argentina, Chile), the trade union movement had already developed, and political parties had formed.

Traditionalism in Latin America had a specific character. The historical memory of the traditions in the states of the pre-Columbian civilization, destroyed by the European colonialists in the 16th century, was preserved only in certain hard-to-reach areas. Most of the population were descendants of children from mixed marriages of the indigenous population, Indians, immigrants from European countries, slaves exported from Africa (mestizos, mulattos, creoles) who professed the Catholic religion. Only in Argentina did Europeans predominate numerically.

A stable tradition that has developed since the wars of independence has been the special role of the army in political life. The existence of dictatorial regimes based on the army met the interests, first of all, of the latifundist landowners. They faced the protest of plantation workers against low wages and harsh conditions, the use of non-economic, feudal methods of forced labor by latifundists.

Planters and the military most often showed disinterest in any change. Dissatisfaction with the agrarian and raw material orientation of the Latin American countries in the world market was manifested primarily by the national commercial and industrial bourgeoisie, which was strengthening its position.

The Mexican revolution of 1910-1917 became a symbol of the coming changes in Latin America, in which the bourgeoisie supported the war of the landless peasantry against the latifundists with its desire to establish democracy. Despite US military intervention in the events in Mexico, the result of the revolution was the adoption of a compromise democratic constitution in 1917, which established a republican system in Mexico. It remained, unlike other Latin American countries, unchanged throughout the 20th century.

DOCUMENTS AND MATERIALS

From the US Government Note to the British Government on China's Open Door Policy, September 22, 1899:

“It is my Government's sincere wish that the interests of its citizens within their respective spheres of interest in China are not harmed by exceptional measures by any of the controlling powers. My Government hopes to keep an open market in them for the trade of the whole world,

remove dangerous sources of international irritation, and thereby hasten the combined action of the powers in Peking to bring about the administrative reforms so urgently needed to strengthen the imperial government and preserve the integrity of China, in which, in his opinion, the entire Western world is equally interested. It believes that the achievement of this result can be largely promoted and ensured by the declarations of various powers claiming spheres of interest in China.<...>essentially the following content:

• 1) that it will not in any way affect the rights of contractual ports or legitimate interests within the so-called sphere of interest or leased territory that it may have in China;
• 2) that the current Chinese contractual tariff will be equally applied in all ports within the said area of ​​interest (excluding free ports), to all goods, regardless of nationality. That the duties thus collected are to be collected by the Chinese Government;
• 3) that in ports within that sphere, she will charge no higher port dues on ships of a different nationality than on ships of her own, and that on railways built, controlled or operated within her sphere, no higher tariff rates on goods belonging to subjects or citizens of other nationalities than those levied on similar goods belonging to the own citizens of a given power and transported at equal distances.

From a Yihetuan revolutionary leaflet during the uprising in Northern China (1900):

“Foreign devils have come with their teachings, and the number of Christian converts, Roman Catholics and Protestants is increasing every day. These churches have no kinship with our doctrine, but through their cunning, they won over to their side all the greedy and greedy, and perpetrated oppression on an extraordinary scale, until every honest official was bribed and became their slave in the hope of foreign wealth. Thus telegraphs and railways were founded, foreign guns and cannons were manufactured, and various workshops served as a delight to their spoiled nature. Foreign Devils Find Locomotives, Balloons, and Electric Lamps Excellent Although they ride on litters out of line with their rank, yet China considers them barbarians whom God condemns and sends spirits and geniuses to earth to exterminate them.

From the final protocol between China and foreign powers in connection with the suppression of the Yihetuan uprising, September 7, 1901:

“Article 5. China has agreed to ban the entry into its possessions of weapons and ammunition, as well as material intended exclusively for the production of weapons and ammunition. By an imperial decree of August 25, 1901, it was decided to ban such imports for two years. New decrees may be issued subsequently to extend this period every two years, if the Powers find it necessary. Article 6 By Imperial Decree of May 22, 1901, His Majesty the Emperor of China undertook to pay to the Powers a reward of four hundred and fifty million haiguang lan (taels)<...>This amount will bring 4% per annum, and the capital will be paid by China at the age of 39<...>

Article 7 The Chinese Government has agreed to regard the quarter occupied by the missions as specially reserved for their use and placed under the protection of their own police;

in this quarter, the Chinese will not have the right to settle<...>Article 8. The Chinese government has agreed to tear down the forts at Ta-ku, as well as those that can interfere with free communication between Peking and the sea. To this end, steps have been taken. Article 10 The Chinese Government undertook to print and promulgate the following imperial decrees within two years in all the cities of the provinces:

• a) Decree of February 1, 1901, prohibiting under pain of death to belong to an anti-European party;
• b) decrees of February 13 and 21, April 29 and August 19, 1901, containing a list of punishments to which the guilty were sentenced<...>
• e) a decree of February 1, 1901, by which it is declared that all governors general, governors and provincial or local officials are responsible for the order in their districts and that in the event of new anti-European disturbances or other violations of the treaties that will not be immediately suppressed and for who the perpetrators have not been punished, these officials will be immediately dismissed without the right to take up new positions and receive new honors.

From the work of D. Nehru "A look at world history." 1981. Vol. 1. P. 472,475,476:

“One of the aims consistently pursued by English policy in India was the creation of a propertied class which, being a creature of the English, would depend on them and serve as their support in India. The English therefore strengthened the position of the feudal princes and created a class of great zamindars and talukdars, and even encouraged social conservatism under the pretext of non-interference in the affairs of religions. All these propertied classes were themselves interested in the exploitation of the country and in general could exist only thanks to such exploitation.<...>In India, a middle class gradually developed, accumulating some capital to invest in business.<...>The only class whose voice was heard was the new middle class; the offspring, born in fact of connection with England, began to criticize her. This class grew, and with it the national movement grew."

QUESTIONS AND TASKS

• 1. Explain how you understand the term "traditionalism".
• 2. Describe the changes that have taken place in the colonies and dependent countries as a result of the creation of colonial empires.
• 3. There is an assertion that colonialism brought more positive changes to the countries of Asia and Africa than negative ones. Think about and justify your point of view on this statement.
• 4. Give examples of mass anti-colonial uprisings: what was their common feature, what distinguished them in terms of goals, direction, means of struggle?
• 5. Use the examples of the history of Japan, China, India and other countries to reveal the features and consequences of modernization attempts in colonial and dependent countries. Explain your understanding of the words "spontaneous traditionalism of the masses".
• 6. What are the characteristic features of the modernization of Latin America.

The article contains information about the region. A list of Latin American countries is given and the features of the economic and political development of states are indicated. The economic vector along which the process of emergence of developing countries takes place is considered.

Territorial division of Latin America

Latin America refers to a group of countries that are located in the Western Hemisphere between the southern borders of the United States and Antarctica.

Rice. 1. Latin America on the map.

The area of ​​the region is 20.1 million km. sq. The population is about 545 million people.

The list of countries in Latin America includes:

• Argentina;
• Antigua;
• Bahamas;
• Barbuda;
• Belize;
• Brazil;
• Barbados;
• Venezuela;
• Guyana;
• Haiti;
• Honduras;
• Guatemala;
• Grenada;
• Grenadines;
• Guiana;
• Dominican Republic;
• Dominica;
• Colombia;
• Cuba;
• Costa Rica;
• Mexico;
• Nicaragua;
• Nevis;
• Paraguay;
• Panama;
• Puerto Rico;
• Peru;
• Salvador;
• Saint Kitts;
• Saint Vincent;
• Saint Lucia;
• Suriname;
• Uruguay;
• Chile;
• Ecuador;
• Jamaica.

Many countries and capitals of Latin America today claim to be the leading players in the global economic and political arena. This is due to the fact that in most states there was a change of political regime. This is evidenced by the data given in the table. Some of the countries in the region are now actively tying up international relations without the possibility of becoming dependent on a more powerful partner in terms of economic development.

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Cuba is a prime example of modernization.

In 1961, US President John F. Kennedy proposed the Alliance for Progress assistance program to Latin American countries. The program was adopted, but did not strengthen democracy.

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Modernization has become the main slogan of military regimes. Such actions often had a positive effect on the economy.

What have we learned?

We found out what reasons had the greatest impact on the rapid economic growth of individual countries in the region. We learned what historical events were the way to maintain democracy in a number of Latin American countries. We got an idea of ​​which of the countries in the region is an example of modernization. Supplemented knowledge of the curriculum for the 11th grade of geography.

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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:

1. Open access to the seas and oceans;
2. The presence of the Panama Canal;
3. Close position to the USA;
4. Huge and yet unrealized natural resource potential;
5. 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:

1. Significant commonality in the culture and history of countries;
2. The countries are almost similar in terms of economic development;
3. Natural conditions and relief do not favor the development of armed conflicts.

On the territory of Latin America with an area of ​​21 million square meters. km there are 46 states, more or less different from each other.

States of Latin America

The largest and most politically significant Latin American states are several countries.

Brazil
It is the largest state in Latin America with the largest population. The country is attractive for tourists with nightclubs, impenetrable jungle and impressive waterfalls.

Mexico
A unique country, practically the most popular among travelers. It is famous for the most popular beaches in the world, diving, ancient Mayan and Aztec buildings.

Argentina
A country rich in a variety of attractions and entertainment (corrida, predator feeding, wine festivals, motorcycle races, dolphin shows, etc.) The amazing nature of national parks with waterfalls and rare animals, skiing is an inalienable advantage of Argentina.

Costa Rica
This country is valued for its unique nature: volcanoes, nature reserves, mountain slopes, lakes, underwater national parks and exotic beaches.

Venezuela
This Latin American state attracts tourists with its unshakable ecosystem. The country can be proud of the highest waterfall in the world - Angel, rain forests of the Orinoco River and a wide variety of flora.

Peru
This is a mysterious country with objects of historical significance - Cusco, Machu Picchu.

Chile
A state with beautiful nature, popular ski resorts.

Bolivia
A multinational high-mountain country with salt hotels and deserts, mountain lake Titicaca.

Colombia
This state is famous for its luxurious resorts, the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, frequent festivals and fairs.

Less developed countries in terms of economy and tourism include Panama, Uruguay, Paraguay, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Belize, Guiana and Guatemala.

Island States of Latin America

The island states of Latin America include the countries of the West Indies:

Barbados;
- Grenada;
- Dominican Republic;
- Dominica;
- St. Vincent;
- Grenadines;
- St. Kitts;
- Nevis;
- Saint Lucia;
- Jamaica;
- Trinidad;
- Tobago;
- Antigua;
- Barbuda;
- The Bahamas is a tiny but rich state, with a high standard of living and economy, it is famous for its luxurious hotels and pink flamingos;
- Haiti is practically the poorest country in the world: corruption and dictatorship do not give prosperity to the state, and frequent earthquakes only aggravate the economic situation;
- Cuba is distinguished by inexpensive shopping, cigars, rum, as well as developed surfing and water skiing.

The world of Latin America is unusual and unique, as it is characterized not only by an interesting style of communication between people, but also by climatic features, and unusually beautiful nature.