South AmericaSouth America

MIDN 1/C BarrierMIDN 1/C Barrier

MIDN 1/C GentryMIDN 1/C Gentry

Territories and Divisions

•Argentina

•Bolivia

•Brazil

•Chile

•Colombia

•Ecuador

•Falkland islands (UK)

•French Guiana (France)

•Guyana

•Paraguay

•Peru

•South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands

•Suriname

•Uruguay

•Venezuela

Regional OverviewRegional Overview►Cold War battlefield in 20Cold War battlefield in 20thth century century►10.8% unemployment rate (2002)10.8% unemployment rate (2002)► Internal conflictsInternal conflicts►Wave of democratization in 1990sWave of democratization in 1990s► International indebtednessInternational indebtedness►Extremely high interest ratesExtremely high interest rates►Huge class gapHuge class gap►Roman Catholicism dominant religionRoman Catholicism dominant religion►Languages – Spanish and Languages – Spanish and

Portuguese(51%)Portuguese(51%)

Areas of Interest / “Hot spots”Areas of Interest / “Hot spots”

►ColombiaColombia

►ArgentinaArgentina

►Venezuela Venezuela

ColombiaColombia

Country HistoryCountry History

In the numbersIn the numbers►Population - 39,685,655 (as of 7/2001)Population - 39,685,655 (as of 7/2001)►Land area - 1,038,700 sq. kmLand area - 1,038,700 sq. km►Coastline - 3,208 km Coastline - 3,208 km ►Language – SpanishLanguage – Spanish►Currency – Colombian peso – 100 Currency – Colombian peso – 100

centavoscentavos►Religions – 90% Roman Catholic, 10% Religions – 90% Roman Catholic, 10%

otherother►Ethnic divisions – Mestizo 58%, European Ethnic divisions – Mestizo 58%, European

descent 20%, Mulatto 14%, African descent 20%, Mulatto 14%, African descent/ African-indigenous 7%, descent/ African-indigenous 7%, indigenous 1%indigenous 1%

Military CapabilityMilitary Capability

►Army – Army –

►Navy – Navy –

►Air Force – Air Force –

Why we care…Why we care…

ArgentinaArgentina

Argentinean Information Argentinean Information

► Capital: Buenos AiresCapital: Buenos Aires►Official Language: SpanishOfficial Language: Spanish►Government: Democratic Federal RepublicGovernment: Democratic Federal Republic

President: Nestor KirchnerPresident: Nestor Kirchner► Area: 2,791,810 kmArea: 2,791,810 km22

► Population: 39,538,000Population: 39,538,000► Religion: 80% Roman CatholicReligion: 80% Roman Catholic►GDP: US$ 484,232 millionGDP: US$ 484,232 million► Currency: PesoCurrency: Peso

Current EventsCurrent Events

► In 1991 Argentina pegged its peso to the In 1991 Argentina pegged its peso to the American dollar to slow inflation. With the American dollar to slow inflation. With the recession in 2001, Argentina’s economic recession in 2001, Argentina’s economic system collapsed. In 2002 Argentina system collapsed. In 2002 Argentina defaulted on its debts, causing a sharp defaulted on its debts, causing a sharp increase in inflation.increase in inflation.

►With new economic policies started in 2003, With new economic policies started in 2003, Argentina’s GDP has gradually risen. Argentina’s GDP has gradually risen. However there are still large numbers of However there are still large numbers of unemployed people.unemployed people.

VenezuelaVenezuela

Venezuelan InformationVenezuelan Information

► Capital: CaracasCapital: Caracas►Official Language: SpanishOfficial Language: Spanish►Government: Federal RepublicGovernment: Federal Republic

President: Hugo Chavez FriasPresident: Hugo Chavez Frias► Area: 916,445 kmArea: 916,445 km22

► Population: 25,375,281Population: 25,375,281► Religion: 96% Roman CatholicReligion: 96% Roman Catholic►GDP: $153,331 millionGDP: $153,331 million► Currency: Venezuelan bolivarCurrency: Venezuelan bolivar

Current EventsCurrent Events

► Up until 2001 the US Military occupied a small building Up until 2001 the US Military occupied a small building of the Fuerte Tiuna military base. In August 2001 the of the Fuerte Tiuna military base. In August 2001 the Venezuelan government announced the mission would Venezuelan government announced the mission would be shut down. Outside sources suggest this action is be shut down. Outside sources suggest this action is by President Chavez to distance his generals from by President Chavez to distance his generals from American troops.American troops.

► In 2005 the United States openly criticized the In 2005 the United States openly criticized the agreement between Venezuela and Spain, in which agreement between Venezuela and Spain, in which Venezuela will buy military equipment. The military Venezuela will buy military equipment. The military equipment contains 12 naval transport and equipment contains 12 naval transport and reconnaissance aircraft and eight naval patrol vessels. reconnaissance aircraft and eight naval patrol vessels. The United States has threatened to block the deal The United States has threatened to block the deal worth $1.5 billion dollars, since the Spanish exports worth $1.5 billion dollars, since the Spanish exports require an export license from the United States.require an export license from the United States.

ReferencesReferences

► http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Americahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_America► http://www.bls.gov/http://www.bls.gov/► http://www.military.com/Resources/http://www.military.com/Resources/

ResourceSubmittedFileView?ResourceSubmittedFileView?file=fsl_southamerica.htmfile=fsl_southamerica.htm

► http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_Venezuelahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_Venezuela► http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/

southcom.htmsouthcom.htm►www.lastfrontiers.com/ countries.php?www.lastfrontiers.com/ countries.php?

c=argentina c=argentina