The Andes mountain range is the world’s longest continental mountain range, and while second in height outside of Asia, the range contains the highest volcanoes in the world. Consensus currently supports the idea that the Andes derive their name from the Quechua word “anti” which can be translated to “high crest.” Running over 4,000 miles…
While only seven nations continue to hold territorial claims to Antarctica, two of the seven are Latin American nations. Both Chile and Argentina claim territories in Antarctica dating back to the 1940s, but are disputed as the claims of Argentina, Chile, and the UK overlap. According to the Antarctic Treaty, “No new claim, or enlargement…
As mayor of Bogota, Gustavo Petro has put forth a ban on carrying guns in public even with a legal permit. Skeptics have countered that criminals will not follow the ban, and the result will only disarm citizens legally carry guns for security reasons. In 2002 Brazil implemented restrictions which made it virtually impossible for…
Due to economic instability, in January of 2000, then Ecuadorian President Jamil Mahuad instituted a policy instating the United States dollar as the official currency of Ecuador. Despite disapproval of the policy by current Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa’s administration, no plans are currently in the works to replace the US dollar as the official currency.…
Building recent on efforts to strengthen political relationships between Tehran and South American nations, Iran has announced intentions to launch HispanTV to expand their influence in the region, and give their strategic influence a wider audience. A recent planned tour of leftist Latin Amarican states by Iranian leader Ahmadinejad was seen as a demonstration of…
According to the Chilean newspaper, El Mercurio, 5 tones of ice was stolen from a glacier in southern Chile. Jorge Montt is the glacier which was reportedly pilfered. More than 11 thousand pounds of ice was loaded into a truck in plastic bags, and it is assumed the ice was to be used in bars…
Between January the 22nd, and the 24th, Chile was shaken by 6 earthquakes of 4.0 or higher on the Richter scale. For better or worse, earthquakes have become a way of life for many Chileans, who shrug off quakes that would cause panic in most regions of the world. Only the recent earthquake near Concepcion,…
Despite drastic differences culturally, religiously, and geographically, Venezuela’s Chavez and Iran’s Ahmadinejad seem to be united as enemies of a common enemy. Both countries are fond of railing against the "imperial Yankee," and a planned tour of leftist Latin Amarican states by Ahmadinejad is seen as a demonstration of solidarity against Western powers. Coming on…
Ecuador’s constitution enforces legal recognition of the rights of nature (similar to Bolivia’s constitution). Since 2007, the government of Ecuador has promoted an initiative to prevent the development of nearly 900 million barrels of oil within what is known as the Yasuni National Park which is located on the eastern border of the country and…
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