Despite the fact that the indigenous people in the Americas made alcoholic beverages before European grapes were imported by the Conquistadors, the local vitis genus of grapes were never used to make wine. The first known attempt to grow vines for wine began in Hispaniola after Columbus’ second voyage in 1594. Since then, viticulture spread across the…
He was leader of Peru, and “President of Colombia.” The entire country of Bolivia is named in his honor. Born on July 24, 1783, he was serendipitously raised in an age of revolutions, and was one of the key leaders in the struggle for independence from Spain, which he would help to spread throughout Latin America. Just…
Below is a depiction of government debt levels for the seven largest economies in Latin America. Government debt accounted for approximately 46% of GDP across Latin America in 2011. As of 2011, European Union countries an average between 60% for the EU 15, and 74% for all European Union countries. (The EU15 comprised the following 15 countries:…
July 28th commemorates Peru’s independence from the Spanish Empire in Spain in 1821. Libertador José de San Martín was born in what is now Argentina, and would become the primary leader for the southern region of South America during its successful struggle for independence. Having distinguished himself in several battles against Napoleon, he would go…
His full name is Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios Ponte y Blanco, and his legacy is equally voluminous. Born on July 24, 1783, he was serendipitously raised in an age of revolutions, and was one of the key leaders in the struggle for independence from Spain which would spread throughout…
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…
According to the Chilean newspaper “El Mercurio” Chile’s economy is projected to grow 4.1% in 2012. Down from 6.5% in 2011, expected growth in 2012 would nonetheless top not only the projected average for all of Latin America, but the global average of just 3.1% according to the paper. Regional growth is expected to be…
Mercosur is a full customs union encompassing Argentina, Brasil, Paraguay y Uruguay. Additionally, Venezuela, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia, Colombia and Perú are associate members of the union, and as such, participate in the economic union, but not the unified customs system. While Venezuela signed into the union in 2006, their membership has been blocked ever since by…
Just four months into his administration as president of Peru, Ollanta Humala has moved from extreme leftist rhetoric mimicking the Chavez administration in Venezuela, to a centrist administration run by technocrats. Among the heated populist rhetoric used during his campaign, President Humala promised to “Peruvanize” northern Chile. In doing so, he was picking at a scab that…
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