The Americas

GOOGLE EARTH PANEL PRESENTATION

POLITICAL GENERALISATIONS & IMPLICATIONS

Mostly under colonial rule in the past => bad starting point Mostly democratic now => developing and progressing

Some still not democratic (Communism in Cuba) => might struggle to develop

ECONOMIC GENERALISATIONS & IMPLICATIONS

- Trade barriers
- North have more powerful nations than the South - Bank of the South - Latin America Free Trade Agreement, North American Free Trade Agreement and the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas

Global city is a city that is considered to be important in the global economic system

ECONOMIC GENERALISATIONS & IMPLICATIONS

- Sectors
- Americas economy is dependent on Agriculture and manufacturing. - South Americas manufacturing generally comprises of processed raw materials, such as food products, consumer goods and construction materials - North America has also a significant service industry

SOCIAL GENERALISATIONS & IMPLICATIONS

- 2 key groups (Latin and Anglo American) - 5 ethnic groups and their combinations - Majority Christians - Social issues such as racism against Asian, Africans, Native and Latin Americans - Case Study: Assimilation of the Natives Americans into American society

ANY POLITICAL /HISTORIAL UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE REGION ? IMPLICATIONS ?

Cuba was officially declared a communist state on the 3rd of October, 1965. This prevents other groups from campaigning as the ruling party does not permit elections, and other counterrevolutionary actions. This means that the party has no competition. There is no drive to seek continuous improvement. Decisions made do not have the welfare of the nation in mind, rather they only have the partys welfare in mind.
Cuba has had a long bitter history with the united states of America. With past events like multiple embargoes placed upon Cuba by the latter, the Cuban missile crisis, and the bay of pig invasion. Economic growth limited as America used to be the largest market in the world. Potential for growth much higher actually. Mexico originally a Spanish colony since the Spanish conquest, till the Mexican revolution (19101929). Birthplace of many great civilizations like Mayan, Aztec. Incumbent president only won 2006 elections by a small margin. Its is also a former Columbian colony. Many traces of Spanish influences left in the country. Harder to form a unique national identity if they do not even have a language of their own. Majority of them still speak Spanish, eat Spanish foods, etc. there is bound to be a lot of opposition for all their policies because not the entire nation thinks the same way as the ruling party.

ANY POLITICAL /HISTORIAL UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE REGION ? IMPLICATIONS ?

Bolivia was also a former Spanish colony. Also a pre-Hispanic colony. Current president won more than 64% votes. Past leaders all military leaders. Many traces of Spanish influences left in the country. Harder to form a unique national identity if they do not even have a language of their own. If past leaders are military dictators, then the country must be in great debt, as dictators tend to neglect the welfare of the people in pursuit of power. Brazil was a colonial colony. From 1964 to 1985, ruled by military dictatorship.

If past leaders are military dictators, then the country must be in great debt, as dictators tend to neglect the welfare of the people in pursuit of power

ANY ECONOMIC UNIQUENESS WITHIN THE REGION ? IMPLICATIONS ?

Large contrasts in the economy of countries in America (GDP(PPP) of Bolivia is 47,882 international dollar while USA GDP is 14,526,550 international dollar This shows the huge contrast in the rich poor gap of countries that are right beside each other All the economy of countries in America are driven by domestic consumption other than Canada Cuba is an economic anomaly as despite its poor GDP in America yet it has an extremely low infant mortaility rate of 6.45 and have better access to sanitation as compared to richer countries such as USA and Brazil