Northern Tropics

The Guiana’s

• Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana• Official Languages: English, Dutch, French• Major Religions: Muslim, Christian, and Hindu• French Guiana is still a protectorate of France

Ethnic Makeup- The Guiana’s• Major ethnic groups– African Descent• Slaves brought over by Europeans to work plantations

– Asian Descent• China, India, & Southeast Asia• Migrated as workers in the 1800’s after slavery was

abolished – Mulattoes• Ethnic majority in Suriname

– French• Present in French Guiana

Economics- The Guiana’s

• Bauxite– Used for making aluminum– Biggest bauxite region in the world

• Fish• Sugar Cane• Rice

Venezuela

• Mestizo• Spanish• Mainly Roman Catholics• Rich in Oil– Could be biggest producer of Oil in the West– 1/3 of population live in poverty

Venezuela

• Mountains• Rainforest• Llanos (plains)– Floods then Dries out

Columbian Economy

• Coffee– Campesinos: Tenant farmers that spend all their

energy growing cash crop• Drug Trade– Marijuana and Cocaine– Brings in twice as much as Coffee

Southern Grasslands

Paraguay

• Run by military dictator for 35 years• Other military leaders overthrow the leader– Make the country more representative

• Democratic elections are held now• Paraguay has taken the final step in

government stability– Peaceful regime change

Uruguay

• “River of the Painted Bird”• Very few products forces them to import

everything• Large middle class• Political instability– Only place in which people are required to vote. If

you fail to do this you are fined

Argentina

• Wealthiest Latin American country– Uneven distribution

• 88% live in cities– High air pollution

Argentina

• Dictators– Juan Peron• Tried to help the poor

– Dirty Wars: kidnapping government opposition– Falkland Islands won by the British– Facing shame, military allowed open elections– Still highly unstable due to economy