Andean countries. Andean region

Andean community - history of creation. The Andean Community (group, pact; "Andean Group" or "Andean Common Market") was created on May 26, 1965 on the basis of the Cartagena Agreement as part of Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Chile (withdrew from the group in 1976) and Ecuador. Venezuela has been a member of this organization since 1973.

What is the Andean Community? The Andean group covers an area of ​​4.8 million square meters. km with a population of 111 million people; its total gross product is $268 billion. The supreme body is the commission of the Cartagena Agreement, consisting of the ambassadors of the listed countries with a one-year term of office, after which the commission moves to the next alphabetical state that is part of the pact. The representative of this country is its president. The Commission usually holds at least three sessions a year, at which it determines the main areas of cooperation, approves programs for the coordination of customs policy and economic development.

The Council of Foreign Ministers, a body of political cooperation, coordinates the performance of the Andean Group on the world stage. The Andean Parliament, which consists of deputies from the legislative assemblies of the member countries, serves as an advisory body. Disputes are resolved by the Andean Court. To develop recommendations on specific issues, councils have been created: planning, currency, financial, tax and others.

The Cartagena Agreement provides for the creation of a common market, the harmonization of economic policy in relation to foreign capital, through joint programming for the development of industrial sectors and infrastructure, the mobilization of internal and external financial resources, the provision of special benefits to the less developed members of the union - Bolivia and Ecuador.

Goals of the Andean Community- promoting the development of the participating countries through their integration and socio-economic cooperation; accelerating economic growth and employment; creation of a Latin American common market. The main directions of the Andean group are reduced to:

Development of a unified economic policy, coordination of ongoing projects;

Harmonization of legislation: control over the application of legal norms adopted within the framework of the Andean Group and their unified interpretation;

Establishing close mutual ties between the regions and the bodies of the Andean group through subsidiary bodies - the Union of Private Employers and the Andean Labor Institute.

Within the framework of the Andean Group created:

The Andean Development Corporation (AKP), formed in 1968, acts as a development bank, as an investment bank, and as an agency for economic and financial assistance;

Andean Reserve Fund (ARF) - manages part of the foreign exchange reserves of member countries to maintain balance of payments and harmonize financial and monetary policies;

Association of Telecommunications Commissions - used to deepen cooperation, promote the development of telecommunications services in the region.

In 1990 it was adopted "Andean Strategy", which formulated three main goals: the development of the Andean economic space; deepening international relations of the countries of the Andean group; contribution to the unity of Latin America. The "Act of Peace", adopted in the same year, put forward as the most important tasks: deepening the process of integration of the Andean countries; the implementation of its individual stages (free trade zone, customs union), as well as other measures necessary for the creation of the Andean common market.

The Andean Pact gained particular fame in the history of the integration of developing countries - an attempt at once on the scale of an entire group to limit the influence of foreign monopolies. This action began to be carried out in the early years of the existence of the union, when the tone was set by Chile (the period of the government of Popular Unity), Bolivia and Peru. The main measure in this direction was the introduction of the "General regime in relation to foreign capital, trademarks, patents, licenses", designed to establish control over the activities of TNCs. These measures stimulated the transformation of foreign enterprises created after 1974 into national or mixed ones. When such an enterprise is established, at least 15% of the shares must be transferred to the state in whose territory it is located.

An important provision of the general regime was the introduction of restrictions on profits exported by foreign companies. No more than 14% of the registered amount of direct investment was allowed to be transported abroad annually. At the same time, the spheres of application of foreign capital were limited: it was not allowed in insurance, domestic trade, transport, and the mass media. Since 1976, in many countries of the grouping, the easing of some provisions of the general regime under the Lima Protocol was supposed to be relaxed.

The economic potential of the Andean Pact in 1999

The Andean Community is one of the dynamic groupings in Latin America. In 1969, six countries Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Chile (withdrew in 1976) and Ecuador signed the Cartagena
Treaty (or Andean Pact) establishing the Andean Group as a customs union within 10 years. The countries sought to expand national disparate markets, to promote industrialization within the framework of import substitution policy on a sub-regional basis.

Joint industrial planning, trade liberalization, harmonization of economic policy, the introduction of a common customs tariff, and the provision of a special regime for economically less developed countries - Bolivia and Ecuador - were identified as tools for achieving these goals. The strategic goal of forming a common market has not been fulfilled, because. countries focused on enhancing mutual economic cooperation in the areas of trade, investment and industry. At the end of the 1980s successes in mutual trade were minimal: the countries were only able to reduce the rates of duties in mutual trade, which contributed to some growth in its volume. The main reasons for the failures in trade liberalization are related to the problem of external debt, which peaked in 1982, and the specifics of the provisions of the Cartagena Treaty, which contain a large number of exceptions that limited the effect of integration. As a result, the share of mutual trade within the Andean Group was only 2% at the end of the 1980s. The Andean Development Corporation was established to finance joint projects and the Andean Reserve Fund to stabilize the balance of payments.

In 1989 At the Galappagos Summit, the presidents of the member countries made an attempt to revive the integration group by signing the Isa Declaration, aimed at consolidating joint efforts, strengthening external relations, and uniting Latin America based on the formation of a common market. In 1990, the La Plaza Act was signed on the formation of a free trade zone and its directions were determined:
.liquidation of customs duties and non-tariff barriers in mutual trade;
. elimination of the system of preferences for less developed countries;
. rejection of joint industrial planning;
. granting national treatment to foreign investors.

In 1991, the Barahona Protocol set the goal of gradual integration from a free trade area to a common market - the Andean Community. In general, the 1990s are rich in various initiatives to revive integration efforts within the grouping. Thus, the Protocol of Quito (1995) provided for the reform of the institutional structure and the creation of the Andean common market within the framework of the concept of "open regionalism", increasing the international competitiveness of countries, deepening integration in Latin America and the Western Hemisphere as a whole, strengthening economic ties with the European Union. The Trujillo Protocol (1996) became a revision of the Cartagena Treaty and introduced significant changes in the institutional structure of the bodies. The Andean Pact was renamed the Andean Community of Nations, and the Andean Integration System was created.

One of the principal features of the AU is the creation of an institutional structure with limited supranational functions following the EU model. The institutional structure of the group, called the Andean Integration System, includes 3 main bodies: the Presidential Council, the Council of Foreign Ministers and the Commission, whose activities are of a supranational nature. The subsidiary bodies consist of the General Secretariat, the Andean Court, the Andean Development Corporation, the Andean Parliament. Also within the framework of the Community are the Andean Business Advisory Council, the Andean Labor Advisory Council, the Latin American Reserve Fund (finances countries with a balance of payments deficit), the Simon Bolivar Andean University (education, research, training and service provision), the Simon Rodriguez Convention (issues labor cooperation), the Hippolyte Unanue Convention (health issues), the Andrés Bello Convention (technology, education, culture and science).

Let us consider in more detail the composition, functions and role of each of the listed bodies of the Andean Integration System.

Andean Presidential Council- has been operating since the late 1980s, and regular meetings of the presidents of the partner countries have been held since 1989 2 times a year, at present - 1 time a year. Despite some political differences (for example, in 1992-1995, when the meetings of the presidents were not held due to the events in Peru), the Presidential Council serves as an important tool in achieving integration goals. Since 1990, it has received the status of the supreme body of the AU. Its functions are the determination of the integration policy of the grouping, taking into account the interests of the subregion, the assessment results achieved group activities.

Council of Foreign Ministers- carries out the Community's foreign policy activities on the basis of regular (twice a year) meetings of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States. It is designed to coordinate the participation of the group in international organizations and negotiations, to conclude agreements with non-member countries and with other groups. Decisions are made in the form of declarations and actual decisions. Often the Council of Ministers duplicates the activities of another body - the Commission, which is the only legislative body responsible for developing decisions of the AU. The commission consists of official representatives of each country at the level of ministers of trade. Meetings are held 3 times a year with the invitation of specialists, depending on the nature of the issues under discussion. Functions of the Commission of the Andean Community: development, implementation and evaluation of a common policy in the field of economic integration on trade and investment; taking measures to achieve the goals and objectives set by the Cartagena Treaty; coordination of the joint position of member countries in international organizations and negotiations with third countries and groups. Decisions made on trade issues are binding on member countries.

General Secretariat of the Andean Community- executive body headed by General Secretary who is elected by the Council of Foreign Ministers of the AU. The General Secretariat prepares draft decisions for the Andean Council of Foreign Ministers, manages the integration process, resolves issues referred to its discretion. Decisions take the form of Resolutions (which distinguishes the AU Secretariat from the secretariats of other integration groupings that perform purely technical functions). Responsible to member countries for their activities. It is planned to further expand the functions of the General Secretariat, in particular, on budgetary issues. The headquarters is located in the capital of Peru, Lima.

Unique to Latin American practice is Andean Court(1985), designed to interpret decisions taken by the Presidential Council, the Commission and the General Secretariat, and cancel them if they are inconsistent with the legal foundations of the Andean Community. It consists of 5 judges who are independent in their activities from the country of which they are citizens. Since 1999, the competence of the Andean Court has expanded into new areas - arbitration, labor issues.

Andean Parliament(1980) includes the parliamentarians of the national congresses of each member country. It is planned that in 2007 the parliament will consist of parliamentarians elected on the basis of direct general elections, which is already used in Venezuelan practice. Participates in the legal process on the basis of the proposal of draft decisions of general interest; contributes to the harmonization of the legislation of the member countries and the coordination of the activities of the parliaments of the Andean countries with the parliaments of other states.

Andean Development Corporation serves as a financial institution of the AU, established in 1968. At the moment, it includes not only representatives of the countries of the Andean Community, but also other states of Latin America, which are also shareholders (Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Chile and Jamaica). The objectives of its activities are: financial support of the integration process based on stimulating the attraction of foreign investments, increasing the level of infrastructure development, integrating financial markets and long-term capital markets, providing support to the private sector in the participating countries. The main goal of the Cartagena Treaty (1991) was the formation of a phased free trade zone (by 1992) and a customs union. Colombia and Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador during 1992-1993. liquidated fullness in mutual trade. Peru refused to fulfill its obligations and only in 1997 an agreement was reached on the gradual accession of the country to the free trade zone from 2000 for non-sensitive goods and from 2005 for sensitive goods (within the framework of the Liberalization Program).

At present, the Andean Community functions as a customs union based on the introduction of a common customs tariff and a common trade policy towards third countries. The rates of the general customs tariff are equal to 5% for raw materials and industrial equipment; 10-15% for semi-finished products and capital-intensive goods; 20% off finished products, and on average - 13.6%. OTT operates in 4 countries except Peru. The exceptions to the OTT are: a special regime for Ecuador, which allows the government to temporarily raise duty rates by 5%; the general regime for Bolivia, where duties have only two rates (instead of four) - at 5% and 10%; sensitive products. In 2005, a new OTT came into force (the second version according to the agreement signed in 2002) with lower duty rates and maintaining a special regime for economically less developed countries - Ecuador and Bolivia. His rates are 0%, 5%, 10%, 20%. In parallel with customs liberalization, non-tariff barriers are being eliminated and harmonized. Thus, the Andean system of standardization, testing, certification, technical rules and metrology was created. The nomenclature of the common customs tariff (NANDINA) was developed; Andean methodology for determining customs value; transit rules; the activities of the customs services of the member countries are being coordinated. Cases of application of protective measures in trade with partners in the Community are not uncommon. In particular, in the period 1991-2001. 14 cases of dumping, 12 cases of illegal application of protective measures, 3 cases of subsidies were considered. First, the FTA, and then the customs union, had a huge effect on the dynamics of mutual trade, the volume of which grew at a faster pace (5 times) compared to trade with third countries. So, for 1990-2001. the average annual growth rate of mutual exports of the Andean Community countries was estimated at 15% on average annually, while the average annual growth rate of total exports was 5% and exports to third countries - 4%. The share of mutual exports in total exports increased from 4.3% to 11.2% in 1990-2001, in value terms, the volume of mutual exports - from 1325 million dollars. in 1990 up to 5826 mln. in 2001

Common policy is carried out not only in trade, but also in such areas as automotive, agriculture, investment, competition, protection of intellectual property rights, trade in services. The Common Agricultural Policy is implemented within the framework of the Andean Price System, the Andean Plant and Animal Protection System. The Andean price system is designed to stabilize import prices for certain agricultural products, which are characterized by sharp fluctuations in world prices. Stability is achieved by increasing ad valorem duties when world prices fall above the established level, and, on the contrary, by reducing duty rates to 0% when world prices rise below the established level. Thus, the stabilization mechanism is designed to withstand fluctuations in world prices. In practice, it is used mainly in Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. In general, such a practice of stabilizing prices for agricultural products is contrary to the norms and rules of the WTO, as it serves as a protectionist barrier to protect the national economy, and negatively affects the efficiency of the production of processed agricultural products.

In general, the member countries of the Andean Community have achieved maximum advantages in the free movement of goods. Meanwhile, in three other areas of the common market (free movement of capital, persons and free trade in services), progress is minimal. The principle of free movement of capital began to be gradually implemented on the basis of national treatment for foreign investments, patents, licenses and royalties (1991), free transfer of net income abroad. An agreement was reached recognizing the importance of removing restrictions on the movement of capital. In general, member countries have open investment regimes for long-term capital, liberalization of financial resources (in the banking and financial sector) is being carried out, which stimulates capital flows, both within mutual frameworks, and inflows from third countries.

Since 1991, the general regime for TNCs of the Andean Community (Andean Multinational Enterprises - AME) has been functioning. According to it, TNCs created with the participation of the capitals of partner countries receive advantages and benefits when operating in the territory of the AU. AMEs and their affiliates enjoy national treatment and are subject to the national laws of the host country. Another direction of the common market is the free movement of persons.

The main successes achieved in this moment: development of a common Andean passport and identification document allowing visa-free travel for tourists through partner countries. In practice, a visa-free regime is already operating between the AU countries, with the exception of Venezuela (in response, Bolivia obliges Venezuelans arriving in its territory to have a visa stamp). One of the fundamental features of the Andean Community (in addition to the supranational functions of the main bodies) is foreign policy cooperation as important tool consolidation of the integration process and strengthening of joint actions of countries, in particular, in the field of trade liberalization. In general, the Andean Community has gone through a difficult path of integration rapprochement from a free trade area to customs union and the common market that is currently being formed and is one of the most dynamic integration groups in the world.

ANDean COUNTRIES
(Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile)

Brief description of the countries of the subregion.

Region specialization:
• extraction and processing of minerals: oil, gas, copper, tin, iron, polymetals, saltpeter, precious stones, including diamonds;
• fishing;
• crop production - coffee, bananas, sugarcane, flowers.

Venezuela

In 1499, a Spanish expedition discovered an Indian village built on stilts in Maracaibo Bay. This reminded the Spaniards of the famous Italian city, from whose name the name of the country came - Venezuela, i.e. "little Venice" (capital - Caracas). The country has the largest waterfall in the world on the tributary of the river. Caroni (bass river Orinoco) - Angel.

Oil- 12 reserves of the region, of which 45 reserves are in the Maracaibo basin (it has been developed since the 20s of the 20th century, within its limits there is a unique Bolivar deposit). High sulfur content. One of the largest oil terminals in the world.

heavy oil- "asphalt belt" lower reaches of the river. Orinoco. Not developed due to lack of technology.

Guayana- the largest of the new industrial regions of new development in Venezuela, the largest industrial region of integrated development: electric power industry (Guri - hydroelectric power station and the largest reservoir in Latin America on the Caroni River), ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy (Serra-Bolivar iron ore deposit; bauxites). Venezuela ranks first in Latin America in terms of smelting and export of primary aluminum, and in the future, 1st place in the world. On the basis of this area - tractor building, pulp and paper industry. Here is the largest export port of the Venezuelan Guayana - Ciudad Guayana.

Ecuador

The capital is Quito.

Main minerals: oil, copper

Main export items: bananas, oil, shrimp, coffee, cocoa, sugar. In recent years, along with the Netherlands and Kenya, it has been the largest supplier of flowers to the world market, including Russia.

Colombia

The capital is Santa Fe de Bogotá.

Copper, emeralds (1st place in the world for precious stones).

Main crops: coffee ("arabica"), bananas, cocoa.

Bolivia

La Paz (translated as "peace") is the de facto capital of this mountainous state. Sucre - the official capital is named after one of the heroes of the liberation struggle against the Spanish colonialists and the first president of this state.

The main natural wealth of Bolivia is tin. Llallagua, Potosi - one of the world's largest deposits of tin ores (silver mines used to exist in Potosi). There are iron ore deposits.

The population is dominated by Indians. Bolivia is one of the highest mountainous countries in the world, where more than half of the population lives on the Altiplano plateau, located at an altitude of 3300-3800 m, and La Paz is the highest city-millionaire that arose at such an altitude.

Peru

The capital is Lima (translated from the Indian Quechua means "navel"). This city was located in the center of the Inca Empire and was the capital and residence of the Great Inca. It was revered as the "city of the Sun" and, along with Tenochtitlan, was the largest city in pre-Columbian America.

Deposits of copper, polymetals, silver, precious and rare metals, precious stones; oil and gas; cotton cultivation.

Leader in global fisheries.

The official languages ​​are Spanish and Quechua, the ancient language of the Incas.

Chile

The capital is Santiago.

Copper - 23 reserves of Latin America, the content of copper in the ore - 1.6%, which is higher than in other deposits, also contains molybdenum; Chuquicamata- the largest deposit of copper-molybdenum ores, on the basis of which there is a large industrial region of Chile.

Chile has the largest saltpeter deposit in the world.

Tasks and tests on the topic "Andean countries"

• Countries of the world - Population of the Earth Grade 7

  Lessons: 6 Assignments: 9

• Population and countries of South America - South America Grade 7

  Lessons: 4 Assignments: 10 Tests: 1

• Population and countries of North America - North America Grade 7
• States of Africa - Africa Grade 7

  Lessons: 3 Assignments: 9 Tests: 1

• China - Eurasia 7th grade

  Lessons: 4 Assignments: 9 Tests: 1

Leading ideas: show the diversity of cultural worlds, models of economic and political development, the interconnection and interdependence of the countries of the world; and also to be convinced of the need for a deep understanding of the patterns of social development and the processes that are taking place in the world.

Basic concepts: Western European (North American) type of transport system, port-industrial complex, "axis of development", metropolitan region, industrial belt, "false urbanization", latifundia, shipstations, megalopolis, "technopolis", "growth pole", "growth corridors"; colonial type of branch structure, monoculture, apartheid, subregion.

Skills and abilities: be able to assess the impact of the EGP and GWP, the history of settlement and development, the characteristics of the population and labor resources of the region, the country on the sectoral and territorial structure of the economy, the level of economic development, the role in the MGRT of the region, the country; identify problems and predict the prospects for the development of the region, country; highlight the specific, defining features of individual countries and give them an explanation; find similarities and differences in the population and economy of individual countries and give them an explanation, compile and analyze maps and cartograms.

The current state of the economy of the Andean countries

The formation and consolidation of states led to changes in their economy. The states were included in the system of the world capitalist division of labor as suppliers of raw materials and foodstuffs. Slavery in the countries was abolished.

Venezuela in 1864 was proclaimed a federal state - the United States of Venezuela. The development of industry begins, the increase in agricultural production, the construction of railways. All this contributed to the development of capitalist relations. In the late 19th century, oil fields were discovered, which increased the penetration of foreign capital, the introduction of a British monopoly in the mining industry and railway construction. In 1908, a coup took place in the country and J. V. Gomez came to power. The new government restored diplomatic relations with the United States. All this contributed to the development of the economy. Textile, tobacco factories, breweries, power plants were created, and industrial oil production began. Traditional goods were exported: coffee, cocoa, raw hides, natural rubber.

In Colombia, under the control of British capital were enterprises for the extraction of gold, silver, platinum, the construction of railways and extensive plantations. British capital had a significant impact on the formation of the export-raw material orientation of the economy. After the economic crisis of 1929-1933, a number of transformations were carried out in the country. In 1936 the law on agrarian reform established the right to land for the peasants-occupiers, cultivating their lands for 10 years, and to confiscate uncultivated lands, but it did not give a positive result. Development of agriculture, plantations of coffee, sugar cane, tobacco. The extraction of oil, coal, iron ore was carried out at the expense of foreign capital. The main features of Colombia are: the extraction of emeralds, the cultivation of bananas, coffee, cocaine plantations.

The entire 20th century in the country there was an active progress in strengthening the position of the United States. Thanks to the powerful influx of American capital, Colombia in a short time has become a fairly prosperous state. Political relations with the northern neighbor were also strengthened. Back in 1889, Colombia joined the Pan American Union, the purpose of which was to ensure the dominant political role USA in Latin America. In 1948, it was transformed into the Organization of American States (OAS), which still exists today. In the 1960s Colombia is actively involved in regional integration processes. At present, she is a member of almost all the largest Latin American organizations: the Andean Group, or the Andean Community of Nations (ASN), the Latin American economic system(LAES), the Latin American Integration Association (LAAI), the Amazonian Pact, etc. The headquarters of the Latin American Council of Bishops is located in Bogotá. Colombia is now an active member of many international organizations.

The current internal political situation in Colombia is not stable. The country is torn apart by political and socio-economic contradictions. The root cause of this is the strong property stratification of the population. As you know, poverty is a good breeding ground for discontent. In 1963, various kinds of extremist organizations, in particular Marxist and some Indian groups, became sharply active in the country. Their confrontation with the ruling circles resulted in civil war, which continues to this day. More than 40 thousand people have already died in it; almost 1.4 million people became refugees. Kidnapping has become common in the country. Colombia firmly holds the world leadership in the number of murders per capita (93 per 1,000 people per year). Over the past decades, the drug mafia has taken shape and gained significant strength. The fame of the two leading Colombian cocaine capitals, Medellin and Cali, has spread throughout the world. Although in the 1990s the country's government successfully fought against extremist groups and the drug mafia; it was not possible to finally break their resistance. I had to turn to the international community for help. In 2000, the US Congress decided to start implementing the Columbia Plan, according to which $1.3 billion would be allocated annually to ensure order in this country.

After the separation of Quito from Great Colombia and the formation of the state of Ecuador, a number of reforms were carried out: the elimination of slavery, the reorganization of the army, the abolition death penalty for political crimes; legislative acts were adopted: aimed at the development of the national economy, education, culture. In the last quarter of the 19th century, the introduction of foreign capital into the country's economy began: American - in agriculture, English - in the oil fields. In 80-90, English and American companies for gold mining. Foreign capital hindered the development of productive forces; the economy developed one-sidedly. Constant popular uprisings also hampered the political and economic development of the country. In 1929 - 1933 - the global economic crisis had a negative impact on the economy of Ecuador. After the Second World War, the struggle for power of individual groups continues. By the end of the 20th century, some progressive measures were taken: a law on agrarian reform was adopted, the state sector in the economy was strengthened, the activities of foreign oil companies in the country were limited, economic and cultural ties with socialist states were expanded, etc.

Regional differences of the Andean countries

Despite the common colonial past, after gaining independence, these countries embarked on an independent path of development. Each country has its own individual features that distinguish it from other countries.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is located along the Caribbean coast of South America. It borders Brazil, Colombia and Guyana. The country covers an area of ​​916 thousand km² and has a population of over 28 million people. About four million people live in the capital, Caracas, and Spanish is the official language of the country. The population density is 31 people/km². More than half of the population of Venezuela are mestizos (58%), whites (20%), mulattoes (14%), the rest are blacks and Indians. In administrative-territorial terms, it is divided into 23 states and one federal (capital) district. The head of state is the president, since February 2, 1999, Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias. The unicameral parliament of Venezuela is the National Assembly, the highest judicial body is the Supreme Tribunal of Justice.

Venezuela differs from other countries in the diversity of its relief. Its territory can be conditionally divided into areas that differ in relief, climate and vegetation: the Andes mountain system, the Maracaibo depression, the Guiana Highlands and the Orinoco Lowland.

Intermountain troughs of the Andes are filled with sedimentary deposits. They contain reserves of oil and natural gas. Three oil-bearing basins stand out: the Maracaibo basin (Zulia and Falcon states) in the northwest; the states of Guarico, Monagas, Anzoategui, the Federal Territory of Delta Amacuro - in the central and eastern parts of the Llanos; Apure state in the west of Llanos (there are also large reserves natural gas).

Huge (estimated at 9.5-13.5 billion tons) oil reserves have been discovered in the so-called Orinoco oil belt. The reserves of heavy and extra-heavy oil are concentrated there. These deposits are not being developed yet. this oil can be extracted using special technology. The undeveloped territory of the Orinoco belt is divided into three dozen blocks, for the exploration of which Venezuela attracts (under service contracts until oil is discovered) companies from Brazil, India, China, Iran, Spain and Russia (Gazprom and LUKOIL).

In Venezuela, 4/5 of the oil reserves are concentrated in the Maracaibo basin, which is located in the intermountain tectonic basin of the same name. Its basis is the unique Bolivar oil field, discovered in 1917. It stretches along the northeastern shore of Lake Maracaibo, but 4/5 is hidden under its waters. However, local oil has a high sulfur content. [A.5]

Venezuela is a member of OPEC and is the initiator of the creation of this organization. Venezuela was the first ever exporter of "black gold" Venezuela is one of the largest producers of "black gold" in the world, it almost always delivers 9/10 of the value of its exports. The proximity of the fields to the sea facilitates the transportation of oil.

On the Guiana Plateau and in the Andes, ore minerals, precious metals and precious stones are mainly mined.

Mining of iron ore. The main deposits - San Isidro, Cerro Bolivar and El Pao, are located in the north of the Guiana Plateau. On the Guiana Plateau, manganese is mined, and in the Caribbean Andes, nickel ore, zinc, lead, silver, and asbestos. Near the city of San Cristobal, phosphorite ores are being mined, including those containing uranium, as well as hard coal. Magnesite is mined on Margarita Island, coal is mined in Narikual (near Barcelona) and in Guasar.

Gold mining is carried out in El Callao on the Guiana Plateau. In the same region, diamond mining is growing (700-800 thousand carats are mined annually). Discovery of new deposits in the basin of the river. Cuchivero (accompanied by another "diamond fever"), raised it in 1975 to 1,060 thousand carats and turned Venezuela into Latin America's largest supplier of diamonds.

The largest of the new industrial regions of Latin America in the eastern part of Venezuela is the Venezuelan Guayana [P.6] In addition, it is the only region in the tropics with relatively integrated industrial development. Its development began in 1960, when the Venezuelan Corporation for the Development of Guayana was founded. Since then, many major projects have already been implemented, others are being implemented. At the same time, two important trends are clearly manifested: firstly, towards an increase in the "upper floors" of production and, secondly, towards the orientation of the region's products not only for export, but also for domestic consumption. At the present stage, the basis of the industrial profile of this region is the electric power industry, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy.

The use of the richest hydropower resources of Guayana began with the right tributary of the Orinoco - the river. Caroni, on one of the tributaries of which is the highest waterfall in the world - Angel. The total hydropower potential of the river. Caroni is estimated at 13 million kW. Already in a relatively not so distant time, it can be fully used - thanks to the construction of the Guri and Macagua hydroelectric power stations. This creates a solid foundation for the development of energy-intensive industries in the region.

The development of ferrous metallurgy in Guayana began in 1962, when the country's first metallurgical plant was put into operation. full cycle, which now includes plants for iron ore briquettes and pellets, two plants operating according to the method of direct reduction of iron from ore. And he works on the iron ore of the Cerro Bolivar deposit, where the ore is mined open way. About 70% of the mined ore is exported in raw form - to Western Europe, the USA and Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea. Iron ore pellets, briquettes, sponge iron are also exported, the production of which is constantly growing. Only a minor part of all this production is consumed in Guayana itself.

aluminum industry. Until recently, aluminum smelting was focused on cheap electricity from the Guri hydroelectric power station and on imported aluminum raw materials. But now it works on its own raw materials. In the state of Bolivar, a large deposit of Pihichuass bauxite was discovered. Bauxite production in 2005 reached 3.5 million tons, alumina production - 1.5 million tons, and aluminum smelting exceeded 600 thousand tons (including 400 thousand for export). These figures indicate that in terms of primary aluminum smelting and exports, Venezuela has already taken second place in Latin America after Brazil.

It is assumed that the oil produced in the Orinoco basin, after its liquefaction with kerosene, will be sent to the coast through the pipeline and used in petrochemical enterprises.

It is also important to note that, along with the basic industries in the Venezuelan Guayana, others are beginning to develop, for example, tractor building, pulp and paper. Many of them are concentrated in the main city of the Ciudad Guayane region. This is not only an industrial center, but also the main export port of the Venezuelan Guayana, since ships can rise up the Orinoco up to it.

In connection with large-scale construction in the oil, mining and processing industries, urban and road construction, the production of building materials is growing rapidly. In terms of cement production per capita, Venezuela is ahead of all Latin American countries.

The second metallurgical complex is being created in the area of ​​the lake. Maracaibo. However, the lion's share of the value of the gross output of the manufacturing industry is still provided by the food processing, textile and clothing, leather and footwear, woodworking and other "old" industries.

Agriculture provides 45% of the value of agricultural products. The main agricultural region is a mountainous region in the north and northwest of Venezuela. In Llanos, agriculture is developed mainly at the foot of the Andes and in some places along the rivers. The scourge of this area is drought, so irrigation systems are being built. Huge areas are occupied by the main export crops - coffee and cocoa. The best coffee comes from the northwestern mountain states. High quality cocoa is produced in the states of the Caribbean coast. Considerably increased, including in Llanos, cotton crops, which gives two crops a year, as well as sisal and tobacco. The main food crops are corn, rice, cassava, potatoes, yams, legumes, bananas, sugarcane, peanuts and other oilseeds. Various vegetables and fruits are grown.

The main branch of animal husbandry is cattle breeding. The main areas of dairy farming are the basins of the Maracaibo and Valencia lakes and the Caracas valley. Here, in contrast to the Llanos, where the livestock is mainly owned by the owners of huge cattle-breeding latifundia, most of the livestock farms are medium and large capitalist farms. Farms appeared in these areas, supplying the cities with eggs and dead birds. On the arid Caribbean coast and in the state of Lara, goats and sheep are bred. Off the northern coast of Venezuela and in Lake. Maracaibo developed fishing (but the most valuable product of marine fisheries - shrimp).

Developed road transport, rail. Almost all passenger and some freight traffic is by road. In 1977, the total length of roads was about 60 thousand km (including about half - with a hard surface). The main inland waterway of the country is the river. Orinoco. total length navigable routes along it and its tributaries 12 thousand km.

In addition to oil, Venezuela exports: bauxite, aluminum, coffee, coal, nickel, diamonds, bananas. Exports from Venezuela ($64.9 billion in 2010) go mainly to the United States (35.2% in 2009), as well as to the Netherlands Antilles - 8.6% and China - 5%. Venezuela imports ($31.4 billion in 2010) mainly industrial products, vehicles, building materials. The main supplier of imports to Venezuela is the United States (23.7% in 2009), as well as Colombia 14.4%, Brazil 9.1%, China 8.4%, Mexico 5.5%.

The Republic of Colombia (Spanish: República de Colombia) is a country in the northwest of South America. The capital is Santa Fe de Bogota. It borders with Brazil and Venezuela in the east, in the south with Ecuador and Peru, in the west with Panama. It is washed by the Caribbean Sea in the north and the Pacific Ocean in the west. Colombia is a unitary state. In administrative-territorial terms, it is divided into 32 departments and one metropolitan area (Bogotá). The country covers an area of ​​1,141.7 thousand km² and has a population of over 44.2 million people (as of 2010). The population density is 37 people/km². More than half of the population of Colombia are mestizos (59%), whites (20%), mulattoes (13%), the rest are blacks and Indians. Due to the fact that the country for a long time was a colony of Spain, then the official language of the country is Spanish. The head of state is the president, since August 7, 2010. Juan Manuel Santos Calderon. The president here is not only the head of the state, but also the head of the executive branch, as well as the supreme commander in chief. The country's supreme legislative body is a bicameral parliament (Congress), consisting of an upper house - the Senate and a lower house - the House of Representatives.

On the territory of Colombia, as well as in Venezuela, there are various natural areas with their specialization.

1. Caribbean and Pacific lowlands. Here are the main ports of the country and the main resorts that attract foreign tourists.

2. In the south of the country, the Andes branch into three parallel ranges called the Western, Central and Eastern Cordillera. The intermountain valleys contain the country's main agricultural land and are home to most of the Colombian population.

3. The Colombian part of the Llanos region is located in the southern part of the Orinoco lowland. The subequatorial hot climate with wet summers and dry winters determines the distribution of moist grass and palm savannahs, gallery forests along rivers and reed marshes in the region.

4. The southeast of the country is occupied by the Amazon rainforest. Lush impenetrable vegetation, rich animal world. Due to severe natural conditions, only 1% of the country's population lives in this region.

Colombia is an agro-industrial country.

In terms of gross domestic product (GDP) production at the official national currency rate (CNV) ($78.7 billion in 2003), it ranks fifth in the region after Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Venezuela.

Almost 3/5 of GDP is produced in the service sector, 29% - in industry and only 12% - in agriculture. However, in agriculture more people are employed than in industry. The rapid economic development of Colombia became possible only thanks to a powerful influx of foreign capital. Despite all the domestic political problems of the country, the risk of investing money in it was always minimal (1%).

Oil, just like in Venezuela, plays important role in the economy of the country. But its reserves and production are much lower. The mining industry is much inferior to the manufacturing industry in terms of the cost of production, but its role in exports is more significant. In 1906, oil production began in Colombia. Currently, it is mined at 27.8 million tons per year (2003). In recent years, production has tended to decrease. Relatively large oil refining centers (in oil production centers, as well as in Cartagena and Barranquilla) and petrochemistry (primarily in Barranca Bermeja and Cartagena) have been created on the basis of the country's own oil. A little over 14 million tons of oil (50%) are consumed within the country. Extraction of natural gas (mainly associated oil) reaches 6 billion m 3 . The country is distinguished by large reserves of coal. They are the largest in Latin America, but are used extremely poorly. It is mined mainly in the river basin. Kauka. 30% of electricity is generated at thermal power plants, the remaining 70% - at hydroelectric power plants located in the Andes.

Colombia occupies a leading position in Latin America in gold mining (5-6 tons per year). Along with gold, platinum and silver are mined. The main mining area is the zone lying in the upper reaches of the Atrato and San Juan rivers. The main silver mining area is the Antioquia highlands. Colombia is the world's largest exporter of emeralds, a significant part of which is sent to India and other countries of the East. Sometimes, through the efforts of the international mafia, emeralds are smuggled abroad. Between the mafia gangs, real battles are sometimes played out. Of considerable interest are projects for the development of nickel ore deposits, in terms of the reserves of which Colombia occupies one of the leading places in the capitalist world.

Unlike Venezuela, the main industries are food (36% of the cost of production) and light (14%). V Food Industry stand out coffee and sugar, light - cotton and sewing. These industries are very widespread. Their great economic importance is due to the fact that they do not require highly skilled workers and provide jobs for the population of small and medium-sized cities and towns. Almost 2/3 of the cotton industry is concentrated in Medellin, so it is no coincidence that it is called Columbian Manchester.

In recent years, industries new to Colombia have been noticeably developing - metallurgy, metalworking, mechanical engineering, and the chemical industry. State-owned enterprises play an important role in them. In the second half of the XX century. mechanical engineering and the cement industry are developing. In Bogota and Medellin - automotive industry (Mazda, Suzuki, Renault, etc.), Cartagena and Barranquilla - shipbuilding.

In Pas del Rio, a full-cycle metallurgical complex operates. It is focused on iron ore deposits and coking coal deposits. Steel plants have been built in Medellin and Bogotá. Of the non-ferrous nickel, the largest production volumes are from nickel.

Agriculture employs a larger part of the population than industry. The main industry is agriculture. The leading agricultural and export crop is coffee. In terms of the size of its production, Colombia is inferior to Brazil, but it holds a special place in world trade as the main supplier higher grades coffee. The best variety of Colombian coffee is "medellin", less expensive, but also of excellent quality varieties - "manizales", "armenia", "sevilla" and "arabica". In total, 1.1 million hectares of land are occupied by coffee.

High quality Colombian coffee is associated with successful combination the climatic features of the “templa terra” with the presence of fertile volcanic soils here, as well as the fact that coffee trees grow in the shade of other trees and plants, the latter circumstance contributes to a better accumulation of caffeine and aromatic substances. The high quality of Colombian coffee allows the country to compete quite successfully in the world market with coarser ones. Another feature of Colombia is that half of the farms that produce coffee are small farms, up to 6 hectares. Many of them are located on leased lands. The landowners prefer to rent out their lands and live in the capital.

Cotton plantations are widespread throughout the country and occupy about 200,000 hectares in Colombia. The main producers are the departments of the Atlantic coast and the Magdalena Valley. Almost 4/5 of the harvest of sugar cane grown in Colombia comes from the department of Valle del Cauca, where gigantic farms, agro-industrial complexes of joint-stock companies and piecemeal landowners are concentrated. Valle del Cauca is also the main producer of cocoa beans. The export value of tobacco is noticeably increasing, the leading supplier of which is the Department of Santander. Bananas have been cultivated in Colombia since the 19th century. The leading banana producers are the departments of the Caribbean coast (Bolivar, Atlantico, Magdalena) and part of the department of Antioquia. Industrial crops are also grown - potatoes, cereals, legumes and corn. Livestock breeding is dominated by cattle breeding, pig breeding and sheep breeding.

The main mode of transport is automobile. Total length highways is 113 thousand km (99 km per 1000 km 2). The total length of the railway network is 3.3 thousand km (2.9 km per 1000 km 2). Of these, only 150 km (the section Cali - Buenaventura, used to deliver coal to the seaport) have a wide (European) gauge, the rest are narrow. The basis of the railway network is the Santa Marta - Bogota highway with a branch in Puerto Berrio to Medellin and Cali. Since 1995, the metro has been operating in Medellin (one line 23 km long).

The length of oil pipelines is 6.1 thousand km, oil product pipelines - 3.1 thousand km, gas pipelines - 4.4 thousand km. Pipelines connect oil and natural gas production areas with their processing centers, major cities and seaports. The total length of river routes is 9.2 thousand km. The largest internal water artery - r. Magdalena (with a tributary of the Cauca), which is navigable from Barranquilla to La Dorada. The role of river transport is greatest in the poorly developed eastern regions of the country (in Llanos and Amazonia).

Colombia is a wonderful country that is rich in minerals, agro-climatic resources, land, etc. It is almost autonomous in energy supply due to oil and coal reserves, as well as hydroelectric power plants. A healthy diversified export-oriented economy, primarily coffee and coal. Light industry. But there are also weaknesses: drug trafficking, corruption and political instability scare off investors. The industry is not competitive. High unemployment (11.3% in 2008). Fluctuations in world coffee market prices. Foreign policy problems due to the export of cocaine. [P. 7]

The Republic of Ecuador is a state in the northwest of South America. The name of the country in Spanish means "equator". In the west, Ecuador is washed by the Pacific Ocean, in the north it borders on Colombia, in the east and south - on Peru. Ecuador includes the Galapagos Islands. Ecuador is administratively divided into 24 provinces and the Capital Region (Quito).

The country covers an area of ​​283.5 thousand km² and has a population of 14.8 million people (as of 2010). The population density is 47 people/km². The population of Ecuador is made up of: mestizos (55%), Indians (25%), Spaniards (10%), blacks (10%). Official language- Spanish (since the country was a Spanish colony for a long time) and Quechua (the language of the South American Indian people of Quechua). The head of state is the president, since November 26, 2006. Rafael Correa, (elected for a term of 4 years) is also the head of government; the highest legislative body is the unicameral National Congress.

Ecuador is an agro-industrial country with a large oil industry. After gaining independence, the country still remained under the influence of foreign capital. The main reason was the discovery of oil fields. The country has a well-developed mining industry - oil, gold, natural gas. Also, the main areas of the manufacturing industry are: oil refining, mechanical engineering, food, light and woodworking. Domestic transport is dominated by road transport, while international transport is dominated by sea and air transport.

There are three economic regions in Ecuador: the Oriente Plains, most of which are covered by tropical rainforests; mountain valleys of the Sierra; and the plains of the Costa - the Pacific coast, where the Guayas and Esmeraldas rivers flow. The population of Oriente is sparse and consists predominantly of Indians. It is here that large oil reserves are located. Within the Sierra, between the high mountain ranges of the Andes, there are more than a hundred valleys with fertile soils where wheat, corn (maize), barley and potatoes are grown. Quito, the capital of Ecuador, is located in the central part of the mountainous region; the city of Cuenca occupies the same position. Distinctive features of the area are the predominance of subsistence agriculture, the lack of arable land and the excess of unskilled labor. On the coastal plains, where there is enough fertile land, commercial farming is practiced for the domestic and international market. In the southern part of the coast is Guayaquil, the economic capital of the country, a major market and the main seaport.

Currently, oil and oil products account for more than 50% of the country's exports. The transformation of Ecuador into a relatively large oil exporter has accelerated the development of the country's economy and contributed to serving the structure of its industry.

Ecuador again in 2007 joined the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). In 1992, due to disagreements over the distribution of quotas for oil production, Ecuador withdrew from OPEC.

Production has been carried out on the Santa Elena Peninsula since 1923. Along with American capital (the Gulf Oil company), the state company KEPE (Ecuadorian Petroleum Corporation) plays a significant role in oil production. Now the oil port of Balao, formerly owned by American capital, is in the hands of the state. The port of Balao is connected by a 502 km long trans-Andean oil pipeline with oil fields in Oriente. Part of the oil delivered here goes to the refinery in Esmeraldas.

Oil is exported to Colombia, Brazil, Canada. Ecuador also has significant reserves of natural gas, but so far they have been little used due to the lack of adequate infrastructure. The provinces of Asusai and Esmeraldas have coal, but unlike oil, it is almost never used. In the south of the Sierra, in the province of Loja, copper, silver, and gold are mined in small quantities.

The manufacturing industry of the country is represented by oil refineries, enterprises of the cement, chemical, woodworking, light and food industries. The largest manufacturing centers in the Costa are Guayaquil, Salinas and Esmeraldas. In Guayaquil, the food industry, mechanical engineering and metalworking, production building materials and the textile industry. Salinas and Esmeraldas are important oil refining centers; Esmeraldas also has a developed woodworking and pulp and paper industry.

Lost high in the Ecuadorian Andes, the town of Otavalo, which for centuries has been an important center of Indian culture, has become famous for its products made from the finest textiles. Tourists come to Otovalo to buy as a keepsake or to admire the skill of local weavers. At the fair there are products made of wood, textiles, all kinds of outfits.

Among the centers of the manufacturing industry of the Sierra, the capital of the state, Quito, stands out. The textile industry is of particular importance here; the leather and footwear, food and metalworking industries have also been developed.

The high rates of development of the Ecuadorian economy in the 70s would not have been possible without an increase in electricity production. In terms of electricity production per capita, Ecuador is one of the last places in Latin America. More than 80% of the installed capacity of power plants belongs to the state. Electricity production is almost 8 billion kWh, 79% of this amount was provided by hydroelectric power plants, the remaining 21% - oil-fired thermal power plants.

In terms of the density of the network of railways and roads, Ecuador occupies one of the last places in Latin America. The main role in domestic transportation is played by road transport. By rail, only about 15% of transportation is carried out, by river and air transport - about 8%. Ecuador's merchant fleet is small. Several aviation companies operate in the country. Almost all rail, sea and air transport controlled by the state. In a maritime company created jointly with Colombia, the Grancolombiana Fleet. Foreign companies play a decisive role in the international transportation of goods and passengers by sea and air.

Foreign trade for Ecuador is of great importance, since the country is forced to import many manufactured goods and foodstuffs. Among the imported industrial goods, machinery and oil equipment, means of transport, and chemicals are of the greatest importance. Grain dominates among imported foodstuffs. More than 40% of Ecuador's exports are oil and about a third are bananas, coffee and cocoa.

Ecuador trades mainly with the developed capitalist countries. The largest trading partners are the USA, Peru, Chile, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil.

The country's economy is characterized by diversity. Along with capitalist enterprises, there are numerous small commodity farms of artisans and peasants, estates whose owners cruelly exploit laborers and tenants, and in the east the subsistence economy of the "forest" Indians has still been preserved.

Agricultural land covers 6 million hectares. Ecuador's main crops are bananas, cocoa and coffee. They make up 1/3 of Ecuadorian exports. Considerable areas are occupied by such perennial crops as oranges, grapefruits, lemons, pineapples. Sugar cane and cotton are also cultivated. Of the grain crops, corn, barley and rice are the most important. Their collection is about % of the collection of all grain.

However, the country does not have enough grain of its own, and a lot of wheat, corn, barley and oats are imported. Potatoes and cassava are of great food importance. The yield of most crops is low, since little fertilizer is applied to the soil. Animal husbandry is underdeveloped, although in Lately the number of cattle, sheep and especially pigs began to increase rapidly. Goats and llamas are also bred. Horses, mules and donkeys are widely used as draft power. Poultry matters. Livestock productivity is low.

Three agricultural zones are quite clearly distinguished in Ecuador:

1. Costa, where export tropical crops clearly predominate, because favorable conditions for growing these crops and convenient transport and geographical position of the region.

2. Sierra, characterized by the predominance of crops produced for the domestic market and the development of grazing.

3. Oriente, where agriculture is in its infancy, where the collection of wild cinchona bark and tagua nuts is of great importance.

Today in Ecuador in the valley of Cayambe (Santa Rosa) and Tumbaka in the mountains on different heights about 400 varieties of roses are grown. The rose in the Catholic world is a metaphor for the Holy Catholic Church. At first, flowers were grown on plantations in the foothills. “Then the flowers went to the mountains. First, because there was not enough space below. But it turned out that the higher and colder, the higher and more beautiful roses stretch. And that they grow best on the elephants of volcanoes at an altitude of 2500-3200 meters above sea level. The variety of soils has turned into such a palette of shades, the plantations standing next to each other do not repeat each other, growing the same variety.” Export to Russia, USA, UK. "90% of roses from Ecuador are sold at an auction in Holland and come to Moscow as "Dutch", without indicating the country of origin.

The country's agriculture does not meet its needs for basic foodstuffs. The cost of importing grains and protein products is a heavy burden on Ecuador's balance of payments.

We considered the northern and western parts of South America as part of two tourist mesoregions that are parts of the South American macroregion. The tourist mesoregion North of South America includes five countries and territories (French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Colombia), the Andean tourist mesoregion - three states (Ecuador, Peru and). The name of the Andes mountains has two versions of origin: from the Inca word anta (“copper”), or in the Quechua language from the word anti (“east”), which allegedly indicated the position of the mountains relative to the ancient capital of the Incas, the city of Cusco. Both tourist mesoregions are characterized by natural diversity and unique cultural heritage (especially the Andean countries).

The cultural specificity of most countries in the northern and western parts of South America is determined by the Catholic religion. The exceptions are Guyana and Suriname, whose cultural identity is associated with the coexistence of two religions: Christian (mainly Protestant) and Hindu. In territories remote from the coasts of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, adherents of local traditional beliefs have survived.

The indigenous peoples of the north and west of South America belong to four Indian families: the Equatorial-Tukanoan (Arawaks, Tupi, Tukano, etc.), Andean (Quechua, Aymara, Araucans, etc.), Pano-Caribbean (Caribs, Pano, etc.) and chibcha paez (miskito, paez, etc.). The Spanish-speaking peoples (Venezuelans, Colombians, Ecuadorians, Peruvians and Bolivians) and French-speaking Guianans predominate, belonging to the Romanesque group of the Indo-European family. Suriname and Guyana are home to Dutch speakers and English Surinamese and Guyanese (Germanic group of the Indo-European family), as well as those who arrived from Hindustanis (Indo-Aryan group of the Indo-European family).

North of South America

In the past Guiana was a generic name for three adjacent territories, possessions, and in northeastern South America. After the formation of the states of Guyana in 1966 and Suriname in 1975, this name began to refer only to the overseas department of France - French Guiana (86.5 thousand sq. Km, 220 thousand people in 2008). Usually the name Guiana is derived from guai ("river") and is explained as "a country of abundant waters, big water, many waters.

Former British possession british guiana adopted in 1966 the name of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana (215 thousand sq. km, 770 thousand people in 2008). The former possession of the Netherlands Guiana Netherlands was proclaimed independent in 1975 and adopted the name of the Republic of Suriname (163.8 thousand sq. Km, 476 thousand people in 2008). The name of Suriname is the river where the capital of the state stands. The name of the river is associated with the name of the Surima tribe.

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela occupies an area of ​​912 thousand square meters. km, the population in 2008 was 26.4 million people. The name Venezuela means "little Venice". In 1499, during one of the sea expeditions, the Spaniards discovered an Indian settlement built on piles on the shore of the bay. This reminded them of Venice and they named the bay Venezuela. In 1830, the same name was adopted by an independent republic that separated from the Great Columbia.

The territory of modern Republic of Colombia(1 million 142 thousand sq. km, 45.0 million people in 2008) was conquered by the Spaniards at the beginning of the 16th century. and received the name New Granada (after the name of the province in the south). After the collapse of the Spanish colonies in 1819, together with other territories, it became part of the Federal Republic of Colombia, named after Christopher Columbus. With the collapse of the federation, the Republic of New Granada is formed, which in 1886 was named the Republic of Colombia.

Republic of Ecuador occupies an area of ​​272 thousand square meters. km, the population in 2008 was 13.9 million people. In 1830, the department of Quito, separated from the Republic of Great Colombia, was proclaimed an independent state with the name Ecuador (Spanish for “equator”), because. The territory of the country is located on both sides of the equator.

Republic of Peru covers an area of ​​1 million 285 thousand square meters. km, the population in 2008 was 29.2 million people. It is most likely that the name of the state comes from the river Viru (Piru) flowing in the north of the country. The form of Peru received official recognition in 1543, when the Viceroyalty of Peru was formed, and in 1821 an independent state with the same name was formed.

Republic of Bolivia(1 million 98.6 thousand sq. km, 9.2 million people in 2008) got its name in honor of Simon Bolivar (1783-1830) - commander and statesman, one of the leaders of the war for independence of the Spanish colonies in America (1810-1826). Until 1825, it was the Spanish colony of Upper (Mountainous) Peru.

In total, within the two tourist mesoregions, 31 objects are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, of which 20 are cultural monuments.