South America

South America Weathers the Economic Storm

As Haitians take to the streets over rising food prices and Americans fret at the gas pump, South Americans seem to be weathering the hemisphere's economic storm fairly well.

According to The Economist, on the whole, South American economies are doing better now than at any time since the 1960s, growing an average of 5 percent a year since 2004. So far, the U.S. credit crunch has had little noticeable affect on South America's economy. In fact, some investors are buying even more South American bonds than ever due to declining U.S. interest rates. And with their expanding economies and low cost of living, South America is becoming more popular for North American property investors.

In the near future, The Economist says, it's expected that the mild U.S. recession and slowing world economy will curb South America's economic growth only slightly. But some economists attribute the past years' steady growth to global economic conditions which may not be so favorable in the future. The real concern is what happens in 2009, when decreased remittances and decreased demand for exports take their toll.

From the Archives

Water Borne Poverty - A Story in Photos

Previously filed under: South America, Health
Jake Lyell, a photographer from Virginia, documents dire living conditions in Iquitos, Peru, the largest city in the world unreachable by road.

From the Archives

Globalization in the Southern Cone

Countries: Argentina
Previously filed under: South America, Global Economy
Globalization takes on new meaning in the Southern Cone with expanding opportunities for new partnerships and economic growth.

From the Archives

Panama Canal Expansion and the Global Economy

Previously filed under: South America, Global Economy
The Panamanian vote to upgrade and expand the capacity of the Panama Canal will have a significant impact on the role Panama will play in the world economy.

From the Archives

Energy Cooperation and Confrontation in the Western Hemisphere

Previously filed under: South America, Trade
Cooperation and Disagreement over energy trade and politics take center stage in Western Hemisphere relations.

From the Archives

<i> What Works </i> Case Studies- Latin America

Previously filed under: South America, Field Diaries
Read these in-depth case studies about the social and economic benefits of using information and communications technologies in the developing world.

From the Archives

Faces of Globalization- Organic Shrimp

Countries: Ecuador
Previously filed under: South America, Environment
Organic shrimp farming helps revitalize Ecuadorian ecosystem.

Stories We're Watching

For India’s Newly Rich Farmers, Limos Won’t Do

International Herald Tribune - Fri, 03/19/2010 - 00:48
Land acquisition for expanding cities and industry has created pockets of instant wealth, creating a new economic caste in India: nouveau riche farmers.

Africa Could Join High-Speed Science Network

All Africa - Thu, 03/18/2010 - 12:45
African science ministers are hoping to extend a high-speed fiber optic network — currently linking Egypt to the northern hemisphere — to other countries in Africa.

Vision for Africa

Daily Nation - Thu, 03/18/2010 - 12:30
Africa’s economic future and the challenge of uniting people and nations drew eminent politicians and scholars into a historic public debate in Nairobi on Thursday.

'Quiet Corruption' Hurting Africa's Poor

San Francisco Chronicle - Mon, 03/15/2010 - 09:22
A World Bank report says teachers and other public servants who don't show up for work are fueling "quiet corruption" throughout Africa that is disproportionately hurting the continent's poor.

Industrial Output Up; Hopes For Factories Grow

NPR - Mon, 03/15/2010 - 08:45
Industrial production edged up 0.1 percent in February, beating expectations and marking the eighth straight monthly increase.

Recent comments

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