The Andean Community of Nations (CAN) is a trade bloc comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru that was formed in 1969. Its original objectives were to promote balanced development, reduce external vulnerability, and improve standards of living. Chile and Venezuela were previously members but have since withdrawn. The Interoceanic Highway connects these four CAN countries and provides access between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, with the goal of facilitating trade between South America, Asia, Europe and North America. It links ports in Peru and Brazil.

1. GroupWork1. WhatisTheAndeanCommunity of Nations?WhichcountriescompriseThe CAN?Were Chile and Venezuela part of The CAN in thepast?What are TheCAN’sobjectives?WhatcountriesdoesTheInteroceanicHighwayconnect?TheInteroceanicHighway has accesstothePacificOceanthroughthreeports. What are theirnames?

2. CAN (AndeanCommunity of Nations)CANCommunity of four countries that decided voluntarily to join together for the purpose of achieving more rapid, better balanced and more autonomous development through Andean, South American and Latin American integration.

3. Which countries comprise the Andean Community?Currentmembers: Bolivia (1969) Colombia (1969) Ecuador (1969) Peru (1969)Associatemembers: Argentina (2005),

4. Brazil (2005)

5. Paraguay (2005)

6. Uruguay (2005)

7. Chile (2006)The original Andean Pact was founded in 1969 by Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. In 1973, the pact gained its sixth member, Venezuela. In 1976, however, its membership was again reduced to five when Chile withdrew. Venezuela announced its withdrawal in 2006, reducing the Andean Community to four member states.