Latin America is the region of the Americas where Romance languages are spoken, with a population of over 590 million people spread across 7.8 million square miles. Portuguese and Spanish rule ended in the 1820s as Mexico, Central America, and South America gained independence, bringing cultural and social changes while preserving old traditions. Britain played a role in Latin America's independence but also involved itself in the region except for politics. Independence wars plagued many countries and revolved around struggles for power and issues with the distribution of power. Mexico now relies heavily on trade with the US and Canada under NAFTA but faces issues of inequality, trafficking, and rising prices. Venezuela relies on oil exports and suffers under the power of Hugo

1. Modern Latin America Nadya Dooley 5/15/11

2. Latin America Latin America is the region of the Americas where Romance languages are spoken As of 2010 it’s population was estimated to be more than 590 million people Latin America’s area is about 7,880,000 square miles

3. Latin Americas Freedom Portuguese and Spanish rule were ended by 1824 and Mexico, Central America and South America became independent nations Freedom caused cultural changes and other changes in all these places, although the peoples still like to keep their old rituals alive Haiti was the first black republic in the hemisphere

4. Britain and Latin America Britain played a big role when Latin America gained freedom from Spain Britain involved itself in every aspect of Latin America life except for politics Even with assistance, Latin America struggled to gain stability

5. The Wars of Latin America Independence wars plagued lots of the countries Mostly they were struggles for power, by people who were frustrated with the power distribution Sometimes they fought over religion There were a lot of copycats of the American and Spanish revolutions Usually the revolts and wars failed, but occasionally they were successful

6. The Second World Part 1: Mexico Mexico lies under Americas strategic umbrella because of the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) Manufactured goods now account for 80% of its exports Some of Mexico's problems are wider income gaps, more drug and people trafficking to the U.S and raised prices Groups called polleros (coyotes) smuggle immigrants into the US, as well as trafficking drugs through Mexico

7. The Second World Part 2: Venezuela Venezuela without oil would be just another third-world agricultural backwater The region suffers under the presidential power of corrupt Hugo Chávez Venezuela is building the biggest pipeline in the world, all the way from Venezuela to Argentina

8. The Second World Part 3: Colombia Colombia itself is a deeply divided society 60% of the 3.5 million people live in poverty Colombia has a reputation as the capital of the drug trade America’s militarized approach ot the drug problem isn’t helping the war Colombia’s president is Alvaro Uribe

9. The Second World Part 4: Brazil Brazil is South America’s US, its size alone making it the continents natural leader Its lush climate makes it the worlds largest exporter of beef, oranges, sugar, coffee, poultry, pork and soy Brazil is the largest carbon dioxide emitter behind China and India Deforestation has cost the Amazon 20% of its size

10. Latin American Sport Stars Part 1: Ivan Becerra Ivan Becerra was born on May 22, 1984, in San Louis Potosí He played at Mission College and scored 34 goals and 19 assists in two seasons He currently plays for the Wilmington Hammerheads in the USL Proffesional Division

11. Latin American Sport Stars Part 2: Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea Fernando Valenzuela, born November 1st, 1960, is the youngest of 12 Among his achievements are 1981 NL rookie of the year as well as world series champion He’s currently a Spanish radio broadcaster for the Dodgers