Southern Cone
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The Southern Cone (Template:Langx, Template:Langx) is a geographical and cultural subregion composed of the southernmost areas of South America, mostly south of the Tropic of Capricorn. Traditionally, it covers Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, bounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean. In terms of geography, the Southern Cone comprises Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, and sometimes includes Brazil's four southernmost states (Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and São Paulo).
The Southern Cone is the second subregion with the highest Human Development Index and standard of living in the Americas, after Northern America.<ref name=bolperu>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=Environmental>Template:Cite book</ref>
Geography and extent
Countries
In most cases, the term "Southern Cone" refers specifically to Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay, due to their geographical, cultural, ethnic, and economic similarities.
| Country | Area (km2) |
Population (2020)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Population density (per km2) |
HDI (2019)<ref name="HDI">Template:Cite web</ref> | Capital |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagicon Argentina | Template:Nts | 45,195,774 | 16.26 (12.02) | 0.845 (very high) |
Buenos Aires |
| Template:Flagicon Chile | 756,102 (2,006,360) | 19,116,201 | 25.28 (9.53) | 0.851 (very high) |
Santiago |
| Template:Flagicon Uruguay | Template:Nts | 3,473,730 | 19.71 | 0.817 (very high) |
Montevideo |
| Total | 3,712,409 (5,943,849) | 67,785,705 | 18.26 (11.40) | 0.845 (very high) |
Other regions
Brazil
Brazil's four southernmost states (Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and São Paulo) share characteristics with Argentina, and Uruguay (similar local climate, high standard of living, high levels of industrialization and greater percentage European ethnic component due to immigration). Brazil's other states are more similar to the other South American countries in these issues.
When the definition is not limited to entire countries, the states of the South Region and the state of São Paulo are generally included.
| State | Area (km2)<ref name="factbook2008">Land areas and population estimates are taken from The 2008 World Factbook which currently uses July 2008 data, unless otherwise noted.</ref> |
Population (2019)<ref name="factbook2008" /> |
Population density (per km2) |
HDI (2017)<ref name="HDI" /> | Capital |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagicon Paraná | Template:Nts | 11.434.000 | 59.80 | 0.796 (high) |
Curitiba |
| Template:Flagicon Rio Grande do Sul | Template:Nts | Template:Nts | 39.10 | 0.792 (high) |
Porto Alegre |
| Template:Flagicon Santa Catarina | Template:Nts | Template:Nts | 71.18 | 0.808 (very high) |
Florianópolis |
| Template:Flagicon São Paulo | Template:Nts | Template:Nts | 95.83 | 0.826 (very high) |
São Paulo |
| Total | Template:Nts | Template:Nts | 90.35 | 0.806 (very high) |
Paraguay
Due to the geographical proximity, common history, geography and political cycles, Paraguay is sometimes included in what is meant by Southern Cone, geographically speaking, but excluded due to differences in climate, economy and development, and cultural identity. While Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Southern Brazil are located in the southernmost part of South America, with temperate climates and a dominant European ancestry shaping their demographics and culture, Paraguay is a landlocked country further north, with a subtropical climate and a unique cultural identity rooted in its Guaraní heritage. Economically, Paraguay has a lower Human Development Index (HDI) compared to the Southern Cone countries, which rank among the highest in Latin America. Paraguay’s economy, focused on agriculture and hydroelectric power, is also less diversified and globally integrated.
Climate
The climates are mostly Mediterranean temperate, but include humid subtropical, highland tropical, maritime temperate, sub-Antarctic temperate, highland cold, desert and semi-arid temperate regions. (Except for the northern regions of Argentina (thermal equator in January), the whole country of Paraguay, the Argentina-Brazil border and the interior of the Atacama Desert). The region rarely suffers from heat. In addition to that, the winter presents mostly cold temperatures. Strong and constant wind and high humidity are what brings low temperatures in the winter.
One of the most peculiar plants of the region is the Araucaria tree, which can be found in Chile, Argentina and parts of Brazil. The only native group of conifers found in the southern hemisphere had its origin in the Southern Cone. Araucaria angustifolia, once widespread in Southern Brazil, is now a critically endangered species, protected by law. The prairies region of central Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil is known as the Pampas.
Central Chile has Mediterranean vegetation and a Mediterranean climate, grading southward into an oceanic climate. The Atacama, Patagonian and Monte deserts form a diagonal of arid lands separating the woodlands, croplands and pastures of La Plata basin from Central and Southern Chile. Apart from the desert diagonal, the north–south running Andes form a major divide in the Southern Cone and constitute, for most of its part in the southern cone, the Argentina–Chile border. In the east the river systems of the La Plata basin form natural barriers and sea lanes between Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The Atacama Desert is the driest place on Earth, with some regions having no recorded rainfall in history.
Image gallery
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Satellite images of the Southern Cone month by month.
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Landforms in the Monte Desert at Ischigualasto, Argentina. Much of the southern cone is covered by the Arid Diagonal of which Monte Desert is part.
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Located in between Chile and Argentina, Aconcagua, almost 7000 meters high, is the highest mountain on Earth outside the Himalayas, and continues to rise.
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Snow in the winter of the Planalto Serrano mountain range of the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil.
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Culture
Besides sharing languages and colonial heritage, in this area, there was extensive European immigration during the 19th- and 20th-centuries, who, with their descendants, have strongly influenced the culture, social life and politics of these countries. Immigration reshaped the modern-day societies of Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, countries where the influx of newcomers was massive.
The residents of the states of the Southern Cone are avid players and fans of football, with top-notch teams competing in the sport. Argentina has won the FIFA World Cup three times, while Uruguay has won the cup twice; they are the only national teams along with Brazil outside Europe to have won the cup. Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Brazil have all hosted the World Cup. Additionally, national teams from the region have won several Olympic medals in football. Also, football clubs from the Southern Cone countries have won large numbers of club competitions in South-American competitions, Pan-American competitions, and world-FIFA Club World Cup-level competitions.
Gauchos (Argentina and Uruguay) and Huasos (Chile) are horsemen that are considered icons of national identity (like cowboys); they are featured in the epic poem Martín Fierro.
Gastronomy
The Asado (barbecue) is a culinary tradition typical of the Southern Cone main countries and was developed by gauchos and huasos.
Mate is a popular infusion throughout the Southern Cone.
Religion
Like the rest of Latin America, most residents of the Southern Cone are members of the Catholic Church,<ref name="Global Christianity">Template:Cite web</ref> with a minority of Protestants, including a significant Lutheran population in South Brazil and South Chile. Other religions also present in the southern cone include Islam, Anglicanism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Buddhism, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Daoism. Jewish communities have thrived in cities of Argentina and Uruguay.
While the Southern Cone has been conservative in some aspects of religion, it has had a tradition of social reform and liberation theology has been followed by many in the Catholic Church. Uruguay, where agnosticism and atheism is common, has a policy of strong separation of church and state; it is one of the most secular countries in the Americas.<ref>Latin American Area Studies: Uruguay Template:Webarchive, University of Minnesota</ref> Uruguay, Chile and Argentina, in that order, have the least religious residents in South America, according to their responses about the significance of religion in their lives. According to the Pew Research Center, 28% of Uruguayans, 43% of Argentines, and 41% of Chileans think of religion 'very important in their lives,' contrasting with the higher values given by the residents of countries such as Peru (72%), Colombia (77%) and Ecuador (76%).<ref name="PEWLatin">Template:Cite web</ref>
The Southern Cone produced the first pope from the Western Hemisphere, Pope Francis, elected in 2013, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
| Area | Catholic (%) | Protestant (%) | Irreligious (%) | Others |
Unspecified (%) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagicon Argentina | 62.9 | 15.3 | 18.9 | 2.6 | 0.3 | <ref name="CONICET">Segunda Encuesta Nacional Sobre Creencias y Actitudes Religiosas en Argentina 2019</ref> |
| Template:Flagicon Chile | 42.0 | 14.0 | 37.0 | 6.0 | 0.0 | <ref name="ChileCensus">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flagicon Paraguay | 88.3 | 6.8 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 0.8 | <ref>Religion affiliation in Paraguay as of 2018. Based on Latinobarómetro. Survey period: June 15 to August 2, 2018, 1,200 respondents.</ref> |
| Template:Flagicon Uruguay | 42.0 | 15.0 | 37.0 | 6.0 | 0.0 | <ref name="PEWLatin" /> |
| Template:Flagicon Paraná, Brazil | 69.6 | 22.2 | 4.6 | 3.6 | 0.0 | <ref name="BRAZILReligion1">«Censo 2010». IBGE</ref><ref name="BRAZILReligion2">«Análise dos Resultados/IBGE Censo Demográfico 2010: Características gerais da população, religião e pessoas com deficiência» (PDF)</ref> |
| Template:Flagicon Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil | 68.8 | 18.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 | 0.0 | <ref name="BRAZILReligion1" /><ref name="BRAZILReligion2" /> |
| Template:Flagicon Santa Catarina, Brazil | 73.1 | 20.4 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 0.0 | <ref name="BRAZILReligion1" /><ref name="BRAZILReligion2" /> |
| Template:Flagicon São Paulo, Brazil | 60.1 | 24.1 | 8.1 | 7.7 | 0.0 | <ref name="BRAZILReligion1" /><ref name="BRAZILReligion2" /> |
Other Cultural
In a 2014 social survey, residents rated their countries as 'good places for gay or lesbian people to live;' the following percentages said 'yes' in Uruguay (71%), Argentina (68%), and Chile (52%).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Language
The overwhelming majority, including those of recent immigrant background, speak Spanish (in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay) or Portuguese in the case of Southern Brazil. The Spanish-speaking countries of the Southern Cone are divided into two main dialects:
- Castellano Rioplatense (River Plate Spanish), spoken in Argentina and Uruguay, where the accent and daily language is heavily influenced by 19th-20th century Italian immigrants, has a particular intonation famously recognized by Spanish speakers from around the world. It is sometimes unofficially referred to as "Castellano Argentino/Argentine Spanish" due to the majority of the speakers (by population) being Argentines. Preliminary research has shown that Rioplatense Spanish has intonation patterns that resemble those of Italian dialects in the Naples region, differing markedly from those of other forms of Spanish.<ref name="Colantoni & Gurlekian 2004">Template:Cite journal</ref> Buenos Aires, Rosario, and Montevideo had a massive influx of Italian immigrant settlers from the mid-19th until mid-20th centuries. Researchers note that the development of this dialect is a relatively recent phenomenon, developing at the beginning of the 20th century with the main wave of Italian immigration.<ref name="Colantoni & Gurlekian 2004"/>
- Castellano Chileno (Chilean Spanish), spoken in Chile, features multiple accents, but one of its most common characteristics is the omission of the letter "s" when pronouncing words. For example, "Los chilenos" is pronounced as "Lo' chileno'." Additionally, in informal and colloquial speech (especially among close friends), the use of reverential voseo is common. This phenomenon changes phrases like "¿Dónde estás?" ("Where are you?") into "¿Dónde estáis?". However, since Chileans often omit the final "s," the resulting pronunciation is "¿Dónde estai?"
These dialects share common traits, such as a number of Lunfardo and Quechua words.
Minor languages and dialects include Cordobés, Cuyo, and Portuñol, a hybrid between Rioplatense and Brazilian Portuguese that is spoken in Uruguay on the border with Brazil.
Native American languages
Some Native American groups, especially in rural areas, continue to speak autochthonous languages, including Mapudungun (also known as Mapuche), Quechua, Aymara, and Guarani. The first is primarily spoken in Araucanía and adjacent areas of Patagonia, in southern Argentina and Chile. Guarani is the official language of Paraguay, the most widely spoken language in that country, and in 2010, the city of Tacuru, in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, adopted Guarani as the official language, besides Portuguese. It is also a co-official language in the northeastern Argentine provinces of Corrientes and Misiones.<ref>"Official languages include indigenous" Template:Webarchive, IPS News</ref>
Non-Iberian languages
Italian (mostly its Northern dialects, such as Venetian), is spoken in rural communities across Argentina, Southern Brazil, and São Paulo where immigrants had settled.
German, in various dialects, is mostly spoken in Southern Chile and Southern Brazil. As well as in the Chaco (Paraguay) by Mennonites.<ref name=":0" /> It is the second most spoken mother tongue in Brazil.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="olivet.edu">Template:Cite web</ref>
The Southern Cone is also known to have high English proficiency compared to other South American countries. This language is spoken in the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory (disputed by Argentina).
Polish, Dutch and Ukrainian are also spoken in Southern Brazil. Dutch is spoken in Chile as well, and Ukrainian is used in Argentina as well. Croatian and other Slavic languages are also spoken in the southernmost areas of Chilean Patagonia, reflecting patterns of immigration and settlement. Yiddish can be heard mainly in Buenos Aires, Argentina and São Paulo, Brazil. In Brazil, Japanese is spoken by immigrant communities in the states of São Paulo and Paraná. By descendants in Argentina and Chile, Welsh is spoken by descendants of immigrants in the Patagonia region.
Comparison of selected words
Below there are selected words to show vocabulary in the dialects of the countries of the Southern Cone and other Spanish-speaking countries in South America and the dialect of Portuguese spoken in Brazil.
| Chile | Argentina | Uruguay | Paraguay | Brazil | Bolivia | Colombia | Ecuador | Peru | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| apartment | departamento | departamento | apartamento | departamento | apartamento | departamento | apartamento | departamento | departamento | apartamento |
| artichoke | alcachofa | alcaucil | alcaucil | alcachofa | alcachofra | alcachofa | alcachofa | alcachofa | alcachofa | alcachofa |
| avocado | palta | palta | palta | aguacate | abacate | palta | aguacate | aguacate | palta | aguacate |
| banana | plátano | banana | banana | banana | banana | plátano | banano | banano | plátano | cambur |
| bean | poroto | poroto | poroto | poroto | feijão | frijol | fríjol | frijol | frijol | caraota |
| bell pepper | pimentón | morrón | morrón | locote | pimentão | pimiento | pimentón | pimiento | pimiento | pimientón |
| butter | mantequilla | manteca | manteca | manteca | manteiga | mantequilla | mantequilla | mantequilla | mantequilla | mantequilla |
| car | auto | auto | auto | auto | carro | auto | carro | auto | auto | carro |
| corn on the cob |
choclo | choclo | choclo | choclo | espiga de milho |
choclo | mazorca | choclo | choclo | jojoto |
| drinking straw | bombilla | pajita | pajita | pajita | canudo | bombilla | pitillo | sorbete | sorbete | pitillo |
| earring | aro | aro | caravana | aro | brinco | arete | arete | arete | arete | zarcillo |
| grapefruit | pomelo | pomelo | pomelo | pomelo | toranja | pomelo | toronja | toronja | toronja | toronja |
| green bean | poroto verde | chaucha | chaucha | chaucha | vagem | vainita | habichuela | vainita | vainita | vainita |
| jacket | chaqueta | campera | campera | campera | jaqueta | chamarra | chaqueta | chompa | casaca | chaqueta |
| kitchen stove | cocina | cocina | cocina | cocina | fogão | cocina | estufa | cocina | cocina | estufa |
| papaya | papaya | papaya | papaya | mamón | mamão | papaya | papaya | papaya | papaya | lechosa |
| pea | arveja | arveja | arveja | arveja | ervilha | arveja | arveja | arveja | arevja | guisante |
| peanut | maní | maní | maní | maní | amendoim | maní | maní | maní | maní | maní |
| popcorn | cabritas | pochoclo | pop/pororó | pororó | pipoca | pipocas | crispetas/ maíz pira |
canguil | canchita | cotufas |
| sneakers | zapatillas | zapatillas | championes | championes | tênis | tenis | tenis | zapatillas | zapatillas | gomas |
| socks | calcetines | medias | medias | medias | meias | medias | medias | medias | medias | medias |
| sweet potato | camote | batata | boniato | batata | batata doce | camote | batata | camote | camote | batata |
| swimming pool | piscina | pileta | piscina | pileta | piscina | piscina | piscina | piscina | piscina | piscina |
| t-shirt | polera | remera | remera | remera | camiseta | polera | camiseta | camiseta | polo | franela |
| washing machine |
lavadora | lavarropas | lavarropas | lavarropas | máquina de lavar roupa |
lavadora | lavadora | lavadora | lavadora | lavadora |
Demography
The population of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay is 40, 16.8 and 3.6 million respectively. Buenos Aires is the largest metropolitan area at 13.1 million and Santiago, Chile has 6.4 million. Uruguay's capital and largest city, Montevideo, has 1.8 million, and it receives many visitors on ferry boats across the Río de la Plata from Buenos Aires, Template:Convert away.
By contrast, the Patagonia region of southern Chile and Argentina is very sparsely populated, with a population density of less than two people per square kilometer.
Ethnicity
The population of the Southern Cone has been strongly influenced by waves of immigration from Europe in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. People of direct European descent, make up 88% of total population of Uruguay, 85% of the total population of Argentina and 65% of the total population of Chile. The remainder of the population in these countries consists predominantly of mestizos with a significant proportion of European ancestry.<ref name="Lizcano">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="umng.edu.co">SOCIAL IDENTITY Marta Fierro Social Psychologist. Template:WebarchiveTemplate:Unreliable source?</ref><ref>Template:In lang massive immigration of European Argentina Uruguay Chile BrazilTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Unreliable source?</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> In São Paulo, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, and Santa Catarina self-identified white people are 61.3%; 70.0%; 82.3%; and 86.8% of the population respectively, with people of Italian, Polish and German ancestry predominating.<ref name="ibge3">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Italian>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=International-Migration-to-Brazil>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Italians started to emigrate to the Southern Cone as early as the second half of the 17th century,<ref name=INET>Template:Cite web</ref> and it became a mass phenomenon between 1880 and 1920 when Italy was facing social and economic disturbances.<ref>O.N.I.-Department of Education of Argentina Template:Webarchive</ref> As a consequence of mass Italian immigration, the Southern Cone has the largest Italian diaspora in the world,<ref name=Italian/> with people of Italian descent being the majority in many places, with the highest percentage being in Argentina (62.5% Italian),<ref name=LaMatanza>Template:Cite web</ref> and in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina (60% Italian).<ref name="ItáliaNossa">Template:Cite web</ref> Among all Italians who immigrated to Brazil, 70% went to the State of São Paulo. In consequence, the State of São Paulo has more people with Italian ancestry than any region of Italy itself,<ref name="pereira">Template:Cite web</ref> with São Paulo city being the most populous city with Italian ancestry in the world,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> of the 10 million inhabitants of São Paulo city, 60% (6 million people) have full or partial Italian ancestry (the largest city of Italy is Rome, with 2.5 million inhabitants).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Small towns, such as Nova Veneza, have as much as 95% of their population of Italian descent.<ref name="Nova Veneza">Template:Cite web</ref>
The region also has a large German diaspora (second largest after the United States),<ref name="Handwörterbuch">Template:Cite web</ref> with People of German descent being 25% of the population of Rio Grande do Sul and 35% of the population of Santa Catarina.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Residents of German descent even predominate in South Chile due to German colonization of Valdivia, Osorno and Llanquihue.
Mestizos make up 15.8% of the population and are a majority in Paraguay. Native Americans make up 3% of the population, living in communities in Araucanía region in Chile. Mulattoes (people of European and African ancestry) mostly in Uruguay (0.2%), and Asians (1.0%), mostly in Argentina, the remaining 1.2%.<ref>Historia de las repúblicas de la Plata, Manuel González Llana</ref>
There is also a strong Arab presence in the Southern Cone, with people of full or at least partial Arab ancestry being 5% of the population of Uruguay and Chile, 9.8% of the population of Brazil, and 11% of the population of Argentina.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="FRURU">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Ferabolli2014"/><ref name="Fearab.org.ar">Template:Cite web</ref> Brazil has the largest number of Arabs outside the Middle East, with 20 million Brazilians being descendants of Arabs,<ref name="Ferabolli2014">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Amar2014">Template:Cite book</ref> while the Palestinian community in Chile is considered the largest outside the Arab world.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
Genetic and historical roots
Since interethnic marriages are widespread in Latin America, complex ethnic classifications emerged, including more than a dozen of "racial" categories created in 18th century Hispanic America, with notorious examples being castizo, morisco and Template:Lang. In Brazil, about 190 "racial" categories were detected by the Census of 1976.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
A study conducted on 218 individuals in 2010 by the Argentine geneticist Daniel Corach, has established that the genetic map of Argentina is composed of 79% different European ethnicities (mainly Spanish and Italian ethnicities), 18% of different indigenous ethnicities, and 4.3% of African ethnic groups, in which 63.6% of the tested group had at least one ancestor who was Indigenous.<ref name="pmid20059473">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> An autosomal DNA study from 2009 found the composition of the Argentine population to be 78.5% European, 17.3% Amerindian, and 4.2% Sub-Saharan African (SSA).<ref name="pmid20059473" /> Blacks made up 25% of the population of Buenos Aires in 1810, 1822 and 1838. In 1887, the government decided to cease asking Argentine citizens about their race. According to Laura López, it was a way to "hide" the Black population, not only from the Census, but also from public opinion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">Template:Cite web</ref>
Multiple studies concluded that Whites make 50-65% of the Chilean population and the CIA concluded that 89% are Whites, Castizos and Mestizos.<ref name="UC">Template:Cite web (Main page Template:Webarchive)</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="pmid25052264">Template:Cite journal</ref> The use of mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome test results show the following: The European component is predominant (91.0%, versus 9.0% of the aboriginal one) in the Chilean upper class,<ref name="pmid12360796">Template:Cite journal</ref> the middle classes, 66.8%-62.3% European component<ref name="pmid12360796" /><ref name="Medical">Template:Cite journal</ref> and 37.7%-33.2 of mixed aboriginal<ref name="pmid12360796" /><ref name="autogenerated2">Template:Cite journal</ref> and lower classes at 55–52.9% European component<ref name="pmid12360796" /><ref name="Medical" /> and 47.1%-45% mix of Aboriginal.<ref name="pmid12360796" /><ref name="Medical" />
A DNA study from 2009, published in the American Journal of Human Biology, showed the genetical composition of Uruguay to be mainly European, but with Native American (which varies from 1% to 20% in different parts of the country) and also SSA (7% to 15% in different parts of the country).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Similar to the rest of Latin America, the genetic ancestry of the population of the Southern Cone reflects the history of the continent: the Iberian colonizers were mostly men who arrived without women. European immigration to this part of the world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries <ref name="umng.edu.co" /><ref>Juan Bialet Massé en su informe sobre "El estado de las clases obreras en el interior del país" Template:Webarchive</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> brought more European and Middle Eastern components to the local population.
Education and standards of living
The Southern Cone is the most prosperous region in Latin America. The region has relatively high standard of living and quality of life. Chile's, Argentina's, and Uruguay's HDIs — (0.860), (0.849) and (0.830) — are the highest in Latin America, similar to European countries like Croatia, Portugal, Slovakia, Hungary or Romania.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The region has a high life expectancy, and access to health care and education.<ref name="HIRU">Template:Cite web</ref> In Uruguay, illiteracy technically does not exist.
From an economic point of view, the Southern Cone countries has been praised for being the most Libertarian and pro Free market in Latin America that gave them the profile of "emerging economies".
Crime rate is significantly lower in this region compared other countries in Latin America.
Since the return to democracy, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay have experienced significant democratic stability. After enduring military dictatorships during the 1970s and 1980s, each country transitioned to democratic governance, leading to a more open and participatory political environment.
| Country | GDP per capita (PPP)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (2015 estimates) USD |
Income equality<ref name="Gini">Template:Cite web</ref> (2015) Gini index |
Human Develop.<ref>Template:Cite web page 25–26</ref> (2014 estimates) HDI |
Environmental Perform.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (2014) EPI |
Failed States Index<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 2014 |
Lack of Corruption<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 2014 |
Economic Freedom 2015 |
Peace 2014 |
Democracy<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 15,518 | 52.7 | 0.759 (H) | 52.9 | 64.8 | 43 | 56.6 | 2.073 | 7.12 |
| Central AmericaTemplate:NoteTag | 10,502 | 49.7 | 0.678 (M) | 51.0 | 68.8 | 37 | 62.2 | 2.058 | 6.45 |
| Mexico | 18,714 | 48.1 | 0.774 (H) | 55.0 | 71.1 | 35 | 66.4 | 2.500 | 6.91 |
| South AmericaTemplate:NoteTag | 11,955 | 47.5 | 0.715 (H) | 50.3 | 76.7 | 31 | 55.0 | 2.233 | 6.01 |
| Southern ConeTemplate:NoteTag | 22,493 | 45.2 | 0.820 (VH) | 57.7 | 42.4 | 60 | 1.648 | 7.60 | 7.84 |
Politics
During the second half of 20th century, these countries were in some periods ruled by right-wing juntas, military nationalistic dictatorships. Around the 1970s, these regimes collaborated in Plan Cóndor against leftist opposition, including urban guerrillas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, by the early 1980s Argentina and Uruguay restored their democracies; Chile followed suit in 1990.
Latest presidential elections
Argentina (2023)
Template:Main Template:Election results
Chile (2021)
Template:Main Template:Election results
Uruguay (2024)
Template:Main Template:Election results
Governments
Timeline of presidents
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bar:arg text:"Argentina" bar:chi text:"Chile" bar:uru text:"Uruguay"
PlotData=
width:10 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:arg from:01/01/1950 till:16/09/1955 color:peronist bar:arg from:16/09/1955 till:01/05/1958 color:dictatorship bar:arg from:01/05/1958 till:28/06/1966 color:radical bar:arg from:28/06/1966 till:25/05/1973 color:dictatorship bar:arg from:25/05/1973 till:24/03/1976 color:peronist bar:arg from:24/03/1976 till:10/12/1983 color:dictatorship bar:arg from:10/12/1983 till:08/07/1989 color:radical bar:arg from:08/07/1989 till:10/12/1999 color:peronist bar:arg from:10/12/1999 till:23/12/2001 color:radical bar:arg from:23/12/2001 till:10/12/2015 color:peronist bar:arg from:10/12/2015 till:10/12/2019 color:radical bar:arg from:10/12/2019 till:10/12/2023 color:peronist bar:arg from:10/12/2023 till:01/01/2025 color:lla bar:chi from:03/11/1958 till:03/11/1964 color:PRN bar:chi from:03/11/1964 till:03/11/1970 color:PDC bar:chi from:03/11/1970 till:11/09/1973 color:socialist bar:chi from:11/09/1973 till:11/03/1990 color:dictatorship bar:chi from:11/03/1990 till:11/03/2000 color:PDC bar:chi from:11/03/2000 till:11/03/2010 color:socialist bar:chi from:11/03/2010 till:11/03/2014 color:PRN bar:chi from:11/03/2014 till:11/03/2018 color:socialist bar:chi from:11/03/2018 till:11/03/2022 color:PRN bar:chi from:11/03/2022 till:01/01/2025 color:socialist bar:uru from:01/01/1950 till:01/03/1951 color:colo bar:uru from:01/03/1967 till:27/06/1973 color:colo bar:uru from:27/06/1973 till:01/03/1985 color:dictatorship bar:uru from:01/03/1985 till:01/03/1990 color:colo bar:uru from:01/03/1990 till:01/03/1995 color:blanco bar:uru from:01/03/1995 till:01/03/2005 color:colo bar:uru from:01/03/2005 till:01/03/2020 color:frenteamplio bar:uru from:01/03/2020 till:01/01/2025 color:blanco</timeline>
ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:25 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:0 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1990 till:01/01/2025 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Colors =
id:centerright value:skyblue legend:Centre-right id:right value:blue legend:Right id:centerleft value:pink legend:Centre-left id:left value:red legend:Left
Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom ScaleMajor = increment:5 start:1990 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1990 BarData =
bar:arg text:"Argentina" bar:chi text:"Chile" bar:uru text:"Uruguay"
PlotData =
width:16 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:arg from:01/01/1990 till:10/12/1999 color:right text:"Menem" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:arg from:10/12/1999 till:21/12/2001 color:centerright text:"Rua" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:arg from:02/01/2002 till:25/05/2003 color:centerleft text:"D." textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:arg from:25/05/2003 till:10/12/2007 color:left text:"N. Kirchner" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:arg from:10/12/2007 till:10/12/2015 color:left text:"C. Fernández de Kirchner" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:arg from:10/12/2015 till:10/12/2019 color:centerright text:"Macri" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:arg from:10/12/2019 till:10/12/2023 color:centerleft text:"A. Fernández" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:arg from:10/12/2023 till:01/01/2025 color:right text:"M." textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:chi from:01/01/1990 till:11/03/1990 color:right bar:chi from:11/03/1990 till:11/03/1994 color:centerleft text:"Aylwin" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:chi from:11/03/1994 till:11/03/2000 color:centerleft text:"Frei" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:chi from:11/03/2000 till:11/03/2006 color:centerleft text:"Lagos" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:chi from:11/03/2006 till:11/03/2010 color:centerleft text:"Bachelet" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:chi from:11/03/2014 till:11/03/2018 color:centerleft text:"Bachelet" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:chi from:11/03/2010 till:11/03/2014 color:centerright text:"Piñera" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:chi from:11/03/2018 till:11/03/2022 color:centerright text:"Piñera" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:chi from:11/03/2022 till:01/01/2025 color:centerleft text:"Boric" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:uru from:01/01/1990 till:01/03/1990 color:centerright bar:uru from:01/03/1990 till:01/03/1995 color:centerright text:"A. Lacalle" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:uru from:01/03/1995 till:01/03/2000 color:centerright text:"Sanguinetti" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:uru from:01/03/2000 till:01/03/2005 color:centerright text:"Batlle" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:uru from:01/03/2005 till:01/03/2010 color:centerleft text:"Vázquez" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:uru from:01/03/2010 till:01/03/2015 color:centerleft text:"Mujica" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:uru from:01/03/2015 till:01/03/2020 color:centerleft text:"Vázquez" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) bar:uru from:01/03/2020 till:01/01/2025 color:centerright text:"L. Lacalle" textcolor:white mark:(line,white) </timeline>