SPN 101: Dos hechos importantes de una país hispanohablante

SPN 101: Dos hechos importantes de un país

01 de Mayo, 14

1 Sergio-Paraguay

1. The literacy rate in Paraguay is 94%.

2. 95% of the Paraguay population is Mestizo.

Paraguay relates to my life because of the fact that their economy is based on agriculture and that is like my own life. Most of their income comes from the exports they produce which all have to do with agriculture. My Grandpa owns a farm and has been raising cattle and growing and selling produce for my entire life. He makes all of his income solely on agriculture and I have helped him all of my life and this is how I can relate to Paraguay.

2 Ricardo-Chile

My two main facts on Chile was that I was impressed on the incomes on males and females and the second one was that the country was in debt at -3.39 billion dollars.

To show that how lucky we are to make the money we do and also to show that we are not the only country that is in debt. 

3 Carla- Venezuela

My country was Venezuela and my 2 important facts were that Venezuela is one of the world’s leading petroleum export countries and that Venezuela is currently protesting its government.

I think that it is important for Americans to know that Venezuela is a major petroleum export because we use oil every day, for example the gas in our cars. It is important to think about where our resources come from because every country is important in its own way and that needs to be recognized. Without petroleum we could not drive vehicles.

It is important for Americans to know that Venezuelans are protesting their government so that our government can learn from others. If we observe other faults we can learn from them and make the world a more peaceful place. We also need to be aware because if the riots get too out of hand, we may need to intervene and we will need to know what is going on in order to keep people safe.

4 Pablo-Guatemala

1. 7 out of 10 people live in poverty in rural areas.

2. Former leader of Guatemala was guilty of genocide. He's estimated he left around 200,000 people killed or gone missing.

My country is a small poor country outside of the main cities. Their former leader is in prison for genocide.

5 Alejandro-Uruguay

The country has recently voted to legalize the growing and usage of marijuana and that they have recently voted to legalize gay marriage calling it the marriage equality act. 

I believe this country would be important to present because these two facts show how they are more progressive in some areas than many other places in the world.  It would be important to bring this to people’s attention.

6. Ana Sofía-Panamá

1. 85 % of Panama citizens are Catholic

2. The Panama Canal is one of the most strategic water ways in the world.

I believe Panama is an important country to study because of the relations it has with the United States. In 1903, Panama signed a treaty with the United States that allowed the U.S to build and have complete control over the canal because Panama was not an independent country. The completion of the canal was in 1914, 100 years ago, but it took Panama over 80 years to have sole control of the canal. Because of the canal, trading between countries has never been easier. The Panama Canal is also one of the most strategic water ways in the world. To this day in history, Panama is in the process of expanding the canal and it will provide new locks and new traffic lanes which will allow capacity in the canal to be greater. This project is more than halfway done and hopes to be completed within the next few years.

7. Maria-Costa Rica

1. Education is free and every citizen is obligated to receive education by law.
2. A stable economy, democratic government, and peaceful society with no need for a military has earned Costa Rica the title "Switzerland of central America."

I think this is important to Americans so they can see other countries living so peaceful and promoting their education.

8. Rosalía-Nicaragua

1. Nicaragua had the first elected woman president of any Central America country

2. Home to the world’s only "Dual Volcano"

People need to know about this country because they are a very poor country and action needs to be taken to help with the education system.

9. Fernando-El Salvador

1. In 2012 El Salvador stopped being the country with the highest per capita murder rate in the world. In 2012 El Salvador’s murder rate dropped from 14 murders a day to around 5. The change has been attributed to a 2012 truce declared by rival Salvadoran gang leaders.

2. El Salvador relation with the U.S. They have economic and political relations. Around 1.6 million Salvadorans live in the United States. More than 19,000 American citizens live and work full-time in El-Salvador.

In my opinion this are the 2 most important facts about my research on El Salvador. The first information shows how the country is struggling with too much violence and poverty in the country. They have a lot of gangs and the country is a really dangerous country.

The second information shows how the country is trying to get better, improving their education with help of the United States, which has a good political and economic relation with El Salvador.  The fact that there are 19,000 Americans citizens who live and work full-time in El Salvador is really interesting too.

10 Alejandra-Estados Unidos

1) 22% of Hispanics are bilingual.

2) The largest minority group, making up 16.7% of the population.

These facts are important because many people in the United States do not know about other cultures, especially the second largest group in America. People in America need to learn about the Hispanic culture in the United States so we can grow and adapt together. 

11 Carmen-Colombia

Colombia provides 75% of the world’s cocaine.

The unemployment in Colombia in the summer of 2013 was estimated at 9.2%, the lowest in over a decade.

12 Miguel-Cuba

Facts on Cuba

1. The nationals literacy rate is almost universal at about 99.8 % ranks top 10 in the world.

2.  Cuba was the last major Spanish colony to gain independence: on May 20, 1902 U.S. granted Cuba independence.

I think it is important for people to know about this country because it involves a lot with America.  We helped then gain their independent from Spain.  Honestly, I think that it is important for everyone to know a little bit about every country.  The reason being is, people should know about other people's backgrounds.  This helps us respect what others are going through and what they have gone through.  This also helps us appreciate different cultures that have formed over the years of civilization.

13 Margarita Puerto Rico

1. 40% of budget for education 2. San Juan is oldest city in U.S. Territory. 

I feel that Puerto Rico would be a good country to talk about because not only is it a popular vacation area, but many athletes come from there. People should know the history and facts about where they are vacationing. They may have more respect for the athletes if they know more about where they come from.

14. David-Ecuador

1. 95% Of inhabitants are Roman Catholic

2. The founder of Amazon was rescued by the navy of Ecuador

I think these facts are important because it shows that Catholicism is very prevalent in Spanish-speaking countries. The second fact is important because it shows that while we may not agree with all of Ecuador’s policies, people are people. And the fact that the navy rescued Amazon’s founder showed their humanity.

15 Maritza- República Dominicana

25% of people are living beneath the poverty line

The president of the Dominican Republic is both the Head of State, and the Head of Government, and is Commander in Chief of the armed forces.

16 Diego México

45% of Mexicans live under the poverty line.

Nestle is spending 1 billion dollars on new factories in Mexico

I think it’s important because Mexico is our neighbor and we should do more to help improve their way of life. They have way to many people living below the poverty line. We should do more to help them besides building factories for cheaper labor, and pay them wages to make a living of off.