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.

SPN 102: Hechos importantes sobre España

SPN 102: Hechos importantes sobre España

01 de Mayo, 14

1 Bella-Spanish-American War

That the war started in 1898, sue to the War of Independence in Cuba, economic reasons, yellow Journalism, and the most importantly the mysterious sinking of the battleship Maine.

The last battle which caused the Spanish fleet to flee to Cube was the one were William T. Simpson of the U.S. Navy and Theodor Roosevelt with his rough riders conquered San Juan Hill.

The Treaty of Paris was signed giving Cuba their independence and Puerto Rico and Guam were put under the U.S. control.

The Spanish- American war and How Cuba gained their Independence

The Spanish-American War started in 1898 between Spain and America. The reasons behind the war are The Cuban War for Independence, U.S. Business interests with Cuba, Yellow Journalism and most importantly, the Mysterious sinking of the Battleship Maine in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898.  In April 1898, Spain declared war on America, after months of fighting William T. Simpson of the U.S. Navy and Theodor Roosevelt and his Rough Riders attacked San Juan Hill. This made the Spanish Fleet flee from Cuba, and within weeks the Spanish-American War ended with the U.S. and Cuba being victorious. After Six more months, the U.S. met with Spain in Paris and produced the Treaty of Paris to officially end the war. Though the meeting discussed mostly Cuba and debt questions, the main concern was over the Philippines. After much deliberation, the U.S. paid 20 million dollars to the Philippines. Puerto Rico and Guam were placed under American control and Spain resigned its claim to Cuba.

These three things are very important because this is how Cuba gained their Independence from Spain.

2 Susita- Economic life of Spain

My topic was the.  My two important facts were: 1. Tourism earns a large source of revenue for Spain. 2. Largest share of Spain’s trade is done within the European Union. 

Knowing the economic life of a country is important because every country relies on its economy to determine the worth of everything.  Without a stable economy, a country will not survive well.

Title: Spain's Economy: Tourism and Crisis

Summary:

    Spain's labor force consists of agriculture, industry, and services.  One of the major sources of revenue in Spain is tourism.  The tourist industry is the greatest service responsible for income.   The amount of tourists that visit each year is almost equal to the amount of people that actually reside in Spain.

    ​Spain has been a member of the European Union since January 1, 1986.  Following its transition, Spain experienced great economic growth. In the early twenty-first century, Spain actually became one of the strongest economies in the European Union.  Shortly after, in 2008, Spain was hit hard by the global economic crisis and suffered significantly.  Unemployment rose, and banks found themselves in large amounts of debt.  In 2012, Spain had to request a bailout package from the European Union as well as the European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund.  This bailout package aided Spain in recapitalizing its banks, but Spain is still not where it was before 2008 and continues to struggle economically. 

3 Alita-Franco

Francisco Franco led a very successful military overthrow of the Spanish democratic republic.

He didn't relinquish his command till 1973 after 47 years of being in command. 

He was a important figure in history and played an important part of the dictatorship if Spain.

4 Ana- Picasso

The two most important facts, I believe, is Picasso most commonly accepted periods in his work are the Blue Period, Rose Period, and Cubism. Another important fact about Picasso is his famous art work, Guernica. 

5 Diego-Spanish Music

Francisco Franco banned everything relating to regional cultures, but after his death the freedom of their culture was restored.

The Zarzuela, is a Spanish form of opera and it still exist today. It's also considered a cultural phenomenon.

6 Raquel-Dali

Salvador Dali was Dali was born in Figueres, Cataluyna. He was born on May 11,1904 and died of heart failure on January 23, 1989. Dali was one of the most defining surrealist painters of the 20^th century. He was also influenced by many styles of the art from academically classic, through cubism, to cutting-edge avant garde.  Beyond his brilliant paintings he was also involved in sculptures, film-making and photography. Dali worked together with the famous Spanish surrealist director Luis Bunuel too, making the short film Un Chien Andalou and later l’Age d’Or. He also collaborated with Alfred Hitchkock, and worked on a Disney cartoon production called Distino. He was famous for his ability to translate dreams into artwork, “hand painted dream photographs” he called them. He also had brother; he was also named Salvador died 9 months before Dali was born. Dali, encouraged by his parents, believed he was the reincarnation of his brother, and this theme is sometimes featured in his work.  Dali was also famous for his quote, “The first man to compare the cheeks of a young women to a rose was obviously a poet; the first to repeat it was possibly an idiot.” 

Dali went a drawing school and the first exhibition of his work (a series of charcoal drawings) took place in 1917. Dali moved to Madrid to study at the School of Fine Arts, where he was also expelled. He experienced cubism, and also gained a reputation for being a bit eccentric. He painted the Persistence of Memory, one of his most famous works in 1931. Salvador produced more than 1500 paintings in his lifetime. He also numerous drawings, illustrations, sculptures, short films, books, and lithographs.

7 Boots-Federico García Lorca

My two important facts about Federico Garcia Lorca are that he is considered one of Spain's greatest poets and dramatists, and one of his most successful poetry collections was "The Gypsy Ballads". These two facts are important to know because Federico Garcia Lorca is an inspiration and an influential person not only toward Spain, but in the United States, too.

8 Maria-Don Quijote

1. It is considered one of the most influential novels in literature.
2. It was written by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra and he took many of the themes from his own life experiences.