Unit 6: Latin America Today

Most people in Latin America live in cities. Many Latin American cities are organized around large plazas where government buildings and the largest church are usually located. Many Latin American countries have a diverse economy that includes agriculture and manufacturing. Most countries have a free market economy. Some countries in Latin America have signed free-trade agreements with other countries that end trade barriers.

After years of military dictatorships, most countries in Latin America are now democracies. Like the United States many countries are democratic federal republics with three branches of government. Voting is taken very seriously in most Latin American countries. For example, in Brazil, people from ages 18 to 70 who can read are required by law to vote.