How is Latin America shaping the global community?

Latin America is a cultural region spanning Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America. As such, it has a population of 562.96 million or approximately 8% of the world's population. It also has a combined GDP of approximately US$6.84 trillion, or 8.2% of the world's GDP.

This region is often overshadwed by its powerful northern neighbor, the United States, but several of these countries are known emerging markets, with the possibility of becoming industrialized nations within the next generation. Some examples include Argentina (GDP Per capita of US$17,554), Chile (US$17,310), Mexico (US$15,909), Panama (US$15,588) and Uruguay (US$15,078).

As more and more of these countries become emerging powers, they will become more assertive, and will start to shape international politics; in fact Mexico and Brazil already do, as these two countries represent 50-60% of the region's population and economy and have become more participative in international forums, such as the G-20, the United Nations or the World Bank. For example, both Mexico and Brazil have become net contributors (i.e: no more just receptors) of payments to the United Nations.