Partido State University

Goa, Camarines Sur

A/Y 2019-2020

Culture and Identity

Of
South America

Group 1
Maricar Arpon
Rikki Mae Gavica
Jessica Romero
Cheska Diaz
Donna Talaran
BSBA-FM 2B
 SOUTH AMERICA

South America is the fourth largest continent in the world and covers an area of 6.89
million square miles. The continent is made up of 12 sovereign countries:

Columbia Bolivia Argentina Chile

Peru Uruguay Brazil Paraguay

 Venezuela Guyana Suriname Ecuador

>This continent occupies the entire southern part of the supercontinent of the Americas,
that's why is called South America. It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean from the west,
by the Atlantic Ocean from the east and north, by the Caribbean Sea from the northwest
and connected with North America in the northeast part. An overland border between
two continents stretches along the Panama-Colombian state boundary.
>In total, there are 12 independent countries and 3 dependent territories in South
America. The largest country by area and the most populated is Brazil, it occupies about
50% of the total mainland area, and more than 52% of the population live on its territory.
The smallest independent state is Suriname, it is the only nation in this region, speaking
Dutch as an official language.
>As for travel, the most visited among the South American countries are Brazil,
Argentina, and Peru, the last one is the home of the region's most famous tourist
attraction Machu Picchu, the mysterious city of the Incas.
List of South American countries and dependencies:
Among the various peoples of South America , it’ estimated that over 75% of all its
inhabitants are Roman Catholic and over half of the total population speaks Portugese,
however, among th remaining 25% of Protestants, Hindus & Muslims, the culture is
varied and incredibly strong all over the region.
The culture of South America draws on diverse cultural traditions from the continent of
South America. These include the native cultures of the peoples that inhabited the
continents prior to the arrival of the Europeans; European cultures, brought mainly by
the Spanish , the Portuguese and the French; African cultures, whose presence derives
from a long history of New World slavery; and the United States, particularly via mass
culture such as cinema and TV.
Religions
Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion (over 80% in Hispanic countries, some
65%-70% in Brazil). French Guiana also has a large number of Protestants . Guyana
and Suriname are exceptions, with three major religions:
Christianity in general, Hinduism, and Islam. In lowland South America, as well as the
Andes,
Animism and shamanism are common, as noted among the Urarina of Peruvian
Amazonia.
Languages
Portuguese and Spanish are the primary languages of the continent. The majority of
South Americans (more than 50%) speak
Portuguese . However, most South American countries are Spanish -speaking, and
nearly all of the continent's lusophones reside in Brazil.
Music
South American nations have a rich variety of music. Some of the most famous genres
include
samba from Brazil, tango from Argentina &
Uruguay, and cumbia from Colombia.
Beyond the rich tradition of indigenous art, the development of Latin American visual art
owed much to the influence of Spanish, Portuguese and French Baroque painting ,
which in turn often followed the trends of the Italian Masters.
Behavior
The same way that foreign languages feel strange to us, some everyday things in
American life can seem strange to people in different countries and vice-versa.
Something as innocent as tossing a pen can be misunderstood in Spanish culture. We
may also be offended by some innocent action or word of a Latin American. In order to
avoid misunderstandings when vacationing foreign lands, you will find a few cultural
highlights below. In Latin American it is considered impolite to toss things to each other.
If you need to give something to a native, make sure you walk over and hand it to them.
You may pick up a few slang words while visiting South America, Mexico, or Spain. Just
remember that slang words vary from region to region. For example, the slang word for
"friend" in some areas of South America is "choche" or "pana", in Central America it can
be "pasiero" or "vato" depending on the region and country. Saying the word "stupid" in
the English language is common and innocent enough. BUT in Spanish culture the
translation is very strong and offensive. Avoid using the Spanish word for stupid at all
times. Don't be offended when Latins call you a "gringo". To them the words simply
describes someone as foreign and isn't meant to degrade. The word came from war
time when American soldiers wore green uniforms. The Mexicans knew enough to say
"Green, go!" in order to express their wishes for the American soldiers to leave. This
eventually became "gringo" and is used for any stranger, especially if you have light hair
and eyes. Latin Americans will usually greet friends and relatives more personally than
do Americans. They give hugs - even the men! Men usually also greet woman with
"besitos" meaning they touch cheeks while making a kissing noise with their lips.
Woman also greet other woman with "besitos." These little kisses are purely friendly
and have no romantic meaning. When traveling abroad, bargaining for a lower price in
markets, small shops, and even for taxi rides is expected. Tourists are often given
ridiculously high prices when shopping. Bargaining is a sport and can be very
entertaining. So make sure you never accept the first bid. And remember, most things
cannot be returned. Nonverbal Communication in Latin America (hand gestures)
Nonverbal language in Spanish culture is different from nonverbal culture in the United
States. Be careful with hand gestures when visiting other countries. A thumbs-up to
someone in the United States might mean something else in a different country. For
example, the hand gesture we use for "come here," the hand palm up with the index
finger extending in and out three or four times, has a very different meaning in Latin
America. It means that you are very romantically interested in the person and is
considered a solicitation. To motion to someone in Latin America "come here" extend
your hand palm down and move all four fingers in and out together three or four times.

Latin America Facts

Latin America is a large region extending from Mexico in the north to Argentina in the
south. It's full of diversity, culture, and traditions and is known for the hospitality and
happiness of its people. Latinos are also famous for the sensuality of their dancing, for
their varied and tasteful dishes, and their beautiful tropical landscapes.
Until the 19th-century, most Latin-American countries were colonies of Spain and
Portugal. This European influence was very important and contributed to the language
and religion, as well as the culture and food. Latin America is a
Combination of European and indigenous customs and practices, along with traditions
brought by Africans to the continent during colonial times.
Let's review some quick facts:
>The region has a population of over 600 million people.
>Portuguese is spoken in Brazil, but Spanish is the main language in most Latin
American countries. However, different accents, words, and phrases create local
adaptations and identities.
>The population is a mixture of different ethnicities. The majority identify themselves as
mestizos , a mixture of European, indigenous, and African ancestors.
>Chile and Argentina are large wine producers.
>Brazil is the world's largest coffee and sugar producer.
>Colombia produces about 90% of the world's emeralds.
>Venezuelan women have won more beauty titles than any other country.
>Soccer is really popular in the region, and there is strong, passionate support for the
local and national teams.
>With so many different influences and local variations, the many traditions, foods, and
cultural elements of the entire region can be overwhelming. Therefore, an overview of
some important aspects will help in better understanding Latin-America.
Religion & Family
Catholicism is the main religion in Latin America. The religion was brought by the
Spanish conquerors and combined with native and African beliefs, giving origin to a
diversity of religious festivals. Religion is an important part of life, and individuals often
pray and light candles to specific religious figures in order to obtain specific favors.
Latino families are usually large, and it's very common for family groups to include
uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents. Latino families spend time together very often
and help raise and educate the younger members.
Machismo is common, based on the traditional perception of the role of men and
women in society, alongside a strong religious influence. It has made it difficult for
women and sexually diverse minorities to be treated as equals, although younger
generations seem to be getting over the old ideas.

EASTER TRADITION IN SOUTH AMERICA

One of the biggest changes in South America after the arrival of the Spanish colonial
forces was that the local population was introduced, forcibly in many areas, to the
Catholic Christian religion.
While Christianity may not be as strong as it once was in many areas of the world, the
Catholic tradition is still very strong in South America, both in the Portuguese speaking
Brazil and the Spanish speaking region around the rest of the continent. However,
Easter in South America has even stranger traditions than looking for chocolate eggs
laid by a giant rabbit, and here are five of the most unusual.
Colombian People Dining On Unusual Animals For An Easter Feast
Easter is one of the biggest events on the calendar, and for the people of Colombia that
means enjoying a great feast of traditional food for the event. However, because of the
time of year there is a wealth of wildlife found in many areas of Colombia, and these
animals have become associated with the traditional Easter meal in the country.
If you are invited to sit down with a Colombian family for a big Easter feast, then among
the dishes being prepared you can expect to find iguana, slider turtle and even
capybara meat, which is the largest rodent in the world.Lo

The Burning And Beating Of Judas Effigies In Brazil

In the build up to the Easter celebrations, young people in Brazil will often use straw to
make life sized effigies of Judas Iscariot, and these are usually decorated to make them
look as life-like as possible.
During the festival this effigy is then flogged, beaten and sometimes even shot with
fireworks, before the culmination of the Easter festival when the depiction of Judas is
placed on top of a large bonfire and burned.
Traveling To The Tierra Santa Theme Park In Argentina
GThe passion for religion among the people of Argentina is such that it has allowed the
opening and growth of a theme park that is entirely based around recreating the
surroundings in which Jesus Christ would have lived.
Tierra Santa is based on the historic city of Jerusalem during the Biblical period, and
during the Easter festival many people will travel to the park in Buenos Aires to see the
recreations of the Last Supper and the Trial of Jesus, and the live action retelling of the
story of the resurrection of Christ.

Agricultural Fairs And Equestrian Displays In Cusco, Peru

Cusco is one of the most vibrant cities on the continent during the Semana Santa
celebrations that take place during the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday,
and while they host the usual parades and family meals, they also have some more
unusual aspects.
With food playing an important role, the city hosts a series of agricultural fairs to allow
people to buy their food, but also the horsemen of the region prepare elaborate displays
to show off their horsemanship to the people of the city.
Spanking The Children In Paraguay
Another unusual traditions during the Easter period is that parents will gently spank their
children during Easter Sunday. It is traditional on Holy Thursday and Good Friday for
parents to be prohibited from punishing their children for any misdemeanors that they
can get up to.
This means that they will often have a few small indiscretions to be punished for, and
the parents will take them over their knee and spank them gently before the family,
while tradition dictates that they are
CUSTOMS and TRADITIONS
La Fiesta de Quinceañera – also known as a Quince Años, XV, Quinces, or La Fiesta
Rosa – is a time-honored Latin American tradition which celebrates the transition from
childhood to womanhood. These notoriously extravagant coming of age parties are
celebrated all throughout the region, with each nation observing their own unique
traditions . Let’s take a look at how different countries celebrate that coveted 15th
birthday.
 Argentina, Peru, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Uruguay
Throughout much of South America, tradition dictates the celebrant should arrive with
her father through a specially decorated door as guests line up to deliver flowers and
well-wishes.
Plenty of waltzing, eating, and drinking entail before the “Tree of Life” ceremony begins.
Here, the celebrant must deliver one lit candle to the 15 most important people in her
life. To conclude, she gives a heartwarming speech and individually acknowledges how
each recipient has had an impact on her life.
Quechua, Nahuatl, and Guarani

INSPIRING CULTURAL FESTIVAL

Carnaval – February/March – Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

The Rio Carnival is undoubtedly the most famous party in
the world and the most coveted event in the South
American social calendar. Of all the cultural festivities,
anywhere on the continent, this is the one that attracts the
most visitors from all over the world. With its roots in 1000
CE Italy, the carnival is typically held in February (just
before Lent in the Christian calendar) and this South American version is related to
other world-famous carnivals like the one held in Venice, Italy. Although celebrations
are held in other South American nations, such as Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and
Uruguay, the Rio Carnival is by far the largest, with almost two million people
participating every day for the last four days of the two-week event. Nowadays, the Rio
Carnival is the most anticipated dance-off of the year, with about 200 samba schools in
the city competing for first place. Parties brimming with hypnotic music, unbelievable
dancing, flamboyant floats, outlandish costumes, fantastic food and non-stop festivities
are held all over the Brazilian city, culminating in the Sambadrome on the last, no-holds-
barred night.

Inti Raymi –June – Cusco, Peru

On the 24th June every year, Cusco celebrates the most
famous of all pre-Columbian festivals: the Inti Raymi,
also known as the Inca Festival of the Sun. Inti was one
of the most revered gods for the ancient Incas and his
namesake festival, which first started in the early 1400s,
is aimed to honour and appease him with animal
sacrifices, opulent processions, dances, elaborate meals and multi-day festivities.

Day of the Dead – November

Ironically enough, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more
colourful and happy festival anywhere on earth, like the
Day of the Dead in South America. South Americans
take the idiom ‘gone but never forgotten’ very literally
indeed, and are renowned for putting on phenomenal
festivities to celebrate their dearly departed.
El Dia de los Muertos is closely linked to the Catholic
tradition of All Saints and All Souls Days (November 1st
and 2nd respectively) although the tradition has been
alive and well here for at least the last 3,000 years –
ever since indigenous cultures had the habit of keeping
their passed beloved’s skulls as keepsakes, decorating them and bringing them out on
special occasions to honour their memory. How lovely does that sound? Continent-
wide, people join processions to their local cemeteries where they make offerings of
particular foods and flower arrangements. The most interesting festivals are in Bolivia ,
where the ancient tradition of digging up skulls and decorating them for the day is still
very much alive.

Tango Festival – August – Buenos Aires, Argentina

Declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009, Argentina’s
beloved tango is not just ‘another dance’, but a bona fide interpretation of the heart, soul
and history of this passionate nation

South American Foods

Long before the Europeans came to South America, the native populations figured out
how to cultivate an incredible array of plants. They developed elaborate irrigation
systems and terraced the steep Andean mountain slopes to make them more suitable
for growing food. They grew corn, lima beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, chili peppers,
avocados, peanuts, and chocolate. They also raised llamas and guinea pigs. Each
region developed its own traditional dishes.

The Europeans learned to make their favorite Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese dishes
using local ingredients. The Native American traditional cooking methods were adapted
and modified, and the newly available foods from Europe were mixed in. Asian and
African immigrants brought their culinary traditions as well. All of this blended to make
this the diverse and exciting cuisine that exists today.

South America presents travelers with unforgettable culinary experiences. Whether you
favor sit-down dinners or on-the-go treats from street vendors, it’s a safe bet that no
matter which country you visit, you’ll find something to delight your taste buds. These 10
dishes are some of the most popular—and delicious—ones to try throughout the
continent.

1. Ceviche (Peru)

This popular seafood dish got its start in Peru but has become widespread throughout
the coastal regions of both South and Central America. Fresh, raw seafood (usually
some sort of white fish) is cured in citrus juice (lemon, lime, or Seville orange), spiked
with some heat from chili peppers, and garnished with onion and cilantro. If you love
sashimi, you’ll flip for this delicacy.

2. Arepas (Venezuela

This flatbread sandwich made from ground maize dough or cooked flour can be filled
with just about anything, from cheese to meat to eggs. Depending on where you go, the
number of arepa varieties on a single menu can go into the double digits! The heartier
options are sometimes eaten as a main-course, while smaller or less complex arepas
make for perfect snacks.
3. Empanadas (Argentina)

This crispy, half-moon shaped pastry has a hot, savory filling of cheese, meat, or
vegetables. In Argentina, every province has its own signature flavor. One is a snack,
but two or three can make a meal.

4. Pisco Sour (Chile, Peru)

The Pisco Sour is a popular cocktail throughout South America, but it’s the national
drink of both Chile and Peru. It is made with pisco, a brandy produced in both Chile and
Peru, mixed with egg whites, Angostura bitters, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice.
Variations on the Pisco Sour incorporate different fruit juices that change up the flavor.
5. Yerba Maté (Argentina)

This tea made from the leaves of the South American rainforest holly tree is insanely
popular in Argentina, where you’ll see just about everyone carrying around their own
metal cup and straw filled with this invigorating, caffeinated brew. Maté is an acquired
taste, but the drink is addictively tasty once you get used to it.

6. Pastel (Brazil)

Thinner than an empanada, the pastel is another crispy pastry stuffed with an
assortment of ingredients. Popular fillings of these delicious fried pies included melted
cheese, ground meat, hearts of palm, and small shrimp. Though pastel is usually a
savory treat, it’s possible to find sweet varieties filled with things like guava jam or
chocolate.
7. Dulce de Leche (Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil)

The lusciously sweet dulce de leche is a popular confection that’s incorporated into
many South American desserts. The milky caramel is made by simmering milk, sugar,
and sometimes with vanilla, and served with everything from donuts and muffins to
toast. It can be hard to find outside of South America, and many visitors who try it for
the first time are instantly hooked. Be sure to bring some home to satisfy those post-
vacation cravings! (Just pack it securely in your carry-on bag, of course.)

8. Brigadeiros (Brazil)

The brigadeiro is a chocolate truffle or bonbon native to Brazil. These delightful morsels
are made from condensed milk, powdered chocolate, and butter, and covered with
chocolate sprinkles—a chocoholic’s dream!
9. Platanos Fritos (All of South America)

Fried plantains, or platanos fritos, are a quintessential South American delight. The soft
texture just about melts in your mouth, and the crumbly burnt bits are beyond delicious.
These delicious treats can be found pretty easily throughout South America.

10. Chorizo (Argentina)

Argentina is a nation of unabashed carnivores, but chorizo stands out as one of the
country’s most delicious meats. You can find this sausage on the menu at just about
any Argentine restaurant, as well as tempting you with its inimitable smoky scent at
every street stall. Chorizo has made its way around the world at this point, but don’t
miss the chance to try it in its native land.
Culture and clothing – South America
Perhaps not as well covered as their northern counterparts, the South American
continent is home to extremely diverse and rich cultures. They have Spanish,
Indigenous and African influences due to migration patterns over the last few centuries;
nevertheless, each culture puts their own spin that makes their clothing unique to
others. Below are some of these interesting and rather eye-catching pieces from this
region.

1. Chamanto

The chamanto is a key piece of clothing for

Chilean men. Similar to a poncho in style, it
is woven with a silk thread and wool, where
its entire contour is finished with a ribbon
edging. A key difference between ponchos
and chamantos lie in their reversibility; a
chamanto is fully finished on both sides.
Making a chamanto also requires great
diligence due to the detail and
exquisiteness involved in weaving silk and
wool, alongside the intricate design
sketched by the threading. Usually,
chamantos feature the copihues, Chile’s
national flower, blackberries, barley and wheat ears, fuchsias etc.; any flora or fauna
that represents the Chilean climate. It has also particular notoriety when they were worn
by all 21 leaders at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation in 2004 as the official photo.

2. Pollera

Translated as “Skirt”, this big, one-piece skirt

is seen and used in many traditional festivals
and folklore throughout Spanish-speaking
Latin America. They can be made from a
variety of materials (although cotton and wool
tends to be most popular), and are often
embroidered with colourful decorations with
flowers and animals as common designs.
Somewhere between the 16th and 17th
century, polleras, a form of Spanish colonial
dress, were enforced on the indigenous
population in the Andes by hacienda owners.
Over the years, polleras stuck as tradition and
became associated with indigenous and
folkloric forms of dress.
3. Huipil

Probably the most common traditional piece

you would see! It is usually worn by
indigenous people in Mexico, and consists of a
loose-fitting tunic made from 2-3 rectangular
pieces of fabric joined together through
stitching, ribbons and fabric strips. They range
from traditional ones (which can be extremely
elaborate) to more commercial ones where
they would be made out of commercial
materials.
This distinctive dress is native to the people of
Mexico, and is worn from the very rich, to the
very poor. They have an interesting history;
they endured the Spanish colonisation, but
evolved to incorporate elements from parts of
Europe and other regions. It is made from
cloth, usually accompanied by a backstrap loom.

You’ll find that most Argentine people tend to dress up a little more than what you might
be used to back home. You will see young men wearing jeans and t-shirts or soccer
jerseys, but you’ll also see a lot of people in nice pants and dressy shoes. Women tend
to wear very feminine clothing, even if they’re wearing jeans, and they don’t tend to
wear sneakers. Most people get very dressed up to go out at night, and you will
probably want to, as well.

If you want to fit in a little better with your Argentine peers, don’t wear athletic-looking
sweat suits or your pajamas. Nice, fitted clothing is what most people wear, and that is a
sure way to blend in as best you can. Of course, as with everywhere in the world, you’ll
find people who dress differently, maybe more “punk” or more sporty. The main thing
that you might want to avoid is dressing like a “typical foreigner,” in baggy jeans and
sneakers every day—at least until you get a better idea of how comfortable you are in
your new environment and with your new friends.
How Do People Dress in Brazil – Brazilian Fashion
Brazilians love clothing that burst with lovely bright colors and attires that display
attractive cuts and patterns. The fashion usually places a lot of emphasis on appropriate
accessories as well. While the overall trend leans towards unisex apparels, Brazilian
fashion is dictated by the region you’re in.
Residents in Rio greatly favor casual clothing. People in places like Sao Paolo have
eccentric ways of dressing up. In the northern part of the country, trousers are not a part
of women’s fashion. Shorts and stylish tops are the general favorites.
The general population in many places in Brazil, including senior citizens, prefer to wear
smart looking attire. You can usually spot several elderly women walking in miniskirts.
Nice sandals that go along with their dresses are typically worn by most Brazilian
women. Young Brazilian women love to wear figure-hugging jeans and tops.

There is no place for soft or dull colors in the Brazilian fashion circle. T-shirts with
western designs, logos and phrases are well-accepted. Since Brazil is a country of long
sandy beaches, beachwear has become one of the popular attires. Wearing scanty
clothing is acceptable in beaches everywhere in the country.

Chileans dress cleanly and neatly, with men usually wearing jackets regardless of the
weather and women wearing suits and dresses when conducting business; it is
acceptable to show bare legs when wearing a dress in Chile. Men usually wear dark
suits when attending business meetings. In general, Chileans are fond of sophisticated
European styles when it comes to clothing, and women usually do not prefer clothes
that are sexy or revealing.

To most Chileans, appearance is important. It is common for them to dress cleanly and
neatly for all occasions. Conservative apparel is preferred.

Generally, visitors to Chile should dress formally and conservatively if visiting on

business. Women should wear a business suit in blue or gray with low-heeled shoes.
Men should wear gray or blue suits with conservative ties and plain white shirts. Bright
clothing or clothing that attracts attention is usually frowned upon in the Chilean
business sector. If jewelry is worn, keep it understated and low-key.
ARGENTINA’S GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

How is government structured?

 The government of Argentina is a democratic system divided into three

branches: the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary.

 The National Congress is essentially the legislative branch of the

government – it is made up of the Senate (72 seats), which is overseen by the
Vice-President, and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats), currently presided-
over by the deputy for the Buenos Aires province. In the Argentine
governmental system, senators hold their posts for six years, while
deputies remain in office for four.

 Senators and deputies are elected to the National Congress from each of the
provinces in the country, as well as from Buenos Aires, which is an autonomous
city. Senators represent their districts, while deputies speak for the people of
Argentina as a whole. Deputies are elected in proportion to the size of the
province they represent, while each province nominates just three senators (two
for the majority, one for the minority). Re-elections for each chamber of
government are permitted as many re-elections as they require.

 The 24 electoral districts elect one half of their lower chamber representatives
every two years; senators are also elected every two years, with districts grouped
into three sets of eight, one of which nominates all three senators (two majority,
one minority). After six years, the same group of eight districts holds its next
round of senatorial elections.

 Each province (with the exception of Buenos Aires) is divided into smaller
districts called departments, which are in turn divided into municipalities.

Who’s in charge?

 Executive Branch of the Argentinian government - the Head of State and

President (one individual), who is vested with power from the Administration to
see to the interests of the country and lead the Government. The Head of
State/President also holds the title of Chief of the Argentine Armed Forces.
  The cabinet who serve on the Executive are appointed by the President, though
they are not technically included as part of the Executive authority.

 Legislative branch-The Vice President serves as president of the Senate

 Judicial Branch - is made up of a combination of federal judges and others

with responsibility for different jurisdictions, as well as a Supreme Court
composed of nine members (a President, a Vice-President, and seven Ministers).

BOLIVIA’S GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

How is government structured?

 Bolivia, a landlocked country located in South America, carries out its

government via a presidential representative democratic republic.

 The system of government in Bolivia is divided into the following branches:

legislative, executive, judicial, and electoral.

 This country is divided into 9 geographical departments, which are administered

by governors. These governors were previously appointed by the President of
Bolivia, however, since 2005, the decision has been given to the public via
popular vote elections.

Who’s in charge?

 Under this political framework, the President is both the Head of State and the
Head of Government.

 Executive Branch- The is led by the President, who is elected by popular

vote to serve a 5-year term. During presidential elections, a candidate must
 earn a majority vote in order to take office. If that does not happen, Congress will
choose a president out of the two most popular candidates of those running.

 Executive Cabinet is made up of the heads of each of the ministries (the

Ministers). These ministries include the Ministry of: Foreign Affairs, Defense,
Government, Education, Autonomy, Economy and Finance, Justice, and Health
(to name a few). It is the responsibility of the President and the Ministers to carry
out the laws passed by the legislative branch of government.

 Legislative Branch- The legislative branch is made up of the Chamber of

Senators and the Chamber of Deputies. The Chamber of Senators consists of
36 members, who are elected into office based on proportional representation of
a list of specific political parties. Each senator is elected to serve a 5-year
term.

 The Chamber of Deputies consists of 130 representatives. Of these seats, 70 are

elected by their district, 63 are elected in the same manner as senators, and 7
are elected by indigenous people of the majority of departments of Bolivia.

 Judicial Branch- The legal system employed here is based on Spanish Law
(the previous colonizers) and Napoleonic Code. Legal decisions take place
throughout a number of courts, including: the departmental and lower courts, the
Agrarian and Environmental Tribune, the Judiciary Council, the Constitutional
Tribunal, and the Supreme Court. Congress appoints the Supreme Court judges
to serve 10-year terms

 Electoral Branch- The electoral branch, also known as the Plurinational

Electoral Organ, was enacted in 2010 to replace the National Electoral Court. It
is considered an independent arm of the national government system. It is made
up of electoral notaries, election table juries, electoral judges, 9 Departmental
Electoral Tribunals, and the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. This branch of
government is responsible for managing the election processes
throughout the country.

BRAZIL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

How is government structured?

  The Federal Government of Brazil, known as the União, is the national
central government of the country, centered from the nation's capital city of
Brasília.

 The government of Brazil is considered a federal representative democratic

republic, under a presidential system.

 Federal government, also known as União, which is divided into 3 branches:

the executive, the legislative, and the judicial.
 The President of Brazil is elected by the general population to serve a 4-year
term, limited to 2 consecutive terms. However, a President who has served two
consecutive terms may run for office in the future with a lapse of 4 years. The
person in this office is in charge of the executive branch of government and is the
Commander-in-Chief of the military forces. The President appoints members to
the Cabinet and judges to the Supreme Court. The judge appointments must be
approved by the Senate. The President is also able to propose new laws to the
National Congress or enact provisional laws in cases of emergency. These
provisional laws are effective for between 60 and 120 days and Congress can
vote to make them permanent laws. In addition to the domestic duties of the
office, the President also represents Brazil in international affairs.

Who’s in charge?

 Executive Branch- The executive branch of government is headed by the

President and administered by the Cabinet of Ministers. These members are
appointed by and can be dismissed by the President. The Cabinet consists of the
Chief of Staff, Secretary of Government, Institutional Security Cabinet, Central
Bank, and 21 Ministries.
 Legislative Branch- The legislative branch of government is administered by
the National Congress and is responsible for writing and approving new laws.
The Federal Senate and the Chamber of Deputies make up the National
Congress. The Federal Senate is made up of 81 members, 3 representatives
from each of the states and federal districts.
 The Chamber of Deputies consists of 513 members, who are elected based on
proportional representation (the population size of their specific state or federal
district). These individuals serve 4-year elected terms.
 Judicial Branch- The judicial branch of government is designed based on a
civil law adversarial system, which means that cases are tried before an
unbiased group of people (like a jury).
  The courts are divided into different jurisdictions throughout state and
federal governments with some specially designated courts, including: Labor
Justice, Electoral Justice, and Military Justice.

 The two highest level courts are: the Superior Justice Tribunal and the
Supreme Federal Court. The Superior Justice Tribunal hears cases when two
or more Federal Regional Tribunals have ruled differently on the same federal
laws or when a Federal Regional Tribunal rules in violation of a federal law. The
Supreme Federal Court hears cases when a Federal Regional Tribunal rules in
violation of the Constitution.

CHILE GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

How is government structured?

 Chile is a representative democratic republic. In addition, the National

Congress is divided into the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. This branch of
government carries out legislative power and shares executive power with the
President. A separate judiciary branch carries out matters of legal concern. In
2005, the President amended the Constitution in order to reduce presidential
terms to 4 years with no immediate re-election and to eliminate appointed
senators and senators in lifelong terms.
 The system of government in Chile is divided into the following branches:
legislative, executive, and judicial.

Who’s in charge?

 Executive Branch- Under the executive branch, the President is responsible for
carrying out the administration of government affairs, which includes
endorsing and officially declaring new laws. The President appoints Governors of
the 53 provinces and Intendants of the 15 regions. The Presidential authority also
allows for appointment and removal of Cabinet Ministers
.
 Legislative Branch- As previously mentioned, the National Congress carries
out the legislative duties of the country by drafting and amending laws. This
 branch also works to ensure that laws are carried out by the government.
Members were elected by a binomial voting system, which gave two
representative seats to each district based on the party with majority votes and
the runner-up. This system kept two parties in power: the New Majority and
the Alliance. This system changed with the electoral reform movement of 2015.

 Judicial Branch- The judicial branch acts independently of the executive and
legislative branches of government. It consists of a Supreme Court, Court of
Appeals, Constitutional Tribunal, and military courts. The Supreme Court is
the last and highest court in the nation. The Court provides the Senate with a list
of potential judges from which the President makes appointments. The legal
system is based on Roman Law, originating in Europe and based on a set of
codified principles. The Civil Code of Chile was created in 1855 and borrows
from Spanish law

Colombia GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

How is government structured?

 Colombia is a republic where the government has separate executive,

legislative, and judicial branches.

Who’s in charge?

 The executive branch of Colombia is made up of the President, Vice

President, Council of Ministers, and Administrative Departments.

 The person in this position is responsible for appointing and removing Ministers
to the Cabinet. The President may also sign acts, but only with a
recommendation from the Ministers, who would then be responsible for
administering the act.

 The President also works with the governors of each Department (similar to a
Province) within the country to ensure proper administration of the government.
These governors are also elected by the general population and once in office,
they appoint a Department level Cabinet.
  Legislative Branch- The legislative branch of government in Colombia is
responsible for enacting laws and policies. This is carried out by the bicameral
Congress, which is made up of the Senate and the House of
Representatives. The 102 Senate members and the 166 Representatives are
elected by the general population to serve a 4-year term.

 Judicial Branch- The responsibility of the judicial branch of government is to

make sure all citizens have justice under the law and to provide courts through
which to resolve the conflict. Colombia has 1 jurisdiction and 4 High Courts to
oversee legal interpretation. The High Courts of this country include the Council
of State, the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, and the Superior Court of
Judicature. The following types of cases are seen in these courts: penal,
disciplinary, administrative, constitutional, ordinary, military, and peace.
Indigenous issues are addressed by special indigenous jurisdictions.

 The Lower Courts are divided among various judicial districts. Each district has a
Superior Tribunal that is administered by 3 judges, appointed by the Supreme
Court. These courts oversee the Civil Municipal courts within their particular
district. Other courts within the judicial branch include Regional Circuit Courts,
Administrative Tribunals, and 1 Superior Military Tribunal.

ECUADOR GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

How is government structured?

 Ecuador has a multi-party system, and is governed by a four-yearly elected

presidential, unicameral representative democratic government.

 The Republic of Ecuador is a multi-party state governed by a a president and

a unicameral parliament elected on a four-year term The president and the
legislators may be re-elected while Suffrage is universal and compulsory for
literate people aged 18 to 65.

 The government of Ecuador is composed of; executive, legislative, judicial,

electoral and the Transparency And Social Control Branch
Who’s Incharge?

 The Executive Branch- The executive branch of the government of Ecuador is

headed by the president who is for a four-year term with a possibility or re-
election but only once. The president is responsible for a public administration
which includes the appointment of government officials like national coordinators,
the cabinet, ambassadors, and high commissioners among other appointments.

 The legislative branch of the government of Ecuador is embodied by the

national assembly which consists of 130 assemblypersons.

 Judicial Branch-The Judicial Council is the main Ecuador’s judiciary and is

made up of the National Court of Justice, Provincial Courts, and the Lower
Courts. The Judicial Council makes the legal representation in Ecuador.

 The National Court of Justice is made up of twenty-one judges who are elected
to a nine-year term and are renewed by thirds every three years.

 Electoral Branch- The electoral system of Ecuador comes to play every four
years, during a referendum or when an election occurs. The main functions of the
electoral branch are to organize, conduct, and control elections and punish those
who infringe on the electoral laws.

 The National Electoral Council is made up of seven members drawn from

political bodies with most votes and enjoys financial and administrative
autonomy. The National Electoral Council and the Electoral Court form the
Electoral Branch.

 Transparency And Social Control Branch- The transparency and social

control promote transparency and controls plan publicly as well as device ways
of combating corruption and promoting accountability in the country. This branch
of government is made up of Council of Citizens Participation and Social Control,
the Comptroller General, the Ombudsman, and the Superintendent who hold the
office for five years.

GUYANA GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

How is government structured?

  Guyana is a presidential representative democratic republic.

 The Constitution of Guyana is the republic’s supreme law and spells out
the powers and branches of the government.

 According to the Constitution of Guyana, the President of Guyana is the head

of government, the head of state and the commander-in-chief of the
Republic’s armed forces. The Presidency is an elective post where an elected
president serves a maximum of two consecutive 5-year terms.

 Administrative Units Of Guyana-The country is divided into ten administrative

units of geographical constituencies. Each of these constituencies is headed by a
chairman of a regional democratic council. These administrative units are further
divided into smaller sub-units known as village and city councils.

 Guyana is a republic where the government has separate executive, national

assembly, and judicial branches.

Who’s Incharge?

 In the executive, the President’s role is to supervise various ministries and

the respective ministers who head them.

 The National Assembly is the arm of government mandated to create laws.

 The Prime Minister is the Executive’s official representative in the National

Assembly and is responsible for looking into government interests in the National
Assembly.

 The national assembly also hosts two Chief Whips; one from the ruling party and
the other from the opposition

 Judiciary Of Guyana- The Judiciary’s primary role is the administration of justice

and has the Court of Appeal is the highest judicial body. The Court of Appeal is
headed by the chancellor of the judiciary who is appointed by the President. The
next body in the Judiciary is the High Court which is led by the Chief Justice who
is also appointed by the President. The Constitution grants the Judiciary
impartiality and independence from all other arms of government.
PARAGUAY GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

How is government structured?

 Paraguay is a presidential representative republic which gained

independence from Spain on May 14, 1811 and has had six constitutions since.
 The President exercises the executive power whereas the legislative power is
bestowed in the two National Congress chambers. Judicial power is bestowed on
a nine members Supreme Court of Justices, the Courts of Civil Law, and
Tribunals.
 Paraguay is a republic where the government has separate executive,
legislative, and judicial branches.

Who’s Incharge?

 The President of Paraguay is the head of the government as well as the

head of the state.

 Executive Branch- The President of Paraguay is the head of the government as

well as the head of the state.

 The president is elected by a popular vote and serves a single term of five years.

 Once the President of Paraguay has served a term to completion, the

Constitution grants them the position of Senator for life where they are allowed to
speak but not vote.

 Legislative Branch-Paraguay has a bicameral National Congress made up of

the Chamber of Deputies which consists of 80 members elected through
proportional representation to serve a five-year term. The Chamber of Senators
comprises of 45 members and is also elected through proportional
representation.

 Judicial Branch- The Supreme Court of Paraguay is the highest court in the
country. The President together with the senate selects the nine members of the
Supreme Court through a recommendation process from a Magistrates Council.

 The Supreme Court is the highest court in the country. There are also lower
courts which include the military courts, Appellate courts, the courts of the first
instance, minor courts, and the justices of the peace.
PERU GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

How is government structured?

 Peru is a presidential representative democratic republic with a multi-party

system.

 It follows the principle of separation of powers and independence of its three

branches: the executive, legislature, and the judiciary.

Who’s Incharge?

 The president is the highest representative of the executive while the National
Congress is Unicameral. The members are elected every five years through a
universal, secret and direct vote. The current government system was created by
the Constitution of Peru in 1993.
 Executive Branch- The President is the head of state and head of
government who is tasked with the responsibility of appointing the Prime
Minister and the Cabinet or council of ministers among others.
 The law does not allow the President to contest two successive elections. Close
relatives are also barred by law from succeeding the President.
 Some of the requirements to be a cabinet minister include current citizenship to
the country, 25 years of age and above and being born in the country.
 Legislative Branch-The legislative power of the country is vested in the 130-
member body. They are elected every five years in office on proportional
representation. The candidates must be Peruvian citizens, have attained or
passed 25 years of age and must have never had their voting rights suspended
for any reason.
 Judiciary Branch- The system is made up of a hierarchical system of courts
with the Supreme Court at the apex.
 The Supreme Court has 16 judges each charged with three specific divisions.
They are the criminal, civil, constitutional and the social sector. Next to it are the
28 superior courts that more or less conform to the 25 regions of the country.
Next to it are the 195 courts of trial which have jurisdictions over each province.
 The lowest courts in the system are called courts of peace that have control over
each district. They are tasked with mediation and dispute resolution.

SURINAME GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

How is government structured?

 Suriname is a parliamentary representative democratic republic.

 Today, the government of Suriname is administered under a
parliamentary representative democracy, which means that individuals
are elected to represent the general population.
 The government here is led by an elected President and divided into 3
branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

Who’s Incharge?

 Suriname is a parliamentary representative democratic republic with the

President as the head of state and head of government.

 Executive Branch- The President of Suriname serves as the Head of State,

Head of Government, Head of the Council of State, Head of the National Security
Council, and Commander in Chief of the military. The person in this position is
elected for a 5-year term by the members of the National Assembly and must
receive a two-thirds minimum vote. If a two-thirds vote is not achieved on 2
separate occasions, the United People’s Assembly will vote for the President and
Vice President with a simple majority required.

 Legislative Branch- The Vice President is responsible for ensuring that the
Ministers carry out the duties and regulations set forth by the National Assembly.

 Judicial Branch- The judicial branch of government is headed by the President

and Vice President of the High Court of Justice (similar to a Supreme Court).

 The Public Prosecutions Office also makes up this branch

  The head of the Public Prosecutions Office is the Procurator General, who
represents the country in court proceedings. The person in this position also
directs police officers in order to prevent and identify crime.

URUGUAY GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

How is government structured?

 Uruguay is a presidential representative democratic republic.

 Besides, Uruguay is a multi-party state and the country’s President exercises the
executive powers. The country's Judiciary system is an independent branch of
government.

 The government here is led by an elected President and divided into 3

branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

Who’s Incharge?

 Executive Branch- The president of Uruguay is both the head of government

and head of state who is elected to serve a term of five years through popular
vote.
 Legislative Branch- Uruguay has a bicameral parliamentary system known as
the General, which comprises of the Chamber of Senators (Camara de
Senadoras) and the Chamber of Representatives (Camara de Representantes).
The Chamber of Senators has 31 members 30 of whom are elected to serve for
a term of five years with proportional representation.
 Judicial Branch- The legal system in Uruguay follows a civil law based on the
Spanish civil code. The highest court in Uruguay is the Supreme Court of justice
which has 5 judges. The judges are nominated by the president and are
appointed by the General Assembly. The Judges serve for a 10-year terms and
reelection after a lapse of 5 years following the lapse of the previous term. Other
subordinate courts include the court of appeal, district courts, peace courts, and
rural courts.
VENEZUELA GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

How is government structured?

 Venezuela is a federal presidential republic

 The government here is led by an elected President and divided into 3
branches: executive, legislative, judicial, Citizens Branch,and Electoral.

Who’s Incharge?

 Executive Branch- The president serves as the administrative head of

government and state as well. Venezuela elects its president through a plurality
vote where the president-elect serves for a six-year term.
 Legislative Branch - The National Assembly exercises legislative powers and
has 165 seats. The Assembly members are elected every five years through a
popular vote.
 Venezuela has had both the unicameral and bicameral systems. The current
National Assembly was formed after the elections December 6, 2015, and it is a
unicameral federal legislature.
 Judicial Branch- The Supreme Tribunal of Justice heads the judiciary. The
holders of these offices meet in specialized chambers or plenary sessions. The
national assembly of Venezuela elects the 32 justices to serve a 12-year term.
Other courts acting in this branch are the district and municipal courts, and the
first instance courts.
 Citizens Branch- This office ensures that all citizens and government officials of
Venezuela follow the laid down laws. The branch consists of the Prosecutor
General, the Ombudsperson (the People’s Defender), and the Comptroller
private. These officials play the Republican Moral Council role, bound to
submitting actions they deem criminal especially those pertaining violation of the
constitution. Holders of these offices are usually elected by the National
Assembly to serve for a 7-year term.
 Electoral Branch-The National Electoral Council called the Consejo Electoral
Nacional oversees all elections. The national assembly elects its five principal
members to serve a seven-year term. The council functions in registering eligible
voters, overseeing polling places, counting votes, presiding over appeals brought
forth by lower electoral boards and settles controversies among parties. The
constitution does not allow any political party to have a majority held in the
council. Tibisay Lucena is the current President of the Electoral Council.

FRENCH GUIANA GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

 French Guiana’s chief of state is the President of France who appoints

a prefect to represent head the region. The prefect resides at the
prefecture building situated in Cayenne. The Prefect handles various
duties as the representative of the state in the local government. The
prefect ensures that police and gendarmerie forces coordinate effectively,
handles major crises, and determines emergency defense procedures.
The prefect further oversees relief operations and decides when to
evacuate zones at risk from natural disasters. He/she is responsible for
legal documents including driving licenses, passports, identity cards, and
immigration documents.
 French Guiana is an overseas department of France. The government
of France, therefore, governs the provisions and the affairs of the French
Guiana Government. Under the control of the French government, is the
Guianese Local Government.
 Two elected officials represent the French Guianese in the National
Assembly and in the Senate of France.

 General And Regional Councils Of French Guiana-The General

Council is one of French Guiana’s executive bodies. 19 members sit in the
institution for six-year terms after being elected by popular vote. The
council is headed by a President. A further 31 members are elected to the
Regional Council for six-year terms, and it is also headed by a President.
 Politics In French Guiana-The territory’s politics features the Guianese
Socialist Party as the key player, and it maintains close links with the
Socialist Party in France. The Guianese Party has 29 seats in the
Regional Council and three in the General Council. French Guiana is
represented by two elected senators in the French Senate. The current
ones are from the Guianese Socialist Party namely Jean-Étienne
Antoinette and Georges Patient. Other parties which feature in Guiana’s
politics are the Union for a Popular Movement which has seven seats in
the Regional Council and three in the General Councils and Walwari
which has one member in the General Council and seven in the Regional
Council. French Guiana is represented by two deputies in the National
Assembly of France.
 FALK ISLAND’S GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

 The Islands are widely considered an 'Overseas British Territory', and the
constitutional status of the islands, with supreme authority vested in HM the
Queen, reflects this status. The Islands are governed by a Governor appointed
by the Crown, aided by an elected executive and legislative council, in
accordance with the Falkland Islands constitution.
 Islands have remained under UK administration with a largely English speaking
population living on the Islands ever since.
 A parliamentary dependency-, democratic form of government in which the
party (or a coalition of parties) with the greatest representation in
the parliament (legislature) forms the government, its leader becoming prime
minister or chancellor. Executive functions are exercised by members of the
parliament appointed by the prime minister to the cabinet. The parties in the
minority serve in opposition to the majority and have the duty to challenge it
regularly. Prime ministers may be removed from power whenever they lose
the confidence of a majority of the ruling party or of the parliament.
 Parliamentary dependency under constitutional monarchy .

SOUTH GEORGIA AND THE SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS (UK)

GOVERNMENT SYSTEM

 South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands is a British Overseas

Territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean
 Dependency under constitutional monarchy- a system of government
in which a country is ruled by a king and queen whose power is limited
by a constitution
 OVERVIEW OF THE UK SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

The United Kingdom is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch. A king

or queen is the head of state, and a prime minister is the head of government. The
people vote in elections for Members of Parliament (MPs) to represent them.

Constitution
The United Kingdom doesn't have a single, written constitution (a set of rules of
government). But this doesn't mean that the UK has an ‘unwritten constitution’.
In fact, it is mostly written – but instead of being one formal document, the British
constitution is formed from various sources including statute law, case law made by
judges, and international treaties.
There are also some unwritten sources, including parliamentary conventions and royal
prerogatives.

Monarchy
Politics in the United Kingdom takes place within the framework of a constitutional
monarchy, in which the monarch (Queen Elizabeth II) is head of state and the prime
minister is the head of the UK government.

Prime Minister and Cabinet

The Cabinet is a formal body made up of the most senior government ministers chosen
by the prime minister. Most members are heads of government departments with the
title 'Secretary of State'.
Formal members of the Cabinet are drawn exclusively from the House of Commons and
the House of Lords.

Parliamentary democracy
The UK is a parliamentary democracy. This means that:

 members of the government are also members of one of the two Houses of
Parliament (the House of Commons and the House of Lords) – although there are
rare exceptions to this rule
 government is directly accountable to Parliament – not only on a day-to-day basis
(through parliamentary questions and debates on policy) but also because it owes
its existence to Parliament: the governing party is only in power because it holds a
majority in the House of Commons, and at any time the government can be
dismissed by the Commons through a vote of ‘no confidence’
Parliamentary sovereignty
The UK Parliament is a ‘sovereign parliament’ – this means that the legislative body has
‘absolute sovereignty’, in other words it is supreme to all other government institutions,
including any executive or judicial bodies.
This stems from there being no single written constitution, and contrasts with notions of
judicial review, where, if the legislature passes a law that infringes on any of the basic
rights that people enjoy under their (written) constitution, it is possible for the courts to
overturn it.
In the UK, it is still Parliament (and not the judges) that decides what the law is. Judges
interpret the law, but they do not make the law.
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