Global IssuesInternational OrganisationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustraliaCaribbeanEuropeLatin AmericaLatin America strategyNewsMiddle EastNorth AmericaPacific
Latin America, stretching from the Antarctic regions of Chile in the south to Mexico in the north, is an increasingly important and dynamic part of the world. Its population is expected to reach 625 million people by 2015, its politics are increasingly democratic, and it looks set to develop into an economic powerhouse. New Zealand has well-established ties to a number of Latin American countries but there is potential to develop much broader links in the future.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade produces and maintains information papers for certain countries and territories throughout the world. The papers countain information on the bilateral relationship and also general information on the country or territory as well as links to related information on other government websites.
New Zealand has well-established links to a number of Latin American countries, particularly trading links. New Zealand also cooperates with Latin American countries in a range of international organisations, including the United Nations, APEC, FEALAC, and the WTO.
The New Zealand Government refreshed the Latin America Strategy in May 2010. The Strategy focuses on expanding and deepening New Zealand’s links with Latin America, especially to maximise the economic opportunities for New Zealand in the region and to strengthen political and foreign policy engagement.
Read the report: "The Refreshed Latin America Strategy: One Year Later" [PDF, 195kb] about the NZ Inc developments in the implementation of this re-freshed Strategy for the 2010-11 financial year.
The Safe Travel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Central and South America [external link].
[1] The Pan-American Highway (Spanish: Carretera Panamericana) is a network of roads measuring about 47,958 kilometers (29,800 miles) in total length. Except for an 87 kilometers (54 mi) rainforest break, called the Darién Gap, the road links the mainland nations of the Americas in a connected highway system. According to Guinness World Records, the Pan-American Highway is the world's longest "motorable road". However, because of the Darién Gap, it is not possible to cross between South America and Central America by traditional motor vehicle. Photo courtesy of Igor Alecsandre.
