Sunday, December 15, 2013

The Lusosphere

What is the Lusosphere?  It is the world of Portuguese speaking countries.  What is interesting about it is that they all seem to be economically dynamic.  The line between "mother country" and "colony" is blurred, since the colonized countries want to maintain ties.  These are the main countries:

1. Portugal.  Capital: Lisbon. Pop. 10.5 million. GDP/person (PPP) $22,900.  Currency: euro. Portugal is in a recession, with GDP growth of -3.2%.

2. Brazil.  Capital: Brasilia. Pop. 201 million. GDP/person (PPP) $12,100.  Currency: real (about 2.3 BRL to 1 USD).  Largest city: Sao Paulo.  GDP growth: 0.9%.  The Olympics will be held in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

3. Macau. Pop. 600,000. GDP/person (PPP) $82,400.  Currency: pataca (pegged to the HK dollar, about 7.8 MOP to 1 USD).  GDP growth: 10%.  The economy is based largely on tourism and gambling.

4. Angola. Capital: Luanda. Pop. 18.5 million. GDP/person (PPP) $6,300. Currency: Angolan kwanza (AOA), about 97.5 AOA to 1 USD. GDP growth: 8.4%.  The economy is based largely on oil and diamonds.

5. Mozambique. Capital: Maputo. Pop. 24 million. GDP/person (PPP) $1,200. Currency: metical. GDP growth: 7.5%.

6. Goa (state of India). Capital: Panjim.  Pop. 1.5 million.  GDP/person (PPP) $10,000.  Currency: Indian Rupee.  GDP growth: 8%.

7. East Timor. Capital: Dili. Pop. 1.2 million. GDP/person (PPP) $10,000. Currency: US dollar. GDP growth: 10%.

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