Pacific Rim MYP Geography Unit

 Chile

• Capital:(and largest city) - Santiago Official languages: Spanish

• Government: Representative democracy

• Independence: from Spain - September 18, 1810

• Area - Total  292,183 sq mi  (38th)

• Population - June 2009 estimate16,928,873 - 60th

• Per capita: $14,529 (56th)

 Peru

• Capital: (and largest city) Lima• Official languages: Spanish• Ethnic groups: 45% Amerindian

– 37% Mestizo– 15% White– 3% Black, Asian

• Government: Presidential republic 

• Independence: from Spain  - Declared July 28, 1821  - Consolidated December 9, 1824  - Recognized August 14, 1879 

• Area -  496,225 sq mi  (20th)• Population: - 30 June

2009 estimate29,132,013• Per capita: $9,223 

Ecuador• Capital: Quito• Official languages: Spanish,

Quechua• Ethnic groups: 65% Mestizo,

25% Indigenous,7% Spanish or White,3% black

• Government: Presidential republic - 

• Independence - from Spain August 10, 1809  - from Spain May 24, 1822  - from Gran Colombia May 13, 1830 

• Area - Total  (77th)98,985 sq mi

• Population: 2008 estimate13,625,000 (67th) 

• Per capita: $7,785

Colombia

• Capital:(and largest city) Bogotá Official languages: Spanish

• Ethnic groups: 57% Mestizo,21% Afro-Colombian20% White1% Amerindian1% Asian

• Government:Presidential republic• Independence: From

Spain  - Declared July 20, 1810  - Recognized August 7, 1819 

• Area - Total (26th)440,839 sq mi

• Population - January 2010 estimate45.273.925 (29th) - Per capita: $4,400 (84th)

Panama• Capital: (and largest city)

Panama City Official languages: Spanish

• Ethnic groups: 58.1% Mestizo14% Black and Mulatto6.7% Amerindian8.6% White5.5% Asian7.1% other (2000)

• Government: Constitutional Democracy

• Independence - from Spain 28 November 1821  - from Colombia 3 November 1903 

• Area -  29,157 sq mi (118th)• Population - July

2009 estimate3,360,474 (134th) - May

• Per capita: $12,503

Costa Rica• Capital: (and largest city) San José• Official languages: Spanish

Recognised regional languages Mekatelyu

• Ethnic groups: 80% Caucasian• 15% Mestizo

3% Black1% Amerindian1% Chinese

• Government: Constitutional democracy

• Independence: from Spain (via Guatemala)  - Declared September 15, 1821  - Recognized by Spain May 10, 1850

• Area - Total (128th)19,652 sq mi

• Population - May 2009 estimate4,509,290 (119th) - - 

• Per capita: $10,735

Nicaragua• Capital: (and largest city) Managua• Official languages: Spanish, Miskito

speaking and other minorities and english • Ethnic groups: 69% Mestizo

17% White (majority being of Spanish, English, German, Italian, or French ancestry)9% Black5% Amerindian

• Government: Presidential republic• Independence: from Spain  - Declared15

September 1821  - Recognized25 July 1850  - Revolution19 July 1979 

• Area:   50,193 sq mi (97th)• Population: - July

2009 estimate5,891,199 (110th)• Per capita: $1,028

Honduras

• Capital: (and largest city) Tegucigalpa

• Official languages: Spanish• Ethnic groups: 55% Mestizo

30% Amerindian10% Black5% White

• Government: Constitutional republic 

• Independence - from Spain,15 September 1821  - from the Federal Republic of Central America 31 May 1838 

• Area -  43,278 sq mi(102nd)

• Population - 7,810,848 (93rd) -   • Per capita: $4,275

El Salvador

• Capital: (and largest city) San Salvador

• Official languages: Spanish• Ethnic groups: 90% Mestizo, 9%

White (Spanish, Italian, French, others), 1% Amerindian

• Government: Presidential republic • Independence - from Spain

September 15, 1821  - from the First Mexican Empire1823  - from the Central American Federation1842 

• Area - 8,124 sq mi• Population: 5,744,113 (99th)• Per capita: $7,564

Guatemala

• Capital: (and largest city) Guatemala City

• Languages: Spanish, 22 indigenous languages

• Government: Presidential republic

• Independence: from Spain  - Date15 September 1821 

• Area -  42,042 (106th)Population: - 13,276,517 (68th) 

• Per capita: $5,300

Mexico• Capital: (and largest city)

Mexico City Official languages: None at federal level.Spanish (de facto)

• National language Spanish, and 62 Indigenous Amerindian

• Government: Federal presidential republic

• Independence: from Spain  - Declared September 16, 1810  - Recognized September 27, 1821 

• Area:  761,606 sq mi  (15th)• Population - 113,423,050  • Per capita: $10,212 (46th)

United States

• Capital: Washington, D.C.• Largest city: New York City• Official languages: None at

federal level National language: English (de facto)

• Government: Federal constitutional republic

• Independence: from the Kingdom of Great Britain - Declared July 4, 1776  - Recognized September 3, 1783  - Current constitution June 21, 1788 

• Area 3,794,101 sq mi• Population - 308,611,000 (3rd)• Per capita: $47,440 (6th)

Canada• Capital: Ottawa• Largest city: Toronto• Official languages: English and

French• Government: Federal

parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy

• Establishment - British North America Acts July 1, 1867  - Statute of Westminster December 11, 1931  - Canada Act April 17, 1982 

• Area - Total  (2nd)3,854,085 sq mi

• Population - 2010 estimate 33,989,000 (36th)

• Per capita: $39,098 (13th)

Russia

• Capital: (and largest city) Moscow• Official languages: Russian official

throughout the country; 27 others co-official in various regions

• Ethnic groups: Russians 79.8%, Tatars 3.8%, Ukrainians 2%, Bashkirs 1.2%, Chuvash 1.1%, Chechen 0.9%, Armenians 0.8%, other – 10.4%

• Government: Federal semi-presidential democratic republic

• Formation: Rurik Dynasty 862  - Kievan Rus‘ 882  - Vladimir-Suzdal Rus'1169  - Grand Duchy of Moscow 1363  - Tsardom of Russia 1547  - Russian Empire 1721  - Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic 7 November 1917  - Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 10 December 1922  - Russian Federation 26 December 1991 

• Area: -  6,592,800 sq mi  (1st)• Population: 2010 est.

141,927,297 (9th)• Per capita: $15,039 (51st)

North Korea• Capital: (and largest city) Pyongyang• Official languages: Korean• Government: Juche socialist republic,

Single-party system– Eternal President Kim Il-sung– Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il– Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il–  President of the Presidium Kim Yong-nam– Premier Kim Yong-il– Legislature Supreme People's Assembly

• Establishment: Independence declared March 1, 1919  - Liberation August 15, 1945  - Formal declaration September 9, 1948 

• Area - 46,528 sq mi  (98th)• Population: - 2009 estimate23,906,000 (51

st) - • Per capita: $1,800 (189th)

South Korea• Capital: Seoul• Official languages: Korean• Government: Presidential

republic• Establishment: Founding of

Gojoseon 2333 BC  - Japan’s occupation of Korea August 29, 1910  - Independence declared March 1, 1919  - Provisional Government April 13, 1919  - Liberation August 15, 1945  - Constitution July 17, 1948  - Government Proclaimed August 15, 1948 

• Area:  38,622 sq mi  (108th)• Population: 50,062,000 (24th) 

- • Per capita: $27,692 (32nd)

China• Capital: Beijing• Largest city: Shanghai• Official languages: Standard

Mandarin• Government: People's

democratic dictatorshipSocialist state Single-party communist state

• Establishment - People's Republic of China proclaimed.1 October 1949 

• Area - Total9,640,821 km2 or 9,671,018 km (3rd/4th)Population - 2010 estimate1,338,612,968 (1st)

• Per capita: $3,696 (98th)

Japan• Capital: (and largest city) Tokyo (de facto)

• Official languages: None• Recognized regional languages: Aynuitak,

Eastern Japanese, Western Japanese, Ryukyuan, and several other Japanese dialects

• Ethnic groups: 98.5% Japanese, 0.5% Korean, 0.4% Chinese, 0.6% other

• Government: Parliamentary democracy with constitutional monarchy - Emperor Akihito 

• Formation - National Foundation Day February 11, 660 BC  - Meiji Constitution November 29, 1890  - Current constitution May 3, 1947  - Treaty of San Francisco April 28, 1952 

• Area - 145,925 sq mi (61st)Population: 2009 estimate127,530,000 (10th)

• Per capita: $34,115 (24th)

 Taiwan• Capital: (and largest city) Taipei• Official languages: Standard

Mandarin Recognised regional languagesTaiwanese Hokkien (Taiwan, Penghu and Kinmen) Hakka (Taiwan)

• Government: Semi-presidential republic 

• Establishment: Xinhai Revolution  - Wuchang Uprising10 October 1911  - Republic established1 January 1912  - End of Japanese rule in Taiwan 25 October 1945  - Constitution 25 December 1947  - Government relocated to Taipei 7 December 1949 

• Area:  13,974 sq mi (136th)• Population: 23,119,772 (50th)• Per capita: $30,881 (25th)

Vietnam• Capital: Hanoi• Largest city: Ho Chi Minh City• Official languages: Vietnamese• Government: Socialist republic

Single-party communist state• Legislature: National Assembly of

Vietnam• Formation - Đại Việt 1054  - French

annexation 1853 to 1883  - Independence from France 2 September 1945  - Reunification 30 April 1975  - Current constitution19 December 1980 

• Area - 128,527 sq mi  (65th)• Population - 85,789,573 (13th) • Per capita: $2,793 (129th)

 Cambodia 

• Capital(and largest city) Phnom Penh

• Official languages: Khmer• Government: Constitutional

monarchy,Parliamentary representative democracy

• French colonization: 1863  - Independence from France November 9, 1953  - Monarchy abolished March 18, 1970  - Monarchy restored September 24, 1993 

• Area - Total  69,898 sq mi (88th)• Population - 2009 estimate14,805

,000 (67th) - • Per capita: $2,082

Thailand• Capital: (and largest city) Bangkok• Official languages: Thai• Government: Parliamentary

democracy and Constitutional monarchy - Monarchy of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej

• Formation - Sukhothai Kingdom 1238 - 1448  - Ayutthaya Kingdom 1351 - 1767  - Thonburi Kingdom 1768 - 1782  - Rattanakosin Kingdom 6 April 1782  - Constitutional Monarchy 24 June 1932  - Later Constitution 24 August 2007

• Area -  198,115 sq mi  (50th)• Population  63,723,953 (21st)• Per capita: $8,239 (86th)

 Malaysia

• Capital: Kuala Lumpur• Official languages: Malay• Ethnic groups: 54% Malay,

25% Chinese, 7.5% Indian, 11.8% other Bumiputera, 1.7% other

• Government: Federal constitutional elective monarchy and Parliamentary democracy

• Independence: - From the United Kingdom 31 August 1957

• Area: 127,354 sq mi (66th)• Per capita: $8,118 (65th)

Brunei

• Capital: (and largest city) Bandar Seri Begawan

• Official languages: Malay

• Independence: End ofBritish protectorate January 1, 1984 

• Area - Total 2,226 sq mi - 172nd

• Population - 2009 estimate 388,190 – (175th)

• Per capita $50,198 (5th)

 Singapore• Capital: City of Singapore• Official languages: English

(main) Malay (national) Mandarin Chinese

• Government: Parliamentary republic 

• Formation - Founding 29 January 1819  - Self-government 3 June 1959  - Independence from the United Kingdom31 August 1963 - Merger with Malaysia16 September 1963  - Separation from Malaysia 9 August 1965 

• Area:  - 274.2 sq mi  (187th)• Population: 4,987,600

(115th) - • Per capita: $56,226 (4th)

Australia 

• Capital: Canberra• Largest city: Sydney• Official languages: None• National language: English• Government: Federal

parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy,

• Independence from the United Kingdom  - 1 January 1901

• Area: 2,941,299 sq mi - 6th• Population: 22,140,185 - 51st

• Per capita: $36,918 (15th)

New Zealand• Capital: Wellington• Largest city: Auckland• Official languages: English

(98%), Māori (4.2%)3NZ Sign Language (0.6%)3

• Ethnic groups: 78% European/Other414.6% Māori49.2% Asian46.9% Pacific peoples

• Government: Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy

• Independence: from the United Kingdom  - 1st Parliament 25 May 1854 

• Area: - 103,483 sq mi  (74th)• Population - 2010 estimate4,3

53,907 (123rd) • Per capita: $27,083 (34)

 Indonesia

• Capital: (and largest city) Jakarta

• Official languages: Indonesian

• Government: Presidential republic 

• Independence: from the Netherlands  - Declared17 August 1945  - Acknowledged 27 December 1949 

• Area: -  735,355 sq mi(16th)Population: 240,271,522 (4th)

• Per capita: $3,980 (121st)

Timor-Leste• Capital: (and largest city) Dili• Official languages: Tetum and

Portuguese - Working languages Indonesian and English

• Government: Parliamentary republic 

• Independence from Portugal, Indonesia - Established 1702  - Declared November 28, 1975  - Recognized May 20, 2002 

• Area -  5,743 sq mi  (159th)• Population: 1,134,000 (155th)• Per capita: $2,368 

 Philippines• Capital: Manila• Largest city: Quezon City• Official languages: Filipino (based on

Tagalog) , English Recognised regional languages Bikol, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilokano, Kapampangan, Kinaray-a, Maguindanao, Maranao, Pangasinan, Tagalog, Tausug, Waray-Waray

• Optional languages: Spanish and Arabic• National language: Filipino• Government: Unitary presidential

constitutional republic• Independence: from Spain from United

States  - Established April 27, 1565  - Declared June 12, 1898  - Self-government March 24, 1934  - Recognized July 4, 1946

• Area: 115,831 sq mi  (72nd)• Population: - 2009 estimate91,983,000 (12

th) • Per capita: $3,515 (123rd)

Palau• Capital: Melekeok• Largest city: Koror• Official languages: English,

Palauan– Recognised

regional languages, Japanese, Angaur (in Angaur)Sonsorolese (in Sonsoral)Tobian (in Hatohobei)Carolinian, Filipino, Chinese

• Government: Democratic presidential republic 

• Independence from UN Trust Territory status October 1, 1994 

• Area - Total  177 sq mi  (195th)• Population: 20,000 (211th) - • Per capita: $8,100 (119)

Papua New Guinea• Capital: (and largest city) Port

Moresby• Official languages: English, Tok

Pisin, Hiri Motu• Government: Federal

Constitutional Monarchy and Parliamentary Democracy

• Independence From Australia  - Self-governing 1 December 1973  

• Independence:16 September 1975 

• Area: - Total 178,703 sq mi (54th)• Population: 6,732,000 (100th)• Per capita: $2,108

Solomon Islands

• Capital: (and largest city) Honiara

• Government: Constitutional monarchy and parliamentary system 

• Independence - from the UK 7 July 1978

• Area: 11,157 sq mi  (142nd)

• Population - 523,000 (170th) 

• Per capita $2,917

Vanuatu

• Capital: (and largest city) Port Vila

• Official languages: Bislama, English, French Government: Parliamentary republic 

• Independence: from France and the UK  - Date30 July 1980 

• Area -  4,706 sq mi  (161st)• Population: - 2009 census2

43,304• Per capita: $4,251

 Nauru

• Capital: Yaren• Languages: English,

Nauruan Government: President Marcus Stephen

• Independent country - from the Australian, New Zealand, and British-administered U.N. trusteeship. January 31, 1968 

• Area:  8.1 sq mi (225th)Population: 14,019 (216th)

• Per capita: $2,500 (135th - 141st)

Micronesia

• Capital: Palikir• Largest city: Kolonia• Official languages: English

(national; local languages are used at state and municipal levels)

• Government: Democratic Federated Presidential Republic 

• Independence: from US-administered UN Trusteeship - Date3 November 1986 

• Area: 271 sq mi  (188th)• Population: 111,000 (181st) - • Per capita: $2,000 (180th)

Marshall Islands

• Capital: Majuro (Delap) • Languages: Marshallese,

English Government: Democratic Presidential Republic in Free Association with the USA - October 21, 1986 

• Area: 69.8 sq mi  (213th)• Population: 62,000 (205th)• Per capita: $2,900 (195th)

Fiji

• Capital: (and largest city) Suva

• Official languages: English, Bau Fijian, and Hindi

• Government: Military junta and Parlimentary Republic - Paramount Chief of Fiji Queen Elizabeth

•  Independence: from the United Kingdom  - Date10 October 1970 

• Area -  7,056 sq mi (155th)Population - 849,000 (156th) - Per capita: $4,196

Tuvalu

• Capital: Funafuti• Official languages: Tuvaluan,

English• Government: Parliamentary

Democracy & Constitutional monarchy

• Independence - from the UK 1 October 1978

• Area - 10 sq mi  (226th)• Population - July

2009 estimate12,373 (213th)• Per capita: $1,600 (2002

estimate) (148th if ranked)

Tonga• Capital:

(and largest city) Nuku alofa• Official languages: Tongan,

English• Government: Constitutional

monarchy - King George Tupou V - Prime Minister Dr. Feleti Sevele

• Independence - from British protectorate June 4, 1970 

• Area -  289 sq mi  (186th)• Population: 104,000 (195th)• Per capita: $5,382

 American Samoa

• Capital: Pago Pago• Languages: English• Unincorporated

territory of the United States

• Area: Total76.83 sq mi  - (212th)

• Population: 65,628 (196)

Samoa• Capital: (and largest city)

Apia• Official languages:

Samoan, English • Government:

Parliamentary democracy• Independence from New

Zealand  - Date1 January 1962

• Area - 1,093 sq mi  (174th)

• Population: 179,000 (166th) - 

• Per capita $5,674