Determining the Latin American country most similar to East Asia requires considering various social, cultural, economic, and political factors.
One way to answer this complex question is by analyzing the data from the Country Similarity Index. The index attempts to quantify how similar countries are to each other relative to other countries, using a variety of statistics from five broad categories: demographics, culture, politics, infrastructure, and geography.
The data suggests that Mexico and Chile are the most similar Latin American nations to East Asia. On the other end of the spectrum, Bolivia has the least amount of traits in common with East Asia.
(East Asian countries defined as China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan)
Let’s analyze Mexico with respect to three key categories: demographics, infrastructure, and geography to show why it is the most similar country in Latin America to East Asia, although no countries in Latin America are particularly similar to East Asia.
Demographics
A high percentage of people in Mexico have indigenous ancestry. These Native American people are distantly related to East Asians. Therefore, many Mexicans share some phenotypic traits with East Asians. Furthermore, Mexico’s average income is among the highest in Latin America. In general, East Asian countries tend to be wealthier per capita than Latin American countries. The majority of Mexico’s people work in manufacturing or the service sector. This also makes its demographics more similar to most East Asian countries.
Infrastructure
Mexico has a well-established manufacturing sector, and it is one of the largest manufacturing economies in Latin America. The country has become a key player in the production of automobiles, electronics, aerospace components, and other goods. East Asia is well known for manufacturing many of the world’s goods. While Mexico’s infrastructure is not as well developed as a few other Latin American countries, it is more developed than average, making it more similar to East Asian countries.
Geography
Mexico is in the Northern Hemisphere, like all East Asian countries. It is also the furtherest West, making it closer to East Asia. The country has an extensive coastline along the Pacific Ocean, like China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. East Asia also tends to have quite mountainous terrain. The Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental, run through most of Mexico. Both areas have have significant volcanic activity, since they are around the Ring of Fire. Like East Asia, Mexico has a variety of climatic zones too.
The Most Similar East Asian Country to Mexico
Interestingly enough, the Country Similarity Index suggests that Taiwan and China are the most similar East Asian countries to Mexico. Both countries have some aspects that are more similar to Mexico than the other. Both Taiwan and Mexico are democracies. However, Taiwan’s infrastructure is significantly more developed than Mexico. Both China and Mexico are developing countries. On the other end of the spectrum, North Korea is the least similar to Mexico in East Asia.
