Determining the Latin American country most similar to South 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 Index suggests that Bolivia is the most similar Latin American country to South Asia. On the other end of the spectrum, Uruguay has the fewest amount of traits in common with South Asia.
(South Asian countries are defined as India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Pakistan could be considered as either Middle Eastern or South Asian, but is included as well)
Bolivia shares certain characteristics with South Asia that differentiate it from many other Latin American countries. Infrastructure and geography are two aspects in which Bolivia is somewhat similar to South Asia.
Infrastructure
Some regions within Bolivia and South Asia may experience infrastructure gaps, with disparities in the availability of amenities like reliable electricity, water supply, and sanitation services. In fact, Bolivia and South Asia have about the same amount of vehicles per capita. Rapid and haphazard urbanization is a common trend in both places. This urban growth puts pressure on existing infrastructure and necessitate the development of new facilities.
Geography
The Andes mountain range runs through Bolivia, contributing to its rugged and mountainous terrain. This is reminiscent of the Himalayan mountain range in South Asia, which passes through countries like India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan. Bolivia has a wide range of climate zones, including tropical lowlands, high-altitude plateaus, and cold mountainous regions. This diversity is comparable to the varied climate zones found in South Asia.
The Most Similar South Asian Country to Bolivia
The Country Similarity Index suggests that Nepal is the most similar South Asian country to Bolivia. Both countries are landlocked and extremely mountainous. Agriculture plays a significant role in the economies of both Nepal and Bolivia. Subsistence farming and traditional agricultural practices are common, particularly in rural areas.
