Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur) or Southern Common Market: note - also known as Mercado Comun del Cono Sur (Mercosur)
established - 26 March 1991
aim - to increase regional economic cooperation
members - (5) Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela
associate members - (5) Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru; note - Mexico is to become an associate member by the end of 2006
Third World: another term for the less developed countries; the term is obsolescent; see less developed countries (LDCs)
underdeveloped countries: refers to those less developed countries with the potential for above-average economic growth; see less developed countries (LDCs)
undeveloped countries: refers to those extremely poor less developed countries (LDCs) with little prospect for economic growth; see least developed countries (LLDCs)
United Nations (UN): established - 26 June 1945; effective - 24
October 1945
aim - to maintain international peace and security and to promote cooperation involving economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems