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It is the common market formed by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay
and Uruguay. Chile has recently joined as a commercial member, and
Bolivia will soon join with the same status.
The combined population of the four countries is 200 million
and the total GDP is approximately US$ 900 billion.
MERCOSUR's territory covers nearly 12 millon Km2
(4.6 millon mi2) and compromises approximately
70 percent of the total land mass of South America, stretching
from the tropical jungles of northern Brazil to the subantarctic zone of
Argentina.
A wide zone includes some of the world's most important
agricultural and mineral resources.
This wide variety of topographies, climates, and resources provides
substantial opportunities for expansion and complementation in production.
Since January, 1995, a common external tariff has been established,
and most products enjoy total free trade inside the MERCOSUR.
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