The Note on Statistics contains information regarding the data housed on this web site, including format, data standards, conventions and acronym definitions. For sector-specific notes and sources please view the Technical Notes files located on individual sector pages. |
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Rationale for LAC Geographic Breakdown The international trade section of the Latin America Economic and Social Database provides regional and subregional aggregates as a partner country option. Note that several countries located in Central and South America (Belize, Guyana, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, and Suriname) have been placed in the Caribbean subregion for the purposes of this analysis. The LAC Bureau's rationale for placing Belize, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana in the Caribbean sub-region is based not on geography but on economics (trade relations), politics (international relations), and culture (European heritage). Belize, Guyana, and Suriname define themselves as Caribbean as they are members of CARICOM (the Caribbean Community). Belize and Guyana also share membership in CARICOM with ten other ex-British colonies in the Caribbean/Atlantic area. Suriname and French Guiana are politically related to The Netherlands and France, respectively, as are a number of islands in the Caribbean. Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana are oriented more to Europe and to the Caribbean -- economically, politically, and culturally -- than to the ten South American countries whose European heritage lies in the Iberian peninsula. Similarly, Belize is oriented more to the Caribbean region and to Europe than to the other six countries of Central America.
Data Standards and Methodology The QESDB, like the LAC Databook, relies on national estimates reported by U.S. and foreign government agencies, and internationally recognized organizations. As such, the veracity of this report depends on the standardization and consistency of data produced by these offices. Even when standardized international sources are used, a number of problems remain for any user of statistical data. Despite the considerable efforts to collect, process and disseminate social and economic statistics and to standardize definitions and data collection methods, limitations remain in the coverage, consistency and comparability of data across time and countries. Also, significant shifts and breaks in statistical series can occur when statistical bodies and research institutions update of improve their estimates using new sources of data, such as censuses and surveys.
Series Duplication The QESDB functions as a survey of the most current, reliable statistics on the state of development in Latin America and the Caribbean. As such, in some instances, the same indicator is presented more than once, using different sources. This is the case for the population, poverty, and gross domestic product series, and for many of the regional comparison indicators as well. This method, along with detailed technical notes for each indicator, allows readers to choose what they consider to be the most accurate data set based on source, definition, and methodology.
Conventions As used on the QESDB, the term "country" does not in all cases refer to a territorial state entity as understood by international law and practice; the term also covers some non-sovereign territorial entities for which statistical data are maintained and provided internationally on a separate and independent basis.
Acronyms
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