Most recent cross-country analyses of economic growth have neglected the importance of physical geography. This paper reviews the distinctive development challenges faced by economies situated in tropical climates. Using geographic information system (GIS) mapping, the paper presents evidence...

Economic variables are known to move asymmetrically over the business cycle: quickly and sharply during crises, but slowly and gradually during recoveries. Not known is the fact that this asymmetry is stronger in countries with less-developed financial systems. This new fact is documented using...

Regional economic integration in America / Eduardo Lizano -- Regional integration in Central America : some remarks / Victor Bulmer-Thomas -- The Coimbra Group and integration in Central America / Daniel van Eeuwen -- The prospects for Andean integration / Lois Jorge Garay -- Andean integration...