Costa Rica Economy; Recovering and Expanding

Costa Rica lies between Panama and Nicaragua and it is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the east and the North Pacific Ocean to the west. It is comprised of 51,100 square kilometers and the territorial waters take up about 589 square kilometers. It is considered a conglomeration of a number of landforms. The location of the country in the isthmus of Central America makes it easier to access American markets, which have the same time zone as Central US and also has access to Europe and Asia via the Oceans.

Let's talk a little bit about the economical situation of this fascinating country.

Costa Rica has suffered a lot from corrupted governments. Interest costs on the governments accumulated debt are equivalent to 30% of the governments total revenue. Liberalization efforts have been hampered due to the resistance put forward by the political parties of Costa Rica. The main agendas of the today's government are still the curbing the rate of inflation, reducing the deficit, and making improvisations to the services offered by the public sector. Despite this, the government has tried to bring in foreign investment, technology and management into the telecommunications and electrical power sector, which are run by the state.

Although blessed with fertile lands, abudance of fresh water and a strategic position, the country still remains poor and is categorized as a third world country. The countrys economy emerged from the red in 1997, but h as shown strong aggregate growth since then.

The economy is based on agriculture. This includes the production and export of pineapples, bananas and coffee. The countrys exports from the free trade zones and tourism sectors led to significant developments in the growth rate of the GDP. Costa Rica is also a producer of cocoa, sugar, lumber, wood products and beef. In recent years, ecotourism, pharmaceuticals, financial outsourcing and software development have become major industries with significant contribution to the countrys GDP.
Lately, other industries like electronics, pharmaceuticals, eco-tourism, financial outsourcing and software development are now becoming major industries. There are a number of high tech companies which have sprung up in the area, including chip manufacturer Intel and Pharma companies like Procter & Gamble and Glaxo Smith Kline. Costa Rica is also self reliant in energy needs, with exception of oils- and has the potential to be an electricity exporter, as it already exports to Central America.

The unit of currency of Costa Rica is the Colon (CRC). This currency trades at 500 to the US dollar and at around 600 to the Euro. A new system that is expected around 2007, will see the Colon currency float between two bands. The Central bank will be better positioned to handle inflation and dicourage the use of the US greenback with the use of this system.

In March 1998, the country joined other Central American nations, and the Dominican Republic to establish a Trade and Investment Council with the United States. It has also clearly showed a willingness to join the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Costa Rica is also a member of the Cairns Group, which is pursuing a policy of global agricultural trade liberalization in World Trade.

With the help of agriculture, growing industries and of course tourism and ecotourism, Costa Rica economy is sure to recover. This country has a great potential. It in the hands of the people and the government, with hard work and strategically planned moves, to make this beautifull country wealthy as well.

The Rio Grande Valley ? an Experience to Remember

Spanish colonists originally settled the Rio Grande Valley in the 1700's. The RGV as we know it today has vastly changed, while still retaining much of its Spanish heritage. The RGV has been known as one of the least financially sound areas of the United States. However, over the past 10+ years due to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) southern Texas has begun to flourish.

Bordering the Gulf Coast, South Padre Island is one of the top 10 vacation destinations for spring break. South Padre Island is known for their annual Polar Bear Dip, Golf Classic, bustling night life, and even one of Schlitterbahn's Water parks (named USA's #1 water park, as featured on the Travel Channel). With sandy beaches stretching as far eye can see, and endless activities for people of all ages, it's no wonder South Padre Island has become a vacation hot spot.

While visiting Southern Texas, the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, located in Alamo, can't be missed. The wildlife refuge sits along the edge of the Rio Grande. Currently at just over 90,000 acres, the refuge is growing strong, and is estimated to reach over 132,000 acres. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services are in the process of an acquisition movement to purchase additional surrounding lands. The Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge is home to several s pecies of birds indigenous only to this region. As quoted on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Website, The refuge is "Considered one of the most biologically diverse National Wildlife Refuges in the continental United States. LRGV represents 11 distinct biotic communities that are host or home to 1,100 types of plants, 700 vertebrate species (including 484 bird species) and over 300 species of butterflies." This is great place for both families and individuals to spend a day, and experience the Texas wilderness, untouched.

McAllen is a city within the Rio Grande Valley that offers many cultural attractions, and has been noted as being the "Square Dance Capital of the World". McAllen has boasted this nickname for years. Since 1987 they have been hosting the annual Texas Square Dance Jamboree. Other cultural events that call McAllen home include the Texas Citrus Fiesta, Fourth of July Fajita Cook-off, and Borderfest. A visit to McAllen is not to be overlooked if you wa nt to experience Texas culture and authentic "Tex Mex" cowboy grub.

Visitors tend to flock to the Rio Grande Valley in the winter. Travel peaks are January through March. Many individuals consider themselves to be "Winter Texans" as they reside in Texas during the winter months, and spend the remainder of the year elsewhere. For those who reside in Texas for only several months at a time, many have found that trailer and RV parks (such as Victoria Palms) have been the way to go. During peak seasons monthly fees at these parks range from $300-$475, as opposed to only $200 in the quieter summer months. These parks offer amenities ranging from free cable TV and high speed internet, to free phone access with unlimited long distance calling. For those who are short-term visitors to the Valley, hotels offer a range of activities and tours. Most area beaches have umbrella service and equipment rentals for reasonable fees. Banana boats and rafts are popular for South P adre Island visitors. From breathtaking beaches and unique wildlife, to the hearty culture of square dancing and authentic Tex Mex grub, the Rio Grande Valley in Southern Texas is a region of the south that can't be overlooked.

Racism in Illinois They Profiled Blacks But Don't Investigate Crimes Against Them Why?

Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:25:47 -0600

Subject: Racism is alive and still kicking until we united D'Anne Burley Radio Talk Show Host on Racial Profiling and worse 2007

Racism is still here but Don Imus is not the issue the most important one is below and I am black and can get no policing agent to investigate corruption and or criminal acts. I am also seeking letters for others who are black who have had racist issue in the times in order to show patterns on this issue. Blacks themselves are on hold and have opened the backdoor to allow for these comments to comeback, there is a greater issue that affects us and thats the lack of creditabitity we have and the lack of police power whereby if there are crimes in our neighborhoods and we report them the police do not respond as they would with whites and its far worse now because wer are in 2007 and we are still not fighting agressively to change this why?

This is hot and just off the press and here is the growing concern here is the mindset going out and not undercover please read!

Trained to Use Hatred
BERLIN, Germany (AP) -- A video showing a German army instructor telling one of his soldiers to envision African-Americans in the Bronx while firing his machine gun was broadcast Saturday on national television.

The video, coming after scandals involving photos of German soldiers posing with skulls in Afghanistan and the abuse of recruits by instructors, seemed likely to raise more questions about training practices in Germany's conscript army.

"We can no longer talk about an isolated case," said Lt. Juergen Rose of the Darmstaedter Signal, a group of current and former army officers and sergeants who independently review military procedures.

"Things like this don't happen in the army on an everyday basis, but unfortunately in recent years there have been a number of comparable incidents."

The Defense Ministry said the video was shot in July 2006 at barracks in the northern town of Rendsburg and that the army has been aware of it since January.

"We are currently investigating the incident," said Florian Naggies, a spokesman for the army and Defense Ministry.

He did not identify the instructor or the soldier, who are shown in camouflage uniforms in a forest.

The instructor tells the soldier, "You are in the Bronx. A black van is stopping in front of you. Three African-Americans are getting out and they are insulting your mother in the worst ways ... Act."

The soldier fires his machine gun several times and yells an obscenity several times in English. The instructor then tells the soldier to curse even louder.

The existence of the video was first reported on the home page of the German news magazine Stern on Friday and excerpts of the video were aired on the news television channel n-tv on Saturday.

According to Stern, the 90-second video had been posted on a Web site used by soldiers to exchange private videos. A soldier who used the site alerted his sup eriors, the magazine reported.

The video is the latest embarrassment for the German army. Eighteen army instructors are currently on trial for allegedly abusing and humiliating 163 recruits in 2004. Last year, newspapers published photos of German soldiers in Afghanistan posing with a skulls -- including one who exposed himself while holding a skull.


My father Dan Burley was the real father of the Rap Industry thou now this point of history has been twisted to others Dan Burley authored the Harlem Handbook of Jive, and was involved in the then musican entertainment industry with Langston Hughes, Cab Calloway and others who made the then Black Hiphop JIve via smooth talk within rythms, some of the music today is great while others are just making a buck and the style and way much is being done is modeled out of the white industry because the money always flows upward. I got letters within my archieve of how many major publications in the pas t wanted to reform Blacks in music style and dress to make they act in a way that was or acceptive. But we think today that the style we have is not built around another agenda please! While we are in the music and in the dress, we are losing careers, jobs, and business via nafta and other hidden agenda's we can not see and or will not be a part of, and much of this is because our Black Leadership is not on this issues.

I am one of the very few Blacks if there are any within the media addressing the issue of the WTC, Ok City, Waco ( which had 40 or more blacks living there) and all of the other world issues that if it comes into being Blacks think its bad now just want. Because whites are complainting and are effected. Look at New Orleans folks there still in some areas have no water or electric, and they are lying about the grants. So if we are no gathering dollars and committing to one another where are we going to be in the future.

There is the issue of driving while Black, going to work while black, reporting crimes while black. And the black press is not going there why? what is controlling our media whereby stories are not getting out again? I am hearing this from all over the place I am speaking of radio and television reporters.

And here I will stop and have you read the following again if you see acts of terrorism while black and they do nothing then why do you think they will come to your home and investigate your daughter being raped and or a murder without saying that its a crime that you committed yourself - Peace! D'Anne Burley
I am a former Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County in Illinois, I know much about law enforce and clout, and before that I worked over 35 yrs within Corporate America as an Accountant, Computer Programmer/Analysis, did some actuary work relating to removing employees who got close to retirement age, Developed Businesses, I worked as a para legal f rom Friedman and Koven which was the second in it's day Law Firm in the World within Conflict of Interest international, also for United States Gypsum, Navistar, FMC Corp, Harris Bank, First National Bank, Argonne National Lab's as Assistant Editor in the Bio lab, and many other larger than live Corporations within their Controllers Dept and World Headquarters, and in the Mortgage Industry of over 8 years seeing already formed terrorist cell operating from withn the Suburb of Palos Hills, Palos Heights, Broadview, Chicago and other neighoring communities. The scandal involved the use of International Drivers Licenses to falsify Identity and create other false ID's such as Drivers License, Corporations, Bank Accounts in order to move and laundery money into Jihad and Al-Qauda cells all over the globe.
Drug Trafficking occured over Operation Mountain Express, which had netted over 52 mega tons of drugs, and drug making material to use to place on the streets and in the hands of mintories, our youth date rape drugs and other nightmare subtances to fund Terror across the world. In Illinois the Illinois trucking scandal was involved because the truck were involved within a operation to move the drugs, laundered money and also guns in and out of the hands of criminal within the KKK and aryan nation and other hate groups. All who were being used as part of the funded Bin Laden Operation, and that was really the involved of Bin Laden. Sept 11, 2001 was a part of a mock terrorist drill which was designed to cover-up the fact that the WTC had design defects that were brought to the port of Authority when it was being built but NYC had no rights to the business plans and could do nothing in the courts because it was alleged that the Port was not governed by the City and or S tate Regulations and laws because it fell under Marine laws only. In addition because of the first failed attempted to bomb the buildings in 1993 by so-called Islamic Extremist and due to the injuries, death, and claims filed against Lloyds of London in England, Lloyds was on the brick of Bankruptcy and was the Port of Authority, which also would have effected NYC itself in paying off huge amounts of money which would had totally bankrupt the city and the state.

As within the plot of the Savings and Loan Scandal years before as the failed savings institutes had not enough money to pay back the people who had accounts within within the federal Reserve, in both cases I alleged that conspirators from within and outside the government conspired to commit fraud by turning these events into cases for insurance.

In the savings and loan scandal during that time there were mounting numbers of "Banl Robberies in the Midwest and across the US.

The robberies I saw began in the late 80's but expanded into 1990 whereby while I worked within the Courts there was the alleged ex-police officer out of Hoffman Estate called the Bearded Bandit, who with his wife alleged robbed banks all over the suburban area of Chicago Illinois. There were some elements of this case which were not true in fact and covered up for one the wife never shot herself in the front of a home in Streamwood she was shot by special unit op's from what division I am not sure. Then her husband who was capture was killed in a shoot out but what I alleged was that he was gunned down so that he would not share information of the insurance scam. The same issue was happened in areas around Ok City and that could be the reason why Jesse Tredue's brother was allegedly murdered within his prison cell the cover-up the real reason behind the bank robberies.

John Gary Peeler a former CIA/BATF/FBI agent was undercover within the KKK he has been on my program and his son John Christropher Peeler is being held in a Ark prison without parole for a crime of murder where there is no body, no crime scene and no evidence nothing to shutup Peeler. Peeler Sr. worked with Timothy McVeigh while undercover within the KKK working on bombing the Ok City Building, he knew about the bank robberies, the plot to take down the building and was able to stop one, but could do nothing about the WTC because no one would listen to him, his story as those of Eric Shine Merchant Marine Presidential Appointed by George Bush Sr., , Mary Schneider who worked 30 yrs within the INS and saw the florida connection of agents allowing Middle Easterns to gain entrance into the US that area of Fla was where the flight school was involved with the alleged training of terrorist cells at the same time I saw within my then office which was a place I was bought to to setup a new business to do Islamic Interest Loans for homes (Noriba) on the wall a huge picture of a boeing 747 class plane which I was told that being use as a picture to explan how to flight within a flight school which operated out of the Palos Hills area with ties into FL prior to 9/11/01.

The story was my nightmare, the government via clouted government officials and those who I had alleged were involved in a major sleeper cell used terrorism against me and my children. By sending in spooks, attempting to setup my bank account with counterfeit money orders, blackball me so I can not work and so that my children can not, criminalized by young son, use traffick tickets and others working within the policing agencies to cover-up and not investigation major corruption and criminals acts within DuPage County in order to shut be up and down and make me homeless. This is the same pattern that had been used on all whistleblowers and then causing them not to have equal rigthts under the amendments of the constitutional.

I am 55 yrs old and I ha ve seen every level of corruption over a spam of 45 years including how entertainers and others were taken out in the same fashion in the 1940's-62 while my father was involvcd as a publisher and reporter.Within his archieve were letters of this and then I was told by other creatible sources over the years of how they watched Mohammad X, who was a friend of my fathers, Joe Louis for saying good things about Jimmy Hoffa, and my father knew Jack Ruby prior to my father's death. My father's name was within the Warren Commission Report of the Death of JFK and my father help Kennedy to get elected within the chains of press he was involved in within the Black Community.

Because of all this I had been watched, and as they attempted to do with Mohammad X's daughter they attempted to set me up over the years. But you see I saw things when I was very young and knew how they operated. Please read on thanks

D'Anne Burley

Chrysler Introduces Two 2008 Minivan Models

Chrysler Group now launches its minivan models and aims to provide the needs of consumers that are looking for practicality and functionality in a vehicle. Chrysler Group introduces the all-new 2008 model year of the Dodge Grand Caravan and the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country.

These two minivan models come with innovative features for customers. According to Larry Lyons, Vice President - Chrysler Group Front-wheel-drive Product Team: "Chrysler Group engineers continue to bring fresh ideas to the minivan segment. This time, we turn the tables on traditional seats with a technology that lets families have more choices of how to spend their time while traveling. With Swivel 'n Go, second- and third-row passengers can face each other to have a conversation, play games or have a meal on the go."

Lyons added: "Chrysler Group is the first to offer a six-speed transaxle in a minivan. With a new 4.0-liter, V-6 aluminum engine and new six-speed transaxle, the 2008 Chrysler and Dodge minivans offer added performance and a smoother driving experience."
Innovative features and other minivan-first features include the all-new Swivel 'n Go(TM) seat system, integrated child booster seat in the second-row quad chair, one-touch powe r-folding third-row seat, and six-speed transaxle.

The main highlights of the two vehicles are the interior features that provide functionality and comfort for its occupants as well as cargo. Standard interior features include premium multi-function front-row sliding console, second-row in-floor covered storage bins, second-row bench seat with second-row covered storage bins, third-row fold-in-the-floor seating, the exclusive Stow 'n Go(R) seating and storage system, and removable table.

Not only the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country offer functionality and comfort. These two minivan models also provide the best entertainment features for its occupants. These features include dual DVD multimedia entertainment system, MyGIG(TM) CD/DVD/HDD/MP3/satellite radio with voice-activated capability, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, SIRIUS Backseat TV, UConnect(R) Hands-free Communication system with Bluetooth(R) technology, mesh side pocket s, 115-volt inverter, and two second-row input/output jacks with a 12-volt power outlet.
On the technical side, Chrysler Group is offering three different powertrain combinations for the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country. Customers can choose the new 4.0-liter V-6 aluminum engine coupled with a new six-speed transmission, 3.8-liter V-6 aluminum engine mated to a new six-speed transaxle, and a 3.3-liter flex-fuel-capable V-6 aluminum engine coupled with a four-speed transaxle. A catalytic converter similar to Chrysler's former American Motors catalytic converter is also included to reduce harmful exhaust emissions.

Steven Landry, Executive Vice President - Chrysler Group NAFTA Sales, Global Marketing, Service and Parts concluded: "Family transportation has changed since the introduction of the original Dodge Caravan in 1984. The all-new 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan set the family transportation standard with an all-new 'grown-up' appearance, five different models, three distinct seating and storage system s, unmatched entertainment systems and the safety consumers expect and deserve. Add in three powertrain options, clever interior features and industry-leading functionality and you have a recipe that will be a favorite with any family."

Retirement in Puerto Vallarta--live in Mexico?cheap, Huh?

Mexico on $5 a day? Sure, not a problem if you can survive on four cervezas during the day and sleep in a tent pitched somewhere in the woods during the night. Of course, if you live on the Mexican Riviera, you'll only be able to afford a couple cervezas a day but you will be able to sleep on the beach!

In 1997, we moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, known as Vallarta or PV by the locals, and inevitably, when meeting folks in the States, we're asked why in the world we would live there. Most assume it's due to the low cost of living in Mexico and that one can do just fine on Social Security.

The reasons why we have lived in Vallarta for ten years have very little to do with the cost of living. One of the reasons has to do with the latitude of Vallarta which is the same as Hawaii, resulting in a climate absolutely perfect for golfing, fishing, tennis, hiking, swimming, or whatever your hobby is for seven months a year, November through May.

The population of PV, our sleepy little Mexican fishing village located on Banderas Bay on the Pacific Ocean, just surpassed 350,000 making it equal in size to Anaheim, California or twice the size of Boise, the capital of Idaho. Of the 350,000 inhabitants, there are close to 50,000 North Americans d uring the seven month "high season". They have retired here in order to enjoy the many world class restaurants, seven magnificent golf courses, world class deep sea fishing, modern supermarkets and shopping malls, and night life galore. Most of these North American residents of Vallarta have satellite TV with 350 channels, high speed internet service, air conditioning, and all the other modern conveniences that could be found in the States. Clean water, clean food, modern hospitals with the latest in sophisticated equipment for first class medical care, and a high regard for safety will be found here in PV. Actually, there are very few reasons not to live in Vallarta.

We haven't lived here for ten years because it's cheap! As an example, gasoline is about 8 pesos per liter or $4.00 per gallon. Electricity is about the same as in the US, while telephone calls to the States are about four times as much as the same calls from the States. Food in the supermarkets is about the same as in the US; the imported products are much more, while the locally grown products may be much less. Imported hard-goods, such as electronics, at Sams Club, Walmart, or Office Depot, can be twice as much as the same products in the States. Automobiles are approximately 20% more expensive, imported clothing 50% more expensive, etc. From a residents perspective, NAFTA isn't working too well because all imported items are taxed to the hilt and cost substantially more than they do in the States.

Housing, on the other hand, is generally much lower than in the States. Of course, this depends on where in the States and where in PV, but as an example, a small house in Central Florida would compare to a casita in PV with no view and would cost twice as much. A grand estate in Pebble Beach would compare to a luxurious villa on the hillside overlooking Banderas Bay and would cost two to four times as much. A 2,000 square foot condo in St. Petersburg, Flor ida, similar to one in the Marina Area of Vallarta, would cost roughly twice as much. On average, one can safely assume that housing costs in PV are approximately half of that in the States, keeping in mind that housing prices have almost tripled during the ten years we've lived here. One difference is that the house and condo values have been softening in California and Florida during the past year, while the boom in PV is expected to continue for at least another ten years. As the baby boomers retire and discover Vallarta, the demand for new houses and condos increases, as do the costs for land, materials, and labor, resulting in escalating real estate prices. Forecasts suggest that property values will double in the Vallarta area during the next five years.
There are a couple other significant housing related differences. The first has to do with real estate or property taxes. The annual predial or property tax in Mexico is about .1% of the purchase price of the property.

Assume you bought a condo in PV for $200,000 ten years ago, keeping in mind that it was twice as much as you could have bought in the States. It's value today would be about $600,000, however it's still on the books as $200,000 and it's annual taxes are approximately $200. A condo with the same cost basis of $200,000 ten years ago located in Florida or California could be taxed anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 today and remember, this $200,000 condo would have been half of what you could have purchased in Vallarta. Also, if you're a resident for more than five years in Vallarta and can show that it's your primary residence, there is no capital gains tax upon the sale of your property. Annual automobile taxes and consumption taxes are equiva lent to those in the States.

First class medical and dental care is available in Vallarta at roughly half the cost of that in the States. Skilled technicians for auto repair, electronics repair, carpentry, plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical work are about the same as in the States. Of course, there are many non-professionals available in PV that will work for half the price, but you get what you pay for! The one exception has to do with masonry. For a fourth the price of that in the States, you can have beautiful granite counter tops, marble floors, tile work such as pools, etc. Another major cost difference is that of unskilled labor such as maids, gardeners, or handymen. They are readily available for $20 per day but don't expect the most efficient work in the world. Again, you get what you pay for!

In summarizing, the cost of living in Vallarta is probably somewhat lower than that in Florida and substantially less than California, given s imilar standards. It is probably higher than Milwaukee, Wisconsin or Cincinnati, Ohio but there's no comparison in life styles.

One thing is for certain, we don't know of any Americans or Canadians living in PV solely on their Social Security payments. In order to live on a tight budget in Mexico, you have to head inland, away from the tourist areas, away from Paradise, and can expect a totally different life style. For the money, Vallarta is extremely hard to beat, but it's certainly not cheap!

Want to Find Treasure in the Sierra Madres?

Do you remember the 1927 novel, "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre", which was about a couple of down-and-out Americans that joined up with a crusty old timer to prospect for gold in Mexico? It was later adapted into a film by John Huston in 1948, who returned to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in 1964 to film "Night of the Iguana".

The Sierra Madres have been and continue to be rich in mineral wealth containing vast deposits of gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper, and tin. The problem is; the majority of us North Americans can't do very much to prosper from or enjoy the benefits associated with these rich mineral assets. However, the Sierra Madres do possess another great asset that we can benefit from and enjoy; that is real estate!

Now, we ask, where exactly are the Sierra Madres? Well, there are actually three mountain ranges in Mexico, all referred to as the Sierra Madres. The first is the Sierra Madre Oriental range that runs about 700 miles from north to the south on the eastern side of Mexico. On the western side of Mexico, the Sierra Madre Occidental range runs about 700 miles from the US border south to an area just north of Puerto Vallarta. The Sierra Madre Del Sur begins close to where the Occidental range ends and continues south to Guatemala. The two western ranges a re bisected by the Trans-Volcanic Axis which is a geologically active volcanic mountain range whose smoldering cones link the western ranges with the eastern range. This east to west volcanic range starts near Cabo Corrientes, at the southern tip of Puerto Vallartas Banderas Bay, and ends just south of Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico.

Now that we have the geography lesson behind us, let's just position ourselves where three of these four ranges intersect, i.e., in Puerto Vallarta. Standing in Vallarta, we look to the north and see the Sierra Madre Occidental range, to the south we see the Sierra Madre Del Sur range, and to the east we see the Trans-Volcanic Axis range. Yes, even though Puerto Vallarta is located on the Mexican Riviera along the Pacific Ocean coastline, you could say that it's in the center of the Sierra Madres. Being located in the center of the Sierra Madres and on the Pacific Ocean, Vallarta offers some of the most scenic land anywhere on the p lanet.

Being located at the same latitude as Hawaii, the climate in Vallarta is essentially the same as Hawaii. With the fabulous climate, outrageous views of mountains and ocean, located only two to three hours from the US, and a progressive PAN Party in power, real estate treasures in Vallarta have been discovered!

The coastline from Riviera Nayarit, 45 miles north of Vallarta all the way south to Careyes on the Costa Alegre, 55 miles south of Vallarta, is currently undergoing a major transformation. Due to the recent legal changes pertaining to the foreign ownership of coastal land in Mexico, the stable peso, the conservative and pro-US Mexican government, and of course, the onslaught of baby boomers searching for retirement destinations, this entire 100 mile stretch of the Mexican Riviera is exploding with population growth and new development.
One of the results of Mexico's 1917 Revolution was the Agrarian Law which provided the redistribution of land from the wealthy land owners to the farming peasants. This Agrarian Law prohibited the farmers from ever selling their land; they were only to work it. However, in 1973, the Mexican government modified the Agrarian Law, thus allowing foreign real estate investment in Mexico. Certain restricted zones were also made available to foreign buyers by establishing the fideicomiso, or bank trust. This 50 year bank trust grants the real estate title to a bank, acting as a trustee, who is obligated to follow all instructions given by the trust's beneficiary, the foreign buyer. The Agrarian Law was again amended in 1993, allowing the ejido farmers, with unanimous consent, to privatize or regularize their land and sell off parcels to others. In 1994, NAFTA created a dispute-settlement provision to protect direct foreign investments in Mexico. Since the PAN Party took cont rol in 2000, there have been a number of other legal changes, all designed to encourage foreign investments in Mexican real estate. They include financing, title insurance, bank trust regulations, and other tools to provide security to the foreign investor.

All Mexican land within 100 km of the borders and 50 km of the shorelines is considered as restricted zones and treated differently than the interior land. Since the beautiful western coastline property along the Mexican Riviera lies within the 50 km restricted zone, it is being slowly but surely acquired by foreigners through fideicomisos, as the ejido farmers privatize it. Of course, as it converts, its value and selling price skyrockets, thereby providing substantial new wealth for those fortunate land owning families or ejidos. There is so much magnificent coastline available, this process of conversion will probably continue for another generation.

As this coastline gets privatized, sold to foreigners, and developed, the North American baby boomer invasion continues and the local economy thrives as thousands of new construction and service jobs are created. The head of the local Chamber of Commerce has predicted the population of greater Vallarta to reach 600,000 inhabitants by 2015, making it much larger than many northern US cities such as Cleveland, Ohio. The current construction boom seems relentless as new villas, condominium complexes, shopping centers, and office buildings continue to spring up daily.

While boating in Banderas Bay, you peer across the water and see countless beautiful villas and condominiums nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Madres and you must agree, "There's gold in them thar hills"; the real treasure of the Sierra Madres is the hills themselves and the real estate contained therein. It all lies before your eyes and is now available to you in Puerto Vallarta. So, why hesitate? Come on down this winter and explore the opportunities that await you in Paradise.

How Islamic Union Will Affect the Economic Development

Contemporary world politics make it necessary for nations to integrate into international unions in the interest of their own national security and economy. In these international unions, which are usually based upon geographic location, such factors as natural resources, trading blocs, and even cultural values play an important role. Many neighboring countries combine their resources under the auspices of such organizations, create defensive alliances, and cooperate on a wide array of issues. The goal of such unions is to preserve peace, control the arms race, resolve disputes through diplomacy, promote socioeconomic development, and protect fundamental human rights and democracy. At the present time, NATO, the OSCE, the EU, NAFTA, OPEC, ASEAN, the G-8, the D-8, and APEC are the foremost international political, military, and economic unions.

These institutions are subject to organizational reforms because of new members or a widening of scope. All of these organizations, formed in the aftermath of the Second World War, have contributed to creating stability and order in the world and have played a major role in global socioeconomic development. Member nations protect their economic and military interests, and also acquire a stronger regional and international position. Even the developed world perceives the necessity of such partnerships. The creation of free trade zones, regional trade agreements, abolished customs controls, and even a common currency (as in the EU) safeguard the future of member states. Defensive pacts enable member states to reduce military expenditures and to divert those resources to cultural and educational fields.

A similar organization will provide considerable benefits to Muslim nations. For those that are desperate for technological as well as economic develop ment, the foremost step toward stability is the creation of a central organization or, in other words, a unified Islamic world under the auspices of the Islamic Union.

Economic Development and Increasing Prosperity

Economic cooperation is necessary on two counts: stability and development. Muslim nations must bring stability and solidity to their economies. Developing industries and making the required investments is vital, as is the need for a comprehensive development plan and the simultaneous development of education, economy, culture, science, and technology. While various sectors are developed technologically, the labor force's educational levels and standards must be raised accordingly. Society must be motivated to become more productive, and the resulting economic cooperation will play a major role in eradicating poverty, illiteracy, the unjust distribution of wealth, and other socioeconomic problems rampant in Muslim countries. This partners hip can be formed only by the creation of free trade zones, customs unions, and common economic areas.

Most Muslim countries have geostrategic importance as well as rich natural resources (e.g., natural gas and crude oil). These resources and strategic opportunities, however, are not being used effectively. In the Islamic world, 86% of the population's living standards fall below $2,000, 76% under $1,000, and 67% under $500 per year. When the Islamic world's total resources are considered,(1) this is quite a paradox: Roughly half of the petrol consumed in the West is exported from the Islamic world, as is 40% of the world's agricultural production.(2) Many economists and strategists freely admit that the world economy depends upon the Islamic world's oil and gas exports, in particular those of the Persian Gulf.(3)

The Persian Gulf holds two-thirds of the planet's discovered crude oil reserves. Data obtained from research concludes that Saudi Arabia alone holds 25.4% of the world's oil reserves, or 262 billion barrels. A further 11% is found in Iraq, 9.6 % in the UAE, 9.2 % in Kuwait, 8.6 % in Iran, 13% in other OPEC member states. The rest is distributed across the remainder of the world.(4) Research commissioned by the U.S. Department of Energy shows that between 2000 and 2020, oil exports from the area will increase by 125%.(5) This means that the world will continue to meet most of its energy needs by imports from the Gulf region. Moreover, the Middle East has 40% of the global natural gas reserves; 35 % of these reserves are in the Gulf region.(6) Algeria, Libya, and other North African countries have 3.7 % of the world's reserves.

The Caucasus and Central Asia are also rich in oil, natural gas, and other natural resources. For instance, Kazakhstan has between 10-17.6 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, and its natural gas reserves are estimated at between 53 and 83 trillion cubic feet. Turkmenista n hasbetween 98 and 155 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, making it the fourth largest producer.(7) Some other Muslim countries have valuable mineral resources. For instance, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are two of the world's leading gold producers. Turkey has one of the world's richest boron reserves, only recently discovered to be very important, and Tajikistan has the world's largest aluminum producing facilities.

These advantages will become more important in the twenty-first century, which some have already christened the "energy century." Energy is an essential element of modern society in terms of the military, industry, urbanization, and transport. Given that economic activity and manufacturing depend primarily upon energy, nations will do their best to achieve control over these energy resources. The Islamic world is not using its resources effectively, for many of its members lack the infrastructure and technology to increase the production an d use their natural resources to develop their industries. Therefore, the resources' contributions to the country's economy are limited to export earnings. These countries do not have the means to process their own crude oil, use it in their industrial complexes, or to develop their industries. Worse still, some Muslim nations do not even have the necessary means to explore and research their natural resources or to discover and extract them. Explorations undertaken by foreign companies reveal that other Muslim nations have oil and gas reserves, but they cannot benefit from their resources.

Naturally, the ineffective use of natural resources is not the Islamic world's only economic problem. However, solving this problem can begin the process of solving many other problems. The economies of Muslim nations contain differences in structure and functioning. Some nations' economies depend upon mineral resources, such as the members of OPEC, while other nations' depen d upon agriculture. These differences are also reflected, to some extent, in their social structures, such as the widely varying degrees of rural and urban populations. Developing complementary relationships and helping each other in their respective areas of expertise can turn these differences into a source of riches. All of this will be possible with the Islamic Union.
Joint ventures and project partnerships will be an important step in the right direction, for they will enable countries to benefit from one another's experiences and the income earned from investment projects will benefit all of the participating countries. Such mutual financial support is compatible with Islamic morality, for helping the needy and having a sense of social responsibility are important characteristics that Muslims strive to acquire. Many verses in the Qur'an remind Muslims to watch over the needy.

Society's internal cohesion must be extended to international relations. As international cooperation within a partnership cannot be one-sided, employment and income levels will rise in both countries. For example, one country will produce oil and another one will process it, and agriculturally dependent countries will be able to import the food they need from agriculturally developed countries. A manpower-poor country's need will be met by ano ther Islamic country, while rich countries will be able to invest in and help out a manpower-rich country that does not have enough jobs for its people. This will be to the benefit of both. Sharing know-how and experience will increase prosperity, and all Muslims will benefit from technological developments.

Joint ventures that realize the Islamic world's unification of opportunities and means will enable Muslims to produce hi-tech products. The Islamic common market will enable Muslim-made products to be marketed in other Muslim countries without the hindrance of customs, quotas, and other cross-border obstacles. The marketplace will grow, the market share and exports of all Muslim nations will rise, industrialization will speed up, and economic development will bring progress in technology. The living standards and wealth of Muslim nations will increase, and their existing inequalities will disappear. Some free trade agreements are already in place between cou ntries in the Gulf, the Pacific Rim, and North Africa. Trade agreements signed by Turkey are already operational in the Islamic world. Bilateral cooperation exists in some regions; however, their scope must be widened. Such cooperation will safeguard the rights and interests of all Muslim nations and lead to all of them becoming developeda result from which all of them will derive a far greater benefit than if they do not cooperate with each other.

All of these can be realized only under a central authority's leadership and coordination. Achieving this will be possible if Muslim nations adopt the Qur'an's values and the Prophet's (May God bless him and grant him peace) Sunnah, or, in other words, if they adopt Islamic culture. The Islamic Union must lead the way to this cultural awakening, as well as the resulting political and economic cooperation.

Mutual cooperation among Muslims, part of the Islamic code, must be adhered to by all Muslims, for Go d commands people to refrain from avarice and to guard the needy and support one another. In fact, destitute people have a due share of the believers' wealth (Qur'an, 51:19). As the Qur'an proclaims:

Those of you possessing affluence and ample wealth should not make oaths that they will not give to their relatives, the very poor, and those who have migrated in the way of God. Rather, they should pardon and overlook. Would you not love God to forgive you? God is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Qur'an, 24:22)

He who has plenty should spend from his plenty, but he whose provision is restricted should spend from what God has given him. God does not demand from anyone more than He has given it. God will appoint ease after difficulty. (Qur'an, 65:7)

Our Lord also reveals that believers are one another's guardians (Qur'an, 9:71). The word "guardian" conveys such meanings as friend, helper, mentor, and protector. It also expresses the importanc e of cooperation and solidarity between Muslim nations. The cooperation that will arise from this fraternal awareness between Muslim nations will bring prosperity and wealth to Muslims and eradicate poverty, an important problem of the Islamic world. Societies that follow the Qur'an's values will not experience famine, destitution, and poverty. Muslims will develop their nations by following rational and long-term policies, establishing good relations with other nations and people, valuing trade and development, and learning from other cultures' experiences. This was so in history and, God willing, under the Islamic Union's leadership it will be so once again.

Under the pen name of Harun Yahya, Adnan Oktar has written some 250 works. His books contain a total of 46,000 pages and 31,500 illustrations. Of these books, 7,000 pages and 6,000 illustrations deal with the collapse of the Theory of Evolution. You can read, free of charge, all the books Adnan Oktar has w ritten under the pen name Harun Yahya on these websites

1- Demetrios Yiokaris, Islamic Leage Study Guide-1997, United Nations: Study Guides. Online at: /cowac/islmclg1.htm.
2- "Islamic Countries have the resources to match the west, scientist", Arabic News.com, 28 May 2000. Online at: /ansub/ Daily/Day/000628/2000062848.html.
3- Anthony H. Cordesman and Arleigh A. Burke, "The Gulf and Transition: Executive Summary and Major Policy Recommendations" (October 30, 2000).
4- Anthony H. Cordesman and Arleigh A. Burke, "The US Military and the Evolving Challenges in the Middle East" (March 9, 2002), 3.
5- Anthony H. Cordesman and Arleigh A. Burke, "The US Military and the Evolving Challenges in the Middle East" (March 9, 2002), 3.
6- Anthony H. Cordesman and Arleigh A. Burke, "The US Military and the Evolving Challenges in the Middle East" (March 9, 2002), 4.
7- Jim Nichol, "Central Asia's New States: Political Developments an d Implications for U.S. Interests," CRS (Congressional Research Service) Issue Brief for Congress (June 13, 2003). Online at: /NLE/CRS/abstract.cfm?NLEid=16833.