The people with the most negative emotions, and the happiest people on the planet

Here are two Gallup polls which I found very interesting:

Leading as the people with the most negative emotions in the world, are Middle Easterners. Countries such as Iraq, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Turkey: http://www.gallup.com/poll/155045/Middle-East-Leads-World-Negative-Emotions.aspx

Leading as the most positive people in the world, are Latin Americans. Countries such as Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay, El Salvador: http://www.gallup.com/poll/159254/latin-americans-positive-world.aspx

To what do you think the positive outlooks and/or negative emotions are due? Latin countries are among the poorest, and have tremendous political conflicts and upheavals. Wouldn't you think they'd be very negative? Clearly it's not wealth and stability in their countries that makes them positive, since they don't have that.

What about religion? How about family ties? What about neighbors? Where does laughter come into this, and forgiveness? What about rules? Some countries have strict, rigid rules, such as Iran and other Middle Eastern countries, where punishment is carried out routinely for "transgressions."

Do countries have a personality? I think each country does. Some countries are naturally morose and see little humor in anything.