South America
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2008-07-16T13:44:02Z
Ant75
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/* External links */ Small change to language in sports section
{{South America box}}
'''South America''' is a continent occupying the southern part of the supercontinent of [[America (continent)|America]]. It sits entirely in the Western Hemisphere, and mostly in the [[Southern Hemisphere]] with a small portion in the [[Northern Hemisphere]]. It is bordered on the west by the [[Pacific Ocean]] and on the north and east by the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. [[North America]] and the [[Caribbean Sea]] lie to the northwest.
South America was named in 1507 by cartographers [[Martin Waldseemüller]] and [[Matthias Ringmann]] after [[Amerigo Vespucci]], who was the first European to suggest that the Americas were not the [[East Indies]], but a [[New World]] unknown to Europeans.
South America has an [[area]] of 17,840,000 [[square kilometer]]s (6,890,000 sq mi), or almost 3.5% of the [[Earth]]'s surface. As of 2005, its [[population]] was estimated at more than 371,090,000. South America [[Continent#Area and population|ranks fourth]] in area (after [[Asia]], [[Africa]], and [[North America]]) and fifth in population (after [[Asia]], [[Africa]], [[Europe]], and [[North America]]).
== Geography ==
{{main|Geography of South America}}
[[Image:South America satellite orthographic.jpg|left|210px|thumb|A composite relief image of South America.]]
South America occupies the major southern portion of the [[landmass]] generally referred to as the [[New World]], the [[Western Hemisphere]], [[Americas|the Americas]], or simply America (which is sometimes considered a single [[continent]] and South America a [[subcontinent]]). It is south and east of the [[Colombia]]-[[Panama]] border according to most authorities or, according to a few, the [[Panama Canal]] which transects the [[Isthmus of Panama]]. Almost all of mainland South America sits on the [[South American Plate]]. [[Geopolitics|Geopolitically]] and geographically, all of [[Panama]] – including the segment east of the Panama Canal in the isthmus – is generally considered a part of North America alone and among the [[Central America#Human geography|countries of Central America]].
Many of the islands of the [[Caribbean|Caribbean (or West Indies)]] – e.g., the Leeward and [[Lesser Antilles]] – sit atop the [[Caribbean Plate]], a tectonic plate with a diffuse topography. The islands of [[Aruba]], [[Barbados]], [[Trinidad]], and [[Tobago]] sit on the northerly South American [[continental shelf]]. The [[Netherlands Antilles]] and the [[federal dependencies of Venezuela]] lie along the northerly South American. Geopolitically, the island states and overseas territories of the Caribbean are generally grouped as a part or subregion of North America.<ref>[http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/atlas/index.html?Parent=sameri&Rootmap=&Mode=d&SubMode=w South America Atlas] National Geographic</ref><ref>[http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/atlas/index.html?Parent=nameri&Rootmap=&Mode=d&SubMode=w North America Atlas] National Geographic</ref><ref>[http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm#americas Unstats] Americas</ref> The South American nations that border the Caribbean Sea – including [[Colombia]], [[Venezuela]], [[Guyana]], [[Suriname]], and [[French Guiana]] – are also known as [[Caribbean South America]]. Other islands are the [[Galápagos islands|Galápagos]], [[Easter Island]] (in Oceania but belongs to Chile), [[Robinson Crusoe Island]], [[Chiloé Archipelago|Chiloé]], and the [[Tierra del Fuego]].
[[Image:Andes Chile Argentina.jpg|right|210px|thumb|The [[Andes]].]]
[[Image:River in the Amazon rainforest.jpg|right|210px|thumb|River in the [[Amazon rainforest]].]]
South America is home to the world's highest [[waterfall]], [[Angel Falls]] in Venezuela, the largest river (by volume), the [[Amazon River]], the longest mountain range, the [[Andes]] (whose highest mountain is Aconcagua at 6,962 m (22,841 ft)), the driest desert, the [[Atacama Desert]], the largest rainforest, the [[Amazon Rainforest]], the highest capital city, [[La Paz, Bolivia]], the highest commercially navigable lake in the world, [[Lake Titicaca]], and the world's southernmost town, [[Puerto Toro]], [[Chile]].
South America's major mineral resources are [[gold]], [[silver]], [[copper]], [[iron ore]], [[tin]], and [[petroleum|oil]]. The many resources of South America have brought high income to its countries especially in times of war or of rapid economic growth by industrialized countries elsewhere. However, the concentration in producing one major export [[commodity]] often has hindered the development of diversified economies. The inevitable fluctuation in the price of commodities in the international markets has led historically to major highs and lows in the economies of South American states, often also causing extreme political instability. This is leading to efforts to diversify their production to drive them away from staying as economies dedicated to one major export.
South America is home to many interesting and unique species of animals including the [[llama]], [[anaconda]], [[piranha]], [[jaguar]], [[vicuña]], and [[tapir]]. The Amazon rainforests possess high [[biodiversity]], containing a major proportion of the [[Earth]]'s [[species]].
The largest country in South America by far, in both area and population, is [[Brazil]], followed by [[Argentina]]. Regions in South America include the [[Andean States]], the [[Guiana]]s, the [[Southern Cone]], and [[Brazil]].
== History ==
{{main|History of South America}}
=== The rise of agriculture and domestication of animals ===
[[Image:Alpacas Sillustani (pixinn.net).jpg|right|210px|thumb|A pair of [[alpacas]] near an Inca burial site in [[Peru]].]]
South America is thought to have been first inhabited by people crossing the [[Bering Land Bridge]], which is now the [[Bering Strait]]. Some archaeological finds do not fit this theory, and have led to an alternative theory [[Pre-Siberian American Aborigines]]. The first evidence for the existence of agricultural practices in South America date back to circa 6500 BC, when [[potatoes]], [[chillies]] and [[beans]] began to be cultivated for food in the highlands of the [[Amazon Basin]]. Pottery evidence further suggests that [[manioc]], which remains a staple foodstuff today, was being cultivated as early as 2000 BC.<ref name="OBrienP-Oxford_Atlas">O'Brien, Patrick. (General Editor). Oxford Atlas of World History. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. pp. 25</ref>
By 2000 BC many agrarian village communities had been settled throughout the Andes and the surrounding religious regions. Fishing became a widespread practice along the coast which helped to establish fish as a primary source of food. Irrigation systems were also developed at this time, which aided in the rise of an agrarian society.<ref name="OBrienP-Oxford_Atlas"/>
South Americans cultures began domesticating [[llamas]], [[vicuñas]], [[guanacos]], and [[alpacas]] in the highlands of the Andes circa 3500 BC. Besides their use as sources of meat, and wool, these animals were used for transportation of goods (maximum load for a llama is typically 40 kg).<ref name="OBrienP-Oxford_Atlas"/>
=== Pre-Colombian civilizations ===
[[Image:Peru Machu Picchu Sunset.jpg|left|thumb|The Inca ruins of [[Machu Picchu]].]]
The rise of agriculture and the subsequent appearance of permanent human settlements allowed for the multiple and overlapping beginnings of civilizations in South America.
The earliest known settlements, and culture in South America, and the Americas altogether, are the [[Valdivia Culture|Valdivia]] on the south east coast of [[Ecuador]].
The earliest known South American civilization was at [[Norte Chico]], on the central [[Peru]]vian coast. Though a pre-ceramic culture, the monumental architecture of Norte Chico is contemporaneous with the pyramids of [[Ancient Egypt]]. The [[Chavin culture|Chavín]] established a trade network and developed agriculture by 900 BC, according to some estimates and archaeological finds. Artifacts were found at a site called [[Chavín de Huantar]] in modern Peru at an elevation of 3,177 meters. Chavín civilization spanned 900 BC to 300 BC.
The [[Muisca]] were the main indigenous civilization in what is now modern [[Colombia]]. They established a confederation of many clans, or cacicazgos, that had a free trade network among themselves. They were goldsmiths and farmers.
Other important Pre-Columbian cultures include: [[Moche]] (100 BC – 700 AD, at the northern coast of Peru); Tiuahuanaco or Tiwanaku (100 BC – 1200 AD, Bolivia); the [[Cañaris]] (in south central Ecuador), [[Paracas culture|Paracas]] and [[Nazca culture|Nazca]] (400 BC – 800 AD, Peru); Wari or [[Huari]] Empire (600 – 1200, Central and northern Peru); [[Chimu]] Empire (1300 – 1470, Peruvian northern coast); [[Chachapoyas]]; and the Aymaran kingdoms (1000 – 1450, Bolivia and southern Peru).
Holding their capital at the great [[cougar]]-shaped city of [[Cusco]], the Inca civilization dominated the Andes region from 1438 to 1533. Known as ''Tawantin suyu'', or "the land of the four regions," in [[Quechua]], the Inca civilization was highly distinct and developed. Inca rule extended to nearly a hundred linguistic or ethnic communities, some 9 to 14 million people connected by a 25,000 kilometer [[Inca road system|road system]]. Cities were built with precise, unmatched stonework, constructed over many levels of mountain terrain. [[Terrace farming]] was a useful form of agriculture. There is evidence of excellent metalwork and even successful [[brain surgery]] in Inca civilization.{{Fact|date=May 2008}}
=== European colonization ===
In 1494, Portugal and Spain, the two great maritime powers of that time, on the expectation of new lands being discovered in the west, signed the [[Treaty of Tordesillas]], by which they agreed that all the land outside Europe should be an exclusive [[duopoly]] between the two countries.
The Treaty established an imaginary line along a north-south [[meridian (geography)|meridian]] 370 [[league]]s west of [[Cape Verde Islands]], roughly 46° 37' W. In terms of the treaty, all land to the west of the line known to comprehend most of the South American soil), would belong to Spain, and all land to the east, to Portugal. As accurate measurements of [[longitude]] were impossible at that time, the line was not strictly enforced, resulting in a [[Portuguese colonization of the Americas|Portuguese expansion of Brazil]] across the meridian.
Beginning in the 1530s, the people and natural resources of South America were repeatedly exploited by foreign [[conquistadors]], first from [[Spain]] and later from [[Portugal]]. These competing colonial nations claimed the land and resources as their own and divided it into colonies.
European infectious diseases ([[smallpox]], [[influenza]], [[measles]], and [[typhus]]) to which the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|native populations]] had no immune resistance, and systems of forced labor, such as the [[hacienda]]s and mining industry's [[Mita (Inca)|mita]], decimated the native population under Spanish control.
African [[Slavery|slave]]s were brought in large quantities for several centuries for a number of reasons, both political and economical; however, it was mainly because they were much better fitted than the American natives for hard labor in tropical climate such as sugar cane plantations or gold mining.
The Spaniards were committed to convert their native subjects to [[Christianity]] and were quick to purge any native cultural practices that hindered this end; however, most initial attempts at this were only partially successful, as native groups simply blended Catholicism with traditional idolatry and their polytheistic beliefs. Furthermore, the Spaniards did impose their language to the degree they did their religion, although the [[Roman Catholic Church]]'s evangelization in [[Quechua language|Quechua]], [[Aymara language|Aymara]], and [[Guaraní language|Guaraní]] actually contributed to the continuous use of these native languages albeit only in the oral form.
[[Image:Mestizo.jpg|left|thumb|300px|A representation of a '''Mestizo''', in a "Pintura de Castas" in the Colonial era. "From Spaniard and Amerindian woman, begets Mestizo".]]
Eventually, the [[native Americans (Americas)|natives]] and the Spaniards interbred, forming a [[mestizo]] class. Essentially all of the mestizos of the Andean region were offspring of Amerindian mothers and Spanish fathers. Mestizos and the Indian natives were often forced to pay extraordinary taxes to the Spanish crown and were punished more harshly for disobeying the law.
Many native artworks were considered pagan idols and destroyed by Spanish explorers; this included many gold and silver sculptures and other artifacts found in South America, which were melted down before their transport to Spain or Portugal.
Guyana was a Portuguese, Dutch, and eventually a British colony. The country was once partitioned into three, each being controlled by one of the colonial powers until the country was finally taken over fully by the British.
=== Independence ===
{{Main|Hispanic American wars of independence}}[[Image:AmériqueMéridionaleaugmenté.JPG|right|210px|thumb||Map of South America in 1750 by [[Robert de Vaugondy]].]]
The South American possessions of the Spanish Crown won their independence between 1804 and 1824 in the [[South American Wars of Independence]]. [[Simón Bolívar]] of Venezuela and [[José de San Martín]] of Argentina were the most important leaders of the independence struggles. Bolívar led a great uprising in northern South America, then led his army southward towards the capital of the [[Viceroyalty of Peru]], [[Lima]].
Meanwhile, San Martín led an army from the [[Viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata]] across the Andes Mountains, meeting up with General [[Bernardo O'Higgins]] in Chile, and then marched northward to gain the military support of various rebels from the Viceroyalty of Peru. The two armies finally met in Guayaquil, [[Ecuador]], where they cornered the Royal Army of the Spanish Crown and forced its surrender.
In Brazil, a Portuguese colony, [[Dom Pedro I]] (also Pedro IV of Portugal), son of the Portuguese [[monarch|king]] [[Dom João VI]], proclaimed the country's independence in 1822 and became Brazil's first [[Emperor]]. This was peacefully accepted by the crown in Portugal.
Although Bolivar attempted to unify politically the Spanish-speaking parts of the continent into the "[[Gran Colombia]]", they rapidly became independent states without political connections between them, despite some later attempts such as the [[Peruvian-Bolivian Confederation]].
A few countries did not gain independence until the 20th century:
*[[Guyana]], from the [[United Kingdom]], in 1966
*[[Suriname]], from [[Netherlands|Dutch]] control, in 1975
[[French Guiana]] remains part of [[France]] as of 2008, and hosts the [[European Space Agency]]'s principal [[spaceport]], the [[Guiana Space Centre]].
=== Recent history ===
The continent became a battlefield of the [[Cold War]] in the late 20th century. Some governments of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay were overthrown or displaced by U.S.-aligned military dictatorships in the 1960s and 1970s. To curtail opposition, their governments detained tens of thousands of [[political prisoner]]s, many of whom were tortured and/or killed (on inter-state collaboration, see [[Operation Condor]]). Economically, they began a transition to [[neoliberal]] economic policies. They placed their own actions within the U.S. [[Cold War]] doctrine of "National Security" against internal subversion. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Peru suffered from [[Internal conflict in Peru|an internal conflict]] (see [[Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement]] and [[Shining Path]]). Colombia currently faces an internal conflict, often described as a civil war, which started in 1964 with the creation of Marxist guerrillas (FARC-EP) and now involves several illegal armed groups of both leftist and rightist leanings as well as the private armies of powerful drug lords and the Colombian state itself. Revolutionary movements and right-wing military dictatorships became common after World War II, but since the 1980s a wave of democratization came through the continent, and democratic rule is widespread now.
Nonetheless, allegations of corruption are still very common and several countries have developed crises which have forced the resignation of their governments, although, in most occasions, regular civilian succession has continued this far.
[[Developing countries' debt|International indebtedness]] turned into a severe problem in late 1980s, and some countries, despite having strong democracies, have not yet developed political institutions capable of handling such crises without recurring to unorthodox economical policies, as most recently illustrated by [[Argentina]]'s [[Argentine economic crisis (1999-2002)|default]] in the early 21st century.
During the first decade of the 21st century, South American governments have drifted to the political left, with [[social democratic]] leaders being elected in [[Chile]], [[Uruguay]], [[Brazil]], and left-populist presidents in [[Argentina]], [[Ecuador]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Bolivia]] and [[Venezuela]]. In the late 2000s, the nations of South America banded together to constitute a supranational union intended to integrate South American economies and cultures, and potentially militaries, laws, and political structures, named the [[Union of South American Nations]].
== Regions ==
The countries in the table below are categorised according to the [[United Nations geoscheme|scheme for geographic regions and subregions]] used by the United Nations, and data included are per sources in cross-referenced articles. Where they differ, provisos are clearly indicated.
[[Image:SACN member states.jpg|right|210px|thumb|[[Union of South American Nations|Unasur]] member states.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:85%"
|- bgcolor="#ECECEC"
! [[Country]] or <br>[[Territory (country subdivision)|territory]] with [[flag]]
! [[List of countries by area|Area]]<br>(km²)<ref name="factbook2008">Land areas and population estimates are taken from ''The 2008 World Factbook'' which currently uses July 2007 data, unless otherwise noted.</ref>(per sq mi)
! [[List of countries by population|Population]]<br>(July 2008 est.)<ref name="factbook2008" />
! [[List of countries by population density|Population density]]<br>per km²
! [[Capital]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{sort|Argentina|{{flag|Argentina}}}}
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|2766890 }}{{km2 to mi2|2766890|abbr=yes|precision=0}}
| align="right" | 40,677,348
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|14300000 }}14.3/km² ({{formatnum:{{#expr: 14.3 * 2.589988110336 round 1}} }}/sq mi)
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Buenos Aires]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{sort|Bolivia|{{flag|Bolivia}}}}
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|1098580 }}{{km2 to mi2|1098580|abbr=yes|precision=0}}
| align="right" | 9,247,816
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|08100000 }}8.1/km² ({{formatnum:{{#expr: 8.1 * 2.589988110336 round 1}} }}/sq mi)
| style="text-align:left;" | [[La Paz]], [[Sucre]]<ref>[[La Paz]] is the administrative capital of [[Bolivia]]; [[Sucre]] is the judicial seat.<br></ref>
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{sort|Brazil|{{flag|Brazil}}}}
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|8514877 }}{{km2 to mi2|8514877|abbr=yes|precision=0}}
| align="right" | 191,908,598
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|22000000 }}22.0/km² ({{formatnum:{{#expr: 22.0 * 2.589988110336 round 1}} }}/sq mi)
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Brasília]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{sort|Chile|{{flag|Chile}}}}<ref>Includes [[Easter Island]] in the [[Pacific Ocean]], a [[Chile]]an territory frequently reckoned in [[Oceania]]. [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]] is the administrative capital of Chile; [[Valparaíso]] is the site of legislative meetings.<br></ref>
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|0756950 }} {{km2 to mi2|756950|abbr=yes|precision=0}}
| align="right" | 16,454,143
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|21100000 }}21.1/km² ({{formatnum:{{#expr: 21.1 * 2.589988110336 round 1}} }}/sq mi)
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{sort|Colombia|{{flag|Colombia}}}}
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|1138910 }}{{km2 to mi2|1138910|abbr=yes|precision=0}}
| align="right" | 45,013,674
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|37700000 }}37.7/km² ({{formatnum:{{#expr: 37.7 * 2.589988110336 round 1}} }}/sq mi)
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Bogotá]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{sort|Ecuador|{{flag|Ecuador}}}}
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|0283560 }} {{km2 to mi2|283560|abbr=yes|precision=0}}
| align="right" | 13,927,650
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|47100000 }}47.1/km² ({{formatnum:{{#expr: 47.1 * 2.589988110336 round 1}} }}/sq mi)
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Quito]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{sort|Falkland Islands|{{flag|Falkland Islands}}}} ([[United Kingdom|UK]])<ref>Claimed by [[Argentina]].<br></ref>
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|0012173 }} {{km2 to mi2|12173|abbr=yes|precision=0}}
| align="right" | 2,967
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|00240000 }}0.24/km² ({{formatnum:{{#expr: 0.24 * 2.589988110336 round 1}} }}/sq mi)
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Stanley, Falkland Islands|Stanley]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{sort|French Guiana|{{flag|French Guiana}}}} ([[France]])
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|0091000 }} {{km2 to mi2|91000|abbr=yes|precision=0}}
| align="right" | 209,000
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|02100000 }}2.1/km² ({{formatnum:{{#expr: 2.1 * 2.589988110336 round 1}} }}/sq mi)
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Cayenne]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{sort|Guyana|{{flag|Guyana}}}}
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|0214970 }} {{km2 to mi2|214970|abbr=yes|precision=0}}
| align="right" | 770,794
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|03600000 }}3.6/km² ({{formatnum:{{#expr: 3.6 * 2.589988110336 round 1}} }}/sq mi)
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Georgetown, Guyana|Georgetown]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{sort|Paraguay|{{flag|Paraguay}}}}
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|0406750 }} {{km2 to mi2|406750|abbr=yes|precision=0}}
| align="right" | 6,347,884
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|15600000 }}15.6/km² ({{formatnum:{{#expr: 15.6 * 2.589988110336 round 1}} }}/sq mi)
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Asunción]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{sort|Peru|{{flag|Peru}}}}
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|1285220 }}{{km2 to mi2|1285220|abbr=yes|precision=0}}
| align="right" | 27,925,628
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|21700000 }}21.7/km² ({{formatnum:{{#expr: 21.7 * 2.589988110336 round 1}} }}/sq mi)
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Lima]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{sort|South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands|{{flagicon|South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands}} [[South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands|South Georgia and<br>South Sandwich Islands]] (UK)}}<ref>Also claimed by Argentina, the [[South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands]] in the [[Atlantic Ocean|South Atlantic Ocean]] are commonly associated with [[Antarctica]] (due to proximity) and have no permanent population, only hosting a periodic contingent of about 100 researchers and visitors.</small><br></ref>
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|0003093 }} {{km2 to mi2|3093|abbr=yes|precision=0}}
| align="right" | 20
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|00000000 }}0/km² ({{formatnum:{{#expr: 0 * 2.589988110336 round 1}} }}/sq mi)
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Grytviken]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{sort|Suriname|{{flag|Suriname}}}}
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|0163270 }} {{km2 to mi2|163270|abbr=yes|precision=0}}
| align="right" | 438,144
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|02700000 }}2.7/km² ({{formatnum:{{#expr: 2.7 * 2.589988110336 round 1}} }}/sq mi)
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Paramaribo]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{sort|Uruguay|{{flag|Uruguay}}}}
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|0176220 }} {{km2 to mi2|176220|abbr=yes|precision=0}}
| align="right" | 3,477,778
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|19400000 }}19.4/km² ({{formatnum:{{#expr: 19.4 * 2.589988110336 round 1}} }}/sq mi)
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Montevideo]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{sort|Venezuela|{{flag|Venezuela}}}}
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|0912050 }} {{km2 to mi2|912050|abbr=yes|precision=0}}
| align="right" | 26,414,815
| align="right" | {{sortkey|visible=no|27800000 }}27.8/km² ({{formatnum:{{#expr: 27.8 * 2.589988110336 round 1}} }}/sq mi)
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Caracas]]
|-
! Total
| align="right" | {{nts|17,824,513}}
| align="right" | {{nts|382,426,313}}
| align="right" | 21.5/km²
|
|}
See Also: [[List of South American countries by population]]
== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of South America}}
[[Image:MarginalPinheiros.jpg|thumb|180px|right|View of a
financial district in [[São Paulo]], [[Brazil]].]]
[[Image:Buenos Aires-Retiro(CatalinasNorte)-P3090002.JPG|thumb|180px|[[Buenos Aires]], [[Argentina]] financial district.]]
[[Image:Vitacura at night.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]], [[Chile]] financial center at night.]]
[[Image:486876350 2b24588b66 b.jpg|thumb|180px|right|View of a
financial center in [[Bogotá]], [[Colombia]].]]
[[Image:QuitoNochevista-1-.jpg|thumb|180px|Metropolitan district in Quito, [[Ecuador]]]]
[[Image:Lima at night.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Lima]], [[Peru]] financial center.]]
Due to histories of high inflation in nearly all South American countries, interest-rates and thus investment remain high and low, respectively. Interest rates are usually twice that of the United States. For example, interest-rates are about 22% in Venezuela and 23% in Suriname. The exception is Chile, which has been implementing free market economic policies since establishing military dictatorship in 1973 and increased its social spending since the return of democratic rule in the early 1990s. This has led to economic stability and interest rates in the low single digits.
The [[Union of South American Nations]] is a planned continent-wide [[free trade zone]] to unite two existing [[free-trade]] organizations – [[Mercosur]] and the [[Andean Community]].
The [[Economic inequality|economic gap]] between the rich and poor in most South American nations is considered to be larger than in most other continents. In [[Venezuela]], [[Paraguay]], [[Bolivia]] and many other South American countries, the richest 20% may own over 60% of the nation's wealth, while the poorest 20% may own less than 5%. This wide gap can be seen in many large South American cities where makeshift shacks and slums lie adjacent to skyscrapers and upper-class luxury apartments.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:85%"
! [[Country]]
! [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|GDP (nominal) of 2006]]<ref>Source: [http://siteresources.worldbank.org/DATASTATISTICS/Resources/GDP.pdf]</ref>
! [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|GDP (PPP) of 2005]]<ref name=PPP_GDP>Source: [http://siteresources.worldbank.org/ICPINT/Resources/ICPreportprelim.pdf]</ref>
! [[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|GDP (PPP) per capita of 2005]]<ref name=PPP_GDP />
! [[List of countries by Human Development Index|HDI of 2007]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flagcountry|Argentina}}
| {{Nts|214058}}
| {{Nts|419600}}
| {{Nts|11076}}
| {{Nts|{{increase}} 0.869}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flagcountry|Bolivia}}
| {{Nts|11163}}
| {{Nts|34200}}
| {{Nts|3623}}
| {{Nts|{{increase}} 0.695}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flagcountry|Brazil}}
| {{Nts|1312962}}
| {{Nts|1585100}}
| {{Nts|8606}}
| {{Nts|{{increase}} 0.800}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flagcountry|Chile}}
| {{Nts|145841}}
| {{Nts|199800}}
| {{Nts|12277}}
| {{Nts|{{increase}} 0.867}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flagcountry|Colombia}}
| {{Nts|135836}}
| {{Nts|264000}}
| {{Nts|6314}}
| {{Nts|{{increase}} 0.791}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flagcountry|Ecuador}}
| {{Nts|40800}}
| {{Nts|86400}}
| {{Nts|6541}}
| {{Nts|{{increase}} 0.772}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flagcountry|French Guiana}} ([[France]])
| {{Nts|3524}}<ref name=French_Guiana>{{fr_icon}} {{cite web|url=http://prod-afd.afd.zeni.fr/jahia/webdav/site/cerom/users/admin_cerom/public/Pdf/CR2006_guy.pdf|title=Les comptes économiques de la Guyane en 2006 : premiers résultats|author=[[INSEE]]-CEROM|accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref>
| N/A
| {{Nts|17336}} (nominal, 2006)<ref name=French_Guiana />
| N/A
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flagcountry|Guyana}}
| {{Nts|896}}
| {{Nts|2393}}
| {{Nts|3186}}
| {{Nts|{{increase}} 0.750}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flagcountry|Paraguay}}
| {{Nts|9110}}
| {{Nts|23000}}
| {{Nts|3905}}
| {{Nts|{{decrease}} 0.755}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flagcountry|Peru}}
| {{Nts|107000 }}
| {{Nts|217500}}
| {{Nts|7574}}
| {{Nts|{{increase}} 0.773}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flagcountry|Suriname}}
| {{Nts|1597}}
| {{Nts|2591}}
| {{Nts|5770}}
| {{Nts|{{increase}} 0.774}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flagcountry|Uruguay}}
| {{Nts|19308}}
| {{Nts|30700}}
| {{Nts|9277}}
| {{Nts|{{increase}} 0.852}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | {{flagcountry|Venezuela}}
| {{Nts|181862}}
| {{Nts|262800}}
| {{Nts|9888}}
| {{Nts|{{increase}} 0.792}}
|-
|}
==Culture and language==
[[Image:Rio de Janeiro from Sugarloaf mountain, May 2004.jpg|thumb|left|[[Brazil]] is the only [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]-speaking nation in [[the Americas]], making the language an important part of Brazilian national identity.]]
[[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] and [[Spanish language|Spanish]] are the most spoken languages in South America, each spoken by around 90% of the continent's population. [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] is the official language of [[Brazil]], which holds nearly 50% of the South American population. [[Spanish language|Spanish]] is the official language of most countries of the continent. [[Dutch language|Dutch]] is the official language of [[Suriname]]; [[English language|English]] is the official language of [[Guyana]], although there are at least twelve other languages spoken in the country such as [[Hindi]], [[Arabic language|Arabic]], and various indigenous [[dialect]]s. English is also spoken in the [[Falkland Islands]]. [[French language|French]] is the official language of [[French Guiana]].
[[Indigenous languages of the Americas|Indigenous languages]] of South America include [[Quechua]] in [[Ecuador]], [[Peru]], and [[Bolivia]]; [[Guarani language|Guaraní]] in [[Paraguay]] and, to a much less extent, in [[Bolivia]]; [[Aymara]] in [[Bolivia]], [[Peru]], and less often in [[Chile]]; and [[Mapudungun]] is spoken in certain pockets of southern [[Chile]] and, more rarely, [[Argentina]]. At least three South American indigenous languages ([[Quechua]] in [[Ecuador]], [[Peru]], and [[Bolivia]] - [[Aymara language|Aymara]] also in [[Bolivia]] - and [[Guarani]] in [[Paraguay]]) are recognized along with [[Spanish language|Spanish]] as national languages.
Other languages found in South America include [[Hindi language|Hindi]] and [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]] in [[Suriname]]; [[Italian language|Italian]] in [[Argentina]], [[Brazil]], [[Uruguay]], [[Venezuela]], and [[Chile]]; and [[German language|German]] in certain pockets of [[Argentina]], [[Chile]], [[Venezuela]] and [[Paraguay]]. German is also spoken in many regions of the southern states of [[Brazil]], [[Riograndenser Hunsrückisch]] being the most widely spoken German dialect in the country; among other Germanic dialects, a Brazilian form of [[Pomeranian language|Pomeranian]] is also well represented and is experiencing a revival. [[Welsh language|Welsh]] remains spoken and written in the historic towns of [[Trelew]] and [[Rawson]] in the Argentinean [[Patagonia]]. There are also small clusters of [[Japanese language|Japanese]]-speakers in [[Brazil]], [[Bolivia]], [[Colombia]], [[Paraguay]], [[Peru]], and [[Ecuador]]. [[Arabic]] speakers, often of [[Lebanon|Lebanese]], [[Demographics of Syria|Syrian]], or [[Palestinian]] descent, can be found in Arab communities in [[Brazil]], [[Ecuador]], [[Peru]], [[Chile]], [[Argentina]], and less frequently in [[Colombia]] and [[Paraguay]].
In most of the continent's countries, the upper classes and well-educated people regularly study English, French, German, or Italian. In those areas where tourism is a significant industry, English and some other European languages are often spoken. There are small [[Spanish language|Spanish]] speaking areas in Southernmost Brazil due to the proximity of [[Uruguay]].
South Americans are culturally enriched by the historic connection with Europe, especially [[Spain]] and [[Portugal]], and the impact of [[mass culture]] from the [[United States of America]].
South American nations have a rich variety of [[Latin American music|music]]. Some of the most famous genres include [[cumbia]] from [[Colombia]], [[samba]] and [[bossa nova]] from [[Brazil]], and [[tango music|tango]] from [[Argentina]] and [[Uruguay]]. Also well known is the non-commercial folk genre [[Nueva Canción]] movement which was founded in Argentina and Chile and quickly spread to the rest of the Latin America. People on the [[Peru]]vian coast created the fine [[guitar]] and [[cajon]] duos or trios in the most [[mestizo]] (mixed) of South American rhythms such as the Marinera (from Lima), the [[Tondero]] (from Piura), the 19th century popular Creole Valse or Peruvian Valse, the soulful Arequipan Yaravi, and the early 20th century [[Paraguay]]an [[Guarania (music)|Guarania]]. In the late 20th century, [[Rock en Español|Spanish rock]] emerged by young hipsters influenced by British pop and American rock in [[Argentina]], [[Chile]], [[Colombia]], [[Peru]], and [[Uruguay]]. [[Music of Brazil|Brazil]] has a Portuguese-language pop rock industry as well a great variety of other music genres.
The [[Spanish American literature|literature]] of South America has attracted considerable critical and popular acclaim, especially with the [[Latin American Boom]] of the 1960s and 1970s, and the rise of authors such as [[Gabriel García Márquez]] in novels, and [[Pablo Neruda]] and [[Jorge Luis Borges]] in other genres.
Because of South America's broad ethnic mix, South American [[Latin American cuisine|cuisine]] takes on African, American Indian, Asian, and European influences. [[Bahia]], [[Brazil]], is especially well-known for its West African-influenced cuisine. Argentines, Chileans, and Uruguayans regularly consume wine while Argentina along with [[Paraguay]], [[Uruguay]], and people in southern [[Chile]] and [[Brazil]] enjoy a sip of [[mate]] a regional brewed herb cultivated for its drink, the paraguayan version, [[terere]], differing from the others in that it's served cold. [[Pisco]] is a liquor distilled from grapevine produced in [[Peru]] and [[Chile]]; however, there is a recurring dispute between those countries regarding its origins. Peruvian cuisine mixes elements from Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, African, Andean, and Amazonic food.
== Demographics ==
{{Unsourced|section|date=July 2008}}
Descendents of [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indigenous peoples]], such as the [[Quechua]] and [[Aymara]], make up the majority of the population in [[Bolivia]] and are a significant element in most other former [[Spain|Spanish]] colonies. Exceptions to this include [[Argentina]], [[Brazil]], and [[Uruguay]] where people of [[Europe]]an descent make up the majority of the population. [[Mestizo]]s (mixed white and Amerindian) are the largest ethnic group in [[Peru]], [[Paraguay]], [[Venezuela]], [[Chile]], [[Colombia]], and [[Ecuador]]. African descendants are also a significant group in [[Brazil]], [[Colombia]], [[Venezuela]] and [[Ecuador]]. [[Suriname]] is the only country in South America where [[Asians]] form the majority of the population. [[Peru]] has the main Chinese community in Latin America and the second Japanese community (after Brazil).
=== Indigenous peoples ===
{{col-begin|width=60%}}
{{col-break}}
*[[Alacalufe]]
*[[Atacameños]]
*[[Aymara]]
*[[Awá]]
*[[Banawa]]
*[[Cañaris]]
*[[Caiapos]]
*[[Chibcha]]
*[[Cocama]]
*[[Diaguitas]]
*[[Chayahuita]]
*[[Enxet]]
*[[Ge (people)|Gê]]
*[[Guaraní]]
{{col-break}}
*[[Juris]]
*[[Mapuche]]
*[[Matsés]]
*[[Pehuenche]]
*[[Quechuas]]
*[[Shipibo]]
*[[Shuar]]
*[[Tupi people|Tupi]]
*[[Xucuru]]
*[[Urarina]]
*[[Yagua]]
*[[Yąnomamö]]
*[[Zaparos]]
{{col-end}}
*[[Arawaks]]
*[[Wai Wai]]
== References ==
=== Content notes ===
{{cnote|Continent Model|In some parts of the world South America is viewed as a subcontinent of [[Americas|America]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://travour.com/south-america/index.html |title=South America Travel, Tour To South America Continent |accessdate=2007-05-19}}</ref><ref name="Brasil_Emb-Mercosul">{{cite web |url=http://www.brasilemb.org/embassy/embaixador_regional.shtml |title=MERCOSUL IN THE REGIONAL CONTEXT |accessdate=2007-05-19 |author=Ambassador Rubens how do I make a violin A. Barbosa}}</ref> (a single continent in these areas), for example Latin America, Latin Europe, and Iran. In most of the countries with English as an official language, however, it is considered a continent.
See [[Continent#Number of continents|Continent]].}}
=== Notes ===
{{reflist}}
=== Sources ===
* "South America". ''[http://www.columbiagazetteer.org/ The Columbia Gazetteer of the World Online]''. 2005. New York: Columbia University Press.
*[http://www.xist.org/earth/pop_region.aspx GeoHive: The population of continents, regions and countries]
== See also ==
{{wikibookspar||Wikijunior South America}}
{{Commons|South America}}
{{portal|Latin America}}
* [[Americas (terminology)]]
* [[History of the Americas]]
* [[Union of South American Nations]]
* [[Economy of South America]]
* [[Southern Cone]]
* [[Flags of South America]]
* [[Latin America]]
* [[Latin American culture]]
* [[Middle America (Americas)|Middle America]]
* [[CONMEBOL]]
* [[Tepui]]
* [[2008 South American diplomatic crisis]]
== External links ==
;News
*{{es icon}} [http://www.infolatam.com/ Infolatam. Information and analysis of Latin America]
*{{en icon}} [http://www.coha.org The Council on Hemispheric Affairs] An independent source of Latin American news and opinion
;Sports
*{{es icon}}/{{en icon}} [http://www.conmebol.com/ CONMEBOL -- Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (The South American Football Confederation)]
South America also has Rugby, Auto Racing, Golf, and Kayaking.
;Music
*{{fr icon}} [http://www.los-koyas.com/musique_latino-americaine.htm Information about South American Music. Also MP3 & video.]
*[[Diana mercado|Diana Mercado from Barranquilla, Colombia Objetivo Fama 5]]
;Tourism
*{{en icon}} [http://SouthAmerica.travel SouthAmerica.travel - Tour operator for South America]
<!---Templates--->
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{{Countries of South America}}
{{Continents of the world}}
{{Regions of the world}}
<!---Categories--->
<!---Interwikis--->
[[Category:Continents]]
[[Category:Regions of the Americas]]
[[Category:South America]]
[[af:Suid-Amerika]]
[[als:Südamerika]]
[[ang:Sūðamerica]]
[[ar:أمريكا الجنوبية]]
[[an:America d'o Sur]]
[[arc:ܐܡܪܝܩܐ ܕܬܝܡܢܐ]]
[[frp:Amèrica du Sud]]
[[ast:América del Sur]]
[[gn:Ñembyamérika]]
[[az:Cənubi Amerika]]
[[bn:দক্ষিণ আমেরিকা]]
[[zh-min-nan:Lâm Bí-chiu]]
[[be:Паўднёвая Амерыка]]
[[be-x-old:Паўднёвая Амэрыка]]
[[bcl:Amerika Sur]]
[[bs:Južna Amerika]]
[[br:Suamerika]]
[[bg:Южна Америка]]
[[ca:Amèrica del Sud]]
[[cv:Кăнтăр Америка]]
[[ceb:Habagatang Amerika]]
[[cs:Jižní Amerika]]
[[cy:De America]]
[[da:Sydamerika]]
[[pdc:Saut Amerikaa]]
[[de:Südamerika]]
[[dsb:Pódpołdnjowa Amerika]]
[[et:Lõuna-Ameerika manner]]
[[el:Νότια Αμερική]]
[[es:América del Sur]]
[[eo:Sudameriko]]
[[eu:Hego Amerika]]
[[fa:آمریکای جنوبی]]
[[fo:Suðuramerika]]
[[fr:Amérique du Sud]]
[[fy:Súd-Amearika]]
[[fur:Americhe dal Sud]]
[[ga:Meiriceá Theas]]
[[gan:南美洲]]
[[gv:Yn Americkey Yiass]]
[[gd:Aimearaga-a-Deas]]
[[gl:América do Sur]]
[[gu:દક્ષીણ અમેરિકા]]
[[hak:Nàm-mî-chû]]
[[ko:남아메리카]]
[[haw:‘Amelika Hema]]
[[hi:दक्षिणी अमरीका]]
[[hsb:Južna Amerika]]
[[hr:Južna Amerika]]
[[ig:South Amerika]]
[[id:Amerika Selatan]]
[[ia:America del Sud]]
[[ie:America del Sud]]
[[os:Хуссар Америкæ]]
[[is:Suður-Ameríka]]
[[it:America meridionale]]
[[he:אמריקה הדרומית]]
[[jv:Amérika Kidul]]
[[pam:Mauling America]]
[[kn:ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ಅಮೇರಿಕ]]
[[ka:სამხრეთი ამერიკა]]
[[sw:Amerika ya Kusini]]
[[ht:Amerik disid]]
[[ku:Emerîkaya Başûr]]
[[la:America Meridionalis]]
[[lv:Dienvidamerika]]
[[lb:Südamerika]]
[[lt:Pietų Amerika]]
[[lij:Stati de l'America do Sud]]
[[li:Zuud-Amerika]]
[[lmo:America del Süüt]]
[[hu:Dél-Amerika]]
[[mk:Јужна Америка]]
[[ml:തെക്കേ അമേരിക്ക]]
[[mr:दक्षिण अमेरिका]]
[[ms:Amerika Selatan]]
[[mn:Өмнөд Америк]]
[[my:တောင်အမေရိကတိုက်]]
[[nl:Zuid-Amerika]]
[[ja:南アメリカ]]
[[no:Sør-Amerika]]
[[nn:Sør-Amerika]]
[[nrm:Améthique du Sud]]
[[nov:Sud Amerika]]
[[oc:America del Sud]]
[[om:South America]]
[[pap:Sur Amérika]]
[[nds:Süüdamerika]]
[[pl:Ameryka Południowa]]
[[pt:América do Sul]]
[[crh:Cenübiy Amerika]]
[[ksh:Süüd Ammärrika]]
[[ro:America de Sud]]
[[qu:Uralan Awya Yala]]
[[ru:Южная Америка]]
[[se:Lulli-Amerihkká]]
[[sa:दक्षिण अमेरिका]]
[[sco:Sooth Americae]]
[[sq:Amerika Jugore]]
[[scn:Amèrica dû Sud]]
[[simple:South America]]
[[sk:Južná Amerika]]
[[cu:Южьна Амерїка]]
[[sl:Južna Amerika]]
[[szl:Amerika Pouedńowo]]
[[so:Ameerikada koonfureed]]
[[sr:Јужна Америка]]
[[sh:Južna Amerika]]
[[fi:Etelä-Amerikka]]
[[sv:Sydamerika]]
[[tl:Timog Amerika]]
[[ta:தென் அமெரிக்கா]]
[[th:ทวีปอเมริกาใต้]]
[[vi:Nam Mỹ]]
[[tg:Америкаи Ҷанубӣ]]
[[tpi:Saut Amerika]]
[[tr:Güney Amerika]]
[[uk:Південна Америка]]
[[vec:Merica de soto]]
[[fiu-vro:Lõuna-Ameeriga]]
[[wo:Bëj-saalumu Aamerig]]
[[yi:דרום אמעריקע]]
[[yo:Apa Guusu Amerika]]
[[zh-yue:南美洲]]
[[bat-smg:Pėitū Amerėka]]
[[zh:南美洲]]