South America

{{Main|History of South America}}

{{Further|History of South America#Pre-Columbian era}}

File:SantaCruz-CuevaManos-P2210651b.jpg, or "Cave of the Hands", in Argentina]]

South America is thought to have been first inhabited by humans when people were crossing the Bering Land Bridge (now the Bering Strait) at least 15,000 years ago from the territory that is present-day Russia. They migrated south through North America, and eventually reached South America through the Isthmus of Panama.

Amongst the oldest evidence for human presence in South America is the Monte Verde II site in Chile, suggested to date to around 14,500 years ago.{{Cite journal|last1=Pino|first1=Mario|last2=Dillehay|first2=Tom D.|date=May 2023|title=Monte Verde II: an assessment of new radiocarbon dates and their sedimentological context|journal=Antiquity|volume=97|issue=393|pages=524–540|doi=10.15184/aqy.2023.32|s2cid=257854108|issn=0003-598X|doi-access=free}} From around 13,000 years ago, the Fishtail projectile point style became widespread across South America, with its disappearance around 11,000 years ago coincident with the disappearance of South America's megafauna.{{Cite journal|last1=Prates|first1=Luciano|last2=Perez|first2=S. Ivan|date=2021-04-12|title=Late Pleistocene South American megafaunal extinctions associated with rise of Fishtail points and human population|journal=Nature Communications|volume=12|issue=1|page=2175|doi=10.1038/s41467-021-22506-4|issn=2041-1723|pmc=8041891|pmid=33846353|bibcode=2021NatCo..12.2175P}} Maize was present in northern South America by around 6,000 years ago.{{Cite journal|last1=Pagán-Jiménez|first1=Jaime R.|last2=Rodríguez-Ramos|first2=Reniel|last3=Reid|first3=Basil A.|last4=van den Bel|first4=Martijn|last5=Hofman|first5=Corinne L.|date=September 2015|title=Early dispersals of maize and other food plants into the Southern Caribbean and Northeastern South America|url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0277379115300445|journal=Quaternary Science Reviews|volume=123|pages=231–246|doi=10.1016/j.quascirev.2015.07.005|bibcode=2015QSRv..123..231P}}

By 2000 BC, many agrarian communities had been settled throughout the Andes and the surrounding regions. Fishing became a widespread practice along the coast, helping 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.O'Brien, Patrick. (General Editor). Oxford Atlas of World History. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. p. 25.

South American cultures began domesticating llamas 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.

{{Main|Pre-Columbian era#South America}}

File:Machu Picchu, Perú, 2015-07-30, DD 39.JPG, Peru, is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.]]

The rise of plant growing and the subsequent appearance of permanent human settlements allowed for the multiple and overlapping beginnings of civilizations in South America.

One of the earliest known South American civilizations was Caral–Supe, on the central Peruvian coast. Though a pre-ceramic culture, the monumental architecture of Caral–Supe created one of the first cities of the world, generally dated to around 3500 BC, at Huaricanga in the Fortaleza area, contemporaneous with the pyramids of Ancient Egypt, one of the oldest-known civilizations in the Americas and one of the six sites where civilization separately originated in the ancient world.{{cite news|title=The Ancient Andes|url=https://historyguild.org/the-ancient-andes/|access-date=2 April 2023|publisher=History Guild}} Caral–Supe governing class established a trade network and developed agriculture then followed by Chavín 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 {{convert|3177|m|sp=us||}}. Chavín civilization spanned 900 BC to 300 BC.

In the central coast of Peru, around the beginning of the 1st millennium AD, Moche (100 BC – 700 AD, at the northern coast of Peru), Paracas and Nazca (400 BC – 800 AD, Peru) cultures flourished with centralized states with permanent militia improving agriculture through irrigation and new styles of ceramic art. At the Altiplano, Tiahuanaco or Tiwanaku (100 BC – 1200 AD, Bolivia) managed a large commercial network based on religion.

Around the 7th century, both Tiahuanaco and Wari or Huari Empire (600–1200, Central and northern Peru) expanded its influence to all the Andean region, imposing the Huari urbanism and Tiahuanaco religious iconography.

The Muisca were the main indigenous civilization in what is now Colombia. They established the Muisca Confederation of many clans, or cacicazgos, that had a free trade network among themselves. Many were goldsmiths and farmers.

Other important Pre-Columbian cultures include: the Cañaris (in south central Ecuador), Chimú Empire (1300–1470, Peruvian northern coast), Chachapoyas, and the Aymaran kingdoms (1000–1450, Western Bolivia and southern Peru).

Holding their capital at the great city of Cusco, the Inca civilization dominated the Andes region from 1438 to 1533. Known as Tawantin suyu, and "the land of the four regions", in Quechua, the Inca Empire was highly distinct and developed. Inca rule extended to nearly a hundred linguistic or ethnic communities, some nine to fourteen million people connected by a 25,000 kilometer road system. Cities were built with precise, unmatched stonework, constructed over many levels of mountain terrain. Terrace farming was a useful form of agriculture.

The Mapuche in Central and Southern Chile resisted the European and Chilean settlers, waging the Arauco War for more than 300 years.

{{Clear}}

{{Main|Spanish colonization of the Americas|Portuguese colonization of the Americas}}

File:Desembarque de Pedro Álvares Cabral em Porto Seguro em 1500 by Oscar Pereira da Silva (1865–1939).jpg landing in Brazil in 1500]]

In 1494, Portugal and Spain, the two great maritime European powers of that time, on the expectation of new lands being discovered in the west, signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, by which they agreed, with the support of the Pope, that all the land outside Europe should be an exclusive duopoly between the two countries.Horst Pietschmann, [https://books.google.com/books?id=z8ZnAAAAMAAJ&q=Julius+II+ratified+tordesillas+1505 Atlantic history : history of the Atlantic System 1580–1830], {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518225523/https://books.google.it/books?id=z8ZnAAAAMAAJ&q=Julius+II+ratified+tordesillas+1505&dq=Julius+II+ratified+tordesillas+1505&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjBsojxkrzlAhWN2aQKHcY6BhEQ6AEINTAC|date=18 May 2021}}, Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2002, p. 239.

File:Inca-Spanish confrontation.JPG in the Battle of Cajamarca left thousands of natives dead.]]

The treaty established an imaginary line along a north–south meridian 370 leagues (approximately {{convert|1110|mi|km|abbr=on}}) west of the Cape Verde Islands, roughly 46° 37' W. In terms of the treaty, all land to the west of the line (known to comprise 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 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 native populations had no immune resistance – caused large-scale depopulation of the native population under Spanish control. Systems of forced labor, such as the haciendas and mining industry's mit'a also contributed to the depopulation. After this, enslaved Africans, who had developed immunities to these diseases, were quickly brought in to replace them.

File:Imperios Español y Portugués 1790.svg

The Spaniards were committed to converting their native subjects to Christianity and were quick to purge any native cultural practices that hindered this end; however, many initial attempts at this were only partially successful, as native groups simply blended Catholicism with their established beliefs and practices. Furthermore, the Spaniards brought their language to the degree they did with their religion, although the Roman Catholic Church's evangelization in Quechua, Aymara, and Guaraní actually contributed to the continuous use of these native languages albeit only in the oral form.

Eventually, the natives and the Spaniards interbred, forming a mestizo class. At the beginning, many mestizos of the Andean region were offspring of Amerindian mothers and Spanish fathers. After independence, most mestizos had native fathers and European or mestizo mothers.

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. Spaniards and Portuguese brought the western European architectural style to the continent, and helped to improve infrastructures like bridges, roads, and the sewer system of the cities they discovered or conquered. They also significantly increased economic and trade relations, not just between the old and new world but between the different South American regions and peoples. Finally, with the expansion of the Portuguese and Spanish languages, many cultures that were previously separated became united through that of Latin American.

Guyana was initially colonized by the Dutch before coming under British control, though there was a brief period during the Napoleonic Wars when it was occupied by the French. The region was initially partitioned between the Dutch, French and British before fully coming under the control of Britain.

Suriname was first explored by the Spanish in the 16th century and then settled by the English in the mid-17th century. It became a Dutch colony in 1667.{{cite book |author=Boxer |first=C. R. |author-link=C. R. Boxer |title=The Dutch Seaborne Empire |date=1990 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-0140136180 |pages=271–272}}

{{See also|European enslavement of Indigenous Americans|Atlantic slave trade}}

File:Johann Moritz Rugendas in Brazil 2.jpg

{{Slavery}}

The indigenous peoples of the Americas in various European colonies were forced to work in European plantations and mines; along with enslaved Africans who were also introduced in the proceeding centuries via the Atlantic slave trade. European colonists were heavily dependent on indigenous labor during the initial phases of settlement to maintain the subsistence economy, and natives were often captured by expeditions. The importation of African slaves began midway through the 16th century, but the enslavement of indigenous peoples continued well into the 17th and 18th centuries. The slave trade brought enslaved Africans primarily to South American colonies, beginning with the Portuguese since 1502.Anstey, Roger: The Atlantic Slave Trade and British abolition, 1760–1810. London: Macmillan, 1975, p. 5. The main destinations of this phase were the Caribbean colonies and Brazil, as European nations built up economically slave-dependent colonies in the New World. Nearly 40% of all African slaves trafficked to the Americas went to Brazil. An estimated 4.9 million slaves from Africa came to Brazil during the period from 1501 to 1866.{{cite web|title=Vergonha Ainda Maior: Novas informações disponíveis em um enorme banco de dados mostram que a escravidão no Brasil foi muito pior do que se sabia antes (|url=http://veja.abril.com.br/blog/ricardo-setti/tema-livre/vergonha-ainda-maior-novas-informacoes-disponiveis-em-um-enorme-banco-de-dados-mostram-que-a-escravidao-no-brasil-foi-muito-pior-do-que-se-sabia-antes/|website=Veja|access-date=16 March 2015|language=pt|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313000755/http://veja.abril.com.br/blog/ricardo-setti/tema-livre/vergonha-ainda-maior-novas-informacoes-disponiveis-em-um-enorme-banco-de-dados-mostram-que-a-escravidao-no-brasil-foi-muito-pior-do-que-se-sabia-antes/|archive-date=13 March 2015}}Stephen D. Behrendt, David Richardson, and David Eltis, W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African-American Research, Harvard University. Based on "records for 27,233 voyages that set out to obtain slaves for the Americas". {{cite book|last=Stephen Behrendt|title=Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience|year=1999|publisher=Basic Civitas Books|location=New York|isbn=978-0-465-00071-5|chapter=Transatlantic Slave Trade|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/africanaencyclop00appi}}

In contrast to other European colonies in the Americas which mainly used the labor of African slaves, Spanish colonists mainly enslaved indigenous Americans. In 1750, the Portuguese Crown abolished the enslavement of indigenous peoples in colonial Brazil, under the belief that they were unfit for labor and less effective than enslaved Africans. Enslaved Africans were brought to the Americas on slave ships, under inhuman conditions and ill-treatment, and those who survived were sold in slave markets.{{cite journal|last1=Yeager|first1=Timothy J.|title=Encomienda or Slavery? The Spanish Crown's Choice of Labor Organization in Sixteenth-Century Spanish America|journal=The Journal of Economic History|date=December 1995|volume=55|issue=4|pages=842–859|doi=10.1017/S0022050700042182|s2cid=155030781}} After independence, all South American countries maintained slavery for some time. The first South American country to abolish slavery was Chile in 1823, Uruguay in 1830, Bolivia in 1831, Guyana in 1833, Colombia and Ecuador in 1851, Argentina in 1853, Peru and Venezuela in 1854, Suriname in 1863, Paraguay in 1869, and in 1888 Brazil was the last South American nation and the last country in western world to abolish slavery.{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of emancipation and abolition in the Transatlantic world|title=The 'Golden Law' Abolishing Slavery in Brazil|year=2007|publisher=Routledge|location=London, United Kingdom}}

{{Main|Spanish American wars of independence|Independence of Brazil}}

The European Peninsular War (1807–14), a theater of the Napoleonic Wars, changed the political situation of the Spanish and Portuguese colonies. First, Napoleon invaded Portugal, but the House of Braganza avoided capture by escaping to Brazil. Napoleon captured King Ferdinand VII of Spain, and appointed his own brother instead. This appointment provoked popular resistance, which created Juntas to rule in the name of the captured king.

File:Coroaçao pedro I 001.jpg as 1st Emperor of Brazil]]

Many cities in the Spanish colonies, however, considered themselves equally authorized to appoint local Juntas like those of Spain. This began the Spanish American wars of independence between the patriots, who promoted such autonomy, and the royalists, who supported Spanish authority over the Americas. The Juntas, in both Spain and the Americas, promoted the ideas of the Enlightenment. Five years after the beginning of the war, Ferdinand VII returned to the throne and began the Absolutist Restoration, as the royalists got the upper hand in the conflict.

The independence of South America was secured by Simón Bolívar (Venezuela) and José de San Martín (Argentina), the two most important Libertadores. Bolívar led a great uprising in the north, then led his army south towards Lima, the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru. Meanwhile, San Martín led an army across the Andes Mountains, along with Chilean expatriates, and liberated Chile. He organized a fleet to reach Peru by sea, and sought the military support of various rebels from the Viceroyalty of Peru. In 1822 the two men met at the Guayaquil Conference in Ecuador, where they failed to agree on governance strategies for the liberated nations. Two years later Bolívar's forces beat the Spanish at the Battle of Ayacucho, securing the independence of Peru and the rest of South America.{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Guayaquil-Conference|title=Guayaquil Conference | Latin America, Ecuador, Independence | Britannica|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|date=19 July 2024}}

In the Portuguese Kingdom of Brazil, Dom Pedro I (also Pedro IV of Portugal), son of the Portuguese King Dom João VI, proclaimed the independent Kingdom of Brazil in 1822, which later became the Empire of Brazil. Despite the Portuguese loyalties of garrisons in Bahia, Cisplatina and Pará, independence was diplomatically accepted by Portugal in 1825, on condition of a high compensation paid by Brazil mediated by the United Kingdom.

File:Juan Manuel Blanes - El Juramento de los Treinta y Tres Orientales.jpg proclaimed the independence of Cisplatine Province.]]

File:Oscar Pereira da Silva - Cena de Batalha no Sul do Brasil.jpg]]

The newly independent nations began a process of fragmentation, with several civil and international wars. However, it was not as strong as in Central America. Some countries created from provinces of larger countries stayed as such up to modern times (such as Paraguay or Uruguay), while others were reconquered and reincorporated into their former countries (such as the Republic of Entre Ríos and the Riograndense Republic).

The first separatist attempt was in 1820 by the Argentine province of Entre Ríos, led by a caudillo.{{Cite web|url=https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/historia-da-america/caudilhismo.htm|title=Caudilhismo|website=Brasil Escola|access-date=22 March 2021|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414154311/https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/historia-da-america/caudilhismo.htm|url-status=live}} In spite of the "Republic" in its title, General Ramírez, its caudillo, never really intended to declare an independent Entre Rios. Rather, he was making a political statement in opposition to the monarchist and centralist ideas that back then permeated Buenos Aires politics. The "country" was reincorporated at the United Provinces in 1821.

In 1825, the Cisplatine Province declared its independence from the Empire of Brazil, which led to the Cisplatine War between the imperials and the Argentine from the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata to control the region. Three years later, the United Kingdom intervened in the question by proclaiming a tie and creating in the former Cisplatina a new independent country: The Oriental Republic of Uruguay.

Later in 1836, while Brazil was experiencing the chaos of the regency, Rio Grande do Sul proclaimed its independence motivated by a tax crisis. With the anticipation of the coronation of Pedro II to the throne of Brazil, the country could stabilize and fight the separatists, which the province of Santa Catarina had joined in 1839. The Conflict came to an end by a process of compromise by which both Riograndense Republic and Juliana Republic were reincorporated as provinces in 1845.{{Cite web|url=http://www.brasilescola.com/historiab/guerra-farrapos.htm|title=Ragamuffin War|last=Day|first=Peter|date=17 December 1997|publisher=Brasil Escola|access-date=27 March 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303074424/http://www.brasilescola.com/historiab/guerra-farrapos.htm|archive-date=3 March 2007}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.brasilescola.com/historiab/revolucao-farroupilha.htm|title=Ragamuffin Revolution|last=Souza|first=Rainer|date=20 January 2002|publisher=RioGrande|access-date=27 March 2007|archive-date=18 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718095538/http://www.brasilescola.com/historiab/revolucao-farroupilha.htm|url-status=live}}

File:Batalla de Chorrillos.jpg in the battlefield of the Battle of Chorrillos, 1883]]

The Peru–Bolivian Confederation, a short-lived union of Peru and Bolivia, was blocked by Chile in the War of the Confederation (1836–1839) and again during the War of the Pacific (1879–1883). Paraguay was virtually destroyed by Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay in the Paraguayan War.

Despite the Spanish American wars of independence and the Brazilian War of Independence, the new nations quickly began to suffer with internal conflicts and wars among themselves. Most of the countries' borders who had initially accepted the 1810 borders on the uti possidetis iuris principle had by 1848 either been altered by war or were contested.Holsti 1996, p. 153.

In 1825, the proclamation of independence of Cisplatina led to the Cisplatine War between historical rivals the Empire of Brazil and the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, Argentina's predecessor. The result was a stalemate, ending with the British government arranging for the independence of Uruguay. Soon after, another Brazilian province proclaimed its independence leading to the Ragamuffin War which Brazil won.

Between 1836 and 1839, the War of the Confederation broke out between the short-lived Peru-Bolivian Confederation and Chile, with the support of the Argentine Confederation. The war was fought mostly in the actual territory of Peru and ended with a Confederate defeat and the dissolution of the Confederacy and annexation of many territories by Argentina.

Meanwhile, the Argentine Civil Wars plagued Argentina since its independence. The conflict was mainly between those who defended the centralization of power in Buenos Aires and those who defended a confederation. During this period it can be said that "there were two Argentines": the Argentine Confederation and the Argentine Republic. At the same time, the political instability in Uruguay led to the Uruguayan Civil War among the main political factions of the country. All this instability in the platine region interfered with the goals of other countries such as Brazil, which was soon forced to take sides. In 1851, the Brazilian Empire, supporting the centralizing unitarians, and the Uruguayan government invaded Argentina and deposed the caudillo, Juan Manuel Rosas, who ruled the confederation with an iron hand. Although the Platine War did not put an end to the political chaos and civil war in Argentina, it brought temporary peace to Uruguay where the Colorados faction won, supported by Brazil, Britain, France and the Unitarian Party of Argentina.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=khU0sFxgyjMC&q=chapter+twenty-five&pg=RA2-PA1844|title=Latin America's Wars|first=Robert L.|last=Scheina|date=2003|publisher=Potomac Books, Inc.|isbn=978-1597974776|access-date=28 October 2020|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414173957/https://books.google.com/books?id=khU0sFxgyjMC&q=chapter+twenty-five&pg=RA2-PA1844|url-status=live}}

Peace lasted only a short time: in 1864, the Uruguayan factions faced each other again in the Uruguayan War. The Blancos supported by Paraguay started to attack Brazilian and Argentine farmers near the borders. The Empire made an initial attempt to settle the dispute between Blancos and Colorados without success. In 1864, after a Brazilian ultimatum was refused, the imperial government declared that Brazil's military would begin reprisals. Brazil declined to acknowledge a formal state of war, and, for most of its duration, the Uruguayan–Brazilian armed conflict was an undeclared war which led to the deposition of the Blancos and the rise of the pro-Brazilian Colorados to power again. This angered the Paraguayan government, which even before the end of the war invaded Brazil, beginning the longest and bloodiest inter-state war in Latin American history: the Paraguayan War.{{cite book|last=Bethell|first=Leslie|date=2018|title=Brazil: Essays on History and Politics|location=London|publisher=University of London|chapter=3. The Paraguayan War (1864–70)|pages=93–112|isbn=978-1-908857-61-3}}

File:Brazilians during the siege of Paysandu.jpg siege of Paysandú, 1865]]

The Paraguayan War began when the Paraguayan dictator Francisco Solano López ordered the invasion of the Brazilian provinces of Mato Grosso and Rio Grande do Sul. His attempt to cross Argentinian territory without Argentinian approval led the pro-Brazilian Argentine government into the war. The pro-Brazilian Uruguayan government showed its support by sending troops. In 1865 the three countries signed the Treaty of the Triple Alliance against Paraguay. At the beginning of the war, the Paraguayans took the lead with several victories, until the Triple Alliance organized to repel the invaders and fight effectively. This was the second total war experience in the world after the American Civil War. It was deemed the greatest war effort in the history of all participating countries, taking almost 6 years and ending with the complete devastation of Paraguay. The country lost 40% of its territory to Brazil and Argentina and lost 60% of its population, including 90% of the men. The dictator Lopez was killed in battle and a new government was instituted in alliance with Brazil, which maintained occupation forces in the country until 1876.{{cite web|language=pt|url=http://www.historiadobrasil.net/guerraparaguai/|title=A Guerra do Paraguai – História – Resumo|last=Borges|first=Fernando Tadeu de Miranda|website=Historiadobrasil.net|access-date=26 January 2017|archive-date=8 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308172856/http://historiadobrasil.net/guerraparaguai/|url-status=live}}

The last South American war in the 19th century was the War of the Pacific with Bolivia and Peru on one side and Chile on the other. In 1879 the war began with Chilean troops occupying Bolivian ports, followed by Bolivia declaring war on Chile which activated an alliance treaty with Peru. The Bolivians were completely defeated in 1880 and Lima was occupied in 1881. Peace was signed with Peru in 1883 while a truce was signed with Bolivia in 1884. Chile annexed territories of both countries leaving Bolivia landlocked.{{cite web|first=Carlos|last=Rossi|date=9 July 2007|language=pt|title=América Latina – Guerra do Pacífico|url=http://pt.shvoong.com/humanities/h_history/1628182-américa-latina-guerra-pacífico/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304002203/http://pt.shvoong.com/humanities/h_history/1628182-am%C3%A9rica-latina-guerra-pac%C3%ADfico/|archive-date=4 March 2009}}

File:Brazilian battleship Minas Geraes firing a broadside.jpg kindled an Argentine–Brazilian–Chilean naval arms race.]]

In the new century, as wars became less violent and less frequent, Brazil entered into a small conflict with Bolivia for the possession of the Acre, which was acquired by Brazil in 1902. In 1917 Brazil declared war on the Central Powers, joined the allied side in the First World War and sent a small fleet to the Mediterranean Sea and some troops to be integrated with the British and French forces in the region. Brazil was the only South American country that participated in the First World War.Woodard, James P. "A Place in Politics: São Paulo, Brazil; From Seigneurial Republicanism to Regionalist Revolt" Duke University Press 2009 Chapter 3 "War and the Health of the State" especially pp. 77–81, [https://books.google.com/books?id=RS7kgAPs430C&dq=Brazil+%22A+Place+in+Politics%22+pickets+pestilence&pg=PA77 visualization on Google Books], {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421193251/https://books.google.com/books?id=RS7kgAPs430C&pg=PA77&dq=Brazil+%22A+Place+in+Politics%22+pickets+pestilence&hl=pt-BR&sa=X&ei=WaFPUefhOOfK0AH_iYGQAw&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Brazil%20%22A%20Place%20in%20Politics%22%20pickets%20pestilence&f=false|date=21 April 2020}}.Conniff, Michael L. and McCann, Frank D. "Modern Brazil, Elites and Masses in Historical Perspective", University of Nebraska Press, 1991, {{ISBN|0803263481}}, p. 168, [https://books.google.com/books?id=UhbQdNXVtKYC&dq=strike+brazil+1917+brazil&pg=PA168 visualization on Google Books] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216013933/https://books.google.com/books?id=UhbQdNXVtKYC&pg=PA168&dq=strike+brazil+1917+brazil&hl=pt-BR&sa=X&ei=tZpPUbwfktXSAcG1gOgK&ved=0CEcQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=strike%20brazil%201917%20brazil&f=false|date=16 February 2017}}. Later in 1932 Colombia and Peru entered a short armed conflict for territory in the Amazon. In the same year Paraguay declared war on Bolivia for possession of the Chaco, in a conflict that ended three years later with Paraguay's victory. Between 1941 and 1942 Peru and Ecuador fought for territories claimed by both that were annexed by Peru, usurping Ecuador's frontier with Brazil.{{cite web|url=https://ucdp.uu.se/#country/135|website=Uppsala Conflict Data Program|publisher=Uppsala Universitet|title=Peru|access-date=29 May 2019|archive-date=20 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220062811/https://ucdp.uu.se/#country/135|url-status=live}}

Also in this period, the first major naval battle of World War II took place in the South Atlantic close to the continental mainland: the Battle of the River Plate, between a British cruiser squadron and a German pocket battleship.{{cite journal|last=Smyers|first=Richard P.|title=Review: Panzerschiff "Admiral Gragg Spee" by Siegfried Breyer|journal=Warship International|year=1990|volume=27|issue=1|page=44|jstor=44891302|postscript=;}} {{cite book|last=Landsborough|first=Gordon|title=The Battle of the River Plate: the First Naval Battle of the Second World War|year=2016|publisher=Frontline Books|isbn=978-1473878952}} The Germans still made numerous attacks on Brazilian ships on the coast, causing Brazil to declare war on the Axis powers in 1942, being the only South American country to fight in this war (and in both World Wars). Brazil sent naval and air forces to combat German and Italian submarines off the continent and throughout the South Atlantic, in addition to sending an expeditionary force to fight in the Italian Campaign.Maximiano, Cesar. with Bonalume, Ricardo N. & Bujeiro, Ramiro. [https://books.google.com/books?id=L6HVtOSmWAEC&q=Brazilian+Expeditionary+Force+WWII Brazilian Expeditionary Force in World War II], {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105203029/https://books.google.com/books?id=L6HVtOSmWAEC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Brazilian+Expeditionary+Force+WWII&hl=pt-BR&sa=X&ei=kgVwUslnwaaRB7_hgaAB&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Brazilian%20Expeditionary%20Force%20WWII&f=false|date=5 January 2016}}. Osprey Publishing Limited, 2011. {{ISBN|978-1849084833}} (Print version).Frank D. MacCann – 'Estudios Interdisciplinarios de America Latina y el Caribe', vol. 6, No. 2, 1995.

A brief war was fought between Argentina and the UK in 1982, following an Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands, which ended with an Argentine defeat. The last international war to be fought on South American soil was the 1995 Cenepa War between Ecuador and Peru along their mutual border.

Wars became less frequent in the 20th century, with Bolivia-Paraguay and Peru-Ecuador fighting the last inter-state wars. Early in the 20th century, the three wealthiest South American countries engaged in a vastly expensive naval arms race which began after the introduction of a new warship type, the "dreadnought". At one point, the Argentine government was spending a fifth of its entire yearly budget for just two dreadnoughts, a price that did not include later in-service costs, which for the Brazilian dreadnoughts was sixty percent of the initial purchase.Richard Hough, The Big Battleship (London, England: Michael Joseph, 1966), p. 19. {{oclc|8898108}}.Robert Scheina, Latin America: A Naval History, 1810–1987 (Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1987), p. 86. {{ISBN|0-87021-295-8}}. {{oclc|15696006}}.

File:Soldadosargentinos3.jpg]]

The continent became a battlefield of the Cold War in the late 20th century. Some democratically elected governments of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay were overthrown or displaced by military dictatorships in the 1960s and 1970s. To curtail opposition, their governments detained tens of thousands of political prisoners, many of whom were tortured or killed on inter-state collaboration. Economically, they began a transition to neoliberal economic policies. They placed their own actions within the US Cold War doctrine of "National Security" against internal subversion. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Peru suffered from an internal conflict.

In 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, a British dependent territory. The Falklands War began and 74 days later Argentine forces surrendered.{{cite web|title=June 14, 1982: Falklands War comes to an end as Britain accepts Argentina's surrender|url=https://home.bt.com/news/on-this-day/june-14-1982-falklands-war-comes-to-an-end-as-britain-accepts-argentinas-surrender-11363986434075|website=BT Group|access-date=6 December 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806081007/http://home.bt.com/news/on-this-day/june-14-1982-falklands-war-comes-to-an-end-as-britain-accepts-argentinas-surrender-11363986434075|url-status=live}}

Colombia has had an ongoing, though diminished internal conflict, which started in 1964 with the creation of Marxist guerrillas (FARC-EP) and then involved several illegal armed groups of leftist-leaning ideology as well as the private armies of powerful drug lords. Many of these are now defunct, and only a small portion of the ELN remains, along with the stronger, though also greatly reduced, FARC.

Revolutionary movements and right-wing military dictatorships became common after World War II, but since the 1980s, a wave of democratization passed through the continent, and democratic rule is widespread now."The Cambridge History of Latin America", edited by Leslie Bethell, Cambridge University Press (1995), {{ISBN|0-521-39525-9}}. Nonetheless, allegations of corruption are still very common, and several countries have developed crises which have forced the resignation of their governments, although, on most occasions, regular civilian succession has continued.

International indebtedness became a significant problem in the late 1980s, and some countries, despite having strong democracies, have not developed political institutions capable of handling such crises without resorting to unorthodox economic policies. This was illustrated by Argentina's default in the early 21st century.{{cite book|author=Leslie Bethell|title=Bibliographical Essays|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6tNWbywFXhkC|year=1995|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-39525-0|access-date=17 October 2015|archive-date=1 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101123048/https://books.google.com/books?id=6tNWbywFXhkC|url-status=live}} There has been an increased push towards regional integration, with the creation of uniquely South American institutions such as the Andean Community, Mercosur and Unasur. Starting with the election of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela in 1998, the region experienced a pink tide – the election of several leftist and center-left administrations in most countries, except the Guianas and Colombia.

South America's political geography since the 1990s has been characterized by a desire to reduce foreign influence.{{cite web|last1=Society|first1=National Geographic|title=South America: Human Geography|url=https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/south-america-human-geography/|work=National Geographic|access-date=7 November 2021|date=4 January 2012|archive-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107175007/https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/south-america-human-geography/|url-status=live}} The nationalization of industries, by which the state controls entire economic sectors (as opposed of private companies doing it), has become a prominent political issue in the region. Some South American nations have nationalized their electricity industries.

{{Main|Geography of South America}}

File:South America - Blue Marble orthographic.jpg

South America occupies the southern portion of the Americas. The continent is generally delimited on the northwest by the Darién watershed along the Colombia–Panama border, although some may consider the border instead to be the Panama Canal. GeopoliticallyCohen, Saul Bernard. 2003. [https://books.google.com/books?id=QkMD8HKRlgoC&pg=PA141 "North and Middle America" (Ch. 5)], {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101123048/https://books.google.com/books?id=QkMD8HKRlgoC&pg=PA141|date=1 January 2016}}. Geopolitics of the World System, {{ISBN|0847699072}}. and geographically, all of Panama – including the segment east of the Panama Canal in the isthmus – is typically included in North America alone[http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm#americas "Americas"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226004109/https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm#americas|date=26 December 2018}}, Standard Country and Area Codes Classifications (M49), United Nations Statistics Division.{{cite web|url=http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/reference/international/north_america/referencemap_image_view|title=North America|work=Atlas of Canada|date=14 November 2003|access-date=21 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303233306/http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/maps/reference/international/north_america/referencemap_image_view|archive-date=3 March 2008}}[http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/atlas/index.html?Parent=nameri&Rootmap=&Mode=d&SubMode=w North America Atlas], {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525180734/https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/?xpop=1|date=25 May 2020}}, National Geographic. and among the countries of Central America.{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/440722/Panama|title=Panama|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|date=31 December 1999|access-date=21 May 2012|archive-date=2 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502193816/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/440722/Panama|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/panama/|title=Panama|work=The World Factbook|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|access-date=21 May 2012|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123023447/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/panama/|url-status=live}} Almost all of mainland South America sits on the South American Plate.

South America is home to several superlatives, including the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall, Angel Falls in Venezuela; the highest single-drop waterfall Kaieteur Falls in Guyana; the largest river by volume, the Amazon River; the longest mountain range, the Andes (whose highest mountain is Aconcagua at {{convert|6962|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=or}}); the driest non-polar place on earth, the Atacama Desert;{{cite web|url=http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0308/feature3/|title=Parts of Chile's Atacama Desert haven't seen a drop of rain since recordkeeping began. Somehow, more than a million people squeeze life from this parched land|work=National Geographic Magazine|access-date=18 April 2009|archive-date=15 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815172530/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0308/feature3/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.extremescience.com/DriestPlace.htm|title=Driest Place | Driest Desert Atacama Desert|publisher=Extremescience.com|date=25 January 2007|access-date=18 April 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408100840/http://www.extremescience.com/DriestPlace.htm|archive-date=8 April 2009}}{{cite journal |author=McKay |first=C. P. |date=May–June 2002 |title=Two dry for life: The Atacama Desert and Mars |url=http://quest.nasa.gov/challenges/marsanalog/egypt/AtacamaAdAstra.pdf |url-status=dead |journal=Ad Astra |volume=14 |issue=3 |page=30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826151945/http://quest.nasa.gov/challenges/marsanalog/egypt/AtacamaAdAstra.pdf |archive-date=26 August 2009}} the wettest place on earth, López de Micay in Colombia; the largest rainforest, the Amazon rainforest; the highest capital city, La Paz, Bolivia; the highest commercially navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca; and, excluding research stations in Antarctica, the world's southernmost permanently inhabited community, Puerto Toro, Chile.

South America's major mineral resources are gold, silver, copper, iron ore, tin, and petroleum. These resources 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, or few, major export commercial products has often hindered the development and diversification of its economies. The fluctuation in the price of commodities in international markets has led historically to major highs and lows, booms and busts, in the economies of South American states, often causing political instability.{{Cite web|url=https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/why-latin-america-lost-at-globalization-and-how-it-can-win-now/|title=Why Latin America Lost at Globalization—and How It Can Win Now}} This has led for calls to diversify production and increase trade within South America itself.

Brazil is the largest country in South America, covering a little less than half of the continent's land area and encompassing around half of the continent's population.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bacctravel.com/about-brazil|title=Bacc Travel brazilian Vacation Experts|website=bacctravel.com|access-date=15 April 2021|archive-date=7 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307064450/https://www.bacctravel.com/about-brazil|url-status=live}} The remaining countries and territories are divided among four subregions: the Andean states, Caribbean South America, The Guianas, and the Southern Cone.{{Cite web|date=4 January 2012|title=South America: Physical Geography|url=https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/south-america-physical-geography/|access-date=19 February 2021|publisher=National Geographic Society|archive-date=10 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210204912/https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/south-america-physical-geography/|url-status=live}}

File:Village_Gran_Roque.jpg, Venezuela]]

Physiographically, South America also includes some of the nearby islands. The Dutch ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao), the islands of Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad Island and Tobago Island etc.), the State of Nueva Esparta, and the Federal Dependencies of Venezuela sit on the northern portion of the South American continental shelf and are sometimes considered parts of the continent. Geopolitically, all the island countries and territories in the Caribbean have generally been grouped as a subregion of North America instead. By contrast, Aves Island (administered by Venezuela) and the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina (San Andrés Island, Providencia Island, and Santa Catalina Island etc., which are administered by Colombia) are politically parts of South American countries but physiographically parts of North America.[http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/atlas/index.html?Parent=sameri&Rootmap=&Mode=d&SubMode=w South America Atlas], {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116135938/https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/?xpop=1|date=16 November 2018}}, National Geographic.{{cite web|url=http://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm#americas|title=United Nations Statistics Division – Standard Country and Area Codes Classifications (M49)|publisher=United Nations|date=20 September 2011|access-date=21 May 2012|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226004109/https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm#americas|url-status=live}}

Other islands often associated with geopolitical South America are the Chiloé Archipelago and Robinson Crusoe Island (both administered by Chile), Easter Island (culturally a part of Oceania, also administered by Chile), the Galápagos Islands (administered by Ecuador, sometimes considered part of Oceania),{{cite book|title=Review of the Protected Areas System in Oceania|date=1986|publisher=International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources|url=https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/30152/RevOceania.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|access-date=17 January 2022|quote=Easter Island on the east has been included on the basis of its Polynesian and biogeographic affinities even though it is politically apart. The other islands of the eastern Pacific (Galapagos, Juan Fernandez, etc.) have sometimes been included in Oceania.|archive-date=20 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120062626/https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/30152/RevOceania.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|url-status=live}}{{cite book|last1=Hull|first1=Frank M.|title=A Check List of the Syrphidae of Oceania|date=1937|publisher=Department of Biology, University of Missouri|url=http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/pubs-online/pdf/op13-10.pdf|access-date=17 January 2022|quote=Oceania is primarily considered as the restricted region treated in this paper, but for comparative purposes, in the table only, it is also considered in a broad sense as including New Guinea, Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, the Antipodes, and Galapagos.|archive-date=26 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126074835/http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/pubs-online/pdf/op13-10.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite journal|title=Oceania Bibliography|journal=Helictite: Journal of Australasian Cave Research|year=1987|volume=25|issue=1|url=https://helictite.caves.org.au/pdf4/25.01.Issue.Print.pdf|access-date=16 March 2022|quote=This paper covers the region from Irian Jaya (Western New Guinea, a province of New Guinea) in the west to Galapagos Islands (Equador) and Easter Island (Chile) in the east.|archive-date=22 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322012745/https://helictite.caves.org.au/pdf4/25.01.Issue.Print.pdf|url-status=live}} and Tierra del Fuego (split between Argentina and Chile). In the Atlantic Ocean, Brazil administers Fernando de Noronha, Trindade and Martim Vaz, and the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, while the Falkland Islands ({{langx|es|link=no|Islas Malvinas}}) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (biogeographically and hydrologically associated with Antarctica){{Cite book|title=South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands|page=2017}} have been administered as two British Overseas Territories under the Crown, whose sovereignty over the islands is disputed by Argentina.

An isolated volcanic island on the South American Plate, Ascension Island is geologically a part of South America.{{Cite web|url=http://mcee.ou.edu/bweaver/Ascension/ai-geol.htm|title=Ascension Island Geology|website=mcee.ou.edu|access-date=25 October 2020|archive-date=19 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219213042/http://mcee.ou.edu/bweaver/Ascension/ai-geol.htm|url-status=live}} Administered as a dependency of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, the island is geopolitically a part of Africa.

{{see also|Arid Diagonal}}

File:Koppen-Geiger Map South America present.svg map for South America{{cite journal|last1=Beck|first1=Hylke E.|last2=Zimmermann|first2=Niklaus E.|last3=McVicar|first3=Tim R.|last4=Vergopolan|first4=Noemi|last5=Berg|first5=Alexis|last6=Wood|first6=Eric F.|title=Present and future Köppen-Geiger climate classification maps at 1-km resolution|journal=Scientific Data|date=30 October 2018|volume=5|pages=180214|doi=10.1038/sdata.2018.214|pmid=30375988|pmc=6207062|bibcode=2018NatSD...580214B}}]]

All of the world's major climate zones are present in South America.{{Cite book|title=Climates of the World|last=Martyn|first=Danuta|year=1992|isbn=0-444-98739-8|pages=308|translator-last=Senn|translator-first=Peter|chapter=The climates of South America|publisher=Elsevier}}

The distribution of the average temperatures in the region presents a constant regularity from the 30° of latitude south, when the isotherms tend, more and more, to be confused with the degrees of latitude.O CLIMA. In: Atlas Mundial. São Paulo: Cia. Melhoramentos de São Paulo, 1999, pp. 20–21, {{ISBN|85-06-02889-2}}.

In temperate latitudes, winters and summers are milder than in North America. This is because the most extensive part of the continent is in the equatorial zone (the region has more areas of equatorial plains than any other region), therefore giving the Southern Cone more oceanic influence, which moderates year round temperatures.

The average annual temperatures in the Amazon basin oscillate around {{convert|27|C|||}}, with low thermal amplitudes and high rainfall indices. Between the Maracaibo Lake and the mouth of the Orinoco, that also includes parts of the Brazilian territory, an equatorial climate typical of the Congolese regions in Central Africa predominates.

The east-central Brazilian plateau has a humid and warm tropical climate. The northern and eastern parts of the Argentine pampas have a humid subtropical climate with dry winters and humid summers commonly classified as a "Chinese type" climate, while the western and eastern ranges have a subtropical climate similar to the Dinaric Alps in Europe. At the highest points of the Andean region, climates are colder than the ones occurring at the highest point of the Norwegian fjords. In the Andean plateaus, the warm climate prevails, although it is tempered by the altitude, while in the coastal strip, there is an equatorial climate commonly classified as a "Guinean type" climate. North of the Andean plateaus up to the north of the Chilean coast a Mediterranean oceanic climate dominates with temperate summers and cold winters akin to Cape Breton. In Tierra del Fuego a cold climate persists that is commonly referred to as a "Siberian type" climate.

File:Tropical cyclones 1945 2006 wikicolor.png

The distribution of rainfall is related to the regime of winds and air masses. In most of the tropical region east of the Andes, winds blowing from the northeast, east and southeast carry moisture from the Atlantic, causing abundant rainfall. However, due to a consistently strong wind shear and a weak Intertropical Convergence Zone, South Atlantic tropical cyclones are rare.{{cite web|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/G6.html|title=Why doesn't the South Atlantic Ocean experience tropical cyclones?|last=Landsea|first=Chris|date=13 July 2005|website=Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory|publisher=National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration|access-date=9 June 2018|archive-date=16 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716182608/http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/G6.html|url-status=live}} In the Orinoco Llanos and in the Guianas Plateau, the precipitation levels go from moderate to high. The Pacific coast of Colombia and northern Ecuador are rainy regions, with Chocó in Colombia being the rainiest place in the world along with the northern slopes of Indian Himalayas.{{cite web|title=Wettest Places on Earth By Annual Rainfall|url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-ten-wettest-places-in-the-world.html|website=World Atlas|date=27 March 2019|access-date=12 May 2019|archive-date=12 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512220428/https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-ten-wettest-places-in-the-world.html|url-status=live}} The Atacama Desert, along this stretch of coast, is one of the driest regions in the world. The central and southern parts of Chile are subject to extratropical cyclones, and most of the Argentine Patagonia is desert. In the Pampas of Argentina, Uruguay and South of Brazil the rainfall is moderate, with rains well distributed during the year. The moderately dry conditions of the Chaco oppose the intense rainfall of the eastern region of Paraguay. In the semiarid coast of the Brazilian Northeast the rains are linked to a monsoon regime.

Important factors in the determination of climates are sea currents such as the Humboldt Current and Falkland Current. The Equatorial Current of the South Atlantic strikes the coast of the Northeast where is divided into two others: the current of Brazil and a coastal current that flows to the northwest towards the Antilles from where it turns northeast forming the most important and famous ocean current in the world, the Gulf Stream.{{cite web|title=Apresentação da Corrente do Golfo|language=pt|trans-title=Presentation of the Gulf Stream|website=knoow.net|url=http://www.knoow.net/ciencterravida/geografia/correntegolfo.htm|access-date=26 January 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411062149/http://www.knoow.net/ciencterravida/geografia/correntegolfo.htm|archive-date=11 April 2015}}

South America is one of the most biodiverse continents on Earth. It is home to many unique species of animals including the llama, anaconda, piranha, jaguar, vicuña, and tapir, and to one of the largest known insects in the world, the Titan beetle. The Amazon rainforests possess high biodiversity, with Brazil estimated to contain 10% of Earth's species.{{cite journal|last1=Lewinsohn|first1=Thomas M|last2=Prado|first2=Paulo Inácio|date=7 June 2005|title=How Many Species Are There in Brazil?|journal=Conservation Biology|volume=19|issue=3|pages=619–624|doi=10.1111/j.1523-1739.2005.00680.x|bibcode=2005ConBi..19..619L|s2cid=84691981}} 83% of South America's large mammals (megafauna) became extinct at the end of the Pleistocene around 11,000 years ago as part of the Quaternary extinction event, among the highest of any continent, with the casualties including saber-toothed cats, ground sloths, glyptodonts, gomphotheres, the equines Hippidion and Equus neogeus, and all remaining South American native ungulates.{{Cite journal|last1=Prado|first1=José L.|last2=Martinez-Maza|first2=Cayetana|last3=Alberdi|first3=María T.|date=May 2015|title=Megafauna extinction in South America: A new chronology for the Argentine Pampas|url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0031018215000899|journal=Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology|volume=425|pages=41–49|doi=10.1016/j.palaeo.2015.02.026|bibcode=2015PPP...425...41P}}

{{See also|Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean}}

File:UNASUR (Ecuador).jpg in Quito, Ecuador]]

Historically, the Hispanic countries were founded as Republican dictatorships led by caudillos. Brazil was the only exception, being a constitutional monarchy for its first 67 years of independence, until a coup d'état proclaimed a republic. In the late 19th century, the most democratic countries were Brazil,{{cite book|last=Lira|first=Heitor|year=1977|language=pt|title=História de Dom Pedro II (1825–1891): Fastígio (1870–1880)|volume=2|publisher=Itatiaia|location=Belo Horizonte}} Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R1KBWX329uIC&q=late+19th+century+most+democratic+South+American+countries&pg=PA219|title=Toward Pro-poor Policies: Aid, Institutions, and Globalization|last1=Tungodden|first1=Bertil|last2=Stern|first2=Nicholas Herbert|last3=Stern|first3=Nicholas|last4=Kolstad|first4=Ivar|date=2004|publisher=World Bank Publications|isbn=978-0821353882|page=219|access-date=28 October 2020|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414154848/https://books.google.com/books?id=R1KBWX329uIC&q=late+19th+century+most+democratic+South+American+countries&pg=PA219|url-status=live}}

All South American countries are presidential republics with the exception of Suriname, a parliamentary republic. French Guiana is a French overseas department, while the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are British overseas territories. It is currently the only inhabited continent in the world without monarchies; the Empire of Brazil existed during the 19th century and there was an unsuccessful attempt to establish a Kingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia in southern Argentina and Chile. Also in the twentieth century, Suriname was established as a constituent kingdom of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Guyana retained the British monarch as head of state for 4 years after its independence.

Recently, an intergovernmental entity has been formed which aims to merge the two existing customs unions: Mercosur and the Andean Community, thus forming the third-largest trade bloc in the world.{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpolicy.org/nations/sovereign/integrate/2008/1029newconsensus.htm|title=Globalpolicy.org|publisher=Globalpolicy.org|date=29 October 2008|access-date=24 October 2010|archive-date=29 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429161020/http://www.globalpolicy.org/nations/sovereign/integrate/2008/1029newconsensus.htm|url-status=live}} This new political organization, known as Union of South American Nations, seeks to establish free movement of people, economic development, a common defense policy and the elimination of tariffs.

{{Main|List of sovereign states and dependent territories in South America}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="float:center; text-align:center;"

|-

! class="unsortable" | Arms

! class="unsortable" | Flag

! Country / Territory

! Area{{efn|Land areas and population estimates are taken from The 2008 World Factbook which currently uses July 2007 data, unless otherwise noted.}}

! Population
({{UN_Population|Year}}){{UN_Population|ref}}

! Population
density

! Capital

! Name(s) in official language(s)

|-

| File:Coat of arms of Argentina.svg

| {{flagicon|Argentina}}

| Argentina

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|2766890|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{UN_Population|Argentina}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|14.3|/km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| Buenos Aires

| Argentina

|-

| {{Coat of arms|Bolivia|text=none}}

| {{flagicon|Bolivia}}

| Bolivia

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|1098580|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{UN_Population|Bolivia (Plurinational State of)}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|8.4|/km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| La Paz,
Sucre{{efn|La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia; Sucre is the constitutional and judicial capital of Bolivia.}}

| Bolivia / Mborivia / Wuliwya / Puliwya

|-

| {{Coat of arms|Brazil|text=none}}

| {{flagicon|Brazil}}

| Brazil

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|8514877|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{UN_Population|Brazil}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|22|/km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| Brasília

| Brasil

|-

| {{Coat of arms|Chile|text=none}}

| {{flagicon|Chile}}

| Chile{{efn|Includes Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean, a Chilean territory frequently reckoned in Oceania.}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|756950|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{UN_Population|Chile}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|22|/km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| Santiago{{efn|Santiago is the administrative capital of Chile; Valparaíso is the site of legislative meetings.}}

| Chile

|-

| {{Coat of arms|Colombia|text=none}}

| {{flagicon|Colombia}}

| Colombia

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|1141748|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{UN_Population|Colombia}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|40|/km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| Bogotá

| Colombia

|-

| {{Coat of arms|Ecuador|text=none}}

| {{flagicon|Ecuador}}

| Ecuador

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|283560|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{UN_Population|Ecuador}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|53.8|/km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| Quito

| Ecuador / Ikwayur / Ekuatur

|-

| {{Coat of arms|Falkland Islands|text=none}}

| {{flagicon|Falkland Islands}}

| Falkland Islands
(United Kingdom)

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|12173|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{UN_Population|Falkland Islands (Malvinas)}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|0.26|/km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| Stanley

| Falkland Islands

|-

| {{Coat of arms|French Guiana|text=none}}

| {{Flagicon image|Flag of French Guiana.svg}}

| French Guiana
(France){{efn|The territory has been fully integrated into the French central state and the European Union.}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|91000|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{UN_Population|French Guiana}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|2.1|/km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| Cayenne
(Préfecture)

| Guyane

|-

| {{Coat of arms|Guyana|text=none}}

| {{flagicon|Guyana}}

| Guyana

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|214999|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{UN_Population|Guyana}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|3.5|/km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| Georgetown

| Guyana

|-

| File:Coat of arms of Paraguay.svg

| {{flagicon|Paraguay}}

| Paraguay

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|406750|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{UN_Population|Paraguay}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|15.6|/km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| Asunción

| Paraguay/Paraguái

|-

| {{Coat of arms|Peru|text=none}}

| {{flagicon|Peru}}

| Peru

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|1285220|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{UN_Population|Peru}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|22|/km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| Lima

| Perú/Piruw/Piruw

|-

| {{Coat of arms|South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands|text=none}}

| {{flagicon|South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands}}

| South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
(United Kingdom){{efn|South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean has no permanent population, only hosting a periodic contingent of about 100 researchers and visitors.}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|3093|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| style="text-align:right;"| 20

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|0|/km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| King Edward Point

| South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

|-

| {{Coat of arms|Suriname|text=none}}

| {{flagicon|Suriname}}

| Suriname

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|163270|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{UN_Population|Suriname}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|3|/km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| Paramaribo

| Suriname

|-

| {{Coat of arms|Uruguay|text=none}}

| {{flagicon|Uruguay}}

| Uruguay

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|176220|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{UN_Population|Uruguay}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|19.4|/km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| Montevideo

| Uruguay

|-

| {{Coat of arms|Venezuela|text=none}}

| {{flagicon|Venezuela}}

| Venezuela

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|916445|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{UN_Population|Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)}}

| style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|27.8|/km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

| Caracas

| Venezuela

|- class="sortbottom"

! colspan="3" | Total

! style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|17824513|km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

! style="text-align:right;"| {{UN_Population|South America}}

! style="text-align:right;"| {{cvt|21.5|/km2|disp=br()|sortable=on}}

! colspan="3" |

|}

{{Main|Economy of South America}}

File:Banco del Sur.jpg, Evo Morales, Néstor Kirchner, Cristina Fernández, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Nicanor Duarte, and Hugo Chávez signed the founding charter of the Bank of the South.]]

File:Sao Paulo Stock Exchange.jpg is the second biggest in the Americas and 13th in the world.]]

File:CostaneraCenter2016.jpg, Chile]]

File:Ariane 5ES liftoff from ELA-3.jpg in French Guiana]]

File:Petrobrasbolivia2006.jpg of Brazilian state-owned Petrobras in Cochabamba, Bolivia]]

File:Apresentação KC-390 (15414135738).jpg is the largest military transport aircraft produced in South America by the Brazilian company Embraer.]]

File:Bodega chakana hacia la montaña.jpg in Luján de Cuyo, province of Mendoza, Argentina]]

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"

|-

! Country

! GDP (nominal) $bn
2023

! GDP (PPP) $bn
2023
{{Cite web|title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition|url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=512,914,612,171,614,311,213,911,314,193,122,912,313,419,513,316,913,124,339,638,514,218,963,616,223,516,918,748,618,624,522,622,156,626,628,228,924,233,632,636,634,238,662,960,423,935,128,611,321,243,248,469,253,642,643,939,734,644,819,172,132,646,648,915,134,652,174,328,258,656,654,336,263,268,532,944,176,534,536,429,433,178,436,136,343,158,439,916,664,826,542,967,443,917,544,941,446,666,668,672,946,137,546,674,676,548,556,678,181,867,682,684,273,868,921,948,943,686,688,518,728,836,558,138,196,278,692,694,962,142,449,564,565,283,853,288,293,566,964,182,359,453,968,922,714,862,135,716,456,722,942,718,724,576,936,961,813,726,199,733,184,524,361,362,364,732,366,144,146,463,528,923,738,578,537,742,866,369,744,186,925,869,746,926,466,112,111,298,927,846,299,582,487,474,754,698,&s=PPPGDP,&sy=2021&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1|access-date=2023-04-11|publisher=International Monetary Fund}}{{cite web|url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?a=1&c=001,998,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,PPPPC,PPPSH,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1|title=WEO Database, October 2023. Report for Selected Countries and Subjects: World, European Union|date=10 October 2023|publisher=International Monetary Fund|access-date=10 October 2023}}

! GDP per capita $,000
2023

! Merchandise exports
$bn
2022
{{Cite web|title=Exports of goods and services (BoP, current US$)|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/BX.GSR.GNFS.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true|access-date=2023-08-20|website=World Bank Open Data}}

! Human Development Index
2021
{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2011_EN_Complete.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2014. Human development indices|date=January 2011|page=23|publisher=United Nations|access-date=24 May 2011|archive-date=4 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204224811/http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2011_EN_Complete.pdf|url-status=live}}

! % with less than $2.15 per day
2021

|-

| style="text-align:left;" | Argentina

| {{Nts|622}}

| {{Nts|1240}}

| {{Nts|27}}

| {{Nts|103}}

| {{Nts|0.84}}

| {{Nts|1}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;" | Bolivia

| {{Nts|47}}

| {{Nts|125}}

| {{Nts|10}}

| {{Nts|15}}

| {{Nts|0.69}}

| {{Nts|2}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;" | Brazil

| {{Nts|2130}}

| {{Nts|4100}}

| {{Nts|20}}

| {{Nts|380}}

| {{Nts|0.75}}

| {{Nts|6}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;" | Chile

| {{Nts|344}}

| {{Nts|600}}

| {{Nts|30}}

| {{Nts|107}}

| {{Nts|0.86}}

| {{Nts|0.7}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;" | Colombia

| {{Nts|364}}

| {{Nts|1000}}

| {{Nts|19}}

| {{Nts|72}}

| {{Nts|0.75}}

| {{Nts|7}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;" | Ecuador

| {{Nts|120}}

| {{Nts|243}}

| {{Nts|13}}

| {{Nts|36}}

| {{Nts|0.74}}

| {{Nts|3}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;" | Falkland Islands[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/falkland-islands-islas-malvinas/ Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109093604/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/falkland-islands-islas-malvinas |date=9 January 2021 }}. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency.

| {{Nts|}}

| {{Nts|0.2}}

| {{Nts|71}}

| {{Nts|}}

|

|

|-

| style="text-align:left;" | French Guiana{{Cite web|url=https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/5020211|title=Produits intérieurs bruts régionaux et valeurs ajoutées régionales de 1990 à 2021 | Insee|website=insee.fr}}

| {{Nts|5}}

| {{Nts|}}

| {{Nts|20}}

| {{Nts|}}

|

|

|-

| style="text-align:left;" | Guyana

| {{Nts|16}}

| {{Nts|49}}

| {{Nts|61}}

| {{Nts|5}}

| {{Nts|0.71}}

| {{Nts|}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;" | Paraguay

| {{Nts|44}}

| {{Nts|117}}

| {{Nts|16}}

| {{Nts|15}}

| {{Nts|0.72}}

| {{Nts|1.3}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;" | Peru

| {{Nts|265}}

| {{Nts|550}}

| {{Nts|16}}

| {{Nts|71}}

| {{Nts|0.76}}

| {{Nts|3}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;" | Suriname

| {{Nts|3.5}}

| {{Nts|11}}

| {{Nts|18}}

| {{Nts|3}}

| {{Nts|0.73}}

| {{Nts|}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;" | Uruguay

| {{Nts|76}}

| {{Nts|103}}

| {{Nts|29}}

| {{Nts|23}}

| {{Nts|0.81}}

| {{Nts|0.1}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;" | Venezuela

| {{Nts|92}}

| {{Nts|21}}

| {{Nts|8}}

| {{Nts|23}}

| {{Nts|0.69}}

| {{Nts|}}

|-

! style="text-align:left;"| Total || {{Nts|4100}} || {{Nts|8200}} || {{Nts|19}} || {{Nts|850}} || {{Nts|}} || {{Nts|}}

|}

Since 1930, the continent has experienced growth and diversification in most economic sectors. Most agricultural and livestock products are destined for the domestic market and local consumption. However, the export of agricultural products is essential for the balance of trade in most countries.O Sistema Econômico / América do Sul. In: Atlas Mundial. São Paulo: Cia. Melhoramentos de São Paulo, 1999, pp. 26–27, 88–107, {{ISBN|85-06-02889-2}}.

The main agrarian crops are export crops, such as soy and wheat. The production of staple foods such as vegetables, corn or beans is large, but focused on domestic consumption. Livestock raising for meat exports is significant in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Colombia. In tropical regions the most important crops are coffee, cocoa and bananas, mainly in Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador. Traditionally, the countries producing sugar for export are Peru, Guyana and Suriname, and in Brazil, sugar cane is also used to make ethanol. On the coast of Peru, northeast and south of Brazil, cotton is grown. 51% of South America's land surface is covered by forest.{{Cite web|title=Chapter 43. Tropical South America|url=http://www.fao.org/3/y1997e/y1997e1c.htm|access-date=1 March 2021|work=Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000|publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125184022/http://www.fao.org/3/y1997e/y1997e1c.htm|url-status=live}} Transnational companies have settled in the Amazon rainforest to exploit timber destined for export.

The Pacific coastal waters are the most important for commercial fishing. The anchovy catch reaches thousands of tonnes, and tuna is abundant, Peru is a major exporter. The capture of crustaceans is large, particularly in northeastern Brazil and Chile.

Brazil and Argentina are part of the G20 industrial countries, while only Brazil is part of the G8+5 (the most powerful and influential nations in the world). In the tourism sector, negotiations began in 2005 to promote tourism and increase air connections within the region. Punta del Este, Florianópolis and Mar del Plata are among the largest resorts in South America.

The most industrialized countries in South America are Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Chile respectively. These countries alone account for more than 80% of the region's economy. Industries in South America significantly developed from the 1930s, when the Great Depression in the United States and elsewhere, boosted industrial production on the continent. The region partially moved away from agriculture and began to achieve high rates of economic growth that remained until the early 1990s, when they slowed due to political instabilities and economic crises.

Since the end of the economic crisis in Brazil and Argentina between 1998 and 2002, which led to economic recession, rising unemployment and falling income, the industrial and service sectors have recovered. South America has shown good signs of economic stability, with controlled inflation and exchange rates, continuous growth, a decrease in social inequality and unemployment{{snd}}factors that favor industry.

The main industries are: electronics, textiles, food, automotive, metallurgy, aviation, naval, clothing, beverage, steel, tobacco, timber, chemical, among others.

The economic gap between rich and poor in most South American nations is larger than most other continents. The richest 10% receive over 40% of the nation's income in Bolivia, Brazil and Colombia,{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.DST.10TH.10|title=Income share held by highest 10%|publisher=The World Bank|year=2011|access-date=24 May 2012|archive-date=8 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608204232/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.DST.10TH.10|url-status=live}} while the poorest 20% receive 4% or less.{{cite web|url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.DST.FRST.20/countries|title=Income share held by lowest 20%|publisher=The World Bank|year=2017|access-date=29 May 2019|archive-date=19 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619074038/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.DST.FRST.20/countries|url-status=live}} This wide gap can be seen in large South American cities where makeshift shacks and slums lie in the vicinity of skyscrapers and luxury apartments; many South Americans live on less than $2 per day.{{Cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.DDAY?locations=1W&start=1984&view=chart|title=World Bank Open Data|website=World Bank Open Data}}

The four countries with the strongest agriculture are Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Colombia. Currently:

• Brazil is the world's largest producer of sugarcane, soy, coffee, orange, guaraná, açaí and Brazil nut; is one of the top 5 producers of maize, papaya, tobacco, pineapple, banana, cotton, beans, coconut, watermelon, lemon and yerba mate; is one of the top 10 world producers of cocoa, cashew, avocado, tangerine, persimmon, mango, guava, rice, oat, sorghum and tomato; and is one of the top 15 world producers of grape, apple, melon, peanut, fig, peach, onion, palm oil and natural rubber;
• Argentina is the world's largest producer of yerba mate; is one of the five largest producers in the world of soy, maize, sunflower seed, lemon and pear, one of the 10 largest producers in the world of barley, grape, artichoke, tobacco and cotton, and one of the 15 largest producers in the world of wheat, oat, chickpea, sugarcane, sorghum and grapefruit;
• Chile is one of the five largest world producers of cherry and cranberry, and one of the 10 largest world producers of grape, apple, kiwi, peach, plum and hazelnut, focusing on exporting high-value fruits;
• Colombia is one of the five largest producers in the world of coffee, avocado and palm oil, and one of the 10 largest producers in the world of sugarcane, banana, pineapple and cocoa;
• Peru is the world's largest producer of quinoa; is one of the five largest producers of avocado, blueberry, artichoke and asparagus; one of the 10 largest producers in the world of coffee and cocoa; one of the 15 largest producers in the world of potato and pineapple, and also has a considerable production of grape, sugarcane, rice, banana, maize and cassava; its agriculture is considerably diversified;
• Paraguay's agriculture is currently developing, being currently the sixth largest producer of soy in the world and entering the list of the 20 largest producers of maize and sugarcane.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC/|title=FAOSTAT|website=Food and Agriculture Organization|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=12 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112130804/http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC/|url-status=live}}

Brazil is the world's largest exporter of chicken meat: 3.8 million tonnes in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aviculturaindustrial.com.br/imprensa/conheca-os-3-paises-que-desafiam-o-brasil-nas-exportacoes-de-frango/20200122-093443-o532|title=Conheça os 3 países que desafiam o Brasil nas exportações de frango|website=Avicultura Industrial|date=22 January 2020|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=14 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814020818/https://www.aviculturaindustrial.com.br/imprensa/conheca-os-3-paises-que-desafiam-o-brasil-nas-exportacoes-de-frango/20200122-093443-o532|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.farmnews.com.br/mercado/maiores-exportadores-de-carne-de-frango/|title=Maiores exportadores de carne de frango entre 2015 e 2019|first=Ivan|last=Formigoni|date=30 May 2019|access-date=22 March 2021|archive-date=13 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413203423/http://www.farmnews.com.br/mercado/maiores-exportadores-de-carne-de-frango/|url-status=live}} The country is the holder of the second largest herd of cattle in the world, 22% of the world herd. The country was the second largest producer of beef in 2019, responsible for 15% of global production.{{Cite web|url=https://www.beefpoint.com.br/ibge-rebanho-de-bovinos-tinha-21823-milhoes-de-cabecas-em-2016/|title=IBGE: rebanho de bovinos tinha 218,23 milhões de cabeças em 2016 | BeefPoint|website=beefpoint.com.br|date=29 September 2017|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=9 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509124542/https://www.beefpoint.com.br/ibge-rebanho-de-bovinos-tinha-21823-milhoes-de-cabecas-em-2016/|url-status=live}} It was also the third largest world producer of milk in 2018, 35 billion liters.{{Cite web|url=https://agronewsbrazil.com.br/brasil-e-o-3o-maior-produtor-de-leite-do-mundo-superando-o-padrao-europeu-em-alguns-municipios/|title=Brasil é o 3º maior produtor de leite do mundo, superando o padrão Europeu em alguns municípios|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=17 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917042822/https://agronewsbrazil.com.br/brasil-e-o-3o-maior-produtor-de-leite-do-mundo-superando-o-padrao-europeu-em-alguns-municipios/|url-status=dead}} In 2019, Brazil was the 4th largest pork producer in the world, with almost 4 million tonnes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.farmnews.com.br/mercado/principais-paises-produtores-de-carne-suina/|title=Principais países produtores de carne suína entre 2017 e 2019|first=Ivan|last=Formigoni|date=23 July 2019|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816082805/https://www.farmnews.com.br/mercado/principais-paises-produtores-de-carne-suina/|url-status=live}} In 2018, Argentina was the fourth largest producer of beef in the world, with a production of 3 million tonnes (behind only the United States, Brazil and China).{{Cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QL/|title=FAOSTAT|website=Food and Agriculture Organization|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=12 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112130804/http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QL/|url-status=live}}

In chicken meat production, Argentina ranks among the 15 largest producers in the world, and Peru and Colombia among the 20 biggest producers. In beef production, Colombia is one of the 20 largest producers in the world. In honey production, Argentina ranks among the five largest. In cow's milk, Argentina ranks among the 20 largest producers.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/faostat/es/#data/QL/|title=FAOSTAT|website=Food and Agriculture Organization|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=16 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016050347/http://www.fao.org/faostat/es/#data/QL/|url-status=live}}

File:Faz S Sofia canavial 090607 REFON.JPG|Sugarcane plantation in São Paulo. In 2018, Brazil was the world's largest producer, with 746 million tonnes. South America produces half of the world's sugarcane.

File:SojaBrasnorte.jpg|Soy plantation in Mato Grosso. In 2020, Brazil was the world's largest producer, with 130 million tonnes. South America produces half of the world's soybeans.

File:Coffee Plantation.jpg|Coffee in Minas Gerais. In 2018, Brazil was the world's largest producer, with 3.5 million tonnes. South America produces half of the world's coffee.

File:Laranja (Avaré) REFON 1.JPG|Orange in São Paulo. In 2018, Brazil was the world's largest producer, with 17 million tonnes. South America produces 25% of the world's orange.

File:Perdigao.jpg|Truck of a meat company in Brazil. South America produces 20% of the world's beef and chicken meat.

{{Update|section|date=November 2024}}

File:EMS - panoramio.jpg, the largest Brazilian pharmaceutical company]]

The World Bank annually lists the top manufacturing countries by total manufacturing value. According to the 2019 list, Brazil has the thirteenth most valuable industry in the world (US$174 billion), Venezuela the thirtieth largest (US$58.2 billion, however, it depends on oil to obtain this value), Argentina the 31st largest (US$57.7 billion), Colombia the 46th largest (US$35.4 billion), Peru the 50th largest (US$28.7 billion) and Chile the 51st largest (US$28.3 billion).{{Cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.IND.MANF.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true|title=Manufacturing, value added (current US$) | Data|publisher=World Bank|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=7 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107135049/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.IND.MANF.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true|url-status=live}}

Brazil has the third-largest manufacturing sector in the Americas. Accounting for 29 percent of GDP, Brazil's industries range from automobiles, steel, and petrochemicals to computers, aircraft (Embraer), food, pharmaceutical, footwear, metallurgy and consumer durables. In the food industry, in 2019, Brazil was the second largest exporter of processed foods in the world.{{Cite web|url=https://alimentosprocessados.com.br/industria-na-sociedade-brasileira.php|title=Alimentos Processados | A indústria de alimentos e bebidas na sociedade brasileira atual|website=alimentosprocessados.com.br|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=25 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325142658/https://alimentosprocessados.com.br/industria-na-sociedade-brasileira.php|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/economia/noticia/2020/02/18/faturamento-da-industria-de-alimentos-cresceu-67percent-em-2019.ghtml|title=Faturamento da indústria de alimentos cresceu 6,7% em 2019|website=G1|date=18 February 2020|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=19 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219171658/https://g1.globo.com/economia/noticia/2020/02/18/faturamento-da-industria-de-alimentos-cresceu-67percent-em-2019.ghtml|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/economia/noticia/2020-02/industria-de-alimentos-e-bebidas-faturaram-r-6999-bi-em-2019|title=Indústria de alimentos e bebidas faturou R$ 699,9 bi em 2019|date=18 February 2020|website=Agência Brasil|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=19 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219032930/https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/economia/noticia/2020-02/industria-de-alimentos-e-bebidas-faturaram-r-6999-bi-em-2019|url-status=live}} In 2016, the country was the 2nd largest producer of pulp and the 8th largest producer of paper.{{Cite web|url=https://valor.globo.com/empresas/noticia/2020/02/21/producao-nacional-de-celulose-cai-66percent-em-2019-aponta-iba.ghtml|title=Produção nacional de celulose cai 6,6% em 2019, aponta Ibá|website=Valor Econômico|date=21 February 2020|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=21 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221134709/https://valor.globo.com/empresas/noticia/2020/02/21/producao-nacional-de-celulose-cai-66percent-em-2019-aponta-iba.ghtml|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.celuloseonline.com.br/sabe-qual-e-o-estado-brasileiro-que-mais-produz-madeira-nao-e-sao-paulo/|title=Sabe qual é o estado brasileiro que mais produz Madeira?|date=9 October 2017|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012095718/https://www.celuloseonline.com.br/sabe-qual-e-o-estado-brasileiro-que-mais-produz-madeira-nao-e-sao-paulo/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/espirito-santo/noticia/sao-mateus-e-o-6-maior-produtor-de-madeira-em-tora-para-papel-e-celulose-no-pais-diz-ibge.ghtml|title=São Mateus é o 6º maior produtor de madeira em tora para papel e celulose no país, diz IBGE|website=G1|date=28 September 2017|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=14 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614215127/https://g1.globo.com/espirito-santo/noticia/sao-mateus-e-o-6-maior-produtor-de-madeira-em-tora-para-papel-e-celulose-no-pais-diz-ibge.ghtml|url-status=live}} In the footwear industry, in 2019, Brazil ranked 4th among world producers.{{Cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/sp/ribeirao-preto-franca/noticia/2019/07/14/industrias-calcadistas-em-franca-sp-registram-queda-de-40percent-nas-vagas-de-trabalho-em-6-anos.ghtml|title=Indústrias calçadistas em Franca, SP registram queda de 40% nas vagas de trabalho em 6 anos|website=G1|date=14 July 2019|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=14 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714205803/https://g1.globo.com/sp/ribeirao-preto-franca/noticia/2019/07/14/industrias-calcadistas-em-franca-sp-registram-queda-de-40percent-nas-vagas-de-trabalho-em-6-anos.ghtml|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.fenac.com.br/producao-de-calcados-deve-crescer-3-em-2019|title=Fenac – Centro de Eventos e Negócios | Produção de calçados deve crescer 3% em 2019|first=Agência Maya: Criação de Sites e Marketing|last=Digital|website=fenac.com.br|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=1 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101151709/http://www.fenac.com.br/producao-de-calcados-deve-crescer-3-em-2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.abicalcados.com.br/noticia/abicalcados-apresenta-relatorio-setorial-2019|title=Abicalçados apresenta Relatório Setorial 2019|website=abicalcados.com.br|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=22 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422064032/https://www.abicalcados.com.br/noticia/abicalcados-apresenta-relatorio-setorial-2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.fazcomex.com.br/blog/exportacao-de-calcados-saiba-mais/|title=Exportação de Calçados: Saiba mais|date=27 February 2020|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=17 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617022014/https://www.fazcomex.com.br/blog/exportacao-de-calcados-saiba-mais/|url-status=live}} In 2019, the country was the 8th largest producer of vehicles and the 9th largest producer of steel in the world.{{Cite web|url=https://diariodocomercio.com.br/livre/minas-gerais-produz-323-do-aco-nacional-em-2019/|title=Minas Gerais produz 32,3% do aço nacional em 2019|first=Diário do|last=Comércio|date=24 January 2020|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=14 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614182655/https://diariodocomercio.com.br/livre/minas-gerais-produz-323-do-aco-nacional-em-2019/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.istoedinheiro.com.br/o-novo-mapa-das-montadoras/|title=O novo mapa das montadoras, que agora rumam para o interior do País|date=8 March 2019|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=8 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308152711/https://www.istoedinheiro.com.br/o-novo-mapa-das-montadoras/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/rj/sul-do-rio-costa-verde/noticia/industria-automobilistica-do-sul-do-rio-impulsiona-superavit-na-economia.ghtml|title=Indústria automobilística do Sul do Rio impulsiona superavit na economia|website=G1|date=12 July 2017|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=19 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719091817/https://g1.globo.com/rj/sul-do-rio-costa-verde/noticia/industria-automobilistica-do-sul-do-rio-impulsiona-superavit-na-economia.ghtml|url-status=live}} In 2018, the chemical industry of Brazil was the 8th largest in the world.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwc.com.br/pt/publicacoes/setores-atividade/assets/quimico-petroquimico/2013/pwc-chemicals-port-13.pdf|title=Indústria Química no Brasil|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=14 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614225009/https://www.pwc.com.br/pt/publicacoes/setores-atividade/assets/quimico-petroquimico/2013/pwc-chemicals-port-13.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/br/Documents/energy-resources/Deloitte-Abiquim-Setor-Quimico-Relatorio.pdf|title=Estudo de 2018|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=10 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810185749/https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/br/Documents/energy-resources/Deloitte-Abiquim-Setor-Quimico-Relatorio.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://economia.uol.com.br/noticias/estadao-conteudo/2020/02/03/producao-nacional-da-industria-de-quimicos-cai-57-em-2019-diz-abiquim.htm|title=Produção nacional da indústria de químicos cai 5,7% em 2019, diz Abiquim|website=economia.uol.com.br|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=14 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614230629/https://economia.uol.com.br/noticias/estadao-conteudo/2020/02/03/producao-nacional-da-industria-de-quimicos-cai-57-em-2019-diz-abiquim.htm|url-status=live}} Although Brazil was in 2013 among the five largest producers of textiles in the world, its textile industry still lacks proper integration in the world trade.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bnb.gov.br/documents/80223/2509338/textil_16_2017%28V2%29.pdf/063d7521-342f-e81e-232a-e251964fa1c3|title=Industria Textil no Brasil|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=19 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619042050/https://www.bnb.gov.br/documents/80223/2509338/textil_16_2017%28V2%29.pdf/063d7521-342f-e81e-232a-e251964fa1c3|url-status=dead}}

File:Cerro ricco.jpg, Potosi, Bolivia, still a major silver mine]]

File:Brasil - Ametista do Sul - Piedra amatista.jpg. South America is a major producer of gems such as amethyst, topaz, emerald, aquamarine and tourmaline.]]

File:Chuqui001 02.jpg is the largest open pit mine in the world, near the city of Calama in Chile.]]

Mining is one of the most important economic sectors in South America, especially for Chile, Peru and Bolivia, whose economies are highly dependent on this sector. The continent is a large producer of gold (mainly in Peru, Brazil and Argentina);{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/|title=USGS Online Publications Directory|website=pubs.usgs.gov|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=15 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615031507/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/|url-status=live}} silver (mainly in Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina);{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-silver.pdf|title=Production statistics of USGS Silver|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515082301/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-silver.pdf|url-status=live}} copper (mainly in Chile, Peru and Brazil);{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-copper.pdf|title=Copper production statistics for the USGS|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=21 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621203439/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-copper.pdf|url-status=live}} iron ore (Brazil, Peru and Chile);{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-iron-ore.pdf|title=Production statistics of USGS iron ore|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=21 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621060121/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-iron-ore.pdf|url-status=live}} zinc (Peru, Bolivia and Brazil);{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-zinc.pdf|title=Zinc production statistics from USGS|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=26 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626080058/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-zinc.pdf|url-status=live}} molybdenum (Chile and Peru);{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-molybdenum.pdf|title=USGS Molybdenum Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=28 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628031218/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-molybdenum.pdf|url-status=live}} lithium (Chile, Argentina and Brazil);{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-lithium.pdf|title=USGS lithium production statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=9 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509143135/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-lithium.pdf|url-status=live}} lead (Peru and Bolivia);{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-lead.pdf|title=USGS Lead Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515091715/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-lead.pdf|url-status=live}} bauxite (Brazil);{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-bauxite-alumina.pdf|title=USGS Bauxite Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=8 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208035529/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-bauxite-alumina.pdf|url-status=live}} tin (Peru, Bolivia and Brazil);{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-tin.pdf|title=USGS tin production statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813153917/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-tin.pdf|url-status=live}} manganese (Brazil);{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-manganese.pdf|title=Manganese production statistics from the USGS|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625143322/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-manganese.pdf|url-status=live}} antimony (Bolivia and Ecuador);{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-antimony.pdf|title=USGS antimony production statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=21 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621062959/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-antimony.pdf|url-status=live}} nickel (Brazil);{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-nickel.pdf|title=USGS Nickel Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=12 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412192007/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-nickel.pdf|url-status=live}} niobium (Brazil);{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-niobium.pdf|title=USGS Niobium Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625143407/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-niobium.pdf|url-status=live}} rhenium (Chile);{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-rhenium.pdf|title=USGS rhenium production statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=21 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621074425/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-rhenium.pdf|url-status=live}} iodine (Chile),{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-iodine.pdf|title=USGS iodine production statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625191455/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-iodine.pdf|url-status=live}} among others.

Brazil stands out in the extraction of iron ore (where it is the second largest producer and exporter in the world – iron ore is usually one of the three export products that generate the greatest value in the country's trade balance), copper, gold, bauxite (one of the five largest producers in the world), manganese (one of the five largest producers in the world), tin (one of the largest producers in the world), niobium (concentrates 98% of reserves known to the world) and nickel. In terms of gemstones, Brazil is the world's largest producer of amethyst, topaz, agate and one of the main producers of tourmaline, emerald, aquamarine, garnet and opal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.br/anm/pt-br/pagina-inicial|title=ANM|website=gov.br Agência Nacional de Mineração|access-date=22 March 2021|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804161841/https://www.gov.br/anm/pt-br/pagina-inicial|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://noticias.r7.com/brasil/brasil-extrai-cerca-de-2-gramas-de-ouro-por-habitante-em-5-anos-29062019|title=Brasil extrai cerca de 2 gramas de ouro por habitante em 5 anos|date=29 June 2019|website=R7.com|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=12 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712095924/https://noticias.r7.com/brasil/brasil-extrai-cerca-de-2-gramas-de-ouro-por-habitante-em-5-anos-29062019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Economia_Negocios/0,,MUL190262-9356,00-VOTORANTIM+METAIS+ADQUIRE+RESERVAS+DE+ZINCO+DA+MASA.html|title=G1 > Economia e Negócios – Noticías – Votorantim Metais adquire reservas de zinco da Masa|website=g1.globo.com|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118205757/http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Economia_Negocios/0,,MUL190262-9356,00-VOTORANTIM+METAIS+ADQUIRE+RESERVAS+DE+ZINCO+DA+MASA.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/economia/noticia/2019/12/12/niobio-g1-visita-em-mg-complexo-industrial-do-maior-produtor-do-mundo.ghtml|title=Nióbio: G1 visita em MG complexo industrial do maior produtor do mundo|website=G1|date=12 December 2019|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=12 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212144838/https://g1.globo.com/economia/noticia/2019/12/12/niobio-g1-visita-em-mg-complexo-industrial-do-maior-produtor-do-mundo.ghtml|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.cprm.gov.br/publique/Redes-Institucionais/Rede-de-Bibliotecas---Rede-Ametista/Algumas-Gemas-Classicas-1104.html|title=Serviço Geológico do Brasil|website=cprm.gov.br|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=6 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906194936/http://www.cprm.gov.br/publique/Redes-Institucionais/Rede-de-Bibliotecas---Rede-Ametista/Algumas-Gemas-Classicas-1104.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://noticias.band.uol.com.br/noticias/100000911432/rio-grande-do-sul-o-maior-exportador-de-pedras-preciosas-do-brasil.html|title=Rio Grande do Sul: o maior exportador de pedras preciosas do Brasil|website=Band.com.br|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=2 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502153003/https://noticias.band.uol.com.br/noticias/100000911432/rio-grande-do-sul-o-maior-exportador-de-pedras-preciosas-do-brasil.html|url-status=live}}

Chile contributes about a third of the world copper production.{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-copper.pdf|title=Copper production in 2019 by USGS|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=21 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621203439/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-copper.pdf|url-status=live}} In addition to copper, Chile was, in 2019, the world's largest producer of iodine{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-iodine.pdf|title=USGS Iodine Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625191455/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-iodine.pdf|url-status=live}} and rhenium,{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-rhenium.pdf|title=USGS Rhenium Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=21 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621074425/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-rhenium.pdf|url-status=live}} the second largest producer of lithium{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-lithium.pdf|title=USGS Lithium Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=9 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509143135/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-lithium.pdf|url-status=live}} and molybdenum, the sixth largest producer of silver,{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-silver.pdf|title=USGS Silver Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515082301/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-silver.pdf|url-status=live}} the seventh largest producer of salt,{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-salt.pdf|title=USGS Salt Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623183622/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-salt.pdf|url-status=live}} the eighth largest producer of potash,{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-potash.pdf|title=USGS Potash Product ion Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=14 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714023525/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-potash.pdf|url-status=live}} the thirteenth largest producer of sulfur{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-sulfur.pdf|title=USGS Sulfur Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624221045/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-sulfur.pdf|url-status=live}} and the thirteenth largest producer of iron ore{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-iron-ore.pdf|title=USGS Iron Ore Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=21 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621060121/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-iron-ore.pdf|url-status=live}} in the world.

In 2019, Peru was the 2nd largest world producer of copper{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-copper.pdf|title=USGS Copper Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=21 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621203439/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-copper.pdf|url-status=live}} and silver, 8th largest world producer of gold,{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-gold.pdf|title=USGS Gold Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=21 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621193715/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-gold.pdf|url-status=live}} 3rd largest world producer of lead, 2nd largest world producer of zinc,{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-zinc.pdf|title=USGS Zinc Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=26 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626080058/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-zinc.pdf|url-status=live}} 4th largest world producer of tin,{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-tin.pdf|title=USGS Tin Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813153917/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-tin.pdf|url-status=live}} 5th largest world producer of boron{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-boron.pdf|title=USGS Boron Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=18 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718104325/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-boron.pdf|url-status=live}} and 4th largest world producer of molybdenum.

In 2019, Bolivia was the 8th largest world producer of silver; 4th largest world producer of boron; 5th largest world producer of antimony;{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-antimony.pdf|title=USGS Antimony Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=21 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621062959/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-antimony.pdf|url-status=live}} 5th largest world producer of tin; 6th largest world producer of tungsten;{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-tungsten.pdf|title=USGS Tungsten Production Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705141418/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-tungsten.pdf|url-status=live}} 7th largest producer of zinc,{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-zinc.pdf|title=USGS ZincProduction Statistics|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=26 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626080058/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-zinc.pdf|url-status=live}} and the 8th largest producer of lead.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.br/anm/pt-br/pagina-inicial|title=ANM|website=Agência Nacional de Mineração|access-date=22 March 2021|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804161841/https://www.gov.br/anm/pt-br/pagina-inicial|url-status=live}}

In 2019, Argentina was the 4th largest world producer of lithium, the 9th largest world producer of silver, the 17th largest world producer of gold and the 7th largest world producer of boron.

Colombia is the world's largest producer of emeralds.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/noticias/2012/10/121025_colombia_esmeraldas_ru|title=Notícias – Região colombiana vive 'febre das esmeraldas'|publisher=BBC Brasil|year=2012|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=21 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221174300/https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/noticias/2012/10/121025_colombia_esmeraldas_ru|url-status=live}} In the production of gold, among 2006 and 2017, the country produced {{convert|15|tonne|ton}} per year until 2007, when its production increased significantly, breaking a record of {{convert|66.1|tonne|ton}} extracted in 2012. In 2017, it extracted {{convert|52.2|tonne|ton}}. The country is among the 25 largest gold producers in the world.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/colombia/gold-production|title=Colombia Gold Production, 1990–2021|website=CEIC Data|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816022625/https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/colombia/gold-production|url-status=live}} In the production of silver, in 2017 the country extracted {{convert|15.5|tonne|ton}}.{{Cite web|last=Campbell|first=Keith|title=The state of mining in South America – an overview|url=https://www.miningweekly.com/article/the-state-of-mining-in-south-america-an-overview-2013-06-21/rep_id:3650|access-date=1 March 2021|website=Mining Weekly|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414173102/https://www.miningweekly.com/article/the-state-of-mining-in-south-america-an-overview-2013-06-21/rep_id:3650|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/colombia/silver-production|title=Colombia Silver Production, 1990–2021|website=CEIC Data|access-date=27 June 2021|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816150027/https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/colombia/silver-production|url-status=live}}

In the production of oil, Brazil was the 10th largest oil producer in the world in 2019, with 2.8 million barrels / day. Venezuela was the 21st largest, with 877 thousand barrels / day and Colombia in 22nd with 886 thousand. As Venezuela and Ecuador consume little oil and export most of their production, they are part of OPEC. Venezuela had a big drop in production after 2015 (where it produced 2.5 million barrels / day), falling in 2018 to 1.4 million and in 2019 to 877 thousand, due to lack of investment.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eia.gov/international/data/world/petroleum-and-other-liquids/annual-petroleum-and-other-liquids-production?pd=5&p=0000000000000000000000000000000000vg&u=0&f=A&v=mapbubble&a=-&i=none&vo=value&&t=C&g=00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001&l=249-ruvvvvvfvtvnvv1vrvvvvfvvvvvvfvvvou20evvvvvvvvvvnvvvs0008&s=94694400000&e=1546300800000|title=International – Data – Petroleum and other liquids|website=U.S. Energy Information Administration|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=4 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304103613/https://www.eia.gov/international/data/world/petroleum-and-other-liquids/annual-petroleum-and-other-liquids-production?pd=5&p=0000000000000000000000000000000000vg&u=0&f=A&v=mapbubble&a=-&i=none&vo=value&t=C&g=00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001&l=249-ruvvvvvfvtvnvv1vrvvvvfvvvvvvfvvvou20evvvvvvvvvvnvvvs0008&s=94694400000&e=1546300800000|url-status=live}}

For natural gas, in 2018, Argentina produced 1524 bcf (billion cubic feet), Venezuela 946, Brazil 877, Bolivia 617, Peru 451, Colombia 379.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eia.gov/international/data/world/natural-gas/dry-natural-gas-production?pd=3002&p=00g&u=0&f=A&v=mapbubble&a=-&i=none&vo=value&&t=C&g=00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001&l=249-ruvvvvvfvtvnvv1vrvvvvfvvvvvvfvvvou20evvvvvvvvvvnvvvs0008&s=315532800000&e=1546300800000|title=International – Data – Natural gas|website=U.S. Energy Information Administration|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=19 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019114317/https://www.eia.gov/international/data/world/natural-gas/dry-natural-gas-production?pd=3002&p=00g&u=0&f=A&v=mapbubble&a=-&i=none&vo=value&&t=C&g=00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001&l=249-ruvvvvvfvtvnvv1vrvvvvfvvvvvvfvvvou20evvvvvvvvvvnvvvs0008&s=315532800000&e=1546300800000|url-status=live}}

In the beginning of 2020, in the production of oil and natural gas, Brazil exceeded 4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, for the first time. In January 2021, 3.168 million barrels of oil per day and 139 million cubic meters of natural gas were extracted.{{Cite web|url=http://www.anp.gov.br/noticias/5628-producao-de-petroleo-e-gas-no-brasil-ultrapassa-4-milhoes-de-boe-d-pela-primeira-vez|title=Produção de petróleo e gás no Brasil ultrapassa 4 milhões de boe/d pela primeira vez|website=anp.gov.br|date=2020|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=20 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220091405/http://www.anp.gov.br/noticias/5628-producao-de-petroleo-e-gas-no-brasil-ultrapassa-4-milhoes-de-boe-d-pela-primeira-vez|url-status=dead}} The continent had 2 of the 30 largest world producers of coal in 2018: Colombia (12th) and Brazil (27th).{{Cite web|url=https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/energy-economics/statistical-review-of-world-energy.html|title=Statistical Review of World Energy | Energy economics | Home|website=bp global|access-date=26 June 2021|archive-date=12 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012042030/https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/energy-economics/statistical-review-of-world-energy.html|url-status=live}}

Tourism has increasingly become a significant source of income for South American countries.{{cite web|url=http://bigtravelweb.com/travel/2008/10/13/tourism-trends-visitor-numbers/|title=Latin & South America Tourism Statistics & Visitor Numbers|publisher=Bigtravelweb.com|date=13 October 2008|access-date=21 May 2012|archive-date=12 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812111806/http://bigtravelweb.com/travel/2008/10/13/tourism-trends-visitor-numbers/|url-status=live}}Juan Luis Eugenio-Martín, Noelia Martín Morales, Riccardo Scarpa (February 2004), [https://ssrn.com/abstract=504482 Tourism and Economic Growth in Latin American Countries: A Panel Data Approach], {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730042600/https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=504482|date=30 July 2022}}. FEEM Working Paper No. 26.2004.

Historic relics, architectural and natural wonders, a diverse range of foods and culture, colorful cities, and pretty landscapes attract millions of tourists every year to South America. Some of the most visited places in the region are Rio de Janeiro, Florianópolis, Iguazu Falls, São Paulo, Armação dos Búzios, Salvador, Bombinhas, Angra dos Reis, Balneário Camboriú, Paraty, Ipojuca, Natal, Cairu, Fortaleza and Itapema in Brazil;[https://www.gov.br/turismo/pt-br/acesso-a-informacao/acoes-e-programas/observatorio/anuario-estatistico/anuario-estatistico-de-turismo-2021-ano-base-2020/anuario-estatistico-de-turismo-2021-ano-base-2020_divulgacao-compactado.pdf Anuário Estatístio de Turismo 2021 Brasil]. Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Salta, Jujuy, Perito Moreno Glacier, Valdes Peninsula, Guarani Jesuit Missions in the cities of Misiones and Corrientes, Ischigualasto Provincial Park, Ushuaia and Patagonia in Argentina;{{Cite web|url=https://www.eldestapeweb.com/turismo/turismo/los-10-destinos-mas-visitados-de-argentina-segun-los-portales-de-turismo-2021121014100|title=Los 10 destinos más visitados de Argentina según los portales de turismo|first=El|last=Destape|date=10 December 2021|website=eldestapeweb.com}}

Isla Margarita, Angel Falls, Los Roques archipelago, Gran Sabana in Venezuela; Machu Picchu, Lima, Nazca Lines, Cuzco in Peru; Lake Titicaca, Salar de Uyuni, La Paz, Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos in Bolivia; Tayrona National Natural Park, Santa Marta, Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, Cartagena in Colombia, and the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador.{{cite web|url=http://gosouthamerica.about.com/od/topdestinations/tp/Attractions2006.htm|title=Top attractions|publisher=Gosouthamerica.about.com|date=4 December 2007|access-date=18 April 2009|archive-date=2 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202164514/http://gosouthamerica.about.com/od/topdestinations/tp/Attractions2006.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804173716/http://www.vipbackpackers.com//DestInfo/139/South_America_Destination_South_America.aspx|website=vipbackpackers.com|url=http://www.vipbackpackers.com//DestInfo/139/South_America_Destination_South_America.aspx|title=South America – Destination South America|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 August 2008|year=2005}} In 2016 Brazil hosted the 2016 Summer Olympics.

{{wide image|67 - Carthagène - Décembre 2008.jpg|1000px|Panorama of Cartagena (2008), a major port on the northern coast of Colombia and one of the country's main tourist destinations}}

Due to the diversity of topography and pluviometric precipitation conditions, the region's water resources vary enormously in different areas. In the Andes, navigation possibilities are limited, except for the Magdalena River, Lake Titicaca and the lakes of the southern regions of Chile and Argentina. Irrigation is an important factor for agriculture from northwestern Peru to Patagonia. Less than 10% of the known electrical potential of the Andes had been used until the mid-1960s.

The Brazilian Highlands have a much higher hydroelectric potential than the Andean region{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} and its possibilities of exploitation are greater due to the existence of several large rivers with high margins and the occurrence of great differences forming huge cataracts, such as those of Paulo Afonso, Iguaçu and others. The Amazon River system has about {{convert|13,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} of waterways, but its possibilities for hydroelectric power use are still unknown.

Most of the continent's energy is generated through hydroelectric power plants, but there is also an important share of thermoelectric and wind energy. Brazil and Argentina are the only South American countries that generate nuclear power, each with two nuclear power plants. In 1991 these countries signed a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement.

{{wide image|Itaipu Décembre 2007 - Vue Générale.jpg|1500px|Panoramic view of the Itaipu Dam, the second largest of the world in energy production}}

File:Energia Eolica.jpg in Parnaíba]]

File:Angra dos Reis - usinas nucleares.jpg in Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro]]

File:Usina solar de Pirapora 2.gif, the largest in Brazil and Latin America with a capacity of 321 MW]]

The Brazilian government has undertaken an ambitious program to reduce dependence on imported petroleum. Imports previously accounted for more than 70% of the country's oil needs but Brazil became self-sufficient in oil in 2006–2007. Brazil was the 10th largest oil producer in the world in 2019, with 2.8 million barrels/day. Production manages to supply the country's demand. In the beginning of 2020, in the production of oil and natural gas, the country exceeded 4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, for the first time. In January this year, 3.168 million barrels of oil per day and 138.753 million cubic meters of natural gas were extracted.

Brazil is one of the main world producers of hydroelectric power. In 2019, Brazil had 217 hydroelectric plants in operation, with an installed capacity of 98,581 MW, that constitutes 60.16% of the country's energy generation.{{cite web|url=https://cbie.com.br/artigos/quantas-usinas-geradoras-de-energia-temos-no-brasil/|title=How many power plants do we have in Brazil?|date=5 April 2019|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031005818/https://cbie.com.br/artigos/quantas-usinas-geradoras-de-energia-temos-no-brasil/|url-status=live}} In 2019 Brazil reached a total of 170,000 megawatts of installed power generation capacity, of which more than 75% are from renewable sources (the majority, hydroelectric).{{Cite web|url=https://www.aneel.gov.br/sala-de-imprensa-exibicao/-/asset_publisher/XGPXSqdMFHrE/content/brasil-alcanca-170-mil-megawatts-de-capacidade-instalada-em-2019/656877?inheritRedirect=false|title=Brasil alcança 170 mil megawatts de capacidade instalada em 2019 – Sala de Imprensa – ANEEL|website=aneel.gov.br|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=13 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413193140/https://www.aneel.gov.br/sala-de-imprensa-exibicao/-/asset_publisher/XGPXSqdMFHrE/content/brasil-alcanca-170-mil-megawatts-de-capacidade-instalada-em-2019/656877?inheritRedirect=false|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.energiaeambiente.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IEMA-AGUA_vFinal.pdf|title=Uso de água em termoelétricas|date=1 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401075849/http://www.energiaeambiente.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IEMA-AGUA_vFinal.pdf|archive-date=1 April 2018|language=pt}}

In 2013, the Southeast Region used about 50% of the load of the National Integrated System (SIN), being the main energy consuming region in the country. The region's installed electricity generation capacity totaled almost 42,500 MW, which represented about a third of Brazil's generation capacity. Hydroelectric generation represented 58% of the region's installed capacity, with the remaining 42% coming mostly from thermoelectric generation. São Paulo accounted for 40% of this capacity; Minas Gerais for about 25%; Rio de Janeiro for 13.3%; and Espírito Santo accounted for the rest. The South Region owns the Itaipu Dam, which was the largest hydroelectric plant in the world for several years, until the inauguration of Three Gorges Dam in China. It remains the second largest operating hydroelectric power generation capacity in the world. Brazil is the co-owner of the Itaipu Plant with Paraguay: the dam is located on the Paraná River, located on the border between countries. It has an installed generation capacity of 14 GW for 20 generating units of 700 MW each. North Region has large hydroelectric plants, such as Belo Monte Dam and Tucuruí Dam, which produce much of the national energy. Brazil's hydroelectric potential has not yet been fully exploited, so the country still has the capacity to build several renewable energy plants in its territory.{{Cite web|url=https://web.bndes.gov.br/bib/jspui/bitstream/1408/4401/1/O%20BNDES%20e%20a%20quest%C3%A3o%20energ%C3%A9tica%20e%20logistica%20na%20Regi%C3%A3o%20Sudeste_5_P.pdf|title=O BNDES e a questão energética e logística da Região Sudeste|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=9 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200709090411/https://web.bndes.gov.br/bib/jspui/bitstream/1408/4401/1/O%20BNDES%20e%20a%20quest%c3%a3o%20energ%c3%a9tica%20e%20logistica%20na%20Regi%c3%a3o%20Sudeste_5_P.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/hybiggest.html|title=Power: World's biggest hydroelectric facility|date=19 May 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519000659/http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/hybiggest.html|archive-date=19 May 2006}}

{{As of|2022|7|url=http://www.ons.org.br/paginas/conhecimento/acervo-digital/documentos-e-publicacoes|post=,}} according to ONS, total installed capacity of wind power was 22 GW, with average capacity factor of 58%.{{cite web|url=http://www.ons.org.br/AcervoDigitalDocumentosEPublicacoes/Boletim%20Mensal%20de%20Gera%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20E%C3%B3lica%202021-02.pdf|title=Boletim Mensal de Geração Eólica Fevereiro/2021|language=pt|date=20 February 2021|publisher=Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico – ONS|pages=6, 14|access-date=7 April 2021|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410221330/http://www.ons.org.br/AcervoDigitalDocumentosEPublicacoes/Boletim%20Mensal%20de%20Gera%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20E%C3%B3lica%202021-02.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://megawhat.energy/news/147158/eolica-supera-22-gw-em-operacao-no-brasil|title=Eólica supera 22 GW em operação no Brasil|date=21 July 2022|publisher=Megawhar|access-date=2 August 2022|language=pt-br}} While the world average wind production capacity factors is 24.7%, there are areas in Northern Brazil, specially in Bahia State, where some wind farms record average capacity factors of over 60%;{{Cite news|url=http://www.brasil.gov.br/noticias/infraestrutura/2014/12/brasil-e-o-pais-com-melhor-fator-de-aproveitamento-da-energia-eolica|title=Brasil é o país com melhor fator de aproveitamento da energia eólica|work=Governo do Brasil|access-date=7 October 2018|language=pt-BR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007223102/http://www.brasil.gov.br/noticias/infraestrutura/2014/12/brasil-e-o-pais-com-melhor-fator-de-aproveitamento-da-energia-eolica|archive-date=7 October 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.capitalinvest-group.com/en/invest-in-brazil-ma-guide/|title=Invest in Brazil|date=23 August 2018|work=Capital Invest: Top M&A Financial Advisors in Brazil (Sao Paulo)|access-date=7 October 2018|archive-date=13 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113040339/https://www.capitalinvest-group.com/en/invest-in-brazil-ma-guide/|url-status=live}} the average capacity factor in the Northeast Region is 45% in the coast and 49% in the interior.{{cite web|url=https://www.epe.gov.br/sites-pt/publicacoes-dados-abertos/publicacoes/PublicacoesArquivos/publicacao-233/topico-520/Boletim_2020_Q1.pdf|title=Boletim Trimestral de Energia Eólica – Junho de 2020|language=pt-BR|publisher=Empresa de Pesquisa Energética|date=23 June 2020|page=4|access-date=24 October 2020|archive-date=11 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811053611/https://www.epe.gov.br/sites-pt/publicacoes-dados-abertos/publicacoes/PublicacoesArquivos/publicacao-233/topico-520/Boletim_2020_Q1.pdf|url-status=live}} In 2019, wind energy represented 9% of the energy generated in the country.{{cite web|url=https://cbie.com.br/artigos/quantas-usinas-geradoras-de-energia-temos-no-brasil/|title=Quantas usinas geradoras de energia temos no Brasil?|date=5 April 2019|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031005818/https://cbie.com.br/artigos/quantas-usinas-geradoras-de-energia-temos-no-brasil/|url-status=live}} In 2019, it was estimated that the country had an estimated wind power generation potential of around 522 GW (this, only onshore), enough energy to meet three times the country's current demand.{{Cite web|url=https://revistapesquisa.fapesp.br/ventos-promissores-a-caminho/|title=Ventos promissores a caminho|website=revistapesquisa.fapesp.br|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=29 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129102108/https://revistapesquisa.fapesp.br/ventos-promissores-a-caminho/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www2.ctee.com.br/brazilwindpower/2016/zpublisher/materia/?url=potencial-eolico-onshore-brasileiro-pode-ser-de-880-gw-indica-estudo-20161026|title=Brazilian onshore wind potential could be 880 GW, study indicates|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=14 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814221022/http://www2.ctee.com.br/brazilwindpower/2016/zpublisher/materia/?url=potencial-eolico-onshore-brasileiro-pode-ser-de-880-gw-indica-estudo-20161026|url-status=live}} In 2021 Brazil ranked 7th in the world in terms of installed wind power capacity (21 GW),[https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2021/Apr/IRENA_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2021.pdf Renewable Capacity Statistics 2021].{{Cite web|url=https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2022/Apr/IRENA_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2022.pdf|title=Global wind statistics|date=22 April 2022|website=IRENA|access-date=22 April 2022}} and the 4th largest producer of wind energy in the world (72 TWh), behind only China, United States and Germany.Hannah Ritchie and Max Roser, [https://ourworldindata.org/renewable-energy Wind Power generation].{{Cite web|url=https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2021/Apr/IRENA_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2021.pdf|title=Renewable Capacity Statistics 2021|access-date=23 April 2021|archive-date=24 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824142125/https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2021/Apr/IRENA_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2021.pdf|url-status=live}}

Nuclear energy accounts for about 4% of Brazil's electricity.{{cite web|publisher=Uranium Information Centre|url=http://www.uic.com.au/nip95.htm|title=Nuclear Power in Brazil. Briefing Paper # 95|date=May 2007|access-date=19 May 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208105204/http://www.uic.com.au/nip95.htm|archive-date=8 February 2007|url-status=dead}} The nuclear power generation monopoly is owned by Eletronuclear (Eletrobrás Eletronuclear S/A), a wholly owned subsidiary of Eletrobrás. Nuclear energy is produced by two reactors at Angra. It is located at the Central Nuclear Almirante Álvaro Alberto (CNAAA) on the Praia de Itaorna in Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro. It consists of two pressurized water reactors, Angra I, with capacity of 657 MW, connected to the power grid in 1982, and Angra II, with capacity of 1,350 MW, connected in 2000. A third reactor, Angra III, with a projected output of 1,350 MW, is planned to be finished.{{cite web|publisher=Mecropress|url=http://www.mercopress.com/Detalle.asp?NUM=9036|title=Brazil plans to build seven nuclear reactors|date=23 October 2006|access-date=19 May 2007|archive-date=19 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219171559/http://www.mercopress.com/Detalle.asp?NUM=9036|url-status=dead}}

{{As of|2022|10|url=http://www.ons.org.br/paginas/conhecimento/acervo-digital/documentos-e-publicacoes|post=,}} according to ONS, total installed capacity of photovoltaic solar was 21 GW, with average capacity factor of 23%. Some of the most irradiated Brazilian States are MG ("Minas Gerais"), BA ("Bahia") and GO (Goiás), which have indeed world irradiation level records.{{Cite news|url=http://sharenergy.com.br/quais-melhores-regioes-brasil-para-geracao-de-energia-fotovoltaica/|title=Quais as melhores regiões do Brasil para geração de energia fotovoltaica? – Sharenergy|date=3 February 2017|work=Sharenergy|access-date=7 October 2018|language=pt-BR|archive-date=7 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007223213/http://sharenergy.com.br/quais-melhores-regioes-brasil-para-geracao-de-energia-fotovoltaica/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ons.org.br/AcervoDigitalDocumentosEPublicacoes/Boletim%20Mensal%20de%20Gera%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20Solar%202020-09.pdf|title=Boletim Mensal de Geração Solar Fotovoltaica Setembro/2020|language=pt|date=13 October 2020|publisher=Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico – ONS|pages=6, 13|access-date=21 October 2020|archive-date=2 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102012240/http://www.ons.org.br/AcervoDigitalDocumentosEPublicacoes/Boletim%20Mensal%20de%20Gera%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20Solar%202020-09.pdf|url-status=live}} In 2019, solar power represented 1.27% of the energy generated in the country. In 2021, Brazil was the 14th country in the world in terms of installed solar power (13 GW),[https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2022/Apr/IRENA_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2022.pdf Renewable Capacity Statistics 2022]. and the 11th largest producer of solar energy in the world (16.8 TWh).{{Cite journal|url=https://ourworldindata.org/renewable-energy|title=Renewable Energy|first1=Hannah|last1=Ritchie|first2=Max|last2=Roser|first3=Pablo|last3=Rosado|date=11 October 2023|journal=Our World in Data|via=ourworldindata.org}}

In 2020, Brazil was the 2nd largest country in the world in the production of energy through biomass (energy production from solid biofuels and renewable waste), with 15,2 GW installed.{{cite web|url=https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2021/Apr/IRENA_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2021.pdf|title=Renewable Capacity Statistics 2021|page=41|access-date=24 May 2021|archive-date=24 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824142125/https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2021/Apr/IRENA_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2021.pdf|url-status=live}}

After Brazil, Colombia is the country in South America that most stands out in energy production. In 2020, the country was the 20th largest petroleum producer in the world, and in 2015 it was the 19th largest exporter. In natural gas, the country was, in 2015, the 40th largest producer in the world. Colombia's biggest highlight is in coal, where the country was, in 2018, the world's 12th largest producer and the 5th largest exporter. In renewable energies, in 2020, the country ranked 45th in the world in terms of installed wind energy (0.5 GW), 76th in the world in terms of installed solar energy (0.1 GW) and 20th in the world in terms of installed hydroelectric power (12.6 GW).

Venezuela, which was one of the world's largest oil producers (about 2.5 million barrels/day in 2015) and one of the largest exporters, due to its political problems, has had its production drastically reduced in recent years: in 2016, it dropped to 2.2 million, in 2017 to 2 million, in 2018 to 1.4 million and in 2019 to 877 thousand, reaching only 300,000 barrels/day at a given point. The country also stands out in hydroelectricity, where it was the 14th country in the world in terms of installed capacity in 2020 (16,5 GW).

Argentina was in 2017 the 18th largest producer of natural gas in the world, and the largest producer of natural gas in Latin America, in addition to being the 28th largest oil producer; although the country has the Vaca Muerta field, which holds close to 16 billion barrels of technically recoverable shale oil, which is the second largest natural shale gas deposit in the world, the country lacks the capacity to exploit the deposit: it lacks the necessary capital, technology and knowledge that can only come from offshore energy companies, who view Argentina and its erratic economic policies with considerable suspicion, not wanting to invest in the country. In renewable energies, in 2020, the country ranked 27th in the world in terms of installed wind energy (2.6 GW), 42nd in the world in terms of installed solar energy (0.7 GW) and 21st in the world in terms of installed hydroelectric power (11.3 GW). The country has great potential for the production of wind energy in the Patagonia region.

Chile, although currently not a major energy producer, has great future potential for solar energy production in the Atacama Desert region. Paraguay stands out today in hydroelectric production thanks to the Itaipu Power Plant. Bolivia stand out in the production of natural gas, where it was the 31st largest in the world in 2015. Ecuador, because it consumes little energy, is part of OPEC and was the 27th largest oil producer in the world in 2020, being the 22nd largest exporter in 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eia.gov/international/data/world/petroleum-and-other-liquids/annual-petroleum-and-other-liquids-production|title=International – U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)|website=eia.gov|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=27 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627013533/https://www.eia.gov/international/data/world/petroleum-and-other-liquids/annual-petroleum-and-other-liquids-production|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/KeyWorld2014.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021020232/http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/KeyWorld2014.pdf|title=IEA. Key World Energy Statistics 2014. Natural Gas.|archive-date=21 October 2014}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2249rank.|title=html CIA. The World Factbook. Natural gas – production.}}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Transport infrastructure in South America includes roads, railways, seaports and airports. The railway and fluvial sector, although having more robust contemporary potential, are still somewhat treated in a secondary way.

File:Ruta Nacional 9 en Zárate hacia el noroeste.jpg, Argentina]]

Due to the Andes Mountains, Amazon River and Amazon Forest, there have always been difficulties in implementing larger scale transcontinental or bi-oceanic highways. Practically the only route that existed was the one that connected Brazil to Buenos Aires, (in Argentina) and later to Santiago, (in Chile). However, in recent years, with the combined effort of countries, new routes have started to emerge, such as Brazil-Peru (Interoceanic Highway), and a new highway between Brazil, Paraguay, northern Argentina and northern Chile (Bioceanic Corridor).

Some of the most modern roads extend through northern and south-east Argentina; and south of Brazil, a vast road complex aims to link Brasília, the federal capital, to the South, Southeast, Northeast and Northern regions of Brazil.

Brazil has more than {{convert|1.7|e6km|e6mi|abbr=off}} of roads, of which {{convert|215,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} are paved, and about {{convert|14,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} are divided highways. The two most important highways in the country are BR-101 and BR-116.{{Cite web|url=https://anuariodotransporte.cnt.org.br/2018/#|title=Anuário CNT do Transporte|website=anuariodotransporte.cnt.org.br|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=11 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111012349/http://anuariodotransporte.cnt.org.br/2018/|url-status=live}} Argentina has more than {{convert|600,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} of roads, of which about {{convert|70,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} are paved, and about {{convert|2,500|km|mi|abbr=on}} are divided highways. The three most important highways in the country are Route 9, Route 7 and Route 14. Colombia has about {{convert|210,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} of roads, and about {{convert|2,300|km|mi|abbr=on}} are divided highways.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mintransporte.gov.co/descargar.php?idFile=14090|title=Transporte en Cifras Estadísticas 2015|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=27 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127090803/https://www.mintransporte.gov.co/descargar.php?idFile=14090|url-status=live}} Chile has about {{convert|82,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} of roads, {{convert|20,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} of which are paved, and about {{convert|2,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} are divided highways. The most important highway in the country is the Route 5 (Pan-American Highway).{{cite web|url=http://www.mapas.mop.cl/cc2017/Cuadernillo/Cuadernillo_2017.pdf|title=Carta Caminera 2017|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414172426/http://www.mapas.mop.cl/cc2017/Cuadernillo/Cuadernillo_2017.pdf|url-status=live}} These 4 countries are the ones with the best road infrastructure and with the largest number of double-lane highways.

In addition, there is a reputed Pan-American Highway, which crosses Argentina and the Andean countries from north to south, although various stretches are unfinished.{{Cite web|url=http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=88271|title=A Gap in the Andes: Image of the Day|date=2 April 2015|website=Earthobservatory.nasa.gov|access-date=22 January 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202012127/http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=88271|url-status=live}}

File:Riodejaneiro aerea aeroportogaleao-131756(cut).jpg]]

In South America, commercial aviation has a magnificent expansion field, which has one of the largest traffic density lines in the world, Rio de Janeiro–São Paulo, and large airports, such as Congonhas, São Paulo–Guarulhos International and Viracopos (São Paulo), Rio de Janeiro International and Santos Dumont (Rio de Janeiro), El Dorado (Bogotá), Ezeiza (Buenos Aires), Tancredo Neves International Airport (Belo Horizonte), Curitiba International Airport (Curitiba), Brasília, Caracas, Montevideo, Lima, Viru Viru International Airport (Santa Cruz de la Sierra), Recife, Salvador, Salgado Filho International Airport (Porto Alegre), Fortaleza, Manaus and Belém.

There are more than 2,000 airports in Brazil. The country has the second largest number of airports in the world, behind only the United States. São Paulo International Airport, located in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, is the largest and busiest in the country – the airport connects São Paulo to practically all major cities around the world.

Brazil has 44 international airports, such as those in Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Florianópolis, Cuiabá, Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza, Belém and Manaus, among others.

Argentina has important international airports such as Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Bariloche, Mendoza, Salta, Puerto Iguazú, Neuquén and Usuhaia, among others.

Chile has important international airports such as Santiago, Antofagasta, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas and Iquique, among others.

Colombia has important international airports such as Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, Cali and Barranquilla, among others.

Other important airports are those in the capitals of Uruguay (Montevideo), Paraguay (Asunción), Peru (Lima), Bolivia (La Paz) and Ecuador (Quito). The 10 busiest airports in South America in 2017 were: São Paulo-Guarulhos (Brazil), Bogotá (Colombia), São Paulo-Congonhas (Brazil), Santiago (Chile), Lima (Peru), Brasília (Brazil), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Buenos Aires-Aeroparque (Argentina), Buenos Aires-Ezeiza (Argentina), and Minas Gerais (Brazil).{{Cite web|url=https://www.panrotas.com.br/aviacao/aeroportos/2018/10/brasil-tem-9-dos-maiores-aeroportos-da-america-latina_159919.html|title=Brasil tem 9 dos maiores aeroportos da América Latina|first=Artur Luiz|last=Andrade|date=29 October 2018|website=Portal Panrotas|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=11 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111125631/https://www.panrotas.com.br/aviacao/aeroportos/2018/10/brasil-tem-9-dos-maiores-aeroportos-da-america-latina_159919.html|url-status=live}}

File:A Saúde dos Portos (7110638275).jpg

The two main merchant fleets also belong to Brazil and Argentina. The following are those of Chile, Venezuela, Peru and Colombia. The largest ports in commercial movement are those of Buenos Aires, Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Bahía Blanca, Rosario, Valparaíso, Recife, Salvador, Montevideo, Paranaguá, Rio Grande, Fortaleza, Belém and Maracaibo.

Brazil has some of the busiest seaports in South America, such as Port of Santos, Port of Rio de Janeiro, Port of Paranaguá, Port of Itajaí, Port of Rio Grande, Port of São Francisco do Sul and Suape Port.

Argentina has ports such as Port of Buenos Aires and Port of Rosario.

Chile has important ports in Valparaíso, Caldera, Mejillones, Antofagasta, Iquique, Arica and Puerto Montt.

Colombia has important ports such as Buenaventura, Cartagena Container Terminal and Puerto Bolivar.

Peru has important ports in Callao, Ilo and Matarani.

The 15 busiest ports in South America are: Port of Santos (Brazil), Port of Bahia de Cartagena (Colombia), Callao (Peru), Guayaquil (Ecuador), Buenos Aires (Argentina), San Antonio (Chile), Buenaventura (Colombia), Itajaí (Brazil), Valparaíso (Chile), Montevideo (Uruguay), Paranaguá (Brazil), Rio Grande (Brazil), São Francisco do Sul (Brazil), Manaus (Brazil) and Coronel (Chile).{{Cite web|url=https://www.cepal.org/sites/default/files/news/files/actividad_portuaria_2018.pdf|title=Port Activity of Latin America and the Caribbean 2018|access-date=4 December 2020|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114132759/https://www.cepal.org/sites/default/files/news/files/actividad_portuaria_2018.pdf|url-status=live}}

Two primary railroads are continental: the Transandina, which connects Buenos Aires, in Argentina to Valparaíso, in Chile, and the Brazil–Bolivia Railroad, which makes it the connection between the port of Santos in Brazil and the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, in Bolivia.

Two areas of greater density occur in the railway sector: the platinum network, which develops around the Platine region, largely belonging to Argentina, with more than {{convert|45,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} in length; And the Southeast Brazil network, which mainly serves the state of São Paulo, state of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais.

The Argentine rail network, with {{convert|47,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} of tracks, at one stage was one of the largest in the world and continues to be the most extensive in Latin America. It came to have about {{convert|100,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} of rails, but the lifting of tracks and the emphasis placed on motor transport gradually reduced it. It has four different trails and international connections with Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay. The Brazilian railway network has an extension of about {{convert|30,000|km|mi|abbr=off}}. It is basically used for transporting ores.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brazil/|title=Brazil – The World Factbook|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|date=8 November 2021|access-date=24 January 2021|archive-date=12 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812124129/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brazil/|url-status=live}} Chile has almost {{convert|7,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} of railways, with connections to Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. Colombia has about {{convert|3,500|km|mi|abbr=on}} of railways.{{Cite web|url=http://continuidad-mintrans.nexura.com/|title=Ministerio de transporte|website=continuidad-mintrans.nexura.com|access-date=26 August 2021|archive-date=14 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614013720/http://continuidad-mintrans.nexura.com/|url-status=live}}

File:Mouths of amazon geocover 1990.png

South America has one of the largest bays of navigable inland waterways in the world, represented mainly by the Amazon basin, the Platine basin, the São Francisco and the Orinoco basins, with Brazil having about {{convert|54,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} navigable, while Argentina has {{convert|6,500|km|mi|abbr=on}} and Venezuela has {{convert|1,200|km|mi|abbr=on}}.

Among the main Brazilian waterways, two stand out: the one is Hidrovia Tietê-Paraná—which has a length of {{convert|2,400|km|mi|abbr=off}}, of which {{convert|1,600|km|mi|abbr=off}} are on the Paraná River and {{convert|800|km|mi|abbr=off}} are on the Tietê River—draining agricultural production from the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás and part of Rondônia, Tocantins and Minas Gerais; the second one is Hidrovia do Solimões-Amazonas with two sections: Solimões which extends from Tabatinga to Manaus with a length of approximately {{convert|1600|km|mi|abbr=off}}, and Amazonas which extends from Manaus to Belém with a length of approximately {{convert|1650|km|mi|abbr=off}}. Almost all passenger transport in the Amazon plain is done via this waterway, in addition to practically all cargo transportation that is directed to the major regional centers of Belém and Manaus.

In Brazil, water transport is still underutilised: the most important waterway stretches, from an economic point of view, are found in the Southeast and South of the country. Its full use still requires the construction of locks, major dredging works and the development of ports that allow intermodal integration.

In Argentina, the waterway network is made up of the La Plata, Paraná, Paraguay and Uruguay rivers. The main river ports are Zárate and Campana. The port of Buenos Aires is historically the first in individual importance, but the area known as Up-River, which stretches along {{convert|67|km|mi|abbr=off}} of the Santa Fé portion of the Paraná River, brings together 17 ports that concentrates around 50% of the total exports of the country.

The primary public transport in major cities is the bus. Many cities have a diverse transport system of metro and subway trains, the first of which was the Buenos Aires subte, opened 1913.{{cite news|newspaper=The Guardian|title=A short history of world metro systems – in pictures|last=Lin|first=Luna|location=London|date=10 September 2014|url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2014/sep/10/-sp-history-metro-pictures-london-underground-new-york-beijing-seoul|access-date=18 September 2018|archive-date=18 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918193728/https://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2014/sep/10/-sp-history-metro-pictures-london-underground-new-york-beijing-seoul|url-status=live}} The Santiago subway{{cite web|url=http://www.metrosantiago.cl/guia-viajero|title=Guía del Viajero|publisher=Metro de Santiago|language=es|access-date=3 July 2015|archive-date=28 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328043055/http://www.metrosantiago.cl/guia-viajero|url-status=dead}} is the longest subway network in South America spanning {{convert|103|km|mi|abbr=off}}, while the São Paulo subway is the most heavily utilised with more than 4.6 million passengers per day.{{cite web|url=http://www.metro.sp.gov.br/metro/numeros-pesquisa/demanda.aspx|title=Metro – Passengers|publisher=Companhia Do Metropolitano De São Paulo|language=pt|year=2014|access-date=14 June 2014|archive-date=15 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215094712/http://www.metro.sp.gov.br/metro/numeros-pesquisa/demanda.aspx|url-status=live}}

Rio de Janeiro installed the continent's first railroad in 1854. Today the city has a diversified system of metropolitan trains, integrated with buses and subway. It has a Light Rail System called VLT, with small electrical trams at low speed, while São Paulo has inaugurated a monorail. In Brazil, an express bus system called Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which operates in several cities, has been developed. Mi Teleférico, also known as Teleférico La Paz–El Alto (La Paz–El Alto Cable Car), is an aerial cable car urban transit system serving the La Paz–El Alto metropolitan area in Bolivia.

{{main|Demographics of South America}}

{{See also|List of South American countries by population|List of South American countries by life expectancy}}

File:South America night.jpg, showing the contrast between heavily populated coastal areas and the more remote regions of the Amazonian interior and Patagonia]]

South America has a population of over 428 million people. They are distributed as to form a "hollow continent" with most of the population concentrated around the margins of the continent. On one hand, there are several sparsely populated areas such as tropical forests, the Atacama Desert and the icy portions of Patagonia. On the other hand, the continent presents regions of high population density, such as the great urban centers. The population is formed by descendants of Europeans (mainly Spaniards, Portuguese and Italians), Africans and Amerindians. There is a high percentage of Mestizos that vary greatly in composition by place. There is a population of about 5 million Asians, mostly East Asians, especially in Brazil, Peru, and Argentina. The two main languages are by far Spanish and Portuguese, followed by English, French and Dutch in smaller numbers.

{{Main|Languages of South America}}

File:Languages of South America (en).svg

Spanish and Portuguese are the most spoken languages in South America, with approximately 200 million speakers each. Spanish is the official language of most countries, along with other native languages in some countries. Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. Dutch is the official language of Suriname; English is the official language of Guyana, although there are at least twelve other languages spoken in the country, including Portuguese, Chinese, Hindustani and several native languages.{{cite web|url=http://www.studycountry.com/guide/GY-language.htm|title=The Languages spoken in Guyana|website=Studylands|access-date=12 April 2016|archive-date=11 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511235912/http://www.studycountry.com/guide/GY-language.htm|url-status=live}} English is also spoken in the Falkland Islands. French is the official language of French Guiana and the second language in Amapá, Brazil.

Indigenous languages of South America include Quechua in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina and Colombia; Wayuunaiki in northern Colombia (La Guajira) and northwestern Venezuela (Zulia); Guaraní in Paraguay and, to a much lesser extent, in Bolivia; Aymara in Bolivia, Peru, and less often in Chile; and Mapudungun is spoken in certain pockets of southern Chile. At least three South American indigenous languages (Quechua, Aymara, and Guarani) are recognized along with Spanish as national languages.

Other languages found in South America include Sranan Tongo, Hindustani and Javanese in Suriname; Italian in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Venezuela; and German in certain pockets of Argentina, Chile and Brazil. 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 East Pomeranian is also well represented and is experiencing a revival. Welsh remains spoken and written in the historic towns of Trelew and Rawson in the Argentine Patagonia, Croatian is spoken in southern Chile, Arabic speakers, often of Lebanese, Syrian, or Palestinian descent, can be found in Arab communities in Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela and in Paraguay.{{cite journal|doi=10.1017/S0022216X13001156|title=On the Trail and Trial of a Palestinian Diaspora: Mapping South America in the Arab–Israeli Conflict, 1967–1972|journal=Journal of Latin American Studies|volume=45|issue=4|year=2013|pages=751–777|author=Karam, John Tofik|s2cid=145423526}}

File:Santuario de Las Lajas, Ipiales, Colombia, 2015-07-21, DD 21-23 HDR-Edit.JPG, Ipiales, Colombia]]

{{main|Religion in South America|Religion in Latin America}}

{{see also|History of the Jews in Latin America and the Caribbean|Buddhism in Brazil|Islam in Argentina}}

An estimated 90% of South Americans are Christians{{cite web|url=http://www.pewforum.org/global-religious-landscape-christians.aspx|title=Christians|date=18 December 2012|website=Pewforum.org|access-date=11 November 2017|archive-date=5 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705090247/http://www.pewforum.org/global-religious-landscape-christians.aspx|url-status=live}} (82% Roman Catholic, 8% other Christian denominations mainly traditional Protestants and Evangelicals but also Orthodox), accounting for 19% of Christians worldwide.

African descendent and Indigenous religions are common throughout South America; some examples are Santo Daime, Candomblé, and Umbanda. Crypto-Jews or Marranos, conversos, and Anusim were an important part of colonial life in Latin America. Buenos Aires and São Paulo figure among the largest Jewish populations by urban area.

East Asian religions such as Japanese Buddhism, Shintoism, and Shinto-derived Japanese New Religions are common in Brazil and Peru. Korean Confucianism is especially found in Brazil, while Chinese Buddhism and Chinese Confucianism have spread throughout the continent. Kardecist Spiritism can be found in several countries.

Hindus form 25% of the Guyanese population and 22% of Suriname's.{{Cite web|title=Guyana – The World Factbook|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/guyana/#people-and-society|access-date=4 January 2021|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|archive-date=7 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107032754/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/guyana/#people-and-society|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Suriname – The World Factbook|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/suriname/|access-date=4 January 2021|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|archive-date=7 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107182748/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/suriname/|url-status=live}}

Muslims account for 7% of the Guyanese population and 14% of the Surinamese population.

Part of Religions in South America (2013):{{cite web|title=Las religiones en tiempos del Papa Francisco|url=http://www.latinobarometro.org/latNewsShow.jsp|publisher=Latinobarómetro|access-date=4 April 2015|archive-date=10 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510104033/http://www.latinobarometro.org/latNewsShow.jsp|page=7|language=es|date=April 2014|url-status=dead}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"

|+ Religion in South America

! Countries

! Christians

! Roman Catholics

! Other Christians

! No religion (atheists and agnostics)

|-

|Argentina||88%|||77%|||11%|||11%

|-

|Bolivia||96%|||74%|||22%|||4%

|-

|Brazil||88%|||64%|||22%|||8%

|-

|Chile||70%|||57%|||13%|||25%

|-

|Colombia||92%|||80%|||12%|||7%

|-

|Ecuador||93%|||80%|||13%|||7%

|-

|Guyana||63%|||7%|||56%|||3%

|-

|Paraguay||96%|||87%|||9%|||2%

|-

|Peru||94%|||81%|||13%|||3%

|-

|Suriname||51%|||29%|||22%|||5%

|-

|Uruguay||58%|||47%|||11%|||41%

|-

|Venezuela||88%|||71%|||17%|||8%

|}

{{main|Ethnic groups in South America}}

File:Japanese Brazilian Miko Curitiba Paraná.jpg during a festival in Curitiba]]

File:Festuva.jpg community during the Grape Festival at Caxias do Sul]]

File:Quechuawomanandchild.jpg woman and her son]]

Genetic admixture occurs at high levels in South America. In Argentina, European influence accounts for 65–80% of the genetic background, Amerindian (indigenous people) 17–31% and sub-Saharan African 2–4%. In Colombia, the sub-Saharan African genetic background varied 1% to 89%, while the European genetic background varied from 20 to 79%, depending on the region. In Peru, European ancestries ranged from 1% to 31%, while the African contribution was only 1–3%.{{cite journal |last1=Salzano |first1=F. M. |last2=Sans |first2=M. |year=2014 |title=Interethnic admixture and the evolution of Latin American populations |journal=Genet. Mol. Biol. |volume=37 |issue=1 Suppl |pages=151–170 |doi=10.1590/s1415-47572014000200003 |pmc=3983580 |pmid=24764751}} The Genographic Project determined the average Peruvian from Lima had about 25% European ancestry, 68% Native American, 3% Southwest Asian ancestry and 2% sub-Saharan African.{{cite web|url=https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/reference-populations/|title=Your Regional Ancestry: Reference Populations|website=National Geographic|access-date=31 December 2016|archive-date=27 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227020449/https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/reference-populations/|url-status=dead}}

Descendants of indigenous peoples, such as the Quechua and Aymara, or the UrarinaDean, Bartholomew 2009. [http://www.upf.com/book.asp?id=DEANXS07 Urarina Society, Cosmology, and History in Peruvian Amazonia], Gainesville, Florida: University Press of Florida, {{ISBN|978-0-8130-3378-5}}. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717170729/http://www.upf.com/book.asp?id=DEANXS07|date=17 July 2011}}. of Amazonia, make up the majority of the population in Bolivia (56%) and Peru (44%).{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/peru/|title=Peru|work=The World Factbook|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|access-date=18 April 2009|archive-date=19 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119135020/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/peru/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/bolivia/|title=Bolivia|work=The World Factbook|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|access-date=18 April 2009|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927041747/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/bolivia/|url-status=live}} In Ecuador, Amerindians comprise two-fifths of the population. The indigenous population is also a significant element in most other countries in South America.

People who identify as of primarily or totally European descent, or identify their phenotype as corresponding to such group, are a majority in Uruguay,{{cite web|url=http://www.geografia.fflch.usp.br/publicacoes/Geousp/Geousp13/Geousp13_Intercambio_Maurel.htm|title=Argentina y Uruguay, su población está formada casi exclusivamente por una población blanca e blanca mestiza procedente del sur de Europa, más del 90% E. García Zarza, 1992, 19|publisher=Geografia.fflch.usp.br|access-date=18 April 2009|archive-date=4 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604052317/http://www.geografia.fflch.usp.br/publicacoes/Geousp/Geousp13/Geousp13_Intercambio_Maurel.htm|url-status=dead}} Argentina{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/argentina/|title=Argentina|work=The World Factbook|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|access-date=18 April 2009|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417040319/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/argentina/|url-status=live}} and Chile (64.7%),{{cite journal |last1=Cruz-Coke |first1=R. |last2=Moreno |first2=R. S. |year=1994 |title=Genetic epidemiology of single gene defects in Chile |journal=Journal of Medical Genetics |volume=31 |issue=9 |pages=702–706 |doi=10.1136/jmg.31.9.702 |pmc=1050080 |pmid=7815439}} and are 43.5% of the population in Brazil.{{cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/economia/censo/noticia/2023/12/22/censo-2022-cor-ou-raca.ghtml|title=Censo 2022: Pela 1ª vez, Brasil se declara mais pardo que branco; populações preta e indígena também crescem|date=22 December 2023|access-date=22 December 2023|archive-date=22 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222234415/https://g1.globo.com/google/amp/economia/censo/noticia/2023/12/22/censo-2022-cor-ou-raca.ghtml|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://revistas.ucm.es/fll/02104547/articulos/ALHI8383110228A.PDF|title=Latinoamerica.|website=Revistas.ucm.es|access-date=24 October 2010|archive-date=18 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318213911/http://revistas.ucm.es/fll/02104547/articulos/ALHI8383110228A.PDF|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.studentsgoabroad.com/en/internships/internship-in-chile/general-information.html|title=The Chilean population is rather homogeneous with 95.4% of its population having European ancestors|publisher=Studentsgoabroad.com|date=11 September 1973|access-date=24 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107043856/http://www.studentsgoabroad.com/en/internships/internship-in-chile/general-information.html|archive-date=7 January 2011|url-status=dead}} In Venezuela, according to the census, 42% of the population is of primarily Spanish, Italian or Portuguese descendence.{{cite web|url=http://www.ine.gov.ve/documentos/Demografia/CensodePoblacionyVivienda/pdf/ResultadosBasicosCenso2011.pdf|title=Calendario de Publicaciones del Censo 2011|website=Ine.gov.ve|access-date=11 November 2017|archive-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115145751/http://www.ine.gov.ve/documentos/Demografia/CensodePoblacionyVivienda/pdf/ResultadosBasicosCenso2011.pdf|url-status=live}} In Colombia, people who identify as from European descendants are about 20%.{{cite web|url=http://www.schwartzman.org.br/simon/coesion_etnia.pdf|title=Étnia, condiciones de vida y discriminación|first=Simon|last=Schwartzman|date=27 January 2008|language=es|access-date=3 April 2014|archive-date=11 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911195451/http://www.schwartzman.org.br/simon/coesion_etnia.pdf|url-status=live}} In Peru, European descendants are the third group in number (15%).{{cite web|url=http://www.fppmedia.com/pdfs/html/moperu.html|title=Peru – An Overview of the Market|publisher=Fppmedia.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711022032/http://www.fppmedia.com/pdfs/html/moperu.html|archive-date=11 July 2011}}

Mestizos (mixed European and Amerindian) are the largest ethnic group in Bolivia, Paraguay, Venezuela, ColombiaBushnell, David & Rex A. Hudson (2010) "[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/pdf/CS_Colombia.pdf The Society and Its Environment], {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605232154/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/pdf/CS_Colombia.pdf|date=5 June 2011}}"; Colombia: a country study: 87. Washington, DC: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. and Ecuador and the second group in Peru, Chile and Argentina.

South America is home to one of the largest populations of Africans. This group is significantly present in Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Venezuela and Ecuador. Brazil, followed by Peru, has the largest Japanese, Korean and Chinese communities in South America. Lima has the largest ethnic Chinese community in Latin America.{{cite web|url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080115i1.html=search.japantimes.co.jp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204041835/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080115i1.html%3Dsearch.japantimes.co.jp|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 December 2008|title=Japan, Brazil mark a century of settlement, family ties|work=The Japan Times|author=Nakamura, Akemi|date=15 January 2008}} Guyana and Suriname have the largest ethnic East Indian community.

{{main|List of Indigenous peoples of South America|Indigenous peoples of South America}}

In some places indigenous people still practice a traditional lifestyle, based on subsistence agriculture or as hunter-gatherers. There are still uncontacted tribes residing in the Amazon Rainforest.[http://www.astromonos.org/public/3/indigenasenamerica.jsf Indigenous peoples of] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723060435/http://www.astromonos.org/public/3/indigenasenamerica.jsf |date=23 July 2015 }} [http://www.southamerica-tours.net/ South America] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618150011/http://www.southamerica-tours.net/ |date=18 June 2016 }}. Astromonos.org. Retrieved 20 October 2015.

{{Div col|colwidth=17em}}

• Aguarunas
• Alacalufe
• Arawaks
• Ashanincas
• Atacameños
• Awá
• Aymara – live in the Altiplano of Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Their language is co-official in Bolivia and Peru. Traditional lifestyle includes llama herding.
• Banawa
• Cañaris
• Caiapos
• Chibcha
• Cocama
• Chayahuita
• Diaguita
• Enxet
• Gê,
• Guaraní – live in Paraguay, where the Guarani language is co-official with Spanish. They are also found in Bolivia.
• Juris
• Kuna live on the Colombia–Panama border.
• Mapuche – live mainly in southern Chile and southwestern Argentina (see Araucanian).
• Matsés
• Pehuenche – a branch of Mapuches that lived in the Andean valleys of southern (see Araucanian).
• Quechuas – make up a large part of the population of Peru and Bolivia. Are diverse as an ethnic group. The Incas spoke Southern Quechua.
• Selkʼnam
• Shipibo
• Shuar (see Jívaro).
• Tupi
• Urarina
• Wai-Wai
• Wayuu
• Xucuru
• Yaghan
• Yagua
• Yąnomamö
• Zaparos

{{Div col end}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| caption_align = center

| direction = vertical

| width =

| header_background =

| header_align = center

| header = South American cities

| image1 = SP from Altino Arantes Building.jpg

| width1 = 200

| caption1 = São Paulo

| image2 = Buenos Aires Puerto Madero 13.jpg

| width2 = 200

| caption2 = Buenos Aires

| image3 = Urca, Rio de Janeiro - State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - panoramio (14).jpg

| width3 = 200

| caption3 = Rio de Janeiro

| image4 = Santiago de Chile (winter).jpg

| width4 = 200

| caption4 = Santiago

| total_width =

| alt1 =

}}

While Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia maintain the largest populations, large city populations are not restricted to those nations. The top ten largest South American metropolitan areas by population as of 2015, based on national censuses:

{| class="sortable wikitable"

|-

!Metro Area

!Population

!Area

!Country

|-

| São Paulo

| 21,090,792

| {{convert|7947|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}

| Brazil

|-

| Buenos Aires

| 13,693,657

| {{convert|3830|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}

| Argentina

|-

| Rio de Janeiro

| 13,131,431

| {{convert|6744|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}

| Brazil

|-

| Lima

| 9,904,727

| {{convert|2819|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}

| Peru

|-

| Bogotá

| 9,800,225

| {{convert|4200|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}

| Colombia

|-

| Santiago

| 6,683,852

| {{convert|15403|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}

| Chile

|-

| Belo Horizonte

| 5,829,923

| {{convert|9467|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}

| Brazil

|-

| Caracas

| 5,322,310

| {{convert|4715|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}

| Venezuela

|-

| Porto Alegre

| 4,258,926

| {{convert|10232|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}

| Brazil

|-

| Brasília

| 4,201,737

| {{convert|56433|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}

| Brazil

|}

Five of the top ten metropolitan areas are in Brazil. These metropolitan areas all have a population of above 4 million and include the São Paulo metropolitan area, Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area, and Belo Horizonte metropolitan area. Whilst the majority of the largest metropolitan areas are within Brazil, Argentina is host to the second largest metropolitan area by population in South America: the Buenos Aires metropolitan region, with a population in excess of 13 million.

South America has been witness to the growth of megapolitan areas. In Brazil four megaregions exist including the Expanded Metropolitan Complex of São Paulo with more than 32 million inhabitants. The others are the Greater Rio, Greater Belo Horizonte and Greater Porto Alegre. Colombia also has four megaregions which comprise 72% of its population, followed by Venezuela, Argentina and Peru which are also homes of megaregions.

{{Clear}}

{{Main|Culture of South America}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| total_width = 500

| image1 = 2016 fachada columnas Teatro Solís de Montevideo.jpg

| width1 = 1000

| height1 = 600

| alt1 =

| caption1 = Teatro Solis, Uruguay

| image2 = 0200 years Biblioteca Nacional in Rio de Janeiro city.jpg

| width2 = 1000

| height2 = 600

| alt2 =

| caption2 = National Library, Brazil

| image3 = P1060656a.jpg

| width3 = 1000

| height3 = 500

| alt3 =

| caption3 = Arya Diwaker Hindu temple, Paramaribo, Suriname

}}

South Americans are culturally influenced by their indigenous peoples, the historic connection with the Iberian Peninsula and Africa, and waves of immigrants from around the globe.

South American nations have a rich variety of music. Some of the most famous genres include vallenato and cumbia from Colombia, pasillo from Colombia and Ecuador, samba, bossa nova and música sertaneja from Brazil, joropo from Venezuela and tango from Argentina and Uruguay. Also well known is the non-commercial folk genre {{Lang|es|Nueva Canción|italic=no}} movement which was founded in Argentina and Chile and quickly spread to the rest of the Latin America.

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People on the Peruvian 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 Paraguayan Guarania. In the late 20th century, Spanish rock emerged by young hipsters influenced by British pop and American rock. Brazil has a Portuguese-language pop rock industry as well a great variety of other music genres. In the central and western regions of Bolivia, Andean and folklore music like Diablada, Caporales and Morenada are the most representative of the country, which were originated by European, Aymara and Quechua influences.

The 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 Mario Vargas Llosa, Gabriel García Márquez in novels and Jorge Luis Borges and Pablo Neruda in other genres. The Brazilians Machado de Assis and João Guimarães Rosa are widely regarded as the greatest Brazilian writers.

{{Main|Cuisine of South America}}

Because of South America's broad ethnic mix, South American cuisine has African, Mestizo, South Asian, East Asian, and European influences. Bahia, Brazil, is especially well known for its West African–influenced cuisine. Argentines, Chileans, Uruguayans, Brazilians, Bolivians, and Venezuelans regularly consume wine. People in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, southern Chile, Bolivia and Southern Brazil drink mate, an herb which is brewed. The Paraguayan version, terere, differs from other forms of mate in that it is served cold. Pisco is a liquor distilled from grapes in Peru and Chile. Peruvian cuisine mixes elements from Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Italian, African, Arab, Andean, and Amazonic food.

{{Main|Art of South America}}

File:Fernando Botero, Bird (1990), Singapore - 20040616.jpg, Singapore), sculpture of Colombian artist Fernando Botero]]

File:Laberinto Cromovegetal - Universidad Simón Bolívar.jpg, in Caracas]]

The artist Oswaldo Guayasamín (1919–1999) from Ecuador, represented with his painting style the feeling of the peoples of Latin America{{Cite news|url=http://www.andes.info.ec/es/noticias/guayasamin-pintor-ecuatoriano-retrato-sufrimiento-pueblos-latinoamericanos.html|title=Guayasamín, el pintor ecuatoriano que retrató los sufrimientos latinoamericanos|work=Andes, Agencia de Noticias|access-date=30 May 2017|archive-date=20 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520210605/http://www.andes.info.ec/es/noticias/guayasamin-pintor-ecuatoriano-retrato-sufrimiento-pueblos-latinoamericanos.html|url-status=live}} highlighting social injustices in various parts of the world. The Colombian Fernando Botero (1932–2023) was one of the greatest exponents of painting and sculpture that was able to develop a recognizable style of his own.{{Cite web|url=https://www.museobilbao.com/exposiciones/fernando-botero-186|title=Fenando Botero, Sala de Exposciones, Bilbao|website=Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao|access-date=30 May 2017|archive-date=28 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228090852/https://www.museobilbao.com/exposiciones/fernando-botero-186|url-status=live}} For his part, the Venezuelan Carlos Cruz-Diez has contributed significantly to contemporary art,{{Cite web|url=http://www.wallpaper.com/art/carlos-cruz-diez-unveils-new-work-in-washington-dc|title=Carlos Cruz-Díez redefines colour with new work|date=29 December 2015|website=Wallpaper*|access-date=30 May 2017|archive-date=25 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625200239/https://www.wallpaper.com/art/carlos-cruz-diez-unveils-new-work-in-washington-dc|url-status=live}} with the presence of works around the world.

Currently several emerging South American artists are recognized by international art critics: Guillermo Lorca, a Chilean painter,{{Cite web|url=http://www.mnba.cl/617/articles-46265_archivo_01.pdf|title=Museo de Bellas Artes de Chile|website=Museo de Bellas Artes|access-date=14 April 2017|archive-date=20 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020091408/http://www.mnba.cl/617/articles-46265_archivo_01.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://lifestyle.americaeconomia.com/articulos/pintor-guillermo-lorca-para-un-artista-el-miedo-que-ignoren-tu-obra-es-terrible|website=Life style|last=Oda Marín|first=Loreto|date=11 June 2014|publisher=America Economia|title=Pintor Guillermo Lorca: "para un artista el miedo a que ignoren tu obra es terrible"|language=es|access-date=30 May 2017|archive-date=28 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228091407/http://lifestyle.americaeconomia.com/articulos/pintor-guillermo-lorca-para-un-artista-el-miedo-que-ignoren-tu-obra-es-terrible|url-status=live}} Teddy Cobeña, an Ecuadorian sculptor and recipient of international sculpture award in France,{{Cite news|url=http://www.europapress.es/comunicados/empresas-00908/noticia-comunicadolas-esculturas-teddy-cobena-favoritas-publico-20161219153436.html|title=Las esculturas de Teddy Cobeña las favoritas del público|work=Europa Press|date=19 December 2016|access-date=22 April 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202083751/http://www.europapress.es/comunicados/empresas-00908/noticia-comunicadolas-esculturas-teddy-cobena-favoritas-publico-20161219153436.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.eluniverso.com/vida-estilo/2015/06/12/nota/4956348/teddy-cobena-lleva-sus-esculturas-paris|title=Teddy Cobeña lleva sus esculturas a Paris|work=El Universo|access-date=22 April 2017|archive-date=2 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202070119/http://www.eluniverso.com/vida-estilo/2015/06/12/nota/4956348/teddy-cobena-lleva-sus-esculturas-paris|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.efe.com/efe/espana/comunicados/las-esculturas-de-teddy-cobena-favoritas-del-publico/10004010-MULTIMEDIAE_3129103|title=Las esculturas de Teddy Cobeña las favoritas en Francia|work=EFE|date=19 December 2016|access-date=30 May 2017|archive-date=5 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805102506/https://www.efe.com/efe/espana/comunicados/las-esculturas-de-teddy-cobena-favoritas-del-publico/10004010-MULTIMEDIAE_3129103|url-status=live}} and Argentine artist Adrián Villar Rojas,{{Cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1795873-adrian-villar-rojas-o-como-convertir-las-ruinas-en-un-exito-planetario|title=Adrián Villar Rojas o cómo convertir las ruinas en un éxito planetario|work=La Nacion|access-date=30 May 2017|archive-date=10 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610085208/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1795873-adrian-villar-rojas-o-como-convertir-las-ruinas-en-un-exito-planetario|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.elcultural.com/noticias/arte/Tiempo-ficcion-de-Adrian-Villar-Rojas/8790|title=Tiempo-ficción de Adrián Villar Rojas|work=El Cultural|date=14 January 2016|access-date=30 May 2017|archive-date=28 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228080512/http://www.elcultural.com/noticias/arte/Tiempo-ficcion-de-Adrian-Villar-Rojas/8790|url-status=live}} winner of the Zurich Museum Art Award, among many others.

{{Main|Sport in South America}}

File:Maracanã 2014 f.jpg in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]]

A wide range of sports are played in the continent of South America, with football being the most popular overall, while baseball is the most popular in Venezuela.

Other sports include basketball, cycling, polo, volleyball, futsal, motorsports, rugby (mostly in Argentina and Uruguay), handball, tennis, golf, field hockey, boxing, and cricket.

South America hosted its first Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016, and has hosted the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2018. A multi-sport event, the South American Games, are held every four years. The first edition was held in La Paz in 1978 and the most recent took place in Santiago in 2014.

South America shares, with Europe, supremacy over football: all winners in the FIFA World Cup and FIFA Club World Cup have come from these two continents. Brazil has won the FIFA World Cup a record five times; Argentina three times, Uruguay twice. Five South American nations have hosted the tournament including the first edition in Uruguay (1930). Two were in Brazil (1950, 2014), Chile (1962), and Argentina (1978). South America is home to the longest-running international football tournament, the Copa América, which has been contested since 1916. Argentina has won the Copa América 16 times, the most among all countries.

South American Cricket Championship is an international one-day cricket tournament played since 1995 featuring national teams from South America and certain other invited sides including teams from North America, currently played annually but until 2013 was usually played every two seasons.

{{Clear}}

{{Portal|South America}}

• Flags of South America
• South American Games
• List of World Heritage Sites in South America

{{Notelist|30em}}

{{reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite web|title=South America|url=http://www.columbiagazetteer.org/|website=The Columbia Gazetteer of the World Online|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901152611/http://www.columbiagazetteer.org/|archive-date=1 September 2006|year=2005|place=New York|publisher=Columbia University Press|access-date=28 February 2023}}
• {{cite web|url=http://lanic.utexas.edu/|title=Latin American Network Information Database|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091210190315/http://lanic.utexas.edu/|archive-date=10 December 2009|access-date=28 February 2023|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite book|last1=Holsti|first1=Kalevi J.|author-link=Kalevi Holsti|year=1996|title=The State, War and the State of War|series=Cambridge Studies in International Relations|doi=10.1017/CBO9780511628306|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0511628306|s2cid=150457372}}
• {{cite book|last1=Peck|first1=Annie Smith|title=Industrial and commercial South America|date=1922|publisher=E. P. Dutton & Company|location=New York|url=https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/72488}}

{{refend}}

{{Sister project links|auto=yes}}

• {{GovPubs|South%20America}}
• {{Britannica|555844}}
• [https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/resource-library-ancient-civilizations-south-america/ South America's Ancient Civilisations] at the National Geographic Society
• [http://www.columbiagazetteer.org/ The Columbia Gazetteer of the World Online] Columbia University Press
• {{Cite EB1911|wstitle= South America | volume= 25 | pages = 485–489 |short= 1}}

{{South America topics}}

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