South America is a continent occupying the southern part of the supercontinent of America. It sits entirely in the Western Hemisphere, and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east by the Atlantic Ocean. North America and the Caribbean Sea lie to the northwest. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Quechuan languages. ... Aymara is an Aymaran language spoken by the Aymara of the Andes. ... Guaraní (local name: avañeẽ ) is an Amerindian language of South America that belongs to the Tupí-Guaraní subfamily. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... This article is about the city. ... For other uses, see Buenos Aires (disambiguation). ... This article is about the Brazilian city. ... For other uses, see Lima (disambiguation). ... Bogota redirects here. ... Location of Santiago commune in Greater Santiago Coordinates: , Region Province Foundation February 12, 1541 Government  - Mayor Raúl Alcaíno Lihn Area 1  - City 22. ... Nickname: Motto: Ave María Santísima, sin pecado concebida, en el primer instante de su ser natural. ... Animated, colour-coded map showing the various continents. ... The Americas (sometimes referred to as America) is the area including the land mass located between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, generally divided into North America and South America. ... southern hemisphere highlighted in yellow (Antarctica not depicted). ... Northern hemisphere highlighted in yellow. ... North American redirects here. ... Map of Central America and the Caribbean The Caribbean Sea (pronounced or ) is a tropical sea in the Western Hemisphere, part of the Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Gulf of Mexico. ...

South America was named in 1507 by cartographers Martin Waldseemüller and Matthias Ringmann after Amerigo Vespucci, who was the first European to suggest that the Americas were not the East Indies, but a New World unknown to Europeans. Martin Waldseemüller (19th century painting). ... Matthias Ringmann (19th century painting) Matthias Ringmann (1482-1511) was a German cartographer and humanist poet. ... Amerigo Vespucci (March 9, 1454 - February 22, 1512) was an Italian merchant, explorer and cartographer. ... The Indies, on the display globe of the Field Museum, Chicago The Indies or East Indies (or East India) is a term used to describe lands of South and South-East Asia, occupying all of the former British India, the present Indian Union, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and... Frontispiece of Peter Martyr dAnghieras De orbe novo (On the New World). Carte dAmérique, Guillaume Delisle, 1722. ...

South America has an area of 17,780,000 square kilometers (6,890,000 sq mi), or almost 3.5% of the Earth's surface. As of 2005, its population was estimated at more than 371,090,000. South America ranks fourth in area (after Asia, Africa, and North America) and fifth in population (after Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America). This article is about the physical quantity. ... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... This article is about Earth as a planet. ... Animated, colour-coded map showing the various continents. ... For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... North American redirects here. ... For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... North American redirects here. ...

Geography

Main article: Geography of South America

A composite relief image of South America.

South America occupies the major southern portion of the landmass generally referred to as the New World, the Western Hemisphere, the Americas, or simply America (which is sometimes considered a single continent^[1] and South America a subcontinent).^[2] It is south and east of the Colombia-Panama border according to most authorities or, according to a few, the Panama Canal which transects the Isthmus of Panama. Almost all of mainland South America sits on the South American Plate. Geopolitically and geographically, all of Panama – including the segment east of the Panama Canal in the isthmus – is generally considered a part of North America alone and among the countries of Central America. Map of South America. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1215x1712, 258 KB) HELLO PICTURE DONATED BY N.A.S.A A composed satellite photograph of South America in orthographic projection This is NASA Blue Marble image applied as a texture on a sphere using Art of Illusion program. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1215x1712, 258 KB) HELLO PICTURE DONATED BY N.A.S.A A composed satellite photograph of South America in orthographic projection This is NASA Blue Marble image applied as a texture on a sphere using Art of Illusion program. ... A landmass is a large continuous area of land. ... Frontispiece of Peter Martyr dAnghieras De orbe novo (On the New World). Carte dAmérique, Guillaume Delisle, 1722. ... The geographical western hemisphere of Earth, highlighted in yellow. ... World map showing the Americas CIA political map of the Americas in an equal-area projection The Americas are the lands of the New World, consisting of the continents of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions. ... Animated, colour-coded map showing the various continents. ... Map of South Asia (see note on Kashmir) A subcontinent is a large part of a continent. ... The Panama Canal is a waterway in Central America which joins the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. ... The Isthmus of Panama. ...  The South American plate, shown in purple The South American Plate is a tectonic plate covering the continent of South America and extending eastward to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. ... Geopolitics is the study that analyzes geography, history and social science with reference to spatial politics and patterns at various scales (ranging from home, city, region, state to international and cosmopolitics). ... For other uses, see Central America (disambiguation). ...

The South American continent also includes various islands, many of which belong to countries on the continent. Many of the islands of the Caribbean (or West Indies) – e.g., the Leeward and Lesser Antilles – sit atop the Caribbean Plate, a tectonic plate with a diffuse topography. The islands of Aruba, Barbados, Trinidad, and Tobago sit on the northerly South American continental shelf. The Netherlands Antilles and the federal dependencies of Venezuela lie along the northerly South American. Geopolitically, the island states and overseas territories of the Caribbean are generally grouped as a part or subregion of North America.^[3][4][5] The South American nations that border the Caribbean Sea – including Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana – are also known as Caribbean South America. Other islands are the Galápagos, Easter Island (in Oceania but belongs to Chile), Robinson Crusoe Island, Chiloé Island, and the Tierra del Fuego West Indies redirects here. ... Location of the Lesser Antilles (green) in relation to the rest of the Caribbean Islands of the Lesser Antilles The Lesser Antilles, also known as the Caribbees,[1] are part of the Antilles, which together with the Bahamas and Greater Antilles form the West Indies. ... Detail of tectonic plates from: Tectonic plates of the world. ... For other uses, see Trinidad (disambiguation). ... Castara village beach looking south, Tobago Tobago is the smaller of the two main islands that make up the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. ...  Sediment  Rock  Mantle  The global continental shelf, highlighted in cyan The continental shelf is the extended perimeter of each continent and associated coastal plain, which is covered during interglacial periods such as the current epoch by relatively shallow seas (known as shelf seas) and gulfs. ... The Federal Dependencies of Venezuela encompass all of Venezuelas off shore islands in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Venezuela. ... Caribbean South America is a region of South America consisting of the nations that border the Caribbean Sea, namely: Colombia Venezuela But culturally, the Guianas are most similar to the Caribbean: Guyana Suriname French Guiana Due to the regions closeness to the equator, its climate is very tropical. ... Galápagos redirects here. ... Rapa Nui redirects here. ... Town San Juan Bautista, Robinson Crusoe, Cumberland Bay A fisherman with 2 Lobsters Robinson Crusoe Island, located in the Juan Fernández archipelago, which is situated in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean, 674 kilometres from the South American continent. ... Chiloé Island Location of Chiloé in Chile Chiloé Island (Spanish: Isla de Chiloé), also known as Isla Grande de Chiloé Big Island of Chiloé, is a South American island off the coast of Chile, in the Pacific Ocean. ... Tierra del Fuego Cerro Sombrero Village, Chile. ...

The Andes.

River in the Amazon rainforest.

South America is home to the world's highest waterfall, Angel Falls in Venezuela, the largest river (by volume), the Amazon River, the longest mountain range, the Andes (whose highest mountain is Aconcagua at 6,962 m (22,841 ft)), the driest desert, the Atacama Desert, the largest rainforest, the Amazon Rainforest, the highest capital city, La Paz, Bolivia, the highest commercially navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca, and the world's southernmost town, Puerto Toro, Chile. Subject: The Andes as seen from a plane flying from Santiago, Chile to Buenos Aires, Argentina Source: Property of User:Cantus File links The following pages link to this file: Andes Categories: GFDL images ... Subject: The Andes as seen from a plane flying from Santiago, Chile to Buenos Aires, Argentina Source: Property of User:Cantus File links The following pages link to this file: Andes Categories: GFDL images ... This article is about the mountain system in South America. ... Download high resolution version (1024x768, 221 KB)A river scene in the Amazon Rainforest Amazon river - Salinopolis - Para - Brazil Photographer: cesarpb Source: Stock. ... Download high resolution version (1024x768, 221 KB)A river scene in the Amazon Rainforest Amazon river - Salinopolis - Para - Brazil Photographer: cesarpb Source: Stock. ... Map of the Amazon rainforest ecoregions as delineated by the WWF. Yellow line encloses the Amazon rainforest. ... For other uses, see Waterfall (disambiguation). ... Angel Falls (indigenous name: Kerepakupai merú) is the worlds highest free-falling waterfall at 979 m (3,212 ft), with a clear drop of 807 m (2,648 ft). ... This article is about the river. ... This article is about the mountain system in South America. ... Atacama Desert The Atacama Desert is a virtually rainless plateau in South America, extending 966 km (600 mi) between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean. ... Map of the Amazon rainforest ecoregions as delineated by the WWF. Yellow line encloses the Amazon rainforest. ... Central La Paz La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, as well as the departmental capital of La Paz Department. ... Lake Titicaca sits 3,812 m (12,507 feet) above sea level making it the highest commercially navigable lake in the world. ... Puerto Toro is a small Chilean town on Navarino Island. ...

South America's major mineral resources are gold, silver, copper, iron ore, tin, and oil. The many resources of South America have brought high income to its countries especially in times of war or of rapid economic growth by industrialized countries elsewhere. However, the concentration in producing one major export commodity often has hindered the development of diversified economies. The inevitable fluctuation in the price of commodities in the international markets has led historically to major highs and lows in the economies of South American states, often also causing extreme political instability. This is leading to efforts to diversify their production to drive them away from staying as economies dedicated to one major export. GOLD refers to one of the following: GOLD (IEEE) is an IEEE program designed to garner more student members at the university level (Graduates of the Last Decade). ... This article is about the chemical element. ... For other uses, see Copper (disambiguation). ... This heap of iron ore pellets will be used in steel production. ... This article is about the metallic chemical element. ... Petro redirects here. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

South America is home to many interesting and unique species of animals including the llama, anaconda, piranha, jaguar, vicuña, and tapir. The Amazon rainforests possess high biodiversity, containing a major proportion of the Earth's species. For other uses, see Llama (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Anaconda (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Piranha (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Jaguar (disambiguation). ... Binomial name (Molina, 1782) The vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) is one of 2 wild South American camelids, along with the guanaco, which live in the high alpineous areas of the Andes. ... Species Tapirus bairdii Tapirus indicus Tapirus pinchaque Tapirus terrestris Tapirs (IPA:ˈteɪpÉ™r, pronounced as in taper, or IPA:təˈpɪər, pronounced as in tap-ear) are large browsing mammals, roughly pig-like in shape, with short, prehensile snouts. ... Rainforests are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on earth Biodiversity is the variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome or for the entire Earth. ... This article is about Earth as a planet. ... For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ...

The largest country in South America by far, in both area and population, is Brazil, followed by Argentina. Regions in South America include the Andean States, the Guianas, the Southern Cone, and Brazil. The Andean States are nations in South America that contain portions of—or border—the Andes mountain range. ... Guiana (also known as the Guiana highlands or the Guiana shield) forms a portion of the northern coast of South America. ... Map that frames the area named Southern Cone The term Southern Cone (Spanish: Cono Sur, Portuguese: Cone Sul) refers to a geographic region composed of the southernmost areas of South America, below the Tropic of Capricorn. ...

History

Main article: History of South America

While perhaps the last continent--except Antarctica-- to be inhabited by humans, South America has a history that spans the full range of human cultural and civilizational forms. ...

The rise of agriculture and domestication of animals

A pair of alpacas near an Inca burial site in Peru.

South America is thought to have been first inhabited by people crossing the Bering Land Bridge, which is now the Bering Strait. Some archaeological finds do not fit this theory, and have led to an alternative theory Pre-Siberian American Aborigines. The first evidence for the existence of agricultural practices in South America date back to circa 6500 BCE, when potatoes, chillies and beans began to be cultivated for food in the highlands of the Amazon Basin. Pottery evidence further suggests that manioc, which remains a staple foodstuff today, was being cultivated as early as 2000 BCE.^[6] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1024x681, 307 KB) A pair of Alpacas from Sillustani, Peru. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1024x681, 307 KB) A pair of Alpacas from Sillustani, Peru. ... Binomial name Lama pacos (Linnaeus, 1758) The Alpaca is one of two domesticated breeds of South American camel-like ungulates, derived from the wild guanaco. ... Nautical chart of Bering Strait, site of former land bridge between Asia and North America The Bering land bridge, also known as Beringia, was a land bridge roughly 1,000 miles (1,600 km) north to south at its greatest extent, which joined present-day Alaska and eastern Siberia at... Satellite photo of the Bering Strait Photo across the Bering Strait Nautical chart of the Bering Strait The Bering Strait (Russian: ) is a sea strait between Cape Dezhnev, Russia, the easternmost point (169°43 W) of the Asian continent and Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska, the westernmost point (168°05... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Binomial name Solanum tuberosum L. The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a perennial plant of the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family, grown for its starchy tuber. ... The chile pepper (also chili or chilli; from Spanish chile) is the fruit of the plant Capsicum from the nightshade family (Solanaceae). ... This article is on the plant. ... Amazon River basin The Amazon Basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries. ... Binomial name Manihot esculenta Crantz Cassava or manioc (Manihot esculenta; also yuca in Spanish, and mandioca, aipim, or macaxera in Portuguese) is a woody perennial shrub of the spurge family, that is extensively cultivated as an annual crop for its edible starchy tuberous root. ...

By 2000 BCE many agrarian village communities had been settled throughout the Andes and the surrounding religious regions. Fishing became a widespread practice along the coast which helped to establish fish as a primary source of food. Irrigation systems were also developed at this time, which aided in the rise of an agrarian society.^[6]

South Americans cultures began domesticating llamas, vicuñas, guanacos, and alpacas in the highlands of the Andes circa 3500 BCE. Besides their use as sources of meat, and wool, these animals were used for transportation of goods (maximum load for a llama is typically 40 kg).^[6] Binomial name Lama glama (Linnaeus, 1758) The Llama (Lama glama) is a large camelid native to South America. ... Binomial name Vicugna vicugna (Molina, 1782) The Vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) is one of 2 wild South American camelids, along with the alpaca, which lives in the high alpineous areas of the Andes. ... Binomial name Lama guanicoe (Müller, 1776) The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is an elegant, fine-boned camelid animal that stands approximately 1. ... Binomial name Lama pacos (Linnaeus, 1758) The Alpaca is one of two domesticated breeds of South American camel-like ungulates, derived from the wild guanaco. ...

Pre-Columbian civilizations

The Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.

The rise of agriculture and the subsequent appearance of permanent human settlements allowed for the multiple and overlapping beginnings of civilizations in South America. ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1536x2048, 1116 KB) This Picture was taken the 9th of April 2005 6. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (1536x2048, 1116 KB) This Picture was taken the 9th of April 2005 6. ... Machu Picchu (Quechua: Machu Pikchu Old Peak) is a pre-Columbian Inca city located at 2,430 m (7,970 ft) altitude[1] on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, about 70 km (44 mi) northwest of Cusco. ...

The earliest known settlements, and culture in South America, and the Americas altogether, are the Valdivia on the south east coast of Ecuador. The Valdivia Culture thrived in the coast of Ecuador, in a small hill next to the town of Valdivia, between 3500 and 1800 B.C. The discovery of this culture was done in 1956 by the Ecuadorian archeologist Emilio Estrada. ...

The earliest known South American civilization was at Norte Chico, on the central Peruvian coast. Though a pre-ceramic culture, the monumental architecture of Norte Chico is contemporaneous with the pyramids of Ancient Egypt. The Chavín established a trade network and developed agriculture by 900 BCE, according to some estimates and archaeological finds. Artifacts were found at a site called Chavín de Huantar in modern Peru at an elevation of 3,177 meters. Chavín civilization spanned 900 BCE to 300 BCE. Norte Chico ranging over three river valleys north of present-day Lima: Supe, Fortaleza and Pativilca. ... The pyramids are the most recognizable symbols of the civilization of ancient Egypt. ... Chavín & Chavín influence The Chavín were an early civilization that existed in what is now the country of Peru. ... Chavín de Huantar is an archaeological site located 250 kilometers (155 miles) north of Lima, Peru. ...

The Muisca were the main indigenous civilization in what is now modern Colombia. They established a confederation of many clans, or cacicazgos, that had a free trade network among themselves. They were goldsmiths and farmers. For other uses, see Muska (disambiguation). ...

Other important Pre-Columbian cultures include: Moche (100 BCE – 700 CE, at the northern coast of Peru); Tiuahuanaco or Tiwanaku (100 BCE – 1200 BCE, Bolivia); the Cañaris (in south central Ecuador), Paracas and Nazca (400 BCE – 800 CE, Peru); Wari or Huari Empire (600 – 1200, Central and northern Peru); Chimu Empire (1300 – 1470, Peruvian northern coast); Chachapoyas; and the Aymaran kingdoms (1000 – 1450, Bolivia and southern Peru). The Moche civilization (alternately, the Mochica culture, Early Chimu, Pre-Chimu, Proto-Chimu, etc. ... A piece of a Paracas Textil, Ica, Peru The Paracas culture was an important Andean society between approximately 750 BCE and 100 CE that developed in the Paracas Peninsula, located in what today is the Paracas District of the Pisco Province in the Ica Region. ... Late Intermediate Period Cultures The Nazca culture flourished in the Nazca region between 300 BC and 800 AD. They created the famous Nazca lines and built an impressive system of underground aqueducts that still function today. ... Middle Horizon The Huari (or Wari) was a Middle Horizon civilization that flourished in the southern Andes from about 500 to 1200 AD. The capital city is located near the modern city of Ayacucho, Peru. ... The Chimú were the residents of Chimor with its capital at the city of Chan Chan in the Moche valley of Peru. ... The name Chachapoyas is shared by: The city of Chachapoyas, in the Amazonas region, Peru. ...

Holding their capital at the great cougar-shaped city of Cusco, the Inca civilization dominated the Andes region from 1438 to 1533. Known as Tawantin suyu, or "the land of the four regions," in Quechua, the Inca civilization was highly distinct and developed. Inca rule extended to nearly a hundred linguistic or ethnic communities, some 9 to 14 million people connected by a 25,000 kilometer road system. Cities were built with precise, unmatched stonework, constructed over many levels of mountain terrain. Terrace farming was a useful form of agriculture. There is evidence of excellent metalwork and even successful brain surgery in Inca civilization. Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1771) Cougar range map Synonyms Felis concolor The cougar (Puma concolor), also puma, mountain lion, or panther, is a mammal of the Felidae family, native to the Americas. ... This article is the city in Peru. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Quechuan languages. ... Major highways of the Inca Empire Among the many roads and trails constructed in pre-Columbian South America, the Inca road system (El Camino Inca) of Peru was the most extensive. ... In agriculture, a terrace is a levelled section of a hilly cultivated area, designed to slow or prevent the rapid run-off of irrigation water. ... Neurosurgery is the surgical discipline focused on treating the central and peripheral nervous system. ...

European colonization

European Control over South America since 1700

In 1494, Portugal and Spain, the two great maritime powers of that time, on the expectation of new lands being discovered in the west, signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, by which they agreed that all the land outside Europe should be an exclusive duopoly between the two countries. Cantino planisphere of 1502 depicting the meridian designated by the treaty. ... A true duopoly is a specific type of oligopoly where only two producers exist in one market. ...

The Treaty established an imaginary line along a north-south meridian 370 leagues west of Cape Verde Islands, roughly 46° 37' W. In terms of the treaty, all land to the west of the line known to comprehend most of the South American soil), would belong to Spain, and all land to the east, to Portugal. As accurate measurements of longitude were impossible at that time, the line was not strictly enforced, resulting in a Portuguese expansion of Brazil across the meridian. On the earth, a meridian is a north-south line between the North Pole and the South Pole. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Motto: Unity, Work, Progress Anthem: Cântico da Liberdade Capital Praia Largest city Praia Official language(s) Portuguese (official) and nine Portuguese Creoles Government Republic  - President Pedro Pires  - Prime Minister José Maria Neves Independence from Portugal   - Recognized July 5, 1975  Area    - Total 4,033 km² (165th)   1,557 sq mi... Longitude is the east-west geographic coordinate measurement most commonly utilized in cartography and global navigation. ... Portugal was the leading country in the European exploration of the world in the 15th century. ...

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. Conquistador (Spanish: kōn-kē-stŏ-dōr) (meaning Conqueror in the Spanish language) is the term used to refer to the soldiers, explorers, and adventurers who brought much of the Americas and Asia Pacific under Spanish colonial rule between the 15th and 17th centuries, starting with the 1492 settlement...

European infectious diseases (smallpox, influenza, measles, and typhus) to which the native populations had no immune resistance, and systems of forced labor, such as the haciendas and mining industry's mita, decimated the native population under Spanish control. Smallpox (also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera) is a contagious disease unique to humans. ... Flu redirects here. ... For the unrelated disease caused by Salmonella typhi, see Typhoid fever. ... For other uses, see Native Americans (disambiguation). ... Hacienda is a Spanish word describing a vast ranch, common in the Pampa. ... Mita was mandatory public service by society in ancient South America. ...

African slaves were brought in large quantities for several centuries for a number of reasons, both political and economical, however, it was mainly because they were much better fitted than the American natives for hard labor in tropical climate, such as sugar cane plantations or gold mining. Slave redirects here. ...

The Spaniards were committed to convert their native subjects to Christianity, and were quick to purge any native cultural practices that hindered this end. However, most initial attempts at this were only partially successful, as native groups simply blended Catholicism with traditional idolatry and their polytheistic beliefs. Furthermore, the Spaniards did impose their language to the degree they did their religion, although the Roman Catholic Church's evangelization in Quechua, Aymara and Guaraní actually contributed to the continuous use of these native languages albeit only in the oral form. Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Relation to other religions Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Christianity Portal This box:      Christianity is a monotheistic[1] religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament. ... Catholic Church redirects here. ... Quechua (Runa Simi in Quechua; Runa, human + Simi, speech, literally mouth; i. ... Aymara is an Aymaran language spoken by the Aymara of the Andes. ... Guaraní (local name: avañeẽ ) is an Amerindian language of South America that belongs to the Tupí-Guaraní subfamily. ...

A representation of a Mestizo, in a "Pintura de Castas" in the Colonial era. "From Spaniard and Amerindian woman, begets Mestizo".

Eventually the natives and the Spaniards interbred, forming a mestizo class. Essentially all of the mestizos of the Andean region were offspring of an amerindian mothers and Spanish fathers. Mestizos and the Indian natives were often forced to pay extraordinary taxes to the Spanish crown and were punished more harshly for disobeying the law. Representation of Mestizos during the Latin American colonial period. ... Representation of Mestizos during the Latin American colonial period. ... Brazilian Indian chiefs The scope of this indigenous peoples of the Americas article encompasses the definitions of indigenous peoples and the Americas as established in their respective articles. ... Mestizo is a Spanish term that was formerly used in the Spanish Empire to designate people of mixed European (Spaniard) and Amerindian ancestry living in the region of Latin America. ...

Many native artworks were considered pagan idols and destroyed by Spanish explorers, this included many gold and silver sculptures and other artifacts found in South America, which were melted down before their transport to Spain or Portugal.

Guyana was a Portuguese, Dutch and eventually a British colony. The country was once partitioned into three, each being controlled by one of the colonial powers until the country was finally taken over fully by the British.

Independence

Main article: Hispanic American wars of independence

Map of South America in 1750 by Robert de Vaugondy.

The South American possessions of the Spanish Crown won their independence between 1804 and 1824 in the South American Wars of Independence. Simón Bolívar of Venezuela and José de San Martín of Argentina were the most important leaders of the independence struggles. Bolívar led a great uprising in northern South America, then led his army southward towards the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru, Lima. Meanwhile, San Martín led an army from the Viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata across the Andes Mountains, meeting up with General Bernardo O'Higgins in Chile, and then marched northward to gain the military support of various rebels from the Viceroyalty of Peru. The two armies finally met in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where they cornered the Royal Army of the Spanish Crown and forced its surrender. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2295x1850, 4310 KB) Summary Modified the lighting of the previous photo Licensing This image is in the public domain because its copyright has expired in the United States and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2295x1850, 4310 KB) Summary Modified the lighting of the previous photo Licensing This image is in the public domain because its copyright has expired in the United States and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus... Gilles Robert de Vaugondy (1688–1766), also known as Le Sieur or Monsieur Robert, and his son, Didier Robert de Vaugondy (c. ... Because Spain was virtually cut off from its colonies during the Peninsular War of 1808–1814, Latin America was, in these years, ruled by independent juntas. ... This article is about the South American independence leader. ... José Francisco de San Martín Matorras, also known as José de San Martín (25 February 1778 – 17 August 1850), was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the southern part of South Americas successful struggle for independence from Spain. ... Created in 1542, the Viceroyalty of Peru (in Spanish, Virreinato del Perú) contained most of Spanish-ruled South America until the creation of the separate viceroyalties of New Granada (now Colombia, Ecuador, Panamá and Venezuela, the last-named previously in the Viceroyalty of New Spain) in 1717 and Río... For other uses, see Lima (disambiguation). ... Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata Created in 1776, the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata was the last and most shortlived viceroyalty created by Spain. ... Bernardo OHiggins Riquelme (August 20, 1778 – October 24, 1842), South American independence leader, was one of the commanders – together with José de San Martín – of the military forces that freed Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence. ...

In Brazil, a Portuguese colony, Dom Pedro I (also Pedro IV of Portugal), son of the Portuguese king Dom João VI, proclaimed the country's independence in 1822 and became Brazil's first Emperor. This was peacefully accepted by the crown in Portugal. Pedro I, Emperor of Brazil; Pedro IV of Portugal Pedro I of Brazil, known as Dom Pedro (October 12, 1798 - September 24, 1834), proclaimed Brazil independent from Portugal and became Brazils first Emperor. ... Louis XIV, king of France and Navarre (Painting by Hyacinthe Rigaud, 1701). ... John VI (Portuguese João), the Clement (Port. ... An emperorrefers to Nick Herringshaw, a title, empress may only indicate the wife of an emperor (empress consort. ...

Although Bolivar attempted to unify politically the Spanish-speaking parts of the continent into the "Gran Colombia", they rapidly became independent states without political connections between them, despite some later attempts such as the Peruvian-Bolivian Confederation. Gran Colombia Capital Bogotá Language(s) Spanish Religion Roman Catholic Government Republic History  - Established December 17, 1819  - Disestablished November 19, 1831 Gran Colombia (Spanish for Greater Colombia) is a name used today for the Republic of Colombia of the period 1819-1831. ... Capital Tacna Created 1836 Dissolved 1839 Demonym Peru-bolivian The Peru-Bolvian Confederacy was a short-lived state that existed in South America between the years 1836 and 1839. ...

A few countries did not gain independence until the 20th century:

• Guyana, from the United Kingdom, in 1966
• Suriname, from Dutch control, in 1975

French Guiana remains part of France as of 2008, and hosts the European Space Agency's principal spaceport, the Guiana Space Centre. ESA redirects here. ... A spaceport is a site for launching spacecraft, by analogy with airport for aircraft. ... The now-decommissioned Ariane 4 launch site The Guiana Space Centre (French: Centre Spatial Guyanais or CSG) is a French spaceport near Kourou in French Guiana. ...

Recent history

The continent became a battlefield of the Cold War in the late 20th century. Some governments of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay were overthrown or displaced by U.S.-aligned military dictatorships in the 1960s and 1970s. To curtail opposition, their governments detained tens of thousands of political prisoners, many of whom were tortured and/or killed (on inter-state collaboration, see Operation Condor). Economically, they began a transition to neoliberal economic policies. They placed their own actions within the U.S. Cold War doctrine of "National Security" against internal subversion. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Peru suffered from an internal conflict (see Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement and Shining Path). Colombia currently faces an internal conflict, often described as a civil war, which started in 1964 with the creation of Marxist guerrillas (FARC-EP) and now involves several illegal armed groups of both leftist and rightist leanings as well as the private armies of powerful drug lords and the Colombian state itself. Revolutionary movements and right-wing military dictatorships became common after World War II, but since the 1980s a wave of democratization came through the continent, and democratic rule is widespread now. For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ... A political prisoner is someone held in prison or otherwise detained, perhaps under house arrest, because their ideas or image are deemed by a government to either challenge or threaten the authority of the state. ... For other uses of Operation Condor, please see Operation Condor (disambiguation) Operation Condor (Spanish: Operación Cóndor, Portuguese: Operação Condor) was a campaign of political repressions involving assassination and intelligence operations officially implemented starting in 1975 by the right-wing dictatorships that dominated the Southern Cone in South... The term neoliberalism is used to describe a political-economic philosophy that had major implications for government policies beginning in the 1970s – and increasingly prominent since 1980 – that de-emphasizes or rejects positive government intervention in the economy, focusing instead on achieving progress and even social justice by encouraging free... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ... Combatants Republic of Peru Shining Path Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement Commanders Fernando Belaúnde Terry Alan García Alberto Fujimori Abimael Guzmán Óscar Ramírez Comrade ArtemioVíctor Polay Nestor Cerpa Cartolini It has been estimated that nearly 70,000 people died in the internal conflict in Peru... The Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement or Movimiento Revolucionario Túpac Amaru (MRTA) was an insurgent guerrilla movement active in Peru from 1984 to 1997. ... The Communist Party of Peru (Spanish: Partido Comunista del Perú), more commonly known as the Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso), is a Maoist guerrilla organization in Peru that launched the internal conflict in Peru in 1980. ...

Nonetheless, allegations of corruption are still very common and several countries have developed crises which have forced the resignation of their governments, although, in most occasions, regular civilian succession has continued this far.

International indebtedness turned into a severe problem in late 1980s, and some countries, despite having strong democracies, have not yet developed political institutions capable of handling such crises without recurring to unorthodox economical policies, as most recently illustrated by Argentina's default in the early 21st century. Developing countries debt is external debt incurred by Third World countries, generally in quantities beyond that countrys ability to repay. ... The Argentine economic crisis was part of the situation that affected Argentinas economy during the late 1990s and early 2000s. ...

During the first decade of the 21st century, South American governments have drifted to the political left, with social democratic leaders being elected in Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela and left-leaning presidents in Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Nicaragua, and Paraguay. Social democracy is a political ideology emerging in the late 19th and early 20th centuries from supporters of Marxism who believed that the transition to a socialist society could be achieved through democratic evolutionary rather than revolutionary means. ...

Regions

The countries in the table below are categorised according to the scheme for geographic regions and subregions used by the United Nations, and data included are per sources in cross-referenced articles. Where they differ, provisos are clearly indicated. The definition of continental subregions in use by the United Nations for statistical purposes The UN geoscheme divides the world into macro regions[1] and subregions, all in alphabetical order. ...

Unasur member states.

Name of territory, with flag	Area	Population (1 July 2008 est.)	Population density per km² (per sq mi)	Capital
Argentina  Argentina	2766890 2,766,890 km² (1,068,302 sq mi)	40,677,348	14300000 14.3/km² (37/sq mi)	Buenos Aires
Bolivia  Bolivia	1098580 1,098,580 km² (424,164 sq mi)	8,857,870	08100000 8.1/km² (21/sq mi)	La Paz, Sucre[7]
Brazil  Brazil	8514877 8,514,877 km² (3,287,612 sq mi)	191,908,598	22000000 22.0/km² (57/sq mi)	Brasília
Chile  Chile[8]	0756950   756,950 km² (292,260 sq mi)	16,454,143	21100000 21.1/km² (54.6/sq mi)	Santiago
Colombia  Colombia	1138910 1,138,910 km² (439,736 sq mi)	45,013,674	37700000 37.7/km² (97.6/sq mi)	Bogotá
Ecuador  Ecuador	0283560   283,560 km² (109,483 sq mi)	13,927,650	47100000 47.1/km² (122/sq mi)	Quito
Falkland Islands  Falkland Islands (UK)[9]	0012173    12,173 km² (4,700 sq mi)	2,967	00240000 0.24/km² (0.6/sq mi)	Stanley
French Guiana  French Guiana (France)	0091000    91,000 km² (35,135 sq mi)	209,000	02100000 2.1/km² (5.4/sq mi)	Cayenne
Guyana  Guyana	0214970   214,970 km² (83,000 sq mi)	770,794	03600000 3.6/km² (9.3/sq mi)	Georgetown
Paraguay  Paraguay	0406750   406,750 km² (157,047 sq mi)	6,347,884	15600000 15.6/km² (40.4/sq mi)	Asunción
Peru  Peru	1285220 1,285,220 km² (496,226 sq mi)	27,925,628	21700000 21.7/km² (56.2/sq mi)	Lima
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (UK)[10]	0003093     3,093 km² (1,194 sq mi)	20	00000000 0/km² (0/sq mi)	Grytviken
Suriname  Suriname	0163270   163,270 km² (63,039 sq mi)	438,144	02700000 2.7/km² (7/sq mi)	Paramaribo
Uruguay  Uruguay	0176220   176,220 km² (68,039 sq mi)	3,477,778	19400000 19.4/km² (50.2/sq mi)	Montevideo
Venezuela  Venezuela	0912050   912,050 km² (352,144 sq mi)	26,414,815	27800000 27.8/km² (72/sq mi)	Caracas

See Also: List of South American countries by population Subject: South American Community of Nations member states. ... Subject: South American Community of Nations member states. ... Pro Tempore Secretariat Brasília Official languages 4 Spanish Portuguese English Dutch Member states 12 Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Ecuador Guyana Paraguay Peru Suriname Uruguay Venezuela Leaders  -  President Rodrigo Borja  -  Tempore Secretary Jorge Taunay Filho Formation  -  Cuzco Declaration 8 December 2004  Area  -  Total 17,715,335 km² (1st2)  sq... For other uses, see Flag (disambiguation). ... This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by area. ... Not to be confused with capitol. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Argentina. ... For other uses, see Buenos Aires (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Bolivia. ... Motto: Los discordes en concordia, en paz y amor se juntaron y pueblo de paz fundaron para perpetua memoria Location of La Paz within Bolivia Coordinates: , Country Departament Province Pedro Domingo Murillo Province Founded October 20, 1548 Incorporated (El Alto) 20th century Government  - Mayor Juan Del Granado Area  - Total 470... For other uses, see Sucre (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Brazil. ... Nickname: Location of Brasília Coordinates: , Country Region State Brazilian Federal District Founded 21 April 1960 Government  - Governor Jose Roberto Arruda Area  - Total 5,802 km² (2,240. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Chile. ... Location of Santiago commune in Greater Santiago Coordinates: , Region Province Foundation February 12, 1541 Government  - Mayor Raúl Alcaíno Lihn Area 1  - City 22. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Colombia. ... Bogota redirects here. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ecuador. ... For other uses, see Quito (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Falkland_Islands. ... Map of the Falkland Islands showing position of Stanley. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Cayenne is the capital of the French overseas région of French Guiana. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Guyana. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Paraguay. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Peru. ... For other uses, see Lima (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Georgia_and_the_South_Sandwich_Islands. ... Motto Leo Terram Propriam Protegat(Latin) Let the Lion protect his own land or May the Lion protect his own land Anthem God Save the Queen Capital Grytviken (King Edward Point) Official languages English Government British overseas territory  -  Head of State Queen Elizabeth II  -  Commissioner Alan Huckle Area  -  Total 3... Cumberland Bay and Thatcher Peninsula with King Edward Cove (Grytviken) Grytviken (Swedish for Pot Cove; Grytvika/Grytviken in Norwegian) is the principal settlement in the United Kingdom territory of South Georgia in the South Atlantic. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Suriname. ... Paramaribo (nicknamed Parbo) is the capital of Suriname, located in the Paramaribo district, with a population of roughly 250,000 people. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Uruguay. ... For other uses, see Montevideo (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Venezuela. ... Nickname: Motto: Ave María Santísima, sin pecado concebida, en el primer instante de su ser natural. ... This is a list of continental South American countries/dependencies by population. ...

Economy

Main article: Economy of South America

View of a financial district in São Paulo, Brazil.