South America
South America is a continent of dramatic contrasts — the world's largest rainforest, its driest desert, its longest mountain chain, and river systems that drain nearly half the landmass, all shared across 12 sovereign nations and roughly 440 million people.
Overview
South America occupies roughly 17.8 million km² in the Western Hemisphere, tapering from the broad tropical north to the narrow, wind-scoured tip of Patagonia. The Andes run the full length of the western edge — one of the world's longest and highest mountain chains — while the Amazon Basin dominates the interior with the planet's largest tropical rainforest. The continent comprises 12 independent countries. Spanish is the dominant language across nine of them; Portuguese is the primary language of Brazil, which alone accounts for nearly half the continent's land area and population. Indigenous languages — including Quechua and Guaraní — retain official status or wide use in several countries. Culturally, the continent reflects layered Indigenous, Iberian, African, and later European and Asian immigrant influences.
History and Ancient Civilizations
Human presence in South America dates back at least 14,000 years. The most architecturally visible pre-Columbian civilization is the Inca Empire, which by the early 16th century stretched from present-day…
Countries in South America
14 countries· showing 12Travel Notes
Visa requirements vary considerably: many South American countries offer visa-free entry to European and North American passport holders, though Venezuela and others impose restrictions. Climate zones range from equatorial (year-round humidity in the Amazon) to Mediterranean (central Chile), so no single travel season applies continent-wide. The Southern Cone's summer runs November–March. Currencies are entirely fragmented — no regional single currency exists. Regional aviation connects major hubs including São Paulo, Bogotá, Lima, and Buenos Aires; overland distances are vast.
Interesting Facts About South America
- Amazon River discharges more water than any other river.
- Bolivia and Paraguay are the continent's only landlocked countries.
- Brazil is home to the world's largest Japanese diaspora outside Japan.
- Atacama Desert is Earth's driest non-polar desert.
- Angel Falls, Venezuela, is the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall.
Top Travel Highlights
- Machu Picchu — Inca citadel set high in Andean cloud forest.
- Patagonia — stark glacial landscapes spanning Argentina and Chile.
- Amazon Basin — unmatched biodiversity accessible via Manaus or Iquitos.
- Buenos Aires — layered European-influenced architecture and tango culture.
- Galápagos Islands — isolated archipelago with extraordinary endemic wildlife.