South American Countries

South America, the fourth largest continent in the world, consists of twelve independent countries and three major territories. Culturally influenced by Spanish and Portuguese explorers and colonial rule, South America has rich traditions of art, literature, and music. This multifaceted continent has a history that dates back over a millennium. Economically, most South American countries have shown progress and growth in the past few of decades. The tourism industry has been an important economic factor in many South American countries.

Countries of South America and their capitals

S.N.	Country and Territory	Area (Sq. Miles)	Capital
1	Brazil	3,287,611	Brasília
2	Argentina	1,068,302	Buenos Aires
3	Peru	496,226	Lima
4	Colombia	439,735	Bogotá
5	Bolivia	424,164	La Paz and Sucre
6	Venezuela	353,841	Caracas
7	Chile	292,260	Santiago
8	Paraguay	157,047	Asunción
9	Ecuador	109,483	Quito
10	Guyana	83,012	Georgetown
11	Uruguay	68,039	Montevideo
12	Suriname	63,039	Paramaribo
13	French Guiana (France)	35,135	Cayenne (Préfecture)
14	Falkland Islands (UK)	4,700	Port Stanley
15	South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (UK)	1,194	King Edward Point

Economy of South America
South American countries have recently shown tremendous economic development. Countries like Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Peru, Chile, and Uruguay have had maximum growth even during the global recession (2008-2009); the South American countries have shown great resilience in comparison to other nations in the world. South America's GDP (PPP) as of 2010 was $3.5 trillion.

Agriculture and manufacturing industries are supporting the economies of many South American countries. Some of the major agricultural products are soybeans, coffee, rice, sugarcane, wheat, and corn. South America's mineral resources have also helped support the rapid growth of economy. Some major natural resources are petroleum, gold, iron ore, silver, and copper. Brazil has the sixth largest economy in the world and the largest economy in South America, but it is growing at a slower pace. Brazil also leads the continent in export of goods.

South America's economy faces some major challenges. In many countries of South America, extreme inequality between the rich and poor is a major concern. In fact the gap between the rich and the poor is highest in South American countries in comparison with other nations of the world.

South American countries have two trade blocs: Mercosur and the Andean Community of Nations. These trade blocks help the participating countries strengthen their economic ties.

Quick Facts about South America
Official Name	South America
Origin of Name	Amerigo Vespucci
International Divisions	12 independent countries and three territories
Population	387,500,000 (2011 est.)
Major Languages	Portuguese, Spanish, English, Dutch, French
Major Religion	Christianity (Roman Catholicism)

South America Timeline
5000-1200BC	Asian hunters cross the frozen Bering Strait on their way from Asia to Alaska and then move south.
900-300 BC	Agricultural practices are developed in the highlands of Peru
1400-1550	The Inca Empire spreads across Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Northern Argentina, and Ecuador
1492	Christopher Columbus discovers the New World (the Americas)
1494	Portugal and Spain sign the Treaty of Tordesillas, dividing the land into two sections. Spain controlled the western half, and Portugal controlled the east.
1500	Amerigo Vespucci recognizes the New World as a separate continent. He is credited for writing his narratives about the voyage and discoveries with great passion and art. The Americas are named after him.
1533	Spanish Army led by Francisco Pizarro captures much of Inca territory
1535	Peru and Lima are founded
1536	Argentina is established
1537	Paraguay is founded
1693	Gold is discovered in Brazil
1777	Administrative units are established in Venezuela
1818	Chile gains independence from Spain
1821	Peru gains independence from Spain
1822	Brazil gains independence from Portugal
1945	Peru holds free election
1946	Venezuela holds free election for the first time.
1983	First free elections are held in Bolivia
2008	Ecuador adopts a new constitution

ACOD~20120821

Last Updated Date: February 26, 2020