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More about South America

South America ×

• South America is made up of 12 countries, all on the mainland.
• Total landmass 17.8 million square kilometres or 6.9 million square miles.
• South America covers 3.5% of the earth's surface and 12.0% of the earth's landmass.
• As of 2017 there are about 427 million people living in South America.
• 5.8% of the world's population live in South America.
• South America has small area above the equator and stretches right down quite close to the Antarctic Circle. It has a very varied climate across the continent.
• South America is bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and in the west by the Pacific Ocean.
• In the 16th and 17th century, European countries, notably Spain and Portugal, conquered much of South America.
• During the 20th century nearly all the nations gained independence from their European rulers.
• South America is probably the continent with the least mix of cultures. The Inca civilisation, which began in about 1440AD, only lasted about 100 years before being overrun by the Spanish.