South America
South America is a continent of extremes: the world's largest rainforest, its longest mountain range and its driest desert all share the same landmass. Over 438 million people live across 12 countries, from the tropical Amazon basin to the cold expanses of Patagonia.
South America at a glance
Key figures for the continent, as of 2025.
Location & geography
South America lies mostly in the southern hemisphere and is bordered to the north by the Caribbean Sea. In the west the Andes rise up — at over 7,000 km the longest mountain range in the world. To the east the continent stretches out to the Atlantic Ocean; see the oceans page for more on the surrounding seas.
The heart of the continent is dominated by the Amazon rainforest, the largest tropical rainforest on Earth, covering roughly half of Brazil and cut through by the Amazon River — the largest river by water volume. Further south lie the vast grasslands of the Pampas and the wind-swept plateau of Patagonia. In the west, wedged between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, lies the Atacama Desert, the driest desert on Earth where some weather stations have never recorded rainfall. In Venezuela the Angel Falls plunge 979 metres, making them the world's highest waterfall. The Brazilian Highlands in the east form the backbone of Brazil and hold extensive mining regions.
Population
South America has approximately 438 million inhabitants in 2025 (UN WPP 2024). The population is heavily concentrated along the coasts and in urban agglomerations, while the interior — particularly the Amazon basin — remains sparsely populated. Brazil is by far the largest country, with around 213 million people, nearly half the continental total.
Megacities define the continent: São Paulo (~22 million) and Buenos Aires (~16 million) are two of the largest metro areas in the western hemisphere. Lima, Bogotá and Rio de Janeiro follow as major centres. Compare population density with other continents on the comparison page. Notably, South America is — after Asia and Africa — one of the faster-growing regions, with a young population that is steadily urbanising.
Countries & capitals
South America contains 12 independent countries (UN count). Below are the five most populous; the remaining seven — Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana — are smaller but each remarkable in character and culture.
| Country | Capital | Population (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Brasília | 213,000,000 |
| Colombia | Bogotá | 52,000,000 |
| Argentina | Buenos Aires | 46,000,000 |
| Peru | Lima | 34,000,000 |
| Venezuela | Caracas | 28,000,000 |
Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024, Worldometer 2025. See also North America for a comparison with the northern part of the western hemisphere.
Climate & seasons
South America has a great variety of climates that change strongly from north to south. The north, with the Amazon basin and Colombia, has a hot tropical climate with high rainfall year-round. The Atacama Desert in the west is the driest region on Earth (Köppen BWh). Moving south the continent gradually cools: the Pampas have a temperate climate, while Patagonia can turn sub-arctic.
A striking feature: because much of the continent lies in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed relative to those in Europe or North America. When it is summer in the UK (June–August), it is winter in Buenos Aires and Santiago. Read more about how this works on the equator and hemispheres page. In the far north, near the equator, there are barely any pronounced seasons.
Plants & wildlife
The Amazon rainforest is one of the most species-rich ecosystems on Earth. The jaguar, the largest cat of the Americas, inhabits forests from Mexico to Argentina. Along the rivers lives the anaconda, the world's heaviest snake, and the charming pink river dolphin. On the open plains graze capybaras — the world's largest rodents. On the Andean highlands llamas and alpacas thrive in the thin air, while the majestic Andean condor — with a wingspan of up to 3.3 m — soars on thermals above them.
In the rainforest canopy dozens of species of macaws and colourful parrots live, and in the treetops slow-moving sloths doze. The North America page lists species that the continent shares with its northern neighbour. A full overview of threatened species and their habitats is on animals of South America.
Famous places
- 🏔️Machu Picchu — impressive Inca citadel at 2,430 m altitude in the Peruvian Andes, built around 1450.
- ✝️Christ the Redeemer — iconic 38 m statue on Corcovado hill above Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- 💧Iguazú Falls — system of 275 waterfall cascades on the Argentina–Brazil border, wider than Niagara Falls.
- 🐢Galápagos Islands — volcanic archipelago of Ecuador, famous for Darwin and unique giant tortoises.
- 🧂Salar de Uyuni — the world's largest salt flat (10,582 km²) in Bolivia, also the world's largest lithium reserve.
- ⛰️Andes Mountains — at over 7,000 km the longest mountain range on Earth, with Aconcagua (6,961 m) as the highest peak.
What time is it in South America?
South America spans approximately five time zones, from UTC−5 in the west (Peru, Colombia, Ecuador) to UTC−2 for some Brazilian coastal areas and islands. Brazil itself uses several zones: most of the country follows UTC−3 (Brasília time), but the western states are an hour further back. See the full overview on all about time zones.
ExampleWhen it is noon in the UK (UTC+0 in winter), it is 09:00 in São Paulo (UTC−3) and 07:00 in Lima (UTC−5). Morning in Europe means early morning on the other side of the Atlantic. More context about the hemisphere on the equator and hemispheres page.
Live time in four South American cities, based on your device.
🎒 For kids
South America is the continent with the world's largest rainforest. Jaguars, sloths and pink dolphins live here. The Andes are the longest mountains on Earth. Read the easy version with big pictures.
Frequently asked questions
How many people live in South America?
In 2025 South America has approximately 438 million inhabitants. Brazil is the most populous country with around 213 million people — nearly half the total. Colombia (52 M) and Argentina (46 M) follow (UN WPP 2024).
What is the highest mountain in South America?
Aconcagua in Argentina stands at 6,961 m and is the highest peak in South America. It forms part of the Andes and is also the highest point outside Asia on Earth.
How many countries are in South America?
South America contains 12 independent countries. The largest are Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Peru and Venezuela. Suriname is the only Dutch-speaking country on the continent.
Are the seasons in South America reversed?
Yes, for the southern part of the continent. Buenos Aires and Santiago lie in the southern hemisphere, where June–August are the winter months. Read more on the equator and hemispheres page.
Sources
- United Nations — World Population Prospects 2024 (population figures)
- Worldometer 2025 — current estimates by country
- CIA World Factbook — area and geography
- IUCN Red List — conservation status of wildlife
- Köppen-Geiger — climate classification