States of south america list. An overview of the sights of the countries of South America by list

Today the states of South America are among the world's most significant producers of mineral raw materials and products. Agriculture... In addition, as in Africa, most of the countries here specialize in the extraction of several types of minerals. This economic orientation is the result of the mainland's colonial past.

From the history of the states of South America

Since ancient times, South America has been inhabited by Indian tribes (Incas, Quechua, Aymara, etc.). Scientists believe that the first people on the mainland appeared 17 thousand years ago. They came here from North America. In the first half of the 15th century. here the land of the Incas was formed. By the time the Europeans discovered South America, they had created a strong state with developed agriculture. Other tribes at that time were still at a primitive level of development. With the discovery of South America, mainly Spaniards and Portuguese settled here. They founded first trading posts, and then colonies. The states of South America became independent at the beginning of the 19th century. They freed themselves from colonial oppression earlier than African countries, therefore they have more high level development.

States of South America today

Today there are 12 independent states in South America. Most are republics by their structure. There are also 3 dependent territories on the mainland. On this moment all South American states are considered developing countries. The largest are located in the flat east. These are Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela. Large territories and various natural resources differ (Chile, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador). Argentina, Brazil and Chile are characterized by a fairly high level of economic development... Other countries are agro-industrial in nature.

Brazil

Brazil is the largest state in South America. By its structure, it is a federal republic. Until 1822, Brazil was a Portuguese colony. The country ranks first on the mainland in terms of the development of the mining industry. Significant reserves of iron ore, gold, bauxite, manganese and other ore minerals are concentrated here. The textile, clothing, automotive and chemical industries are well developed. In addition, Brazil is famous for the production of coffee, cocoa and sugar cane.

Rio de Janeiro is considered the symbol of the country. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and the largest tourist destination in South America.

Argentina

Argentina is the second largest country in South America. By its structure, it is considered a republic with the capital in Buenos Aires. Until 1816 Argentina was a colony of Spain. There are few Indians among the population of the country. In Argentina, there are many descendants of not only Spanish settlers, but also Italians, British, French. Most of the population lives in cities that are located on the coast.

Argentina is a developed country in South America. The engineering and mining industries are of great importance here. But the main wealth is the pampa, huge plains with fertile lands.

Peru

Peru is the third largest country on the mainland. Half of its population is Hispanic Peruvians, and the second part is Indian peoples (Quechua, Aymara). In the mining industry. The processing industries are represented by ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy. Coffee and cocoa are grown in Peru. There are many factories along the coast that process sardines, anchovies and other seafood.

Suriname

Suriname is the smallest state in South America. By its structure, it is a republic. Suriname gained independence in 1975, before that the country was poorly developed industry. However, oil production is of great importance to the economy of Suriname.

South America is the fourth largest continent on Earth. Its length from north to south is more than 7000 km, from west to east - about 5000, and the total area reaches 17.8 km². Most of the mainland is located in the Southern Hemisphere. The total number of inhabitants is more than 385 million people: according to this indicator, South America ranks fourth among continents. But if we discard the dry facts, we can say one thing: this is a whole world, unknown, bright, alluring and frightening at the same time. Every country on this continent deserves the closest study, the most curious tourists and the most enthusiastic reviews.

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How to get there

Airfare to South America varies significantly on regular days and during sales. If a regular ticket can cost an average of 1,700-2,000 USD, then sale and promotional tickets can be bought with a discount of up to 50%. The most profitable thing for Russians is to buy a ticket to Venezuela (the cheapest one can be bought for 500-810 USD on the days of maximum discounts). Or fly to the relatively massive countries of the Caribbean, such as Cuba and the Dominican Republic, from where by domestic flights to the mainland.

If you have the time and money, you can arrange for yourself an unforgettable ocean trip: the journey by boat to Buenos Aires will cost 1500-2000 EUR. Such a voyage will take much more time than a flight, because most often it is not just a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, but a full-fledged cruise with a call to the ports of Europe and Central America.

Transportation in South America

Air travel inside the continent is quite expensive, but cruise travel by sea is widespread (the cost depends on the class of the liner). Railways used mainly for cargo transportation - very few passenger trains, but bus service is very common. Traveling by bus, of course, is less comfortable, but very economical (prices vary depending on the country and destinations - tourist or domestic). Also, there are very cheap car rentals here.

Weather

V different parts South America has a different climate. In the north - the equatorial zone with a maximum high temperatures in January, in the south - the frosty polar zone. This is where you can meet New Year in a bikini under the scorching sun, and then head to a more familiar climatic zone to a ski resort in the highlands of the Andes. In the south of the mainland, well-fed king penguins are walking with might and main - Antarctica is close!

Hotels

If you are visiting South America for the first time and are used to the international class of service, choose large hotel chains (preferably international). Rooms in them cost from 50-90 USD per day. Students and lovers of exoticism often settle in small hotels or in private apartments - the cost can start from 15-20 USD per day. Appearance and the convenience of housing will depend on the country, proximity to popular resorts and personal luck. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Iguazu Falls

Countries of South America

Venezuela- a state in the north of South America, washed by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is the city of Caracas. Here there are conditions for a beach holiday - the luxurious beaches of the Caribbean coast, a fashionable secluded vacation on the island of Margarita, and for an active one: the Avila National Park near Caracas, the Amazonian jungle, the highest waterfall on the planet - Angel, the world's longest cable car with a length of 12, 6 km and the highest mountain peak in the country - Pico Bolivar (4981 m).

Guyana- a state on the northeastern coast of South America. The capital is Georgetown. Almost 90% of the country is wet jungle. It is by virtue of unfavorable conditions for tourism in the traditional sense, Guyana is visited primarily by ecotourists. They were chosen by the waterfalls of the Guiana Highlands, the Pakaraima mountains, National parks Kaieteur and Ivokrama, where visitors learn the wisdom of rafting, as well as make trekking and horseback riding trips along the savannas of Rupununi.

Guiana(or French Guiana) is the largest overseas region of France, located in the northeast of South America. A French visa is required to enter Guiana. Administrative center- the city of Cayenne. 96% of the country's territory is occupied by tropical forests - this region is one of the most wooded and ecologically clean in the world. Tourist centers and settlements of local residents are concentrated in the coastal strip, the central regions are practically deserted.

Colombia- a state in the northwest of South America, named after the great traveler. The capital is Bogota. For Russians, visa-free entry to Colombia is allowed for up to 90 days. This country is famous for its historical heritage, many museums and an amazing fusion of European culture, brought by the Spanish conquistadors in the 15th century, and Native American, which is still carefully preserved in some parts of the country. Colombia has stunning natural surroundings: national parks, the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, the Amazon basin, palm valleys and coffee plantations.

Paraguay called the heart of America, because this country is landlocked. Its population has retained its originality: the Guarani Indian dialect is here the state language along with Spanish. The capital is Asuncion. "Guiana" is translated from Guaranian as " great river"- I mean Rio Paraguay (the third largest river in the continent in terms of flow and length), dividing the country into the arid plain of Gran Chaco and humid regions between the Rio Paraguay and Rio Alta Parana. The country was chosen by ecotourists and connoisseurs of perfectly preserved architectural monuments from the period of the Jesuit state.

Peru- a state on the west coast of South America. The capital is Lima. Fans of antiquities know Peru as a place of Inca settlement - the Inca state of Tahuantinsuyu was the largest empire of pre-Columbian America and still remains a mystery to ethnographers and archaeologists. Here is the famous Machu Picchu, which has become one of the new wonders of the world, and landscapes with mysterious Nazca lines, the origin of which scientists still cannot explain. In total, Peru has more than 180 museums and many archaeological parks lost in the Andes valleys.

Visa-free travel to Peru is open for Russian tourists for up to 90 days.

Suriname- a state in the northeast of South America. The capital is Paramaribo. People come here in search of ecotourism in unusual places: rainforests, waterfalls Atabru, Kau, Uonotobo, the Galibi reserve, the Sipalivini region, which occupies most of the territory, the reservations of the Trio, Akurio and Wayana Indians.

Uruguay- a state in the southeast of South America. The capital is Montevideo. If you want to relax on the beach, come to Uruguay between January and April. Connoisseurs of colonial architecture will surely enjoy the sights of Cologna and Montevideo. Every year, a month and a half before Easter, two days before Lent, Catholics in Uruguay hold a colorful carnival.

Visa-free travel to Uruguay is open for Russian tourists for up to 90 days.

Chile- a state in the southwest of South America, occupying a long strip from the coast The Pacific to the highlands of the Andes. The capital is Santiago. In Chile, balneological tourism is widespread (33 sanatorium bases with water and mud therapy), beach vacations (areas of Arica, Iquique, Valparaiso), as well as travel to the national parks of La Campana, Torres del Paine, to Lake San Rafael, to small towns Altiplano and San Pedro and, of course, the famous Easter Island. For alpine skiers - 15 resorts with slopes ranging from the most extreme to the simplest.

Ecuador is located in the northwest of the mainland and gets its name from the Spanish "equator". The capital is Quito. Special attention deserve the famous not only for their fauna, but also for the fantastic beaches of the Galapagos Islands, the Oriente National Park and the journey along the Amazon, the El Qayas region with 200 lakes and lagoons, a monument ancient culture Ingapirca and museums of the colonial and pre-colonial eras in Quito.

For Russian tourists, a visa-free regime has been introduced to visit Ecuador for up to 90 days.

In addition, South America includes the disputed island territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, as well as the Fokland (Malvinas) Islands, which the United Kingdom and Argentina are still arguing about. Tourists arrive on the islands as part of cruise tours. The most common activities are mountaineering, hiking and kayaking and kayaking. The Fokland (Malvinas) Islands are almost forgotten by tourists. In terms of climate, their territory is close to Iceland: it's cold, strong winds, and not only seagulls scurry about along the coast, but also plump king penguins.

South America nature

After the disintegration of the mainland of Gondwana at the end of the Cretaceous period into Africa, Australia, Antarctica and South America, the latter remained a separate continent. The Isthmus of Panama, which connects the present North and South America, appeared about three million years ago, significantly influencing the flora and fauna of the continent.

The variety of landscapes and climatic zones amazes the tourist's imagination. The Andes, the world's longest mountain range, is also called the "ridge" of South America, stretching almost its entire length for 9 thousand km. The highest peaks - Aconcagua (6960 m) in Argentina and Ojos del Salado (6908 m) are covered with snow all year round... The ongoing movement of the earth's crust in this region causes earthquakes and eruptions of active volcanoes.

The famous Amazon River flows here, the second largest river on the planet, always full-flowing thanks to its numerous tributaries. On its shores, the endless Amazonian jungle rises, so dense that some of its sites remain unexplored to this day.

The Amazonian jungle is called the "lungs of the planet."

In contrast to the rainforests of the Amazon on the mainland, there is one of the driest places on the planet - the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. In Argentina and Uruguay, the hot and dusty steppes of the Pampa stretch out.

There are vast lakes, high waterfalls, and rocky islands in South America. From the north, the mainland is washed warm waters Caribbean, while its southernmost point - the island of Tierra del Fuego - is subject to frequent storms from the cold Atlantic Ocean.

South America is the fourth largest continent belonging to the group of southern continents: the map shows that most of it is located in the Southern Hemisphere, and only a small region of it is in the Northern. On a total area of ​​17 800 sq. km there are 12 countries in South America, as well as 3 independent territories, and each of the countries has its own official language, flag, currency, culture and customs. Let's take a closer look at which states are part of South America.

general characteristics

South America is characterized by an amazing variety and indescribable flavor of absolutely all countries located on the continent.

Before the conquest of the mainland in the 16th century by the Spanish conquerors, Indians lived here. Over time, the Portuguese and Spaniards brought immigrants from Africa to the continent as a labor force. Subsequently, many regions of South America were settled by immigrants from Western and Eastern Europe. Despite the great differences in culture, religion and general way of life different nations live on common area surprisingly calm, without major conflicts.

Rice. 1. Population of South America

By race, the entire population of the mainland can be divided into three main types:

  • Indians;
  • Europeans;
  • black people.

In Colombia, Venezuela, Paraguay and Ecuador, the local population is mostly represented by mestizos - the descendants of Indians and Europeans. In Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia, there are a lot of representatives of the Negroid race, and in Chile, Uruguay and Argentina - the advantage over the Europeans. And only in Peru and Bolivia the indigenous people of South America form the majority.

The most spoken languages ​​are Spanish and Portuguese. However, the population of South America is so diverse and diverse that you can hear English, French, German, Italian speech here - these foreign languages are the most popular and are taught in school. Russian is spoken only by tourists and immigrants from countries of the former Soviet Union... Quite often on the streets you can hear the colorful speech of the native Indians: Aymara, Quechua, Guara, Araucanian.

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Rice. 2. South America on the map

Table "List of countries in South America and their capital"

The name of the country Capital Language Currency Area of ​​South American countries, sq. km
Argentina Buenos Aires Spanish Argentine peso 2 766 890
Bolivia La Paz, Sucre Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Guarani and 33 more languages Boliviano 1 098 581
Brazil Brasilia Portuguese Brazilian real 8 514 877
Venezuela Caracas Spanish Venezuelan Bolivar 916 445
Guyana Georgetown English Guyanese dollar 214 970
Colombia Santa Fe de Bogota Spanish Colombian peso 1 138 910
Paraguay Asuncion Spanish, Guarani Paraguay Guarani 406 752
Peru Lima Spanish, Quechua New salt 1 285 220
Suriname Paramaribo Dutch Surinamese dollar 163 270
Uruguay Montevideo Spanish Uruguayan peso 176 220
Chile Santiago Spanish Chilean peso 756 950
Ecuador Quito Spanish U.S. dollar 283 560
Dependent territories
French guiana Cayenne French Euro 86 504
Falkland Islands Stanley English Falkland Islands pound 12,173
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Grytviken English GBP 3 093

Brief overview of the countries of South America

Each country on the continent has its own characteristics.

  • Brazil - the largest country in terms of area and population. It is known all over the world for its first-class beaches and carnivals in Rio de Janeiro.

Rice. 3. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

  • Argentina - notable for its capital Buenos Aires, where the famous carnival procession is held annually.
  • Bolivia - Sucre is officially considered the capital of the country, but the local government prefers the largest and most beautiful city in Bolivia - La Paz.
  • Venezuela - the country in which the north comes into its possession. On the outskirts of Caracas is located National park with untouched tropical nature.
  • Guyana Is a land of constantly humid jungle. Up to 90% of Guyana's territory is occupied by dense forests.
  • Guiana - despite the fact that this is the territory of South America, however, it is impossible to get to this French region without a visa.
  • Colombia - is different big amount museums, which have collected the richest cultural and historical heritage. This country is a symbiosis of two cultures - Indian and European.
  • Paraguay - a country that does not have its own access to the sea. In the capital - Asuncion - there are many original architectural monuments.
  • Peru Is a mountainous country located in the Andes on the west coast. It is full of mysteries and amazing stories, because it was here that the Inca civilization developed at one time.
  • Suriname - the smallest state in South America, which has preserved a unique colonial style.
  • Uruguay - the country is famous, first of all, thanks to its traditional carnival, which is in no way inferior to the Argentinean in its significance and scope.
  • Chile - the country is located in a very picturesque place along the Pacific coast, partly in the highlands of the Andes.
  • Ecuador - an equatorial country with preserved monuments of ancient culture, museums.

All the states of South America emerged as a result of liberation wars and revolutions directed against former colonialists such as Spain, Portugal and Great Britain. The history of the formation of the countries of Latin America is no less interesting than the European one, and much more expressive.

States of South America

The modern political map of South America has thirteen states and two dependent territories, one of which - the Falkland Islands - still cannot be divided by Great Britain and Argentina. Because of this dispute, a war even broke out in 1982, as a result of which control over the islands was finally established in Great Britain. Argentina, however, did not recognize this fact and continues to call the islands Malvinas, which should emphasize their belonging to the South American republic.

Brazil is the largest state in South America both in area and in population. The territory of Brazil was colonized by the Portuguese, who ruled these lands until 1822, when the country's independence from the mother country was proclaimed.

However, the new state inherited the Portuguese form of government - the monarchy, and the new country began to be called the Brazilian Empire, which was headed by the son of the previous monarch. However, the monarchy ended in Brazil in 1889 when Emperor Pedro l was overthrown in a military coup. Since then, Brazil has been a republic.

List of countries in South America

Every state that exists today in South America is a republic by the form of government, and in many countries this is enshrined in the official name. In the names of some states, even the ethnic composition is fixed, as, for example, in Bolivia.

Here is a list of all the states of South America and the territories that traditionally belong to it:

  • Argentine Republic;
  • Plurinational State of Bolivia;
  • Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela;
  • Guyana;
  • Republic of Colombia;
  • Republic of Paraguay;
  • Republic of Peru;
  • Republic of Suriname;
  • Eastern Republic of Uruguay;
  • Falkland Islands, owned by Great Britain but contested by Argentina;
  • Guiana - French Overseas Territory;
  • Chile;
  • Republic of Ecuador.

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands undoubtedly belong to the United Kingdom, but they do not have a permanent population, or the population does not exceed twenty people.

North America

Both American continents are connected by a thin, but very important isthmus, which in the pre-colonial period ensured the connectivity of the various cultures that existed on the two continents.

Some scholars believe that it was along this isthmus that the Indians who belonged to the ancient cultures of South America and ultimately ended up in Mexico made the transition.

In addition to common ancient roots, the states of North and South America have another common origin, closer to modernity: they are all the fruits of European colonization, aggressive and merciless towards the local population, as a result of which many millions of people died and entire cultures and civilizations were destroyed. such as the Incas and Aztecs.

Rich North and Poor South

However, there are also many differences between countries such as the United States and Canada and the states of Central and South America.

All Spanish-speaking countries and former Portuguese colonies are now classified as emerging economies. They face frequent political and economic crises, as well as difficulties with public administration and an excessive level of corruption in the state apparatus.

In addition, cocaine is industrially produced in South America, which is then transported to the United States through Mexico. All this creates an environment for all kinds of abuse by the authorities and maximally comfortable conditions for running a criminal business, the victims of which are thousands of people every year.

Additional tension between the states of South America and the United States is created due to illegal migration caused by the natural desire of people from the south to improve their living conditions.

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Books

  • World Atlas. Political and physical maps, A. Sharonov (ed.). Detailed color illustrated encyclopedia contains physical and political maps all countries of the world, indicating their administrative division into regions, provinces and regions .. Edition ...