South America is a part of the world with an area of about 18 million km2. South America was discovered during Spanish naval expeditions.

For a long time, the states of South America were colonially dependent on European powers. After the fall of the metropolises, the reconstruction period began in South America.

Population of South America

The population of South America can be ethnically divided into three categories: whites, mestizos and Indians. Mestizo people predominate in countries such as Paraguay, Venezuela, Ecuador and Colombia. The people of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Chile are of European descent.

In countries such as Bolivia and Peru, descendants of the aborigines live - ethnic Indians. At the beginning of the 19th century, the states of South America were covered by a wave of migrants from Europe.

Today, every fifth resident of South America is a direct descendant of the Spaniards or Italians. The absolute majority of the continent's population professes Christianity (Catholicism, Protestant movements).

In remote regions, ancient national beliefs have also been preserved. The socioeconomic population of South Americans depends on the country in which they live. So the most developed country on the continent is Argentina.

In countries such as Venezuela, Bolivia and Paraguay, there is social inequality - wealthy people (15% of the total population) own 60% of public wealth. About 50% of the population of these states lives below the poverty line.

The high level of urbanization in South American countries does not correspond to the actual number of jobs. This leads to an increase in crime in some states. A striking example of false urbanization in South America is the urbanization of Brazil.

Mainland countries

South America consists of fifteen countries that are located directly on the continent, as well as in the adjacent territories.

South American countries: Guatemala, Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, Ecuador, Argentina, Antarctica and Venezuela.

South American countries are classified as developing countries. Each country has rich natural resources, scientific and human potential.

The main economic partners of South American countries are the USA, China, Great Britain and Germany. The largest cities in South America are: Rio de Janeiro (6 million), Sao Paulo (11 million), Buenos Aires (3 million), Lima (7 million), Caracas (3 million).

South American population report

The modern population of South America is anthropologically very diverse. It includes representatives of various races: American (indigenous Indians), Caucasoid (descendants of settlers from Europe), Negroid (descendants of slaves taken from Africa), as well as numerous mixed groups of mestizos, mulattoes, and Sambos. Racial mixing in the countries of South America is proceeding at a rapid pace, and new racial types are gradually emerging. Before the advent of Europeans (late 15th century), South America was inhabited by various Indian tribes and peoples who spoke the languages of Quechua, Arawak, Chibcha, Tupigua-Rani, etc. The population was distributed unevenly: the high mountain valleys of the Central Andean Highlands were most densely populated, weaker than the lowlands of the Amazon basin . With the arrival of European conquerors (the Spaniards and Portuguese), fundamental changes occurred in the ethnic structure of the continent. Thousands of Africans were imported as slaves to work in the mines of the Viceroyalty of Peru and the sugar cane plantations of the coast of Venezuela and northeastern Brazil. In the Central Andian Highlands, blacks for the most part disappeared into the local population; in the other two regions, their participation in ethnic processes and contribution to culture was great. A large population of mixed European-Negro and Negro-Indian origin has developed here. After the countries of South America gained independence, sharp changes in the ethnic composition occurred in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay due to the massive influx of immigrants from Italy, Germany and other European countries (they were attracted mainly for the development of national territories in the 2nd half of the 19th and early 20th centuries), and in Guyana and Suriname due to immigration from Asia (mainly China and India). The majority of the modern population of South America is of mixed Indian-European origin, but in the northeast of the mainland the population is predominantly of Negro-European origin. In a number of countries in South America, large Indian peoples have survived: the Quechua in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, the Aymara in Bolivia, the Araucanas in Chile. In addition, in the outlying regions of almost all states (for example, northern Argentina, the Amazon in Brazil, northwestern Colombia, etc.) small Indian tribes and peoples speaking their own languages have also survived.
The modern population of South America is anthropologically very diverse. It includes representatives of various races: American (indigenous Indians), Caucasoid (descendants of settlers from Europe), Negroid (descendants of slaves taken from Africa), as well as numerous mixed groups of mestizos, mulattoes, and Sambos. Racial mixing in the countries of South America is proceeding at a rapid pace, and new racial types are gradually emerging. Before the advent of Europeans (late 15th century), South America was inhabited by various Indian tribes and peoples who spoke the languages of Quechua, Arawak, Chibcha, Tupigua-Rani, etc. The population was distributed unevenly: the high mountain valleys of the Central Andean Highlands were most densely populated, weaker than the lowlands of the Amazon basin . With the arrival of European conquerors (the Spaniards and Portuguese), fundamental changes occurred in the ethnic structure of the continent. Thousands of Africans were imported as slaves to work in the mines of the Viceroyalty of Peru and the sugar cane plantations of the coast of Venezuela and northeastern Brazil. In the Central Andian Highlands, blacks for the most part disappeared into the local population; in the other two regions, their participation in ethnic processes and contribution to culture was great. A large population of mixed European-Negro and Negro-Indian origin has developed here. After the countries of South America gained independence, sharp changes in the ethnic composition occurred in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay due to the massive influx of immigrants from Italy, Germany and other European countries (they were attracted mainly for the development of national territories in the 2nd half of the 19th and early 20th centuries), and in Guyana and Suriname due to immigration from Asia (mainly China and India). The majority of the modern population of South America is of mixed Indian-European origin, but in the northeast of the mainland the population is predominantly of Negro-European origin. In a number of countries in South America, large Indian peoples have survived: the Quechua in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, the Aymara in Bolivia, the Araucanas in Chile. In addition, in the outlying regions of almost all states (for example, northern Argentina, the Amazon in Brazil, northwestern Colombia, etc.) small Indian tribes and peoples speaking their own languages have also survived
The settlement of South America by humans ended later than other continents - only 12-15 thousand years ago. It is impossible to say unambiguously how the continent was populated. Most likely, man entered America from Asia. This happened during the Late Paleolithic - about 35 thousand years ago. During this era, there was an ice age on Earth, and the Bering Strait, connecting Eurasia and America, was covered with ice. The ancient peoples of Asia migrated through it in search of new lands suitable for living and hunting, and so they began to explore a new part of the world - America. But it took them another 20 thousand years to reach the southernmost tip.
Follow the link - http://geography7.wikidot.com/population-of-south-america
The modern population of South America is anthropologically very diverse. It includes representatives of various races: American (indigenous Indians), Caucasoid (descendants of immigrants from Europe), Negroid (descendants of slaves taken from Africa), as well as numerous mixed groups of mestizos, mulattoes, and Sambos. Racial mixing in the countries of South America is proceeding at a rapid pace, and new racial types are gradually emerging. Before the advent of Europeans (late 15th century), South America was inhabited by various Indian tribes and peoples who spoke the languages of Quechua, Arawak, Chibcha, Tupigua-Rani, etc. The population was distributed unevenly: the high mountain valleys of the Central Andean Highlands were most densely populated, weaker than the lowlands of the Amazon basin . With the arrival of European conquerors (the Spaniards and Portuguese), fundamental changes occurred in the ethnic structure of the continent. Thousands of Africans were imported as slaves to work in the mines of the Viceroyalty of Peru and the sugar cane plantations of the coast of Venezuela and northeastern Brazil. In the Central Andian Highlands, blacks for the most part disappeared into the local population; in the other two regions, their participation in ethnic processes and contribution to culture was great. A large population of mixed European-Negro and Negro-Indian origin has developed here. After the countries of South America gained independence, sharp changes in the ethnic composition occurred in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay due to the massive influx of immigrants from Italy, Germany and other European countries (they were attracted mainly for the development of national territories in the 2nd half of the 19th and early 20th centuries). as well as in Guyana and Suriname due to immigration from Asia (mainly from China and India). The majority of the modern population of South America is of mixed Indian-European origin, but in the northeast of the mainland the population is predominantly of Negro-European origin. In a number of countries in South America, large Indian peoples have survived: the Quechua in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, the Aymara in Bolivia, the Araucanas in Chile. In addition, in the outlying regions of almost all states (for example, northern Argentina, the Amazon in Brazil, northwestern Colombia, etc.) small Indian tribes and peoples speaking their own languages have also survived. The official language of the vast majority of South American countries is Spanish, Brazil is Portuguese. Of the Indian languages, the second official language is only Quechua in Peru. Paraguay is very unique, where most of the population uses the Indian language Guarani, speaking Spanish to one degree or another. In Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago the official language is English, in the former Dutch colony of Suriname it is Dutch, and in French Guiana it is French. The majority of the religious population of South America

The population of South America is very diverse and colorful. It consists of representatives of a wide variety of races who, at different periods of history, mastered this continent. A characteristic feature is racial mixing, which is proceeding at a very rapid pace in all South American countries.

Population of mainland South America

The racial composition of the inhabitants of South America is very complex, and this is due to the peculiarities of the history of the development of the continent. More than 250 different peoples and nationalities live here, who have been in close interaction with each other for many years.

Representatives of three major races live in South America:

equatorial (indigenous population - Indians);
European (descendants of immigrants from European countries);
Negroid (descendants of black slaves brought from African countries).

In addition to pure races, several mixed groups also live on the mainland:

mestizos - a mixture of Europeans and Indians;
mulattoes - a mixture of Europeans and Africans;
sambo - a mixture of Indians and blacks.

It is noteworthy that during the colonial system, a special social hierarchy reigned in local society, dominated by Creoles - descendants of European conquerors, born in America. All mixed groups belonged to the lower classes.

History of development

A distinctive feature of the formation of the population of South America is its relative immaturity - only a few centuries. Before the continent was conquered by Spanish and Portuguese invaders in the late 15th century, it was home to Indian peoples and tribes who spoke the languages of Quechua, Chibcha, Tupigua Rani and others. However, after the capture of the mainland by the Spaniards and Portuguese, the main population began to rapidly mix.

TOP 4 articleswho are reading along with this

Rice. 1. Indians of South America

The ethnic structure of South America began to change seriously after the importation of large numbers of black slaves from the African continent. They made a great contribution to the original culture of the peoples inhabiting the mainland.

Rice. 2. Black South Americans

Another leap in the development of the ethnic structure occurred after the recognition of the independence of the countries of South America. During this period, the continent became a refuge for numerous refugees from Eastern and Western Europe, India, and China.

Despite the great mixture of nationalities within the continent, in some South American countries the original Indian peoples are still preserved: Quechua, Aymara, Araucans. They managed to preserve not only racial purity, but also numbers. Their main occupation is agriculture.

Rice. 3. Quechua - the indigenous people of South America

Population distribution of South America

The average population density ranges from 10-25 people per 1 sq. km. This data differs only for French Guiana, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname - these regions are less populated than all the others.

The peculiarities of nature and climate are such that the population of the continent is uneven and unequal. Most people live in large cities. For example, in Argentina, per 1 sq. km there are more than 100 people, and in Patagonia this figure is 100 times less - only 1 person per 1 sq. km. km.

The least populated areas of the continent are its interior regions - the vast forests of the Amazon, as well as some areas of the Andes. Some of these spaces are completely deserted. This indicates poor development of much of South America.

What have we learned?

When considering one of the topics in the geography of the 7th grade program, we learned how the population of South America was formed, what influenced these processes, and how quickly they proceeded. We also found out what the main races inhabit the continent, how they mixed with each other, and what is the peculiarity of the settlement of the continent.

Test on the topic

Evaluation of the report

Average rating: 4.7. Total ratings received: 311.

The settlement of South America by humans ended later than other continents - only 12-15 thousand years ago. It is impossible to say unambiguously how the continent was populated. Most likely, man entered America from Asia. This happened during the late Paleolithic - about 35 thousand years ago. During this era, there was an ice age on Earth, and the Bering Strait, connecting Eurasia and America, was covered with ice. The ancient peoples of Asia migrated through it in search of new lands suitable for living and hunting, and so they began to explore a new part of the world - America. But it took them another 20 thousand years to reach its southernmost tip.

As you know, the indigenous peoples of America are called Indians. They were also called Indians by Christopher Columbus, who, having discovered America, was sure that he had reached the shores of India. In European languages, for example in English, the words “Indian” and “Indian” are still written and sounded the same: “Indian”. When Europeans set foot in America in 1492, it was the beginning of the end for most of its indigenous inhabitants. Very soon, European travelers began to behave like conquerors, taking from the Indians everything that they did not agree to give them for nothing. Within 30 years, on the very first islands discovered by the Spaniards, the entire indigenous population was destroyed. The colonialists carried with them the material culture of Europe: steel weapons, horses, grain, but trade with indigenous peoples always came with pressure on them, and ended with military actions against them and the destruction of tribes that stood in the way of the colonialists. At the same time, the Spaniards brought other troubles to the mainland - European diseases. To this day it is unknown how many Indians died from them, and what turned out to be more destructive for them: Spanish blades or viruses to which the local population had no immunity - a common “cold” for a European could turn out to be a fatal infection for many of the Indians. Entire Aboriginal tribes died out from measles and smallpox.

Of course, not all the peoples of South America were at the level of the tribal system, despite the fact that most of them still lived in tribes - they did not require high technology to get food. Hunting and gathering could feed a tribe for generations, and living in harmony with nature was the best survival tactic for these people. But on the mainland there were peoples with a more developed material culture. Among them, the Inca Empire stands out first. The Incas controlled large areas of western South America. They knew how to build stone buildings, lay roads, water pipelines, they had a complex social hierarchy and a strong army, with the help of which they conquered and kept many other peoples of South America in obedience. The Incas knew the processing of bronze, however, due to the lack of iron ores in the Andes on their territory, they remained at the level of the “Bronze Age”, passed by Europeans already 2-3 thousand years ago. The Incas did not have horses either. The wild horse did not survive in America, unlike Eurasia, which is perhaps why the peoples of America never invented the wheel. Of course, the Inca Empire was not able to repel the Europeans. In 20-30 years. In the 16th century, Francisco Pizarro captured this state. Today, all that remains of the Inca Empire are stone monuments of their vanished culture. First of all, this is the city of Machu Picchu (pictured). This is a stone city built in the Peruvian Andes, which is also called the "city in the sky" or the "lost city of the Incas". After the conquest of their Empire, the inhabitants of Machu Picchu mysteriously disappeared.

Since the 16th century, the Spaniards and Portuguese gradually developed new lands, founded more and more new settlements here, which turned into large cities. It is precisely because of the dominance of Spain and Portugal in Medieval Europe, and throughout the world of those times, that South America today speaks precisely these two languages. In most countries, such as Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Spanish is the official language. The largest country on the continent, Brazil, speaks Portuguese. Together with the colonialists, the Christian religion came here, which supplanted local beliefs. Most of the peoples of South America now profess Catholicism.

To develop new lands and work on plantations in South America, from the 16th century, Europeans increasingly began to use slaves. The Indians were too freedom-loving for these purposes. They often preferred to die than to become slaves. Therefore, slaves began to be imported from Africa. In those difficult times, the slave trade was commonplace, conquered peoples were deprived of all rights and were doomed to death or slavery, and the concept of human rights or the equality of all people did not even exist - it was the dark Middle Ages, the echoes of which continued to be heard until the 19th century, when finally slavery was abolished. Black slaves were brought to America by the thousands. All these processes greatly influenced the population of the mainland. A hundred years ago, all of America was inhabited only by Indians - representatives of the Mongoloid race, but in the 16th century people of all three major races appeared here. Inbreeding gradually occurred between these races, as representatives of different races entered into marriages quite often. So the descendants of Europeans and blacks are called mulattoes. They have dark skin and features of both Europeans and Africans. Mestizos are descendants of Indians and Europeans. Mestizo people inhabit primarily the northern part of South America - Venezuela, Colombia. As a result of the mixing of Indians and blacks, another type of appearance arose - sambo.

Today, 358.7 million people live in South America. Among them are representatives of all human races. A significant part are descendants of emigrants from Europe. Not many purebred Indians have survived; the largest indigenous peoples are the Quechua and Aymara. However, in the depths of the Amazonian jungle there are still small tribes that have never met Europeans. They live in isolation and have no idea about the existence of the rest of humanity. From time to time it is possible to discover new tribes, but their study remains almost impossible.

Racial composition of South America

Considering indigenous people of South America, it is worth noting that the Latin American continent is the region of the planet where Indians are allowed not only to live and develop freely, but also to occupy responsible leadership positions of national importance.

One example of how an Indian representative managed to get the presidency is the victory of Evo Morales in the elections in Bolivia. This person is a representative of the Aymara Indian tribe, that is, a representative of the indigenous population of South America. This national identity makes Evo Morales a true leader for all the indigenous peoples of South America without exception. Another representative of Indian tribes who received the highest government position is the President of the Republic of Peru, Ollanta Humala. It belongs to one of the largest Peruvian Indian tribes - the Quechua. Of course, one should not assume that the lifestyle indigenous people of South America has not undergone any changes. Both Humala and Morales are active politicians who are trying to lead their states to prosperity. Let's analyze the situation with how they are distributed indigenous peoples of South America throughout the continent.

Those states where the indigenous population makes up a large percentage of the total number of citizens are Peru, Bolivia, Mexico and Guatemala. Moreover, in a state like Peru the Indian population is 14 million people. If we consider that throughout Latin America there are no more than 48 million Indians, then this is almost 30% of the total. The indigenous population of South America is not at all homogeneous and does not have strictly defined territories of compact residence. This is how the settlement of Indians occurred and continues to occur from Mexico to the southern regions of Argentina and Chile.

Indigenous peoples of South America- These are Aymara, Quechua, who are descendants of the Incas. These are the Guarani and Mapuche, living mainly in the southern part of the continent. By the way, more often, instead of the word “Mapuche”, another version of the name of the Indian people “Araucans” is used. Indigenous people of South America- These are also the Tehuelches, who were almost supplanted by those same Araucanians. This is the Chibcha (Mosca), whose culture and history is filled with no less mysteries and legends than the Mayan culture. In the Amazonian jungle of Peru live the collective Shipibo-Konibo people, who speak their own language, and few of the representatives of this indigenous people of South America understands Spanish. Shipibo-Konibo gave the world the famous Peruvian artist Pablo Amaringo. A large number of documentaries have been made about the Shipibo-Konibo culture. Some of them were awarded international awards at European and American documentary film festivals. Another representative of the indigenous population of South America lives in Venezuela and Guyana - the Varao (Guarao) Indians. Surprisingly, this tribe leads an almost entirely vegetarian lifestyle, allowing themselves to eat only fruits, vegetables and fish. This is due to the fact that Warao culture almost completely prohibits hunting, so as not to anger the Warao gods. The indigenous population of South America is also the extremely small Botocudo tribe living in Brazil. Representatives of this tribe still preach occult beliefs, often bringing themselves to the borderline between life and death in order to see their deceased ancestors and hear their advice. Botokudo does not have a developed counting system: apart from one, these people have no other numbers.

Also see:

Common language of Latin America

If we talk about the most common language in Latin America, it is Spanish. However, there are a number of other languages that are an integral part of the culture of South American countries. We are talking about Portuguese, English, Dutch and French.

Population density of South America: analysis of the current situation

The population of South America has grown significantly in recent years. This is due not only to the high birth rate, but also to some other factors that are worth talking about in more detail.