South America is the fourth-largest continent on the planet, with approximately 6,890,000 square miles in total (17,840,000 square km).
It’s no wonder that the continent is a popular tourist destination, with twelve nations rich in history, gorgeous scenery, and archaeological sites.
Over 70 South American locales have been designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, indicating that they are culturally, historically, or scientifically significant.
Over 70 South American locales have been designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, indicating that they are culturally, historically, or scientifically significant.
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Here are the five facts about South America
1. Simón Bolivar, The Liberator’s Almost Forgotten Heroism
Simón Bolivar, a Venezuelan soldier, was one of the continent’s finest military leaders. Bolvar, known as the George Washington of South America, was a key figure in the anti-Spanish uprisings. He was instrumental in the liberation of what are today Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Panama, Ecuador, and Bolivia.
Despite his achievements, Bolivar died a failure in 1830, and his political opponents in Venezuela banned the use of his name.
It took approximately 40 years for his significance to be recognized. The then-President of Venezuela, Antonio Guzman Blanco, was instrumental in restoring Bolivar’s legacy.
He had Bolivar’s remains reinterred at Venezuela’s National Pantheon’s hall of heroes, and the present Venezuelan currency was named after him.
2. Other than Spanish and Portuguese, a number of languages are spoken.
South America is one of the world’s most linguistically heterogeneous continents. According to a 2015 World Bank research, South America has over 560 Indigenous languages, with around 200 of them spoken in Brazil alone.
Quechua, Guarani, and Aymara are the top 3 most spoken Indigenous languages on the continent, whereas Spanish, Portuguese, and English are the most spoken immigrant languages.
Other languages spoken by a tiny fraction of the population include German, Italian, and Japanese.
3. The Oldest Known Civilization Flourished At The Same Time As Mesopotamia
Other languages spoken by a tiny fraction of the population include German, Italian, and Japanese.
While the Inca Empire was one of South America’s major ancient civilizations, the Caral-Supe/Norte Chico is the Americas’ earliest known sophisticated civilization. It arose in the same period as the civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and India.
Around 6,000 years ago, the Caral-Supe developed in four valleys in northeastern Peru, totaling 30 human communities. The archaeological site of Caral, located 112 miles north of Lima, Peru, was built around 5,000 years ago and is considered the Americas’ oldest city.
4. It’s a Biodiversity Hotspot of Serious Importance
Because it covers two hemispheres and four primary climate zones (tropical, temperate, desert, and cold), South America is rich in biodiversity. In addition, five of the world’s 17 megadiverse nations are in South America: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.
While the Amazon Rainforest and the Galapagos Islands are well-known for their diverse flora and fauna, the Atlantic Rainforest, the Cerrado, the Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivian Forests, the Tumbes-Choco-Magdalena, and the Tropical Andes are all rich in biodiversity.
5. Some indigenous peoples have yet to be contacted.
South America is home to many of the world’s uncontacted tribes, with many of them residing deep within the Rain Forest.
At least 100 uncontacted clans are known to exist in the Amazon, according to the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI), a Brazilian government institution.
The Awa in Brazil, Mashco Piro in Peru, Ayoreo in Paraguay, and Yanomami in Venezuela are some of the continent’s uncontacted tribes.
Because they are continually threatened by illegal hunters and loggers, the Awa are considered the world’s most endangered tribe.
Outside of the Amazon, the Ayoreo dwell alone in the Chaco and are considered South America’s last uncontacted people.
The variety of South America may be seen in its landscape as well as its nations and people. Travelers visiting this enigmatic continent rich with life and history will find rainforests, mountains, towns, Indigenous communities, hundreds of languages, and hundreds of civilizations.