South America is the fourth largest of the seven continents and has a surface area of 17,840,000 km² (6,890,000 sq mi). The population is about 422.5 million people as of 2016 making it the fifth most populous continent. With a peak of 6,962 meters (22,841 feet) above sea level, the south face of Aconcagua Mountain is the highest point on the South American continent. It is located in the Andes Mountain Range and is the second highest summit of the Seven Summits. The salt water lake, Laguna del Carbón, is South America’s lowest point at 104.8 m (344 feet) below sea level. It is about 54 kilometers from Argentina’s Puerto San Julian city. South America’s evidence of human existence dates back to 9000 BC. One of the oldest civilizations in South America is reported in Peru. From the late 15th century, South America was colonized mainly by foreign colonizers from Spain and Portugal, as well as from the Netherlands, England and France. Some major cities are São Paulo, Lima, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago, & Buenos Aires.

The countries and territories of South America are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, South Georgia, & the South Sandwich Islands.