Continents / South America

South America, encompassing approximately 17 840 000 km² (6,890,000 square miles) along with its surrounding islands, constitutes about 5.5% of the Earth’s surface. In terms of landmass, it is the fourth-largest continent.

Home to over 430 million people, South America is the fifth most populous continent globally. This represents around 5.5% of the world’s population as of 2020. While not as densely populated as some other continents, South America exhibits diverse cultures, landscapes, and a rich history.