South America is a continent largely located in the Southern Hemisphere, with a population of more than 430 million people. It is bordered to the west by the Pacific Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, and to the north by North America and the Caribbean Sea. The largest country is Brazil, and the capitals of key countries include Brasília (Brazil), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Bogotá (Colombia).

Languages:
The main languages are Spanish and Portuguese. Portuguese is spoken mainly in Brazil, while Spanish is the dominant language in most other countries. In addition, there are many indigenous languages, such as Quechua, Guaraní, and Aymara. English, Dutch, and French are spoken in smaller regions.

History:
Most countries in South America gained independence from European colonial powers, mainly Spain and Portugal, in the early 19th century. The continent has a rich history of indigenous civilizations, such as the Inca Empire.

Religion:
The majority of the population is Christian, primarily Roman Catholic, with significant Protestant communities as well. Indigenous spiritual traditions also exist, along with Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, and Buddhist minorities.

Other key facts:

• The Amazon region, the largest tropical rainforest in the world, is located in South America.

• The Andes Mountains, the longest continental mountain range in the world, runs along the western edge of the continent.

• The economy varies widely by country but is often based on natural resources, agriculture, and growing industrial and service sectors.