Ethnic Demographics
Descendants of Indigenous peoples, such as the Quechua and Aymara, or the Urarina of Amazonia make up the majority of the population in Bolivia (56%) and, per some sources, in Peru (44%). In Ecuador, Amerindians are a large minority that comprises two-fifths of the population. The white/European population is also a significant element in most other former Portuguese colonies.
The demographics of Colombia include approximately 20% white and European descendants, while in Peru, European descendants are the third group in importance (15%). Compared to other South American countries, the people of European descent are more of a majority in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, and are about half of the population of Brazil. In Venezuela the majority claimed to be multiracial and white, 49.9% and 42.2%, respectively.
South America is also home to one of the largest populations of Africans. This group is also significantly present in Guyana, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname, French Guiana, and Ecuador. Mestizos (mixed white and Amerindian) are the largest ethnic group in Paraguay, Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador and the second group in Peru. East Indians form the largest ethnic group in Guyana. Brazil followed by Peru also have the biggest Japanese, Korean and Chinese communities in South America.
Brazil is the most diverse country in South America and arguably the world, with large population of Whites, Mulattos, Mestizos, a significant population of Blacks, as well as a sizeable community of Asians (from East Asians to West Asians who are also known as Middle Easterners).
| Country or territory with flag |
Area (km²) (per sq mi) |
Population (July 2009 est.) |
Population density per km² |
Capital |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina ! Argentina | 2766890 !2,766,890 km2 (1,068,300 sq mi) | 40,482,000 | 1430 !14.3/km² (37/sq mi) | Buenos Aires |
| Bolivia ! Bolivia | 1098580 !1,098,580 km2 (424,160 sq mi) | 9,863,000 | 0810 !8.4/km² (21.8/sq mi) | La Paz and Sucre |
| Brazil ! Brazil | 8514877 !8,514,877 km2 (3,287,612 sq mi) | 191,241,714 | 2200 !22.0/km² (57/sq mi) | Brasília |
| Chile ! Chile | 0756950 ! 756,950 km2 (292,260 sq mi) | 16,928,873 | 2110 !22/km² (57/sq mi) | Santiago |
| Colombia ! Colombia | 1138910 !1,138,910 km2 (439,740 sq mi) | 45,928,970 | 3770 !40/km² (103.6/sq mi) | Bogotá |
| Ecuador ! Ecuador | 0283560 ! 283,560 km2 (109,480 sq mi) | 14,573,101 | 4710 !53.8/km² (139.3/sq mi) | Quito |
| Falkland Islands ! Falkland Islands (United Kingdom) | 0012173 ! 12,173 km2 (4,700 sq mi) | 3,140 | 0026 !0.26/km² (0.7/sq mi) | Port Stanley |
| French Guiana ! French Guiana (France) | 0091000 ! 91,000 km2 (35,000 sq mi) | 221,500 | 0210 !2.7/km² (5.4/sq mi) | Cayenne |
| Guyana ! Guyana | 0214999 ! 214,999 km2 (83,012 sq mi) | 772,298 | 0360 !3.5/km² (9.1/sq mi) | Georgetown |
| Paraguay ! Paraguay | 0406750 ! 406,750 km2 (157,050 sq mi) | 6,831,306 | 1560 !15.6/km² (40.4/sq mi) | Asunción |
| Peru ! Peru | 1285220 !1,285,220 km2 (496,230 sq mi) | 29,132,013 | 2170 !22/km² (57/sq mi) | Lima |
| South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands ! South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (United Kingdom) |
0003093 ! 3,093 km2 (1,194 sq mi) | 20 | 0000 !0/km² (0/sq mi) | Grytviken |
| Suriname ! Suriname | 0163270 ! 163,270 km2 (63,040 sq mi) | 472,000 | 0270 !3/km² (7.8/sq mi) | Paramaribo |
| Uruguay ! Uruguay | 0176220 ! 176,220 km2 (68,040 sq mi) | 3,477,780 | 1940 !19.4/km² (50.2/sq mi) | Montevideo |
| Venezuela ! Venezuela | 09116445 ! 916,445 km2 (353,841 sq mi) | 26,814,843 | 2780 !30.2/km² (72/sq mi) | Caracas |
| Total | 700717824513000000017,824,513 | 7008385742554000000385,742,554 | 21.5/km² |
Read more about this topic: South America
Famous quotes containing the word ethnic:
“Caprice, independence and rebellion, which are opposed to the social order, are essential to the good health of an ethnic group. We shall measure the good health of this group by the number of its delinquents. Nothing is more immobilizing than the spirit of deference.”
—Jean Dubuffet (1901–1985)