Today, the States of South America are aloneof the world's most significant producers of mineral raw materials and agricultural products. In addition, as in Africa, most countries here specialize in the extraction of several types of minerals. This economic orientation is the result of the colonial past of the continent.
Since ancient times, South America was inhabited by Indiantribes (Incas, Quechua, Aymara, etc.). Scientists believe that the first people on the mainland appeared another 17 thousand years ago. They came here from the territory of North America. In the first half of the XV century. here the Inca country was formed. By the time South Americans discovered the Europeans, they had created a strong state with developed agriculture. Other tribes at that time were still at a primitive level of development. With the discovery of South America, most of the Spanish and Portuguese settled here. They founded trading centers first, and then colonies. The states of South America became independent at the beginning of the XIX century. They have freed themselves from colonial oppression before the African countries, therefore have a higher level of development.
Today in South America there are 12independent states. Most of them are republics. Also on the mainland there are 3 dependent territories. At the moment, all states of South America are considered developing. The largest countries in the area are located in the lowland east. This is Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela. The Andean countries (Chile, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador) are big territories and diverse natural resources. Argentina, Brazil and Chile are characterized by a fairly high level of economic development. Other countries in their nature are agrarian-industrial.
Brazil is the largest state in South America.In its structure it is a federal republic. Until 1822, Brazil was a colony of Portugal. The country ranks first on the mainland in terms of the level of development of the extractive industry. Here are concentrated significant reserves of iron ore, gold, bauxite, manganese and other ore minerals. The textile, sewing, automobile and chemical industries are well developed. In addition, Brazil is famous for the production of coffee, cocoa and sugar cane.
The symbol of the country is Rio de Janeiro. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and the largest tourist center in South America.
Argentina is the second largest country in the SouthAmerica. According to its structure, it is considered a republic with its capital in Buenos Aires. Until 1816, Argentina was a colony of Spain. The Indian population is small. In Argentina, many descendants are not only Spanish immigrants, but also Italians, British, French. Most of the population lives in cities that are located on the coast.
Argentina is a developed state of South America. The machine-building and mining industries are of great importance here. But the main wealth is the pampas, huge plains with fertile lands.
Peru is the third largest country in the continent.Half of its population is made up of Hispanic Peruvians, and the second part is Indian peoples (Quechua, Aymara). The country has a developed mining industry. Processing industries are represented by ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy. Peru grow sugar cane, coffee, cocoa. There are a lot of enterprises on the coast where sardines, anchovies and other seafood are processed.
Suriname - the smallest state of SouthAmerica. In its structure it is a republic. Suriname gained independence in 1975, before that the country was a colony of the Netherlands. Industry is poorly developed. However, oil production is of great importance for the economy of Suriname.
