South America

South America is a part of the American continent traversed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. South America is situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean.

People

Ethnic groups of South America include:

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• Awá
• Banawa
• Caiapos
• Enxet
• European descendants, especially from Spain, Portugal and Italy.
• Ge
• Incas
• Juris
• Latin peoples
• Mapuche
• Mestizo
• Xucuru
• Zaparos

Indigenous peoples make up the majority of the population in Bolivia and Peru, and are a significant element in most other former Spanish colonies. Exceptions to this include Argentina and Uruguay. At least three of the Amerindian languages (Quechua in Peru and Bolivia, Aymara also in Bolivia, and Guarani in Paraguay) are recognized along with Spanish as national languages. Argentina is 10 percent Indian.

Related Topics:
Indigenous peoples - Bolivia - Peru - Spanish - Argentina - Uruguay - Quechua - Aymara - Guarani - Paraguay - Spanish - Indian

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Mestizos

"Mestizo" is a term of Spanish origin used to designate the peoples of mixed European and Amerindian racial strain inhabiting the region spanning the Americas.

Related Topics:
Mestizo - Spanish - Europe - Amerindian - The Americas

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Mestizos officially make up the majority of the populations of Chile (90%), Colombia (58%), Ecuador (65%), Paraguay (95%) and Venezuela (67%). Figures in other countries are Argentina (about 13%), Bolivia (30%), Brazil (about 12%), Uruguay (8%) and Peru (37%).

Related Topics:
Chile - Colombia - Ecuador - Paraguay - Venezuela - Argentina - Bolivia - Brazil - Uruguay - Peru

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African ancestry

Africans first arrived with the Spanish and Portuguese in the 16th century. Most were brought as slaves and delivered to Brazil and the Caribbean. Brazil now has about 60 million black people. Venezuela and Colombia also have significant black population.

Related Topics:
Africa - 16th century - Caribbean - Venezuela - Colombia

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"Mulato" is a term of Spanish origin (Mulatto in English) describing Latin Americans of mixed African and White racial descent.

Related Topics:
Mulato - Spanish - Latin Americans

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"Zambo" is a term of Spanish origin describing Latin Americans of mixed African and Amerindian racial descent. The feminine form is zamba.

Related Topics:
Zambo - Spanish - Latin Americans

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