South America.

• Position: World Affairs Annual 2013

BRAZIL

The largest economy in South America and one of the biggest democracies in the world, Brazil is gearing up to host the 2016 Olympics. With its recent discovery of major offshore oil reserves, Brazil is increasingly becoming a major player on the world stage.

COLOMBIA

Colombia is trying to negotiate an end to a war with rebels that has dragged on for nearly half a century. At the same time, the U.S. has spent S5 billion to help Colombia's government fight another war-against drug cartels, which are a prime source of the cocaine that flows into the United States.

THE AMAZON

Stretching across 2 million square miles in nine countries-including Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, and Venezuela-the Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. Because it plays a key role in mitigating climate change by soaking up carbon dioxide, its ongoing shrinkage to development is a big concern.

VENEZUELA

Despite being treated for cancer, President Hugo Chavez won re-election in October and could remain in office until 2019. U.S. relations with oil-rich Venezuela have been tense since Chavez began taking the country down a repressive and anti-American path.

Sources

For area, population, urban population, annual population increase, percentage of population under 15, and life expectancy:

2012 World Population Data Sheet (Population Reference Bureau)

For political systems:

Based on information from Freedom in the World, an annual publication of Freedom House (a nonprofit human rights organization) and its website (freedomhouse.org); Encyclopedia Britannica; the U.S. State Department and its website (state.gov); and news accounts

For South Sudan and Sudan population and area:

World Book Encyclopedia

For heads of government:

Based on information from the GeoCities "Rulers" website (rulers.org); the State Department and its website; The World Factbook 2012 (C.I.A.); and news accounts

For capital, major languages, date of origin, literacy rate, and per capita GDP:

The World Factbook 2012 (C.I.A.)

For HDI:

Human Development Report 2011 (United Nations Development Program)

All figures are the latest available from each source for each country; all information as of Nov. 12, 2012.

South America COUNTRY AREA (SO NO URBAN POP. % CAPITAL POPULATION POP. RISE Argentina 1,073,520 91 Buenos 40,800,000 1.1 Aires Bolivia 424,164 66 La Paz 10,800,000 1.9 and Sucre Brazil 3,287,612 84 Brasilia 194,300,000 1.0 Chile 291,930 87 Santiago 17,400,000 1.0...