South America Overview

• Author: Paulo Marcos Rodrigues Brancher - Carla Amaral de Andrade Junqueira Canero
• Pages: 34-35

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South America Overview

Ricardo Barretto Ferreira da Silva

Paulo Marcos Rodrigues Brancher

Carla Amaral de Andrade Junqueira Canero

Editors

South America has an area of 17,840,000 square kilometers. The region’s popula-

tion is approximately 390 million. South America’s economy is based mostly on

agriculture and mineral extraction.

South America’s gross domestic product experienced fast recovery after the

financial crisis in 2007–2008. The recovery from the international crisis relied on

public policies intended to lower food and energy prices, as well as investment in

infrastructure, mainly in roadway networks and ports. Brazil has the largest ports

in South America. South America is connected by regular international flights and

has over 100,000 kilometers of railway networks.

In the energy sec tor, Brazil and Argentina obtain over 80 percent of their e nergy

from hydroelectric power or natural gas, and Brazil’s large sugar cane production

also leads to significant ethanol production, but alternative sources of energy are

growing. Colombia has the largest coal reserves in South America, and Venezuela

is one of the world’s biggest oil producers. Discoveries of oil in Brazil may generate

even higher production levels in the region.

The region also has the largest mining companies in the world and is rich in

silver, copper, and iron ore. Steel production is increasing due to the promotion of

national public policies.

The mobile division leads the telecom sector. Telecom companies in South

America offer 3G and 4G networks.