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 a n area of 17,840,000 square kilometers. T he region’s popula-

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

agriculture and mineral ext raction.

South America’s gross domestic product exp erienced fast recovery after t he

financial cri sis in 2007–2008. T he recovery from the international crisis relied on

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

infrastruc ture, main ly in roadway networks and ports. Brazi l has the largest port s

in South America. S outh America is conne cted by regular inter national flights a nd

has over 100,000 kilometer s of railway networks.

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

from hydroelectric power or natural g as, and Brazil’s large sugar ca ne production

also leads to signific ant ethanol production, but alternat ive sources of energy are

growing. Colombia has the lar gest coal reserves in S outh 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 reg ion.

The region also has the la rgest mining compa nies 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 se ctor. Telecom companies in South

America offer 3G and 4G net works.