The statistic shows the largest countries in South America, based on land area. Brazil is the largest country by far, with a total area of over 8.5 million square kilometers, followed by Argentina, with almost 2.8 million square kilometers.

Based on land area, Brazil is the largest country in Latin America by far, with a total area of over 8.5 million square kilometers. Argentina follows with almost 2.8 million square kilometers. Cuba, whose surface area extends over almost 111,000 square kilometers, is the Caribbean country with the largest territory.

Brazil: a country with a lot to offer

Brazil's borders reach nearly half of the South American subcontinent, making it the fifth-largest country in the world and the third-largest country in the Western Hemisphere. Along with its landmass, Brazil also boasts the largest population and economy in the region. Although Brasília is the capital, the most significant portion of the country's population is concentrated along its coastline in the cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

South America: a region of extreme geographic variation

With the Andes mountain range in the West, the Amazon Rainforest in the East, the Equator in the North, and Cape Horn as the Southern-most continental tip, South America has some of the most diverse climatic and ecological terrains in the world. At its core, its biodiversity can largely be attributed to the Amazon, the world's largest tropical rainforest, and the Amazon river, the world's largest river. However, with this incredible wealth of ecology also comes great responsibility. In the past decade, roughly 80,000 square kilometers of the Brazilian Amazon were destroyed. And, as of late 2019, there were at least 1,000 threatened species in Brazil alone.

The statistic shows the largest countries in Central America, based on land area. Nicaragua is the largest country in the subregion, with a total area of over 130 thousand square kilometers, followed by Honduras, with more than 112 thousand square kilometers.

Russia is the largest country in the world by far, with a total area of just over 17 million square kilometers. After Antarctica, the next three countries are Canada, the U.S., and China; all between 9.5 and 10 million square kilometers. The figures given include internal water surface area (such as lakes or rivers) - if the figures were for land surface only then China would be the second largest country in the world, the U.S. third, and Canada (the country with more lakes than the rest of the world combined) fourth. Russia Russia has a population of around 145 million people, putting it in the top ten most populous countries in the world, and making it the most populous in Europe. However, it's vast size gives it a very low population density, ranked among the bottom 20 countries. Most of Russia's population is concentrated in the west, with around 75 percent of the population living in the European part, while around 75 percent of Russia's territory is in Asia; the Ural Mountains are considered the continental border. Elsewhere in the world Beyond Russia, the world's largest countries all have distinctive topographies and climates setting them apart. The United States, for example, has climates ranging from tundra in Alaska to tropical forests in Florida, with various mountain ranges, deserts, plains, and forests in between. Populations in these countries are often concentrated in urban areas, and are not evenly distributed across the country. For example, around 85 percent of Canada's population lives within 100 miles of the U.S. border; around 95 percent of China lives east of the Heihe–Tengchong Line that splits the country; and the majority of populations in large countries such as Australia or Brazil live near the coast.

This dataset provides values for GDP reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

As of 2021, Ecuador had a population density of ** people per squared kilometer, the highest in South America. Colombia ranked second, with ** people per km2 of land area. When it comes to total population in South America, Brazil had the largest number, with over *** million inhabitants.

Guyana was the South American country 20360the highest gross national income per capita, with 20,360 U.S. dollars per person in 2023. Uruguay ranked second, registering a GNI of 19,530 U.S. dollars per person, based on current prices. Gross national income (GNI) is the aggregated sum of the value added by residents in an economy, plus net taxes (minus subsidies) and net receipts of primary income from abroad. Which are the largest Latin American economies? Based on annual gross domestic product, which is the total amount of goods and services produced in a country per year, Brazil leads the regional ranking, followed by Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. Many Caribbean countries and territories hold the highest GDP per capita in this region, measurement that reflects how GDP would be divided if it was perfectly equally distributed among the population. GNI per capita is, however, a more exact calculation of wealth than GDP per capita, as it takes into consideration taxes paid and income receipts from abroad. How much inequality is there in Latin America? In many Latin American countries, more than half the total wealth created in their economies is held by the richest 20 percent of the population. When a small share of the population concentrates most of the wealth, millions of people don't have enough to make ends meet. For instance, in Brazil, about 5.32 percent of the population lives on less than 3.2 U.S. dollars per day.

In 2024, it was estimated that approximately 662 million people lived in Latin America and the Caribbean. Brazil is the most populated country in the region, with an estimated 211.999 million inhabitants in that year, followed by Mexico with more than 130.861 million.

In 2025, approximately 23 million people lived in the São Paulo metropolitan area, making it the biggest in Latin America and the Caribbean and the sixth most populated in the world. The homonymous state of São Paulo was also the most populous federal entity in the country. The second place for the region was Mexico City with 22.75 million inhabitants. Brazil's cities Brazil is home to two large metropolises, only counting the population within the city limits, São Paulo had approximately 11.45 million inhabitants, and Rio de Janeiro around 6.21 million inhabitants. It also contains a number of smaller, but well known cities such as Brasília, Salvador, Belo Horizonte and many others, which report between 2 and 3 million inhabitants each. As a result, the country's population is primarily urban, with nearly 88 percent of inhabitants living in cities. Mexico City Mexico City's metropolitan area ranks sevenths in the ranking of most populated cities in the world. Founded over the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan in 1521 after the Spanish conquest as the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, the city still stands as one of the most important in Latin America. Nevertheless, the preeminent economic, political, and cultural position of Mexico City has not prevented the metropolis from suffering the problems affecting the rest of the country, namely, inequality and violence. Only in 2023, the city registered a crime incidence of 52,723 reported cases for every 100,000 inhabitants and around 24 percent of the population lived under the poverty line.

South America Bus market was valued at 2.48 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 3.55 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 6.15%.

The Latin American food cans market, valued at $2.20 billion in 2025, is projected to experience steady growth, driven by several key factors. The increasing demand for convenient and shelf-stable food products, particularly ready meals and processed foods, fuels this expansion. Rising disposable incomes across the region, coupled with a burgeoning population, are creating a larger consumer base for canned goods. Furthermore, the robust food processing industry in Latin America, with its emphasis on efficiency and preservation, is a significant driver. The market's segmentation reveals aluminium and steel cans as dominant material types, catering to a diverse range of applications including ready meals, pet food, and various other processed food products. Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina represent the largest national markets within the region, contributing significantly to overall market volume. However, challenges exist, primarily in the form of fluctuating raw material prices, particularly for aluminium and steel, which can impact production costs and pricing. Competition amongst major players like Crown Holdings Inc, Ball Corporation, and Canpack Group is intense, necessitating continuous innovation and cost optimization strategies. Growth in e-commerce and changing consumer preferences towards sustainable packaging are also expected to influence market dynamics in the coming years. Looking ahead to 2033, the Latin American food cans market is expected to exhibit a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.48%, reflecting a healthy trajectory. This growth will be influenced by factors such as increased investment in food processing infrastructure, government support for local industries, and the ongoing expansion of retail channels. However, sustained economic stability across the region will be crucial to maintain this growth momentum. Specific growth rates will vary by country, driven by individual economic conditions, consumer preferences, and government policies. The market's future will likely see increasing adoption of innovative can designs and functionalities to improve consumer appeal and cater to evolving preferences for sustainability and convenience. Focus on lighter-weight cans and recycled materials is expected to become increasingly important for competitiveness and environmental responsibility. Recent developments include: February 2024: Kemin Industries opened an innovation center and second spray-drying facility at its regional headquarters in Vargeão, Santa Catarina, Brazil. By volume capacity for producing dry and liquid palatants, the Kemin Nutrisurance location is Latin America's largest pet food manufacturing plant. Such expansions in the pet food industries are expected to drive the demand for metal cans in the region., September 2023: Sonoco Products Company, a diversified global packaging company, announced the completion of its acquisition of the remaining equity interest in RTS Packaging LLC from WestRock. With this acquisition, Sonoco added a network of 15 operations and 1,100 employees in Mexico, South America, and other countries.. Key drivers for this market are: Demand for Functional Food and Sustainability are Driving the Market's Growth, Growth in E-commerce Industry is Expected to Drive the Market. Potential restraints include: Demand for Functional Food and Sustainability are Driving the Market's Growth, Growth in E-commerce Industry is Expected to Drive the Market. Notable trends are: Aluminum is Widely Considered for Packaging.

The South American solar PV inverter market is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing government support for renewable energy initiatives, declining solar panel costs, and rising electricity prices. A compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 5% suggests a significant expansion from 2019 to 2033. The market is segmented by inverter type (central, string, micro), application (residential, commercial & industrial, utility-scale), and geography (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and the Rest of South America). Brazil, with its large and expanding solar energy sector, is expected to dominate the market, followed by Argentina and Chile. The increasing adoption of utility-scale solar projects is a key driver of market growth, alongside the growing preference for string inverters due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of installation. However, challenges such as grid infrastructure limitations and the initial high capital investment required for solar projects could act as restraints on market growth, especially in the Rest of South America region. Major players like Ingeteam, Ginlong, Mitsubishi Electric, Enphase Energy, and Sungrow are actively competing in this dynamic market, investing in research and development to improve inverter efficiency and features. The market's growth trajectory indicates strong potential for investors and businesses involved in solar energy infrastructure development. While precise market sizing data is unavailable, a logical estimation considering the 5%+ CAGR and the regional variations suggests a substantial expansion. The residential segment, especially in urban areas of Brazil, Argentina and Chile, is experiencing high growth owing to increasing awareness about environmental sustainability and government incentives. Furthermore, the increasing adoption of smart inverters with advanced monitoring and control capabilities are expected to further fuel the market's growth. The competitive landscape is characterized by both established international players and emerging local companies, contributing to innovation and price competitiveness in the South American solar PV inverter market. Future growth will likely depend on continued policy support, grid modernization, and sustained technological advancements in inverter technology. Recent developments include: May 2022: Sungrow announced that it would supply its turnkey PV inverter solutions and PV panel cleaning solutions to a 480 MW solar power project in Chile's Atacama Desert. This project is expected to be the largest solar power project in the country and will contribute to Chile's long-term Energy Policy 2050., March 2022: Sungrow announced that it had secured a contract from Ibitu Energiato to supply 213 MW of its 6.25 MW turnkey central inverter solution for 1500 Vdc systems for the 1-GW Caldeirao Grande 2 solar complex in Piaui, Brazil.. Notable trends are: Utility-scale Segment to Dominate the Market.

In 2024, Brazil and Mexico were expected to be the countries with the largest gross domestic product (GDP) in Latin America and the Caribbean. In that year, Brazil's GDP could reach an estimated value of 2.4 trillion U.S. dollars, whereas Mexico's amounted to almost two trillion U.S. dollars. GDP is the total value of all goods and services produced in a country in a given year. It measures the economic strength of a country and a positive change indicates economic growth.

Brazil, the most populated country and the economy with the highest GDP in Latin America, had the largest market research revenue in the region in 2022. Out of all the Latin American and Caribbean countries included in the study, Brazil ranked first, with a market research revenue of *** million U.S. dollars, followed by Mexico, with *** million U.S. dollars.

As of February 2025, Brazil had approximately 183 million internet users. That is more than Mexico and Argentina combined, the two ranking second and third respectively. Meanwhile, in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic featured the largest number of internet users.

As of 2023, Venezuela registered a population growth of *** percent, the highest in South America. Bolivia came in second, with *** percent, followed by Paraguay, with *** percent. When it comes to total population in South America, Brazil had the largest number, with over *** million inhabitants this same year.

The three largest milk producing countries in Latin America are Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. In 2023, Brazil produced around **** million metric tons of milk, while Mexico produced ****, and Argentina produced ****.

In 2022, Latin America and the Caribbean accounted for around ****** million social media users, ranking as the fifth most popular region for this type of platform worldwide. Brazil and Mexico were the countries with the continent’s biggest social network audiences, registering ****** million and ***** million users each in the measured period. Additionally, Brazil is also the fifth largest market for social media worldwide.

Meta’s new contenders

The products owned by social media giant Meta (formerly known as Facebook Inc.) still reign across the social media landscape in Latin America and the Caribbean, as Facebook is still used by almost ** percent of the continent’s population. However, new competitors like Telegram and content-focused networks like TikTok are challenging Meta’s hegemony. The ByteDance-owned company TikTok has already surpassed Instagram in Mexico, Colombia, and Peru regarding the number of users, becoming the second-largest network in these countries.

Hardships on internet access

Even though Latin America increases its connectivity in traffic via mobile devices, the inequality in access to the internet throughout the continent also is also reflected in the presence of its populations on social media platforms. Almost ** percent of people living in South America have access to these networks, against ** percent of those living in Central America and only ** percent of those living in the Caribbean.

In the beginning of March 2020, Chile reported its first cases of COVID-19. By the end of the month, online marketplace Mercado Libre had seen online orders grow by *** percent, making it the Latin American country with the largest increase in online orders during this period. Meanwhile, Colombia ranked second, with online orders growing by *** percent, followed by Mexico with a *** percent growth rate.

Throughout 2024, Brazil reported nearly 279,000 wildfire outbreaks, by far the highest figure in South America. Bolivia registered the second-largest number of wildfires in the region that year, at over 90,000. On the other hand, 276 wildfires were detected in Uruguay during the reported period, the lowest number amongst South American countries and territories. The lungs of the world Spanning nine different countries, the Amazon rainforest makes up approximately 40 percent of South America. Predominantly encompassed by Brazil, the government has made some efforts towards protecting what is left of the world's most abundant tropical rainforest. Over five million square kilometers of land area lie under a special regime designated as the Legal Amazon in Brazil. Nevertheless, wildfires in the region remain a cause for concern. In 2024, over 192,000 outbreaks were registered in the Legal Amazon, accounting for more than half of the country's occurrences that year. Brazil's blind ambition At the heart of the issue of wildfires is deforestation as a technique to expand land for farming and pastures. Along with the incremental rise in wildfires, the Amazon's deforestation rate has seen a continual increase for most of the decade. As Brazil climbs global markets to become the leading producer of soybean and beef, the country's agricultural ambitions have led to the lightening of environmental restrictions and the re-allocation of land for farming purposes. In turn, the area planted with crops in the Legal Amazon has nearly tripled since 2000.