Editing Economy of South America

{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Lead too short|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox economy
| continent  = South America
| image      = São Paulo Marginal Pinheiros.png
| image_size = 325px 
| caption    = The [[Greater São Paulo]] has the largest gross metropolitan product in South America.
| population = 434 million{{UN Population|ref}}
| gdp        = {{plainlist|
* $4.38 trillion ([[GDP (nominal)|nominal]]; 2025 est)<ref name="IMF2024">{{cite web | title= World Economic Outlook (October 2024) Data Mapper | website=International Monetary Fund| url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/NGDPD@WEO/OEMDC/ADVEC/WEOWORLD/AFQ | language=en | access-date=2025-02-13}}</ref>
* $9.8 trillion ([[Purchasing power parity|PPP]]; 2025 est)<ref name="IMF2024"/>
}}   
| gdp rank    = {{plainlist|
* [[List of continents by GDP#Continents by GDP (nominal)|4th (nominal; 2025)]]
* [[List of continents by GDP#Continents by GDP (PPP)|5th (PPP; 2023)]] 
}} 
| per capita   = {{plainlist|
* $10,010 (nominal; 2025 est)<ref name="IMF2024"/> 
* $22,410 (PPP; 2025 est)<ref name="IMF2024"/>
}}  
| per capita rank = {{plainlist|
* [[List of continents by GDP#Continents by GDP per capita (nominal)|4th (nominal; 2025)]]
* [[List of continents by GDP#Continents by GDP per capita (PPP)|4th (PPP; 2025)]]     
}}         
| growth       = 2.7% (2025 est.)<ref name="IMF2024"/>
| inflation    =  
| millionaires = 915,000 (2022)<ref name="databook2022">{{Cite book|last1=Shorrocks|first1=Anthony|url=https://www.credit-suisse.com/media/assets/corporate/docs/about-us/research/publications/global-wealth-databook-2022.pdf|title=Global Wealth Databook 2022|last2=Davies|first2=James|last3=Lluberas|first3=Rodrigo|publisher=[[Credit Suisse]] Research Institute|year=2022|access-date=17 January 2023|archive-date=19 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019132159/https://www.credit-suisse.com/media/assets/corporate/docs/about-us/research/publications/global-wealth-databook-2022.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>  
| debt         = 75.1% of GDP (2023 est.)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/GGXWDG_NGDP@WEO/APQ|title=General government gross debt|work=IMF Data Mapper|publisher=International Monetary Fund|author=International Monetary Fund|date=2022|access-date=5 November 2022|archive-date=18 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118054724/https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/GGXWDG_NGDP@WEO/APQ|url-status=live}}</ref>   
| footnote     = Most numbers are from the [[International Monetary Fund]]. [https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/SMQ IMF South America Datasets]  
}} 
{{World economy}}

The '''economy of South America''' comprises approximately 434 million people living in the 12 sovereign states and three dependent territories of [[South America]], which encompasses 6 percent of the world's population. In 2025, South America ranks fourth in terms of nominal GDP by continent, behind Europe and after Africa and Oceania. <ref name="IMF2024"/>

South America has two major trade blocks: [[Mercosur]] and the [[Andean Community]]. Brazil is the largest economy in South America in terms of Nominal GDP, it has a vast and diverse economic landscape encompassing agriculture, manufacturing, services, and natural resources. Due to Brazil's major economy, it has a large influence over its neighbors, and even globally. Argentina which is South America's second largest economy, boasts a rich history of industrialization and a well-developed agricultural sector. Despite economic challenges and very high inflation, Argentina uses its abundant natural resources and skilled workforce to drive economic growth and innovation. Together, Brazil and Argentina serve as economic powerhouses and as such, are major influences to surrounding countries. Uruguay stands out as it boasts the highest GDP per capita in the region. Renowned for its stable political environment, strong social welfare system, and diversified economy, Uruguay has consistently ranked among the top nations in terms of human development and standard of living. Uruguay has a large agriculture sector and has made previous strategic investments in technology and innovation, Uruguay's economy thrives on both domestic consumption and international trade. Guyana ranks second which is attributed to its oil and gas sector.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guyana Datasets|url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/GUY |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=www.imf.org}}</ref>

== History ==

=== 20th century ===
From the 1930s to the 1980s, countries in South America used [[Import substitution industrialization|import substitution]], an economic policy that replaces foreign businesses as well as imports with domestic production. This was a policy made to increase domestic manufacturing. Furthermore, national spending on arms soared during periods of military rule. Increasingly, South American countries began to borrow from foreign private banks and international lending institutions, such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, to fund existing programs while also trying to expand their economic productivity through investments. However, this policy created a [[Latin American debt crisis|debt crisis]] in South America.<ref>{{cite web|title=Encyclopædia Britannica|url=http://www.britannica.com/place/South-America/The-economy|website=South America|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Inc.|access-date=17 June 2015|archive-date=29 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429173635/https://www.britannica.com/place/South-America|url-status=live}}</ref>

The continent has fallen further behind North America over the past two centuries. This can be explained by South America's high concentration on primary commodities as well as the state of the educational system and institutional structure, some of which are still related to its colonial past, others to recent political developments.<ref>{{cite book|author=Baten, Jörg |title=A History of the Global Economy. From 1500 to the Present.|date=2016|publisher=Cambridge University Press|page=153|isbn=9781107507180}}</ref>

From the 1990s on, countries in South America switched over to the [[Market economy|free-market economy system]]. Now, major economic activities include [[agriculture]], [[Industrial sector|industry]], [[forestry]], and [[mining]].

=== 21st century ===
In 2016, four countries, which include [[Brazil]], [[Ecuador]], [[Argentina]], and [[Venezuela]], experienced a decline in output. Other countries in the region were observing a slowdown in [[Economic growth|growth rates]].<ref name=":0">[http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/852411493655498052/Global-Economic-Prospects-June-2017-Latin-America-and-Caribbean-analysis.pdf Recent developments] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331155513/https://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/852411493655498052/Global-Economic-Prospects-June-2017-Latin-America-and-Caribbean-analysis.pdf |date=31 March 2022 }} World Bank Retrieved 28 July 2023</ref> Brazil saw this decline in output due to increasing [[unemployment]] levels, worsening financial conditions, and [[Politics|political]] issues, which, in turn, led to a decrease in [[Consumption (economics)|private domestic consumption]] and [[investment]].<ref name=":0" /> Argentina also experienced a [[recession]] in private consumption and investment; however, it was because of the removal of [[public service]] [[Subsidy|subsidies]] due to a short-term rise in [[inflation]]. In contrast, [[Peru]] differed from other countries in the region, demonstrating an increase in growth rates thanks to [[copper]] production.

In 2017, the economy started to recover for the first time since 2014. The main contributor to economic growth is private consumption.<ref name=":1">[http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/125721512062602134/Global-Economic-Prospects-Jan-2018-Latin-America-and-Caribbean-analysis.pdf Recent developments] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712203845/http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/125721512062602134/Global-Economic-Prospects-Jan-2018-Latin-America-and-Caribbean-analysis.pdf |date=12 July 2018 }} World Bank Retrieved 28 July 2023</ref> Increased [[retail trade]] and [[industrial production]] in Brazil have led to an expansion of its economy by 1% in 2017. Higher [[Government spending|public investments]] and private consumption have resulted in the growth of the economy of Argentina compared to its recession in 2016.

In 2017, [[inflation rates]] were observed to be on a downward trend in most of the major economies. The reasons are prior [[exchange rate]] appreciations and food price [[deflation]]. Some countries are even expected to lower their target bands in 2019.<ref name=":1" />

In 2018, South America's economy showed mixed results due to political instability, fluctuating commodity prices, and structural challenges. Brazil experienced modest recovery but faced investor uncertainty amid elections. Argentina struggled with high inflation and recession, securing a $57 billion IMF bailout. Venezuela's economy collapsed further under hyperinflation and declining oil production. In contrast, Chile, Peru, and Colombia maintained stable growth, driven by mining exports and infrastructure investment. Dependency on commodities and political corruption remained key vulnerabilities. The region's GDP growth averaged 0.6%, reflecting uneven economic performance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-25 |title=Latin America and the Caribbean in 2018: An Economic Recovery in the Making |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2018/01/25/latin-america-and-the-caribbean-in-2018-an-economic-recovery-in-the-making |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=IMF |language=en}}</ref>

== By country ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! [[Country]]
! [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|GDP (nominal)]] $bn<br />2025<br /><ref name=PPP_GDP/>
! [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|GDP (PPP)]] $bn<br />2025<br /><ref name=PPP_GDP>{{Cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=512,914,612,171,614,311,213,911,314,193,122,912,313,419,513,316,913,124,339,638,514,218,963,616,223,516,918,748,618,624,522,622,156,626,628,228,924,233,632,636,634,238,662,960,423,935,128,611,321,243,248,469,253,642,643,939,734,644,819,172,132,646,648,915,134,652,174,328,258,656,654,336,263,268,532,944,176,534,536,429,433,178,436,136,343,158,439,916,664,826,542,967,443,917,544,941,446,666,668,672,946,137,546,674,676,548,556,678,181,867,682,684,273,868,921,948,943,686,688,518,728,836,558,138,196,278,692,694,962,142,449,564,565,283,853,288,293,566,964,182,359,453,968,922,714,862,135,716,456,722,942,718,724,576,936,961,813,726,199,733,184,524,361,362,364,732,366,144,146,463,528,923,738,578,537,742,866,369,744,186,925,869,746,926,466,112,111,298,927,846,299,582,487,474,754,698,&s=PPPGDP,&sy=2021&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |access-date=11 April 2023 |website=IMF.org |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |language=en |archive-date=13 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013081117/https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=512,914,612,171,614,311,213,911,314,193,122,912,313,419,513,316,913,124,339,638,514,218,963,616,223,516,918,748,618,624,522,622,156,626,628,228,924,233,632,636,634,238,662,960,423,935,128,611,321,243,248,469,253,642,643,939,734,644,819,172,132,646,648,915,134,652,174,328,258,656,654,336,263,268,532,944,176,534,536,429,433,178,436,136,343,158,439,916,664,826,542,967,443,917,544,941,446,666,668,672,946,137,546,674,676,548,556,678,181,867,682,684,273,868,921,948,943,686,688,518,728,836,558,138,196,278,692,694,962,142,449,564,565,283,853,288,293,566,964,182,359,453,968,922,714,862,135,716,456,722,942,718,724,576,936,961,813,726,199,733,184,524,361,362,364,732,366,144,146,463,528,923,738,578,537,742,866,369,744,186,925,869,746,926,466,112,111,298,927,846,299,582,487,474,754,698,&s=PPPGDP,&sy=2021&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?a=1&c=001,998,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,PPPPC,PPPSH,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=WEO Database, October 2023. Report for Selected Countries and Subjects: World, European Union |date=10 October 2023 |website=IMF.org |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |access-date=10 October 2023 |language=en |archive-date=13 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013081118/https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?a=1&c=001,998,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,PPPPC,PPPSH,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! [[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|GDP per capita]] $,000<br />2025<br /><ref name=PPP_GDP />
! [[List of countries by exports|Merchandise exports]]<br />$bn<br />2022<br /><ref name=wfex>{{Cite web |title=Exports of goods and services (BoP, current US$) |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/BX.GSR.GNFS.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true |access-date=20 August 2023 |website=World Bank Open Data |archive-date=17 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217181408/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/BX.GSR.GNFS.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true |url-status=live }}</ref>
! [[List of countries by Human Development Index|Human Development Index]]<br />2021<!-- Please use the year in which the HDI data refers to and not the year in which the report came out --><br /><ref name="UN">{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2011_EN_Complete.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2014. Human development indices|date=January 2011 |page=23|publisher=The United Nations|access-date=24 May 2011|archive-date=4 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204224811/http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2011_EN_Complete.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
! % with less than $2.15 per day<br />2021<br /><ref name="wb2">{{cite web |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.DDAY?locations=1W&start=1984&view=chart |title=World Bank Open Data |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=16 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216165739/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.DDAY?locations=1W&start=1984&view=chart |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Argentina
| {{Nts|683}}
| {{Nts|1240}}
| {{Nts|27}}
| {{Nts|103}}
| {{Nts|0.84}}
| {{Nts|1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Bolivia
| {{Nts|56}}
| {{Nts|125}}
| {{Nts|10}}
| {{Nts|15}}
| {{Nts|0.69}}
| {{Nts|2}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Brazil
| {{Nts|2130}}
| {{Nts|4100}}
| {{Nts|20}}
| {{Nts|380}}
| {{Nts|0.75}}
| {{Nts|6}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Chile
| {{Nts|344}}
| {{Nts|600}}
| {{Nts|30}}
| {{Nts|107}}
| {{Nts|0.86}}
| {{Nts|0.7}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Colombia
| {{Nts|427}}
| {{Nts|1000}}
| {{Nts|19}}
| {{Nts|72}}
| {{Nts|0.75}}
| {{Nts|7}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Ecuador
| 125
| {{Nts|243}}
| {{Nts|13}}
| {{Nts|36}}
| {{Nts|0.74}}
| {{Nts|3}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Falkland Islands<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/falkland-islands-islas-malvinas/ Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109093604/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/falkland-islands-islas-malvinas |date=9 January 2021 }}. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].</ref>
| {{Nts|}}
| {{Nts|0.2}}
| {{Nts|71}}
| {{Nts|}}
|
|
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | French Guiana<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/5020211 |title=Produits intérieurs bruts régionaux et valeurs ajoutées régionales de 1990 à 2022 &#124; Insee |access-date=16 December 2023 |archive-date=21 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321100527/https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/5020211 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| {{Nts|5}}
| {{Nts|}}
| {{Nts|20}}
| {{Nts|}}
|
|
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Guyana
| 25
| {{Nts|49}}
| {{Nts|61}}
| {{Nts|5}}
| {{Nts|0.71}}
| {{Nts|}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Paraguay
| 45
| {{Nts|117}}
| {{Nts|16}}
| {{Nts|15}}
| {{Nts|0.72}}
| {{Nts|1.3}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Peru
| 303
| {{Nts|550}}
| {{Nts|16}}
| {{Nts|71}}
| {{Nts|0.76}}
| {{Nts|3}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Suriname
| 4.5
| {{Nts|11}}
| {{Nts|18}}
| {{Nts|3}}
| {{Nts|0.73}}
| {{Nts|}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Uruguay
| {{Nts|79}}
| {{Nts|103}}
| {{Nts|29}}
| {{Nts|23}}
| {{Nts|0.81}}
| {{Nts|0.1}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Venezuela
| 108
| {{Nts|21}}
| {{Nts|8}}
| {{Nts|23}}
| {{Nts|0.69}}
| {{Nts|}}
|-
! style="text-align:left;"| Total || {{Nts|4100}} || {{Nts|8200}} || {{Nts|19}} || {{Nts|850}} || {{Nts|}} || {{Nts|}}
|}

'''Economy of:'''

{|
|- valign="top"
|
* [[Economy of Argentina|Argentina]]
* [[Economy of Bolivia|Bolivia]]
* [[Economy of Brazil|Brazil]]
* [[Economy of Chile|Chile]]
* [[Economy of Colombia|Colombia]]

|
* [[Economy of Ecuador|Ecuador]]
* [[Economy of French Guiana|French Guiana]]
* [[Economy of Guyana|Guyana]]
* [[Economy of Paraguay|Paraguay]]

|
* [[Economy of Peru|Peru]]
* [[Economy of Suriname|Suriname]]
* [[Economy of Uruguay|Uruguay]]
* [[Economy of Venezuela|Venezuela]]

|}

== Economic sectors ==

=== Agriculture ===
[[File:Faz S Sofia canavial 090607 REFON.JPG|thumb|Sugarcane plantation in [[São Paulo (state)|São Paulo]]. In 2018, Brazil was the world's largest producer, with 746 million tons. South America produces half of the world's sugarcane.]]
[[File:SojaBrasnorte.jpg|thumb|Soy plantation in [[Mato Grosso]]. In 2020, Brazil was the world's largest producer, with 130 million tons. South America produces half of the world's soybeans.]]
[[File:Coffee Plantation.jpg|thumb|Coffee in [[Minas Gerais]]. In 2018, Brazil was the world's largest producer, with 3.5 million tons. South America produces half of the world's coffee.]]
[[File:Laranja (Avaré) REFON 1.JPG|thumb|Orange in [[São Paulo (state)|São Paulo]]. In 2018, Brazil was the world's largest producer, with 17 million tons. South America produces 25% of the world's oranges.]]

Throughout history, since the [[Spanish colonization of the Americas|colonial period]], the export of natural resources has been a key factor for South America's economy. With a land that can be divided into four [[climatic regions]] ([[tropical]], [[Temperate climate|temperate]], [[arid]] and [[cold]]), [[South America]] is a diverse land rich in natural resources. It has a wide variety of agricultural products, mineral wealth, plentiful freshwater and rich fisheries.

As one of the most important contributors of the world's agricultural market, [[South America]] accounts for approximately 10% of the global agricultural product export.<ref>{{cite web|title=Agria Corp|url=http://www.agriacorp.com/market.asp?id=10|website=South American Market|publisher=Agria Corporation.|access-date=21 February 2018|archive-date=6 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106005326/http://www.agriacorp.com/market.asp?id=10|url-status=live}}</ref> The different [[climatic regions]] are home for diverse types of [[crops]]. In the tropical climatic regions, two of the most important [[cash crops]] are [[coffee]] and [[Cocoa bean|cacao]].<ref name="National Geographic">{{cite web|title=National Geographic|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/south-america-resources/|website=South America Resources|date=4 January 2012|publisher=National Geographic.|access-date=21 February 2018|archive-date=29 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429173748/https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/south-america-resources/|url-status=live}}</ref> South America dominates the global market in [[coffee production]], having Brazil as the world's largest exporter of coffee. A report from the Council of Brazilian Coffee Exporters showed that the coffee industry earned US$5.4 billion in 2016, with the exports of different coffee varieties exceeding 34 million 60&nbsp;kg bags. This accounts to 6.4% of Brazil's total annual [[agrobusiness]] exports of US$84.9. The report showed that by December 2016, the Brazilian coffee industry generated US$557 million in revenue by exporting 3.07 million bags of [[coffee]].<ref>{{cite web|title=BrazilGovNews|url=http://www.brazilgovnews.gov.br/news/2017/01/brazil-breaks-another-record-in-coffee-exports|website=Brazil breaks another record in coffee exports|publisher=BrazilGovNews.|access-date=21 February 2018|archive-date=29 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429173825/http://www.brazilgovnews.gov.br/news/2017/01/brazil-breaks-another-record-in-coffee-exports|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, in 2016 [[soybeans]], grown in South America's [[temperate climates]], had an export value of US$19B for [[Brazil]], representing 10.4% of the total exports,<ref>{{cite web|title=The Observatory of Economic Complexity|url=https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/bra/|website=Brazil|publisher=The Observatory of Economic Complexity|access-date=21 February 2018|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331133332/https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/bra/|url-status=live}}</ref> and one of US$3.23B for [[Argentina]], representing 5.7% of the country's total exports.<ref name="atlas.media.mit.edu">{{cite web|title=The Observatory of Economic Complexity|url=https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/arg/|website=Argentina|publisher=The Observatory of Economic Complexity|access-date=21 February 2018|archive-date=21 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521061645/https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/arg/|url-status=live}}</ref> Moreover, the [[soybean meal]] exportation represent 17.5% of Argentina's total exports, with an export value of $9.96B.<ref name="atlas.media.mit.edu"/>

Other exports from the [[tropical regions]], such as the [[Amazon rainforest]] (contained within [[Brazil]], [[Peru]], [[Colombia]], [[Ecuador]], [[Bolivia]] [[French Guiana]] and [[Suriname]]), include [[cashews]] and [[Brazil nuts]], globally regarded as delicacies,<ref>{{cite web|title=Encyclopedia Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/South-America/Precious-metals-and-gemstones#ref41832|website=Agriculture|publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=21 February 2018|archive-date=29 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429174024/https://www.britannica.com/place/South-America/Precious-metals-and-gemstones#ref41832|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as sugar ([[sugarcane]]), [[avocados]], [[bananas]], [[pineapples]], [[Orange (fruit)|oranges]], [[grapefruits]], and [[mangoes]].  The [[sugarcane]] cultivation has been the backbone of the economy since early colonial times, and Ecuador is the world's largest banana exporter ([[Banana production in Ecuador|Banana Production in Ecuador]])

In the [[temperate regions]], [[maize]] (corn) is produced and it is the second most exported product in Argentinas.<ref name="atlas.media.mit.edu"/> Additionally in cold climatic regions such as the Andes, there is a high production of crops such as quinoa, increasingly valued internationally, as well as the grazing of llamas, vicuñas and alpacas. These animals are bred for their wool and it is exported globally as a high-quality textile.<ref name="National Geographic"/>

The four countries with the strongest agriculture are [[Brazil]], [[Argentina]], [[Chile]] and [[Colombia]]. Currently:
* Brazil is the world's largest producer of [[sugarcane]], [[soy]], [[coffee]], [[Orange (fruit)|orange]], [[guaraná]], [[açaí]] and [[Brazil nut]];<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deshmukh |first=Anshool |date=2021-10-01 |title=The World’s Top Coffee Producing Countries |url=https://www.visualcapitalist.com/worlds-top-coffee-producing-countries/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Visual Capitalist |language=en-US}}</ref> is one of the top 5 producers of [[maize]], [[papaya]], [[tobacco]], [[pineapple]], [[banana]], [[cotton]], [[beans]], [[coconut]], [[watermelon]], [[lemon]] and [[yerba mate]]; is one of the top 10 world producers of [[Cocoa bean|cocoa]], [[cashew]], [[avocado]], [[tangerine]], [[persimmon]], [[mango]], [[guava]], [[rice]], [[oat]], [[sorghum]] and [[tomato]]; and is one of the top 15 world producers of [[grape]], [[apple]], [[melon]], [[peanut]], [[common fig|fig]], [[peach]], [[onion]], [[palm oil]] and [[natural rubber]];
* Argentina is the world's largest producer of [[yerba mate]]; is one of the 5 largest producers in the world of [[soy]], [[maize]], [[sunflower seed]], [[lemon]] and [[pear]], one of the 10 largest producers in the world of [[barley]], [[grape]], [[artichoke]], [[tobacco]] and [[cotton]], and one of the 15 largest producers in the world of [[wheat]], [[oat]], [[chickpea]], [[sugarcane]], [[sorghum]] and [[grapefruit]];
* Chile is one of the 5 largest world producers of [[cherry]] and [[cranberry]], and one of the 10 largest world producers of [[grape]], [[apple]], [[Kiwifruit|kiwi]], [[peach]], [[plum]] and [[hazelnut]], focusing on exporting high-value fruits;
* Colombia is one of the 5 largest producers in the world of [[coffee]], [[avocado]] and [[palm oil]], and one of the 10 largest producers in the world of [[sugarcane]], [[banana]], [[pineapple]] and [[Cocoa bean|cocoa]];
* [[Peru]] is the world's largest producer of [[quinoa]]; is one of the 5 largest producers of [[avocado]], [[blueberry]], [[artichoke]] and [[asparagus]]; one of the 10 largest producers in the world of [[coffee]] and [[Cocoa bean|cocoa]]; one of the 15 largest producers in the world of [[potato]] and [[pineapple]], and also has a considerable production of [[grape]], [[sugarcane]], [[rice]], [[banana]], [[maize]] and [[cassava]]; its agriculture is considerably diversified;
* [[Paraguay]]'s agriculture is currently developing, being currently the 6th largest producer of [[soy]] in the world and entering the list of the 20 largest producers of [[maize]] and [[sugarcane]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC/ |title=South American countries production in 2018, by FAO |access-date=26 September 2020 |archive-date=30 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030170521/http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QC/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Animal husbandry ===
[[File:Perdigao.jpg|thumb|Truck of a meat company in Brazil. South America produces 20% of the world's beef and chicken meat.]]

[[Brazil]] is the world's largest exporter of [[chicken meat]]: 3.77 million tons in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.aviculturaindustrial.com.br/imprensa/conheca-os-3-paises-que-desafiam-o-brasil-nas-exportacoes-de-frango/20200122-093443-o532 |title=Conheça os 3 países que desafiam o Brasil nas exportações de frango |date=22 January 2020 |access-date=25 September 2020 |archive-date=27 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127175912/https://www.aviculturaindustrial.com.br/imprensa/conheca-os-3-paises-que-desafiam-o-brasil-nas-exportacoes-de-frango/20200122-093443-o532 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.farmnews.com.br/mercado/maiores-exportadores-de-carne-de-frango/ |title=maiores exportadores de carne de frango entre os anos de 2015 e 2019 |date=30 May 2019 |access-date=25 September 2020 |archive-date=1 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601220250/http://www.farmnews.com.br/mercado/maiores-exportadores-de-carne-de-frango/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The country is the holder of the second largest herd of cattle in the world, 22.2% of the world herd. The country was the second-largest producer of beef in 2019, responsible for 15.4% of global production.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.beefpoint.com.br/ibge-rebanho-de-bovinos-tinha-21823-milhoes-de-cabecas-em-2016/ |title=IBGE: rebanho de bovinos tinha 218,23 milhões de cabeças em 2016 |date=29 September 2017 |access-date=25 September 2020 |archive-date=8 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908105151/https://www.beefpoint.com.br/ibge-rebanho-de-bovinos-tinha-21823-milhoes-de-cabecas-em-2016/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was also the 3rd largest world producer of milk in 2018. This year, the country produced 35.1 billion liters.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://agronewsbrazil.com.br/brasil-e-o-3o-maior-produtor-de-leite-do-mundo-superando-o-padrao-europeu-em-alguns-municipios/ |title=Brasil é o 3º maior produtor de leite do mundo, superando o padrão Europeu em alguns municípios |access-date=25 September 2020 |archive-date=17 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917042822/https://agronewsbrazil.com.br/brasil-e-o-3o-maior-produtor-de-leite-do-mundo-superando-o-padrao-europeu-em-alguns-municipios/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2019, Brazil was the 4th largest pork producer in the world, with almost 4 million tons.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.farmnews.com.br/mercado/principais-paises-produtores-de-carne-suina/ |title=principais países produtores de carne suína entre 2017 e a estimativa para 2019 |date=23 July 2019 |access-date=25 September 2020 |archive-date=26 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126113423/https://www.farmnews.com.br/mercado/principais-paises-produtores-de-carne-suina/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2018, [[Argentina]] was the 4th largest producer of [[beef]] in the world, with a production of 3 million tons (behind only USA, Brazil and China). [[Uruguay]] is also a major meat producer. In 2018, it produced 589 thousand tons of beef.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QL/ |title=Argentina production in 2018, by FAO |access-date=26 September 2020 |archive-date=30 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030170521/http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QL/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In [[chicken meat]] production, Argentina ranks among the 15 largest producers in the world, and Peru and Colombia are among the 20 biggest producers. In [[beef]] production, Colombia is one of the 20 largest producers in the world. In [[honey]] production, Argentina ranks among the 5 largest producers in the world, and Brazil among the 15 largest. In terms of production of [[cow's milk]], Argentina ranks among the 20 largest producers in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/faostat/es/#data/QL/ |title=Producción de carne y leche, por FAO |access-date=18 October 2020 |archive-date=16 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016050347/http://www.fao.org/faostat/es/#data/QL/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Industry ===
[[File:EMS - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|[[EMS (pharmaceuticals)|EMS]], the largest Brazilian pharmaceutical industry]]
[[File: Planta Braskem.jpg|thumb|[[Braskem]], the largest Brazilian chemical industry]]

The [[World Bank]] annually lists the top manufacturing countries by total manufacturing value. According to the 2019 list, [[Brazil]] has the thirteenth most valuable industry in the world (US$173.6 billion), [[Venezuela]] the thirtieth largest (US$58.2 billion, however, it depends on oil to obtain this value), [[Argentina]] the 31st largest (US$57.7 billion), [[Colombia]] the 46th largest (US$35.4 billion), [[Peru]] the 50th largest (US$28.7 billion) and [[Chile]] the 51st largest (US$28.3 billion).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.IND.MANF.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true |title=Manufacturing, value added (current US$) |access-date=18 October 2020 |archive-date=7 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107135049/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.IND.MANF.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true |url-status=live }}</ref>

80% of the manufacturing of the [[Latin America]] region falls on Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|title=Latin America Economic Outlook July 2015|url=https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/global/Documents/About-Deloitte/gx-gbc-latin-america-economic-outlook-july-2015.pdf|website=deloitte.com|access-date=28 July 2023|archive-date=26 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226030646/https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/global/Documents/About-Deloitte/gx-gbc-latin-america-economic-outlook-july-2015.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Brazil]] has the third-largest manufacturing sector in the Americas. Accounting for 28.5 percent of GDP, Brazil's industries range from automobiles, steel, and petrochemicals to computers, [[aircraft]] ([[Embraer]]), food, pharmaceutical, footwear, metallurgy and consumer durables. In the [[food industry]], in 2019, Brazil was the second largest exporter of processed foods in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://alimentosprocessados.com.br/industria-na-sociedade-brasileira.php|title=Alimentos Processados &#124; A indústria de alimentos e bebidas na sociedade brasileira atual|website=alimentosprocessados.com.br|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=25 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325142658/https://alimentosprocessados.com.br/industria-na-sociedade-brasileira.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/economia/noticia/2020/02/18/faturamento-da-industria-de-alimentos-cresceu-67percent-em-2019.ghtml|title=Faturamento da indústria de alimentos cresceu 6,7% em 2019|website=G1|date=18 February 2020|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=19 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219171658/https://g1.globo.com/economia/noticia/2020/02/18/faturamento-da-industria-de-alimentos-cresceu-67percent-em-2019.ghtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/economia/noticia/2020-02/industria-de-alimentos-e-bebidas-faturaram-r-6999-bi-em-2019|title=Indústria de alimentos e bebidas faturou R$ 699,9 bi em 2019|date=18 February 2020|website=Agência Brasil|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=19 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219032930/https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/economia/noticia/2020-02/industria-de-alimentos-e-bebidas-faturaram-r-6999-bi-em-2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, the country was the 2nd largest producer of [[Pulp (paper)|pulp]] in the world and the 8th producer of [[paper]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://valor.globo.com/empresas/noticia/2020/02/21/producao-nacional-de-celulose-cai-66percent-em-2019-aponta-iba.ghtml|title=Produção nacional de celulose cai 6,6% em 2019, aponta Ibá|website=Valor Econômico|date=21 February 2020|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=21 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221134709/https://valor.globo.com/empresas/noticia/2020/02/21/producao-nacional-de-celulose-cai-66percent-em-2019-aponta-iba.ghtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.celuloseonline.com.br/sabe-qual-e-o-estado-brasileiro-que-mais-produz-madeira-nao-e-sao-paulo/|title=Sabe qual é o estado brasileiro que mais produz Madeira?|date=9 October 2017|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012095718/https://www.celuloseonline.com.br/sabe-qual-e-o-estado-brasileiro-que-mais-produz-madeira-nao-e-sao-paulo/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/espirito-santo/noticia/sao-mateus-e-o-6-maior-produtor-de-madeira-em-tora-para-papel-e-celulose-no-pais-diz-ibge.ghtml|title=São Mateus é o 6º maior produtor de madeira em tora para papel e celulose no país, diz IBGE|website=G1|date=28 September 2017|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=29 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929200326/https://g1.globo.com/espirito-santo/noticia/sao-mateus-e-o-6-maior-produtor-de-madeira-em-tora-para-papel-e-celulose-no-pais-diz-ibge.ghtml|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[footwear industry]], in 2019, Brazil ranked 4th among world producers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/sp/ribeirao-preto-franca/noticia/2019/07/14/industrias-calcadistas-em-franca-sp-registram-queda-de-40percent-nas-vagas-de-trabalho-em-6-anos.ghtml|title=Indústrias calçadistas em Franca, SP registram queda de 40% nas vagas de trabalho em 6 anos|website=G1|date=14 July 2019|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=14 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714205803/https://g1.globo.com/sp/ribeirao-preto-franca/noticia/2019/07/14/industrias-calcadistas-em-franca-sp-registram-queda-de-40percent-nas-vagas-de-trabalho-em-6-anos.ghtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fenac.com.br/producao-de-calcados-deve-crescer-3-em-2019|title=Fenac – Centro de Eventos e Negócios &#124; Produção de calçados deve crescer 3% em 2019|first=Agência Maya: Criação de Sites e Marketing|last=Digital|website=fenac.com.br|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=1 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101151709/http://www.fenac.com.br/producao-de-calcados-deve-crescer-3-em-2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abicalcados.com.br/noticia/abicalcados-apresenta-relatorio-setorial-2019|title=Abicalçados apresenta Relatório Setorial 2019|website=abicalcados.com.br|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=22 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422064032/https://www.abicalcados.com.br/noticia/abicalcados-apresenta-relatorio-setorial-2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fazcomex.com.br/blog/exportacao-de-calcados-saiba-mais/|title=Exportação de Calçados: Saiba mais|date=27 February 2020|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=15 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415014352/https://www.fazcomex.com.br/blog/exportacao-de-calcados-saiba-mais/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, the country was the 8th producer of [[vehicles]] and the 9th producer of [[steel]] in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://diariodocomercio.com.br/livre/minas-gerais-produz-323-do-aco-nacional-em-2019/|title=Minas Gerais produz 32,3% do aço nacional em 2019|first=Diário do|last=Comércio|date=24 January 2020|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=14 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614182655/https://diariodocomercio.com.br/livre/minas-gerais-produz-323-do-aco-nacional-em-2019/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.istoedinheiro.com.br/o-novo-mapa-das-montadoras/|title=O novo mapa das montadoras, que agora rumam para o interior do País|date=8 March 2019|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=8 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308152711/https://www.istoedinheiro.com.br/o-novo-mapa-das-montadoras/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/rj/sul-do-rio-costa-verde/noticia/industria-automobilistica-do-sul-do-rio-impulsiona-superavit-na-economia.ghtml|title=Indústria automobilística do Sul do Rio impulsiona superavit na economia|website=G1|date=12 July 2017|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=19 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170719091817/https://g1.globo.com/rj/sul-do-rio-costa-verde/noticia/industria-automobilistica-do-sul-do-rio-impulsiona-superavit-na-economia.ghtml|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, the [[chemical industry]] of Brazil was the 8th in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwc.com.br/pt/publicacoes/setores-atividade/assets/quimico-petroquimico/2013/pwc-chemicals-port-13.pdf|title=Indústria Química no Brasil|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.pwc.com.br/pt/publicacoes/setores-atividade/assets/quimico-petroquimico/2013/pwc-chemicals-port-13.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/br/Documents/energy-resources/Deloitte-Abiquim-Setor-Quimico-Relatorio.pdf|title=Estudo de 2018|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/br/Documents/energy-resources/Deloitte-Abiquim-Setor-Quimico-Relatorio.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://economia.uol.com.br/noticias/estadao-conteudo/2020/02/03/producao-nacional-da-industria-de-quimicos-cai-57-em-2019-diz-abiquim.htm|title=Produção nacional da indústria de químicos cai 5,7% em 2019, diz Abiquim|website=economia.uol.com.br|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=14 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614230629/https://economia.uol.com.br/noticias/estadao-conteudo/2020/02/03/producao-nacional-da-industria-de-quimicos-cai-57-em-2019-diz-abiquim.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[textile industry]], Brazil, although it was among the 5 largest world producers in 2013, is very little integrated in world trade.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bnb.gov.br/documents/80223/2509338/textil_16_2017%28V2%29.pdf/063d7521-342f-e81e-232a-e251964fa1c3|title=Industria Textil no Brasil|access-date=18 October 2020|archive-date=19 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619042050/https://www.bnb.gov.br/documents/80223/2509338/textil_16_2017%28V2%29.pdf/063d7521-342f-e81e-232a-e251964fa1c3|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the aviation sector, Brazil has [[Embraer]], the third largest aircraft manufacturer in the world, behind [[Boeing]] and [[Airbus]].

In 2019, Argentina was the 31st world producer of [[steel]], the 28th producer of [[Automotive industry|vehicles]], the 22nd world producer of [[beer]], the 4th world producer of [[soybean oil]] and the 3rd world producer of [[sunflower oil]], among other industrial products.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.oica.net/category/production-statistics/2019-statistics/ |title=World vehicle production in 2019 |access-date=21 December 2021 |archive-date=20 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120211457/https://www.oica.net/category/production-statistics/2019-statistics/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.worldsteel.org/en/dam/jcr:391fbe61-488d-46d1-b611-c9a43224f9b8/2019%2520global%2520crude%2520steel%2520production.pdf |title=World crude steel production |access-date=21 December 2021 |archive-date=30 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130161636/https://www.worldsteel.org/en/dam/jcr:391fbe61-488d-46d1-b611-c9a43224f9b8/2019%2520global%2520crude%2520steel%2520production.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.worldsteel.org/media-centre/press-releases/2020/Global-crude-steel-output-increases-by-3.4--in-2019.html |title=Global crude steel output increases by 3.4% in 2019 |access-date=21 December 2021 |archive-date=30 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130161631/https://www.worldsteel.org/media-centre/press-releases/2020/Global-crude-steel-output-increases-by-3.4--in-2019.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QD |title=Statistics of world production of barley beer and oils |access-date=21 December 2021 |archive-date=30 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030170521/http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QD |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Mining ===
[[File:Itabira MG Brasil - Mina de Ferro da Vale - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|Iron mine in [[Minas Gerais]]. Brazil is the world's second largest iron ore exporter.]]
[[File:Brasil - Ametista do Sul - Piedra amatista.jpg|thumb|right|Amethyst mine in [[Ametista do Sul]]. South America is a major producer of gems such as amethyst, topaz, emerald, aquamarine and tourmaline]]

[[Mining]] is one of the most important economic sectors in South America, especially for Chile, Peru and Bolivia, whose economies are highly dependent on this sector. The continent has large productions of [[gold]] (mainly in Peru, Brazil and Argentina);<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/|title=USGS Online Publications Directory|website=pubs.usgs.gov|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=15 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615031507/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[silver]] (mainly in Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina);<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-silver.pdf|title=Production statistics of USGS Silver|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515082301/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-silver.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[copper]] (mainly in Chile, Peru and Brazil);<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-copper.pdf|title=Copper production statistics for the USGS|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-copper.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[iron ore]] (Brazil, Peru and Chile);<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-iron-ore.pdf|title=Production statistics of USGS iron ore|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-iron-ore.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[zinc]] (Peru, Bolivia and Brazil);<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-zinc.pdf|title=Zinc production statistics from USGS|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-zinc.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[molybdenum]] (Chile and Peru);<ref name="auto7" /> [[lithium]] (Chile, Argentina and Brazil);<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-lithium.pdf|title=USGS lithium production statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-lithium.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[lead]] (Peru and Bolivia);<ref name="auto9">{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-lead.pdf|title=USGS Lead Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515091715/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-lead.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[bauxite]] (Brazil);<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-bauxite-alumina.pdf|title=USGS Bauxite Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=30 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030092141/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-bauxite-alumina.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[tin]] (Peru, Bolivia and Brazil);<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-tin.pdf|title=USGS tin production statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813153917/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-tin.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[manganese]] (Brazil);<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-manganese.pdf|title=Manganese production statistics from the USGS|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=10 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010103552/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-manganese.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[antimony]] (Bolivia and Ecuador);<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-antimony.pdf|title=USGS antimony production statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-antimony.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[nickel]] (Brazil);<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-nickel.pdf|title=USGS Nickel Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-nickel.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[niobium]] (Brazil);<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-niobium.pdf|title=USGS Niobium Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-niobium.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[rhenium]] (Chile);<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-rhenium.pdf|title=USGS rhenium production statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=21 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621074425/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-rhenium.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[iodine]] (Chile),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-iodine.pdf|title=USGS iodine production statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625191455/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-iodine.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> among others.

[[Brazil]] stands out in the extraction of [[iron ore]] (where it is the 2nd largest producer and exporter in the world – iron ore is usually one of the 3 export products that generate the greatest value in the country's trade balance), [[copper]], [[gold]], [[bauxite]] (one of the 5 largest producers in the world), [[manganese]] (one of the 5 largest producers in the world), [[tin]] (one of the largest producers in the world), [[niobium]] (concentrates 98% of reserves known to the world) and [[nickel]]. In terms of gemstones, Brazil is the world's largest producer of [[amethyst]], [[topaz]], [[agate]] and one of the main producers of [[tourmaline]], [[emerald]], [[aquamarine (gemstone)|aquamarine]], [[garnet]] and [[opal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.br/anm/pt-br/pagina-inicial|title=ANM|website=gov.br Agência Nacional de Mineração|date=14 July 2023|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804161841/https://www.gov.br/anm/pt-br/pagina-inicial|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://noticias.r7.com/brasil/brasil-extrai-cerca-de-2-gramas-de-ouro-por-habitante-em-5-anos-29062019|title=Brasil extrai cerca de 2 gramas de ouro por habitante em 5 anos|date=29 June 2019|website=R7.com|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=12 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712095924/https://noticias.r7.com/brasil/brasil-extrai-cerca-de-2-gramas-de-ouro-por-habitante-em-5-anos-29062019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Economia_Negocios/0,,MUL190262-9356,00-VOTORANTIM+METAIS+ADQUIRE+RESERVAS+DE+ZINCO+DA+MASA.html|title=G1 > Economia e Negócios – NOTÍCIAS – Votorantim Metais adquire reservas de zinco da Masa|website=g1.globo.com|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118205757/http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Economia_Negocios/0,,MUL190262-9356,00-VOTORANTIM+METAIS+ADQUIRE+RESERVAS+DE+ZINCO+DA+MASA.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://g1.globo.com/economia/noticia/2019/12/12/niobio-g1-visita-em-mg-complexo-industrial-do-maior-produtor-do-mundo.ghtml|title=Nióbio: G1 visita em MG complexo industrial do maior produtor do mundo|website=G1|date=12 December 2019|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=12 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212144838/https://g1.globo.com/economia/noticia/2019/12/12/niobio-g1-visita-em-mg-complexo-industrial-do-maior-produtor-do-mundo.ghtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cprm.gov.br/publique/Redes-Institucionais/Rede-de-Bibliotecas---Rede-Ametista/Algumas-Gemas-Classicas-1104.html|title=Serviço Geológico do Brasil|website=cprm.gov.br|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=6 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906194936/http://www.cprm.gov.br/publique/Redes-Institucionais/Rede-de-Bibliotecas---Rede-Ametista/Algumas-Gemas-Classicas-1104.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://noticias.band.uol.com.br/noticias/100000911432/rio-grande-do-sul-o-maior-exportador-de-pedras-preciosas-do-brasil.html|title=Rio Grande do Sul: o maior exportador de pedras preciosas do Brasil|website=Band.com.br|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=2 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502153003/https://noticias.band.uol.com.br/noticias/100000911432/rio-grande-do-sul-o-maior-exportador-de-pedras-preciosas-do-brasil.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Chile]] contributes about a third of the world [[copper]] production.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-copper.pdf|title=Copper production in 2019 by USGS|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-copper.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to copper, Chile was, in 2019, the world's largest producer of [[iodine]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-iodine.pdf|title=USGS Iodine Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625191455/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-iodine.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[rhenium]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-rhenium.pdf|title=USGS Rhenium Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=21 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621074425/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-rhenium.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> the second largest producer of [[lithium]]<ref name="auto6">{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-lithium.pdf|title=USGS Lithium Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-lithium.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[molybdenum]],<ref name="auto7">{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-molybdenum.pdf|title=USGS Molybdenum Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-molybdenum.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> the sixth largest producer of [[silver]],<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-silver.pdf|title=USGS Silver Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515082301/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-silver.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> the seventh largest producer of [[salt]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-salt.pdf|title=USGS Salt Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-salt.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> the eighth largest producer of [[potash]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-potash.pdf|title=USGS Potash Product ion Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-potash.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> the thirteenth producer of [[sulfur]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-sulfur.pdf|title=USGS Sulfur Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-sulfur.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and the thirteenth producer of [[iron ore]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-iron-ore.pdf|title=USGS Iron Ore Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-iron-ore.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> in the world.

In 2019, [[Peru]] was the 2nd largest world producer of [[copper]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-copper.pdf|title=USGS Copper Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-copper.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[silver]],<ref name="auto4"/> 8th largest world producer of [[gold]],<ref name="auto8">{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-gold.pdf|title=USGS Gold Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-gold.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 3rd largest world producer of [[lead]],<ref name="auto9" /> 2nd largest world producer of [[zinc]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-zinc.pdf|title=USGS Zinc Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-zinc.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 4th largest world producer of [[tin]],<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-tin.pdf|title=USGS Tin Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813153917/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-tin.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 5th largest world producer of [[boron]]<ref name="auto11">{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-boron.pdf|title=USGS Boron Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=18 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718104325/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-boron.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and 4th largest world producer of [[molybdenum]].<ref name="auto7"/>

In 2019, [[Bolivia]] was the 8th largest world producer of [[silver]];<ref name="auto4" /> 4th largest world producer of [[boron]];<ref name="auto11" /> 5th largest world producer of [[antimony]];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-antimony.pdf|title=USGS Antimony Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-antimony.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 5th largest world producer of [[tin]];<ref name=":2" /> 6th largest world producer of [[tungsten]];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-tungsten.pdf|title=USGS Tungsten Production Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705141418/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-tungsten.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 7th largest producer of [[zinc]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-zinc.pdf|title=USGS ZincProduction Statistics|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-zinc.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and the 8th largest producer of [[lead]].<ref name="auto9"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.miningweekly.com/article/the-state-of-mining-in-south-america-an-overview-2013-06-21 |title=The state of mining in South America – an overview |access-date=19 December 2014 |archive-date=7 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207073436/https://www.miningweekly.com/article/the-state-of-mining-in-south-america-an-overview-2013-06-21 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="gov.br">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.br/anm/pt-br/pagina-inicial|title=ANM|website=Agência Nacional de Mineração|date=14 July 2023|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804161841/https://www.gov.br/anm/pt-br/pagina-inicial|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2019, [[Argentina]] was the 4th largest world producer of [[lithium]],<ref name="auto6"/> the 9th largest world producer of [[silver]],<ref name="auto4"/> the 17th largest world producer of [[gold]]<ref name="auto8"/> and the 7th largest world producer of [[boron]].<ref name="auto11"/>

[[Colombia]] is the world's largest producer of [[emeralds]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/noticias/2012/10/121025_colombia_esmeraldas_ru|title=BBC Brasil – Notícias – Região colombiana vive 'febre das esmeraldas'|website=www.bbc.com|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=21 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221174300/https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/noticias/2012/10/121025_colombia_esmeraldas_ru|url-status=live}}</ref> In the production of [[gold]], among 2006 and 2017, the country produced 15 tons per year until 2007, when its production increased significantly, breaking a record of 66.1 tons extracted in 2012. In 2017, it extracted 52.2 tons. The country is among the 25 largest gold producers in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/colombia/gold-production|title=Colombia Gold Production, 1990 – 2021 &#124; CEIC Data|website=www.ceicdata.com|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816022625/https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/colombia/gold-production|url-status=live}}</ref> In the production of [[silver]], in 2017 the country extracted 15,5 tons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/colombia/silver-production|title=Colombia Silver Production, 1990 – 2021 &#124; CEIC Data|website=www.ceicdata.com|access-date=21 December 2021|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816150027/https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/colombia/silver-production|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Campbell|first=Keith|title=The state of mining in South America – an overview|url=https://www.miningweekly.com/article/the-state-of-mining-in-south-america-an-overview-2013-06-21/rep_id:3650|access-date=1 March 2021|website=Mining Weekly|language=en|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414173102/https://www.miningweekly.com/article/the-state-of-mining-in-south-america-an-overview-2013-06-21/rep_id:3650|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="gov.br"/>

=== Oil and gas ===
[[File:Mina de Chuquicamata, Calama, Chile, 2016-02-01, DD 110-112 PAN.JPG|thumb|left|Copper mine in [[Chile]]. South America produces half of the world's copper.]]
In the production of [[oil]], Brazil was the 10th largest oil producer in the world in 2019, with 2.8 million barrels / day. Venezuela was the 21st largest, with 877 thousand barrels / day, Colombia in 22nd with 886 thousand barrels / day, Ecuador in 28th with 531 thousand barrels / day and Argentina 29th with 507 thousand barrels / day. As Venezuela and Ecuador consume little oil and export most of their production, they are part of [[OPEC]]. Venezuela had a big drop in production after 2015 (where it produced 2.5 million barrels / day), falling in 2016 to 2.2 million, in 2017 to 2 million, in 2018 to 1.4 million and in 2019 to 877 thousand, due to lack of investments.<ref name="eia.gov">{{Cite web |url=https://www.eia.gov/international/data/world/petroleum-and-other-liquids/annual-petroleum-and-other-liquids-production?pd=5&p=0000000000000000000000000000000000vg&u=0&f=A&v=mapbubble&a=-&i=none&vo=value&&t=C&g=00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001&l=249-ruvvvvvfvtvnvv1vrvvvvfvvvvvvfvvvou20evvvvvvvvvvnvvvs0008&s=94694400000&e=1546300800000 |title=Production of Crude Oil including Lease Condensate 2019 |access-date=13 October 2020 |archive-date=4 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304103613/https://www.eia.gov/international/data/world/petroleum-and-other-liquids/annual-petroleum-and-other-liquids-production?pd=5&p=0000000000000000000000000000000000vg&u=0&f=A&v=mapbubble&a=-&i=none&vo=value&t=C&g=00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001&l=249-ruvvvvvfvtvnvv1vrvvvvfvvvvvvfvvvou20evvvvvvvvvvnvvvs0008&s=94694400000&e=1546300800000 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the production of [[natural gas]], in 2018, Argentina produced 1524 bcf (billion cubic feet), Venezuela 946, Brazil 877, Bolivia 617, Peru 451, Colombia 379.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.eia.gov/international/data/world/natural-gas/dry-natural-gas-production?pd=3002&p=00g&u=0&f=A&v=mapbubble&a=-&i=none&vo=value&&t=C&g=00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001&l=249-ruvvvvvfvtvnvv1vrvvvvfvvvvvvfvvvou20evvvvvvvvvvnvvvs0008&s=315532800000&e=1546300800000 |title=Natural Gas production |access-date=13 October 2020 |archive-date=19 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019114317/https://www.eia.gov/international/data/world/natural-gas/dry-natural-gas-production?pd=3002&p=00g&u=0&f=A&v=mapbubble&a=-&i=none&vo=value&&t=C&g=00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001&l=249-ruvvvvvfvtvnvv1vrvvvvfvvvvvvfvvvou20evvvvvvvvvvnvvvs0008&s=315532800000&e=1546300800000 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the beginning of 2020, in the production of [[Petroleum|oil]] and [[natural gas]], Brazil exceeded 4 million [[barrels of oil equivalent]] per day, for the first time. In January this year, 3.168 million barrels of oil per day and 138.753 million cubic meters of natural gas were extracted.<ref name="anp.gov.br">{{Cite web|url=http://www.anp.gov.br/noticias/5628-producao-de-petroleo-e-gas-no-brasil-ultrapassa-4-milhoes-de-boe-d-pela-primeira-vez|title=Produção de petróleo e gás no Brasil ultrapassa 4 milhões de boe/d pela primeira vez|website=anp.gov.br|access-date=8 November 2020|archive-date=20 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220091405/http://www.anp.gov.br/noticias/5628-producao-de-petroleo-e-gas-no-brasil-ultrapassa-4-milhoes-de-boe-d-pela-primeira-vez|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Tourism ===
[[File:The Most Expensive.jpg|thumb|[[Copacabana Palace]], one of the best hotels in South America, in Rio de Janeiro]]
Tourism in South America is still little evolved: in Europe, for example, countries obtain annual tourist values such as U $73.7 billion (Spain), or U $67.3 billion (France). While Europe received 710 million tourists in 2018, Asia 347 million and North America 142.2 million, South America received only 37 million, Central America 10.8 million and the Caribbean 25.7 million.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/pdf/10.18111/9789284421152 |title=International Tourism Highlights |date=2019 |doi=10.18111/9789284421152 |isbn=978-92-844-2115-2 |access-date=18 October 2020 |archive-date=30 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830074615/https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/pdf/10.18111/9789284421152 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="sortable wikitable" style="margin:10px"
|- bgcolor=#ececec
! Selected <br /> [[Caribbean]] and<br />[[Latin America]]n <br />countries  || Internl.<br /> tourist<br />arrivals<small><br />2019<ref name=WTO2023Highlights>{{cite web|year=2023|url=https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/epdf/10.18111/9789284424986 |title="International Tourism Highlights, 2023 Edition – The Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism (2020–2022) Revised and updated, October 2023"|publisher=[[World Tourism Organization]]|access-date=2024-07-14}}</ref><br /> (x1000)</small>|| Internl. <br />tourism <br /> receipts<br /><small>2019</small><ref name=WTO2023Highlights/><br /><small>(million<br />[[USD]])</small>|| Receipts<br /> per <br />arrival<br /><small> 2019<br />(col 2)/(col 1)<br />([[USD]])</small> || Arrivals<br />per<br />capita<br /><small>per 1000 pop.<br />(estimated)<br />2007<ref name=WTO2008>{{cite web|url=http://www.tourismroi.com/Content_Attachments/27670/File_633513750035785076.pdf |title=UNWTO World Tourism Barometer June 2008 |publisher=UNWTO |year=2008 |author=World Tourism Organization |access-date=2008-08-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031013714/http://www.tourismroi.com/Content_Attachments/27670/File_633513750035785076.pdf |archive-date=2008-10-31 }} Data corresponds to 2007</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=UNData. Country profiles (1999-2005) |url=http://data.un.org/CountryProfile.aspx?crName=Argentina
|access-date=2008-08-08 | author=United Nations }} ''Population estimated for 2007 (search values for each country profile)''</ref> </small> || Receipts <br />per<br /> capita<small><br />2005<ref name="OMT06">{{cite web | year = 2006 | url=http://unwto.org/facts/eng/pdf/indicators/new/ITR05_americas_US$.pdf | title = Tourism Market Trends, Annex 12, 2006 Edition| author = World Tourism Organization|access-date=2008-03-30|id= (Data corresponds to 2005)}}</ref> <br />[[USD]]</small> || Revenues <br />as % <br />of exports<br />goods and<br />services<ref name="BID2006">{{cite web | author = Carmen Altés | year = 2006 | title = El Turismo en América Latina y el Caribe y la experiencia del BID| page = 9 and 47| publisher = Inter-American Development Bank; Sustainable Development Department, Technical Paper Series ENV-149, Washington, D.C.|language=es|url=http://idbdocs.iadb.org/wsdocs/getdocument.aspx?docnum=984876|access-date=2008-06-14}}</ref><br /><small>2003</small> || Tourism<br />revenues<br /> as %<br /> [[GDP]]<ref name=TTCI2013>{{cite web| url =http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TT_Competitiveness_Report_2013.pdf| editor=Jennifer Blanke and Thea Chiesa|year = 2013 | title = Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2013 | publisher = [[World Economic Forum]], Geneva, Switzerland|access-date=2013-04-14}} ''See Table 4, pp. 18-19 and Country/Economy Profile: Brazil, pp. 116-117.''</ref><ref name=BID2006/> <br /><small>2012</small> || % Direct &<br /> indirect<br />employment<br />in tourism<ref name=TTCI2013/><ref name=BID2006/><small><br />2012</small> || World<br />Ranking<br />Tourism<br />Compet.<ref  name="TTCI2024" >{{cite web |title=2. At a glance: Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024 overall rankings - Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024 - World Economic Forum |publisher=World Economic Forum |url=https://www.weforum.org/publications/travel-tourism-development-index-2024/in-full/2-at-a-glance-travel-tourism-development-index-2021-overall-rankings-8593eb268c/#2-at-a-glance-travel-tourism-development-index-2021-overall-rankings-8593eb268c |date=May 2024|access-date=2024-07-10}}</ref><br />[[Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report|TTCI]]<br /><small>2024</small>|| Index<br />value <br />[[Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report|TTCI]]<ref name=TTCI2024/><br /><small>2024</small>
|- align=center
| align=left|{{ARG}} || 7,399 || 5,241 || 708  || 115 || 57 || 7.4 || 10.5 || 9.9 || 49 || 4.10
|-align="center"
| align=left| {{BRA}} || 6,353|| 5,995||944 || 26 || 18 || 3.2 || 8.9 || 8.1 ||  bgcolor=#ccffcc|'''26''' ||  bgcolor=#ccffcc|'''4.41'''
|-align="center"
| align=left| {{CHI}} || 4,518 || 2,302|| 510 || 151 || 73|| 5.3|| 8.4|| 8.0|| 31|| 4.33
|- align="center" 
| align="left" | {{COL}} || 4,169|| 5,682 || 1,363 ||26 ||25|| 6.6|| 5.1|| 5.5||40||4.08 
|-align="center"
| align=left| {{CRC}} || 3,139|| 3,988||  1,270 || 442 ||  343||  17.5|| 12.5||  11.7|| 51|| 4.08
|-align="center"
| align=left| {{CUB}} ||4,263||2,596 || 609 || 188 || 169 ||n/d ||n/d ||n/d ||n/d ||n/d
|-align="center"
| align=left| {{DOM}} ||6,446|| 7,472|| 1,159|| 408 || 353 || 36.2 || 14.7 || 13.6 || 64 || 3.88
|-align="center"
| align=left| {{JAM}} || 2,681|| 3,639 || 1,357 || bgcolor=#ccffcc|'''628''' || bgcolor=#ccffcc|'''530''' || bgcolor=#ccffcc|'''49.2''' || bgcolor=#ccffcc|'''25.7''' || bgcolor=#ccffcc|'''23.8 '''|| 84 || 3.59
|-align="center"
| align=left| {{MEX}} ||bgcolor=#ccffcc| '''45,024'''|| bgcolor=#ccffcc| '''24,573'''||546|| 201 || 103 || 5.7 || 12.4 || 13.7 || 38 || 4.26
|-align="center"
| align=left| {{PAN}} ||1,753||4,520||bgcolor=#ccffcc|'''2,578''' || 330 || 211 ||  10.6 || 10.1 || 9.6 || 63 || 3.90
|- align=center
|align="left"| {{PER}} ||4,372||3,738||855|| 65 || 41 || 9.0 || 9.1 || 7.8 || 62 || 3.90
|- align=center
|align="left"| {{URU}}  ||3,056 || 2,255 || 738 ||525 || 145 || 14.2 || 10.2 || 9.7 || 71 || 3.79
|}
* <small>Notes: <span style="color:#009900;">'''Green'''</span> shadow denotes the country with the top indicator.</small>

Please note that the number of tourists does not always reflect the monetary amount the country gets from tourism. Some countries carry out higher levels of tourism, obtaining more benefits.

==Gallery==

<gallery>
File:Pergola Vineyard Argentina.jpg|Grape plantation in Argentina. Argentina and Chile are among the 10 largest grape and wine producers in the world and Brazil among the 20 largest.
File:Rota Alternativa Paraguai - Rio Preto - 2 - panoramio.jpg|Maize in [[Dourados]]. Brazil and Argentina are among the 5 largest world producers
File:Jaula cultivo salmon chile.jpg|Salmon farming in Chile. One third of all salmon sold in the world comes from the country.
File:Sede Neugebauer.jpg|Neugebauer Chocolate Factory in [[Arroio do Meio]]. South America specializes in food processing
File:CSN01.jpg|Steel-maker [[Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional|CSN]], in [[Volta Redonda]]. Brazil is one of the 10 largest steel producers in the world, and Argentina is one of the 30 largest
File:Klabin Unidade Puma, Ortigueira Paraná.jpg|Klabin industrial complex, in [[Ortigueira]]. Brazil is the second largest pulp producer and the eighth largest paper producer in the world
File:Distrito Industrial, Franca (SP), Brazil.jpg|Portico of the Democrata men's shoe factory, in [[Franca]]. Brazil is the fourth largest shoe manufacturer in the world.
File:Cia Hering 2019.jpg|[[Cia. Hering|Hering]], in Santa Catarina, Brazil. The country has one of the 5 largest textile industries in the world
File:Mercedes-Benz Brazil Central Office (2012).jpg|Mercedes-Benz plant in [[São Paulo (state)|São Paulo]]. Mexico and Brazil are among the 10 largest vehicle manufacturers in the world and Argentina among the 30 largest.
File:Mina de Chuquicamata, Calama, Chile, 2016-02-01, DD 110-112 PAN.JPG|Copper mine in Chile. Latin America produces more than half of the world's copper
File:Smaragd-G-EmpireTheWorldOfGems.jpg|Colombian emerald. The country is the largest producer of emeralds in the world, and Brazil is one of the largest producers
File:The Most Expensive.jpg|[[Copacabana Palace]], the best hotel in South America, in Rio de Janeiro. Tourism brings important currencies to the continent.
File:INTA - colmenar apícola.jpg|Honey production in Argentina. The country is the third largest producer of [[honey]] in the world.
File:Balcarce-buenosaires.JPG|Sunflower plantation in Argentina. The country is the world's third largest producer of [[sunflower seed]].
File:Cerezas La Candelaria Chépica VI Región.JPG|Chilean cherries. Chile is one of the top 5 producers of sweet cherries in the world.
File:Actinidia KIWI 02.jpg|Chilean kiwi. The country is one of the 10 largest kiwi producers in the world.
File:Oilpalmmagdalenacolombia-2.jpg|Palm plantation in Magdalena. Colombia is one of the top 5 [[palm oil]] producers in the world.
File:Detail of pineapples growing.jpg|Pineapple in Brazil. The country is the 3rd largest producer in the world. South America produces close to 20% of the world's pineapple.
</gallery>

== Transport ==

=== Roads and highways ===
[[File:RodBandeirantes.jpg|200px|thumb|right|[[Rodovia dos Bandeirantes]], Brazil]]
[[File:Panamericana Highway in Buenos Aires.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Panamericana Highway, Argentina]]
[[File:Ilha de Mocanguê by Diego Baravelli (cropped).jpg|200px|thumb|right|[[Rio–Niterói Bridge]]]]
[[File:Riodejaneiro aerea aeroportogaleao-131756(cut).jpg|200px|thumb|right|Rio de Janeiro International Airport]]
[[File:A Saúde dos Portos (7110638275).jpg|200px|thumb|right|Port of Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil]]
Transport in South America is basically carried out using the [[road]] mode, the most developed in the region. There is also a considerable infrastructure of [[ports]] and [[airports]]. The [[railway]] and [[fluvial]] sector, although it has potential, is usually treated in a secondary way.

Brazil has more than 1.7 million km of [[roads]], of which 215,000&nbsp;km are paved, and about 14,000&nbsp;km are [[dual carriageway|divided highways]]. The two most important highways in the country are [[BR-101]] and [[BR-116]].<ref name="Anuário CNT do transporte 2018">{{Cite web |url=https://anuariodotransporte.cnt.org.br/2018/ |title=Anuário CNT do transporte 2018 |access-date=5 November 2020 |archive-date=11 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111012349/http://anuariodotransporte.cnt.org.br/2018/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Argentina has more than 600,000&nbsp;km of roads, of which about 70,000&nbsp;km are paved, and about 2,500&nbsp;km are divided highways. The three most important highways in the country are [[National Route 9 (Argentina)|Route 9]], [[National Route 7 (Argentina)|Route 7]] and [[National Route 14 (Argentina)|Route 14]].<ref name="Anuário CNT do transporte 2018"/> Colombia has about 210,000&nbsp;km of roads, and about 2,300&nbsp;km are divided highways.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mintransporte.gov.co/descargar.php?idFile=14090 |title=Transporte en Cifras Estadísticas 2015 |access-date=5 November 2020 |archive-date=27 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127090803/https://www.mintransporte.gov.co/descargar.php?idFile=14090 |url-status=live }}</ref> Chile has about 82,000&nbsp;km of roads, 20,000&nbsp;km of which are paved, and about 2,000&nbsp;km are divided highways. The most important highway in the country is the [[Chile Route 5|Route 5]] ([[Pan-American Highway]])<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mapas.mop.cl/cc2017/Cuadernillo/Cuadernillo_2017.pdf |title=Carta Caminera 2017 |access-date=5 November 2020 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414172426/http://www.mapas.mop.cl/cc2017/Cuadernillo/Cuadernillo_2017.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> These 4 countries are the ones with the best road infrastructure and with the largest number of double-lane highways.

Due to the [[Andes Mountains]], [[Amazon River]] and [[Amazon Forest]], there have always been difficulties in implementing transcontinental or bioceanic highways. Practically the only route that existed was the one that connected Brazil to Buenos Aires, in Argentina and later to Santiago, in Chile. However, in recent years, with the combined effort of countries, new routes have started to emerge, such as Brazil-Peru ([[Interoceanic Highway]]), and a new highway between Brazil, Paraguay, northern Argentina and northern Chile ([[Central Bi-Oceanic railway|Bioceanic Corridor]]).

=== Airports ===
There are more than 2,000 airports in Brazil. The country has the second largest number of airports in the world, behind only the United States. [[São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport|São Paulo International Airport]], located in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, is the largest and busiest in the country – the airport connects São Paulo to practically all major cities around the world. Brazil has 44 international airports, such as those in [[Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport|Rio de Janeiro]], [[Brasília International Airport|Brasília]], [[Belo Horizonte International Airport|Belo Horizonte]], [[Salgado Filho International Airport|Porto Alegre]], [[Hercílio Luz International Airport|Florianópolis]], [[Marechal Rondon International Airport|Cuiabá]], [[Salvador International Airport|Salvador]], [[Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport|Recife]], [[Fortaleza Airport|Fortaleza]], [[Belém/Val-de-Cans International Airport|Belém]] and [[Eduardo Gomes International Airport|Manaus]], among others. Argentina has important international airports such as [[Ministro Pistarini International Airport|Buenos Aires]], [[Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport|Cordoba]], [[San Carlos de Bariloche Airport|Bariloche]], [[Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport|Mendoza]], [[Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport|Salta]], [[Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport|Puerto Iguazú]], [[Presidente Perón International Airport|Neuquén]] and [[Ushuaia – Malvinas Argentinas International Airport|Usuhaia]], among others. Chile has important international airports such as [[Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport|Santiago]], [[Andrés Sabella Gálvez International Airport|Antofagasta]], [[El Tepual Airport|Puerto Montt]], [[Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport|Punta Arenas]] and [[Diego Aracena International Airport|Iquique]], among others. Colombia has important international airports such as [[El Dorado International Airport|Bogotá]], [[José María Córdova International Airport|Medellín]], [[Rafael Núñez International Airport|Cartagena]], [[Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport|Cali]] and [[Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport|Barranquilla]], among others. Other important airports are those in the capitals of Uruguay ([[Carrasco International Airport|Montevideo]]), Paraguay ([[Silvio Pettirossi International Airport|Asunción]]), Peru ([[Jorge Chávez International Airport|Lima]]), Bolivia ([[El Alto International Airport|La Paz]]) and Ecuador ([[Mariscal Sucre International Airport|Quito]]).  The 10 busiest airports in South America in 2017 were: São Paulo-Guarulhos (Brazil), Bogotá (Colombia), São Paulo-Congonhas (Brazil), Santiago (Chile), Lima (Peru), Brasília (Brazil), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Buenos Aires-Aeroparque (Argentina), Buenos Aires-Ezeiza (Argentina), and Minas Gerais (Brazil).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.panrotas.com.br/aviacao/aeroportos/2018/10/brasil-tem-9-dos-maiores-aeroportos-da-america-latina_159919.html |title=Brasil tem 9 dos maiores aeroportos da América Latina |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111125631/https://www.panrotas.com.br/aviacao/aeroportos/2018/10/brasil-tem-9-dos-maiores-aeroportos-da-america-latina_159919.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Ports ===
About [[ports]], Brazil has some of the busiest ports in South America, such as [[Port of Santos]], [[Port of Rio de Janeiro]], [[Port of Paranaguá]], [[Port of Itajaí]], [[Port of Rio Grande]], [[Port of São Francisco do Sul]] and [[Suape Port]]. Argentina has ports such as [[Port of Buenos Aires]] and [[Port of Rosario]]. Chile has important ports in [[Valparaíso]], [[Caldera, Chile|Caldera]], [[Mejillones]], [[Antofagasta]], [[Iquique]], [[Arica]] and [[Puerto Montt]]. Colombia has important ports such as [[Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca|Buenaventura]], [[Cartagena Container Terminal]] and [[Puerto Bolivar, Colombia|Puerto Bolivar]]. Peru has important ports in [[Callao]], [[Ilo, Peru|Ilo]] and [[Matarani]]. The 15 busiest ports in South America are: Port of Santos (Brazil), Port of Bahia de Cartagena (Colombia), Callao (Peru), Guayaquil (Ecuador), Buenos Aires (Argentina), San Antonio (Chile), Buenaventura (Colombia), Itajaí (Brazil), Valparaíso (Chile), Montevideo (Uruguay), Paranaguá (Brazil), Rio Grande (Brazil), São Francisco do Sul (Brazil), Manaus (Brazil) and Coronel (Chile).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cepal.org/sites/default/files/news/files/actividad_portuaria_2018.pdf |title=Port Activity of Latin America and the Caribbean 2018 |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114132759/https://www.cepal.org/sites/default/files/news/files/actividad_portuaria_2018.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Railways ===
{{Further|Trans-Andean railways}}
The Brazilian [[railway]] network has an extension of about 30,000 kilometers. It's basically used for transporting ores.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brazil/ |title=The World Factbook — Central Intelligence |access-date=24 January 2021 |archive-date=12 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812124129/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brazil/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Argentine rail network, with 47,000&nbsp;km of tracks, was one of the largest in the world and continues to be the most extensive in Latin America. It came to have about 100,000&nbsp;km of rails, but the lifting of tracks and the emphasis placed on motor transport gradually reduced it. It has four different trails and international connections with Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay. Chile has almost 7,000&nbsp;km of railways, with connections to Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. Colombia has only about 3,500&nbsp;km of railways.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mintransporte.gov.co/Servicios/Estadisticas/DIAGNOSTICO_TRANSPORTE_2008.pdf |title=Diagnostico Transporte |access-date=6 November 2020 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307192918/https://www.mintransporte.gov.co/Servicios/Estadisticas/DIAGNOSTICO_TRANSPORTE_2008.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Waterways ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2024}}
Among the main Brazilian [[waterways]], two stand out: [[Hidrovia Tietê-Paraná]] (which has a length of 2,400&nbsp;km, 1,600 on the Paraná River and 800&nbsp;km on the Tietê River, draining agricultural production from the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás and part of Rondônia, Tocantins and Minas Gerais) and [[Hidrovia do Solimões-Amazonas]] (it has two sections: Solimões, which extends from Tabatinga to Manaus, with approximately 1600&nbsp;km, and Amazonas, which extends from Manaus to Belém, with 1650&nbsp;km. Almost entirely passenger transport from the Amazon plain is done by this waterway, in addition to practically all cargo transportation that is directed to the major regional centers of Belém and Manaus). In Brazil, this transport is still underutilized: the most important waterway stretches, from an economic point of view, are found in the Southeast and South of the country. Its full use still depends on the construction of locks, major dredging works and, mainly, of ports that allow intermodal integration. In [[Argentina]], the waterway network is made up of the La Plata, Paraná, Paraguay and Uruguay rivers. The main river ports are [[Zárate, Buenos Aires|Zárate]] and [[Campana Partido|Campana]]. The port of Buenos Aires is historically the first in individual importance, but the area known as Up-River, which stretches along 67&nbsp;km of the Santa Fé portion of the Paraná River, brings together 17 ports that concentrate 50% of the total exports of the country.

== Energy ==
{{main|Energy in South America}}

===Brazil===
{{Main|Energy policy of Brazil|Renewable energy in Brazil}}
[[File:ItaipuAerea2AAL.jpg|thumb|right|[[Itaipu Dam]] in [[Paraná (state)|Paraná]].]]
[[File:Energia Eolica.jpg|thumb|right|[[Wind power]] in [[Parnaíba]].]]
[[File:Angra dos Reis - usinas nucleares.jpg|thumb|[[Angra Nuclear Power Plant]] in [[Angra dos Reis]], [[Rio de Janeiro (state)|Rio de Janeiro]]]]
The Brazilian government has undertaken an ambitious program to reduce dependence on imported petroleum. Imports previously accounted for more than 70% of the country's oil needs but Brazil became self-sufficient in oil in 2006–2007. Brazil was the 10th largest oil producer in the world in 2019, with 2.8&nbsp;million barrels / day. Production manages to supply the country's demand.<ref name="eia.gov"/> In the beginning of 2020, in the production of [[Petroleum|oil]] and [[natural gas]], the country exceeded 4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, for the first time. In January this year, 3.168&nbsp;million barrels of oil per day and 138.753&nbsp;million cubic meters of natural gas were extracted.<ref name="anp.gov.br"/>

Brazil is one of the main world producers of [[hydroelectricity|hydroelectric power]]. In 2019, Brazil had 217 hydroelectric plants in operation, with an installed capacity of 98,581 MW, 60.16% of the country's energy generation.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://cbie.com.br/artigos/quantas-usinas-geradoras-de-energia-temos-no-brasil/ |title=How many power plants do we have in Brazil? |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330132358/https://cbie.com.br/artigos/quantas-usinas-geradoras-de-energia-temos-no-brasil/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the total generation of electricity, in 2019 Brazil reached 170,000 megawatts of installed capacity, more than 75% from renewable sources (the majority, hydroelectric).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.aneel.gov.br/sala-de-imprensa-exibicao/-/asset_publisher/XGPXSqdMFHrE/content/brasil-alcanca-170-mil-megawatts-de-capacidade-instalada-em-2019/656877?inheritRedirect=false |title=Brasil alcança 170 mil megawatts de capacidade instalada em 2019 |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413193140/https://www.aneel.gov.br/sala-de-imprensa-exibicao/-/asset_publisher/XGPXSqdMFHrE/content/brasil-alcanca-170-mil-megawatts-de-capacidade-instalada-em-2019/656877?inheritRedirect=false |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.energiaeambiente.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IEMA-AGUA_vFinal.pdf|title=Uso de água em termoelétricas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401075849/http://www.energiaeambiente.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IEMA-AGUA_vFinal.pdf |archive-date=1 April 2018 }}</ref>

In 2013, the [[Southeast Region, Brazil|Southeast Region]] used about 50% of the load of the National Integrated System (SIN), being the main energy consuming region in the country. The region's installed electricity generation capacity totaled almost 42,500 MW, which represented about a third of Brazil's generation capacity. The [[hydroelectric]] generation represented 58% of the region's installed capacity, with the remaining 42% corresponding basically to the [[thermoelectric]] generation. São Paulo accounted for 40% of this capacity; Minas Gerais by about 25%; Rio de Janeiro by 13.3%; and Espírito Santo accounted for the rest. The [[South Region, Brazil|South Region]] owns the [[Itaipu Dam]], which was the largest hydroelectric plant in the world for several years, until the inauguration of [[Three Gorges Dam]] in China. It remains the second largest operating [[hydroelectric]] in the world. Brazil is the co-owner of the Itaipu Plant with [[Paraguay]]: the dam is located on the [[Paraná River]], located on the border between countries. It has an installed generation capacity of 14 [[Watt|GW]] for 20 generating units of 700 [[Watt|MW]] each. [[North Region, Brazil|North Region]] has large hydroelectric plants, such as [[Belo Monte Dam]] and [[Tucuruí Dam]], which produce much of the national energy. Brazil's hydroelectric potential has not yet been fully exploited, so the country still has the capacity to build several renewable energy plants in its territory.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://web.bndes.gov.br/bib/jspui/bitstream/1408/4401/1/O%20BNDES%20e%20a%20quest%C3%A3o%20energ%C3%A9tica%20e%20logistica%20na%20Regi%C3%A3o%20Sudeste_5_P.pdf |title=O BNDES e a questão energética e logística da Região Sudeste |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403234324/https://web.bndes.gov.br/bib/jspui/bitstream/1408/4401/1/O%20BNDES%20e%20a%20quest%C3%A3o%20energ%C3%A9tica%20e%20logistica%20na%20Regi%C3%A3o%20Sudeste_5_P.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/hybiggest.html|title=Power: World's biggest hydroelectric facility|date=19 May 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519000659/http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/hybiggest.html |archive-date=19 May 2006 }}</ref>

{{As of|2022|7|url=http://www.ons.org.br/paginas/conhecimento/acervo-digital/documentos-e-publicacoes|post=,}} according to ONS, total installed capacity of [[wind power]] was 22 GW, with average [[capacity factor]] of 58%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ons.org.br/AcervoDigitalDocumentosEPublicacoes/Boletim%20Mensal%20de%20Gera%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20E%C3%B3lica%202021-02.pdf|title=Boletim Mensal de Geração Eólica Fevereiro/2021|language=pt|date=20 February 2021|publisher=Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico – ONS|pages=6, 14|access-date=7 April 2021|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410221330/http://www.ons.org.br/AcervoDigitalDocumentosEPublicacoes/Boletim%20Mensal%20de%20Gera%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20E%C3%B3lica%202021-02.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://megawhat.energy/news/147158/eolica-supera-22-gw-em-operacao-no-brasil|title=Eólica supera 22 GW em operação no Brasil|date=21 July 2022|publisher=Megawhat|access-date=2 August 2022|language=pt-br|archive-date=15 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315014248/https://megawhat.energy/news/147158/eolica-supera-22-gw-em-operacao-no-brasil|url-status=live}}</ref> While the world average wind production capacity factors is 24.7%, there are areas in Northern Brazil, specially in Bahia State, where some wind farms record with average capacity factors over 60%;<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.brasil.gov.br/noticias/infraestrutura/2014/12/brasil-e-o-pais-com-melhor-fator-de-aproveitamento-da-energia-eolica|title=Brasil é o país com melhor fator de aproveitamento da energia eólica|work=Governo do Brasil|access-date=7 October 2018|language=pt-BR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007223102/http://www.brasil.gov.br/noticias/infraestrutura/2014/12/brasil-e-o-pais-com-melhor-fator-de-aproveitamento-da-energia-eolica|archive-date=7 October 2018}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> the average capacity factor in the [[Northeast Region, Brazil|Northeast Region]] is 45% in the coast and 49% in the interior.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.epe.gov.br/sites-pt/publicacoes-dados-abertos/publicacoes/PublicacoesArquivos/publicacao-233/topico-520/Boletim_2020_Q1.pdf|title=Boletim Trimestral de Energia Eólica – Junho de 2020|language=pt-BR|publisher=[[Empresa de Pesquisa Energética]]|date=23 June 2020|page=4|access-date=24 October 2020|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.epe.gov.br/sites-pt/publicacoes-dados-abertos/publicacoes/PublicacoesArquivos/publicacao-233/topico-520/Boletim_2020_Q1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, wind energy represented 9% of the energy generated in the country.<ref name="cbie.com.br">{{Cite web |url=https://cbie.com.br/artigos/quantas-usinas-geradoras-de-energia-temos-no-brasil/ |title=Quantas usinas geradoras de energia temos no Brasil? |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330132358/https://cbie.com.br/artigos/quantas-usinas-geradoras-de-energia-temos-no-brasil/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2019, it was estimated that the country had an estimated wind power generation potential of around 522 GW (this, only onshore), enough energy to meet three times the country's current demand.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://revistapesquisa.fapesp.br/ventos-promissores-a-caminho/ |title=Ventos promissores a caminho |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=27 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127015641/https://revistapesquisa.fapesp.br/ventos-promissores-a-caminho/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www2.ctee.com.br/brazilwindpower/2016/zpublisher/materia/?url=potencial-eolico-onshore-brasileiro-pode-ser-de-880-gw-indica-estudo-20161026 |title=Brazilian onshore wind potential could be 880 GW, study indicates |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814221022/http://www2.ctee.com.br/brazilwindpower/2016/zpublisher/materia/?url=potencial-eolico-onshore-brasileiro-pode-ser-de-880-gw-indica-estudo-20161026 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021 Brazil was the 7th country in the world in terms of installed wind power (21 GW),<ref name="RENEWABLE CAPACITY STATISTICS 2021">{{Cite web |url=https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2021/Apr/IRENA_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2021.pdf |title=RENEWABLE CAPACITY STATISTICS 2021 |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-date=27 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827043106/https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2021/Apr/IRENA_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2021.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2022/Apr/IRENA_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2022.pdf|title=Global wind statistics|date=22 April 2022|website=IRENA|language=en-US|access-date=22 April 2022|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2022/Apr/IRENA_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2022.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and the 4th largest producer of wind energy in the world (72 TWh), behind only China, USA and Germany.<ref>[[Hannah Ritchie]] and [[Max Roser]], [https://ourworldindata.org/renewable-energy Wind Power generation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804120952/https://ourworldindata.org/renewable-energy |date=4 August 2020 }}</ref>

Nuclear energy accounts for about 4% of Brazil's electricity.<ref name=uic>{{cite web|publisher=Uranium Information Centre |url=http://www.uic.com.au/nip95.htm |title=Nuclear Power in Brazil. Briefing Paper # 95 |date=May 2007 |access-date=19 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208105204/http://www.uic.com.au/nip95.htm |archive-date=8 February 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The nuclear power generation monopoly is owned by [[Eletronuclear|Eletronuclear (Eletrobrás Eletronuclear S/A)]], a wholly owned subsidiary of [[Eletrobrás]]. Nuclear energy is produced by [[List of nuclear reactors#Brazil|two reactors]] at [[Angra Nuclear Power Plant|Angra]]. It is located at the Central Nuclear Almirante Álvaro Alberto (CNAAA) on the Praia de Itaorna in [[Angra dos Reis]], [[Rio de Janeiro (state)|Rio de Janeiro]]. It consists of two [[pressurized water reactor]]s, Angra I, with capacity of 657 MW, connected to the power grid in 1982, and Angra II, with capacity of 1,350 MW, connected in 2000. A third reactor, Angra III, with a projected output of 1,350 MW, is planned to be finished.<ref name=merco>{{cite web |publisher=Mecropress |url=http://www.mercopress.com/Detalle.asp?NUM=9036 |title=Brazil plans to build seven nuclear reactors |date=23 October 2006 |access-date=19 May 2007 |archive-date=19 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219171559/http://www.mercopress.com/Detalle.asp?NUM=9036 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{As of|2022|10|url=http://www.ons.org.br/paginas/conhecimento/acervo-digital/documentos-e-publicacoes|post=,}} according to ONS, total installed capacity of [[photovoltaic solar]] was 21 GW, with average [[capacity factor]] of 23%.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://canalenergia.com.br/noticias/53228183/solar-atinge-21-gw-e-r-1086-bi-em-investimentos-no-brasil |title=Solar atinge 21 GW e R$ 108,6 bi em investimentos no Brasil |access-date=27 October 2022 |archive-date=1 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401111703/https://www.canalenergia.com.br/noticias/53228183/solar-atinge-21-gw-e-r-1086-bi-em-investimentos-no-brasil |url-status=live }}</ref> Some of the most [[Solar irradiance|irradiated]] Brazilian States are MG ("Minas Gerais"), BA ("Bahia") and GO (Goiás), which have indeed world [[Solar irradiance|irradiation]] level records.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://sharenergy.com.br/quais-melhores-regioes-brasil-para-geracao-de-energia-fotovoltaica/|title=Quais as melhores regiões do Brasil para geração de energia fotovoltaica? – Sharenergy|date=3 February 2017|work=Sharenergy|access-date=7 October 2018|language=pt-BR|archive-date=7 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007223213/http://sharenergy.com.br/quais-melhores-regioes-brasil-para-geracao-de-energia-fotovoltaica/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ons.org.br/AcervoDigitalDocumentosEPublicacoes/Boletim%20Mensal%20de%20Gera%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20Solar%202020-09.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.ons.org.br/AcervoDigitalDocumentosEPublicacoes/Boletim%20Mensal%20de%20Gera%C3%A7%C3%A3o%20Solar%202020-09.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live|title=Boletim Mensal de Geração Solar Fotovoltaica Setembro/2020|language=pt|date=13 October 2020|publisher=Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico – ONS|pages=6, 13|access-date=21 October 2020}}</ref> In 2019, solar power represented 1,27% of the energy generated in the country.<ref name="cbie.com.br"/> In 2021, Brazil was the 14th country in the world in terms of installed solar power (13 GW),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2022/Apr/IRENA_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2022.pdf |title=RENEWABLE CAPACITY STATISTICS 2022 |access-date=27 October 2022 |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2022/Apr/IRENA_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2022.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and the 11th largest producer of solar energy in the world (16.8 TWh).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ourworldindata.org/renewable-energy |title=Hannah Ritchie, Max Roser: Solar Power Generation |access-date=27 October 2022 |archive-date=4 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804120952/https://ourworldindata.org/renewable-energy |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2020, Brazil was the 2nd largest country in the world in the production of energy through [[biomass]] (energy production from solid biofuels and renewable waste), with 15,2 GW installed.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2021/Apr/IRENA_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2021.pdf |title=RENEWABLE CAPACITY STATISTICS 2021 page 41 |access-date=24 May 2021 |archive-date=27 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827043106/https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2021/Apr/IRENA_RE_Capacity_Statistics_2021.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Other countries ===
After Brazil, [[Colombia]] is the country in South America that most stands out in energy production. In 2020, the country was the 20th largest petroleum producer in the world, and in 2015 it was the 19th largest exporter. In natural gas, the country was, in 2015, the 40th largest producer in the world. Colombia's biggest highlight is in coal, where the country was, in 2018, the world's 12th largest producer and the 5th largest exporter. In renewable energies, in 2020, the country ranked 45th in the world in terms of installed wind energy (0.5 GW), 76th in the world in terms of installed solar energy (0.1 GW) and 20th in the world in terms of installed hydroelectric power (12.6 GW). [[Venezuela]], which was one of the world's largest oil producers (about 2.5 million barrels/day in 2015) and one of the largest exporters, due to its political problems, has had its production drastically reduced in recent years: in 2016, it dropped to 2.2 million, in 2017 to 2 million, in 2018 to 1.4 million and in 2019 to 877 thousand, reaching only 300,000 barrels/day at a given point. The country also stands out in hydroelectricity, where it was the 14th country in the world in terms of installed capacity in 2020 (16,5 GW). [[Argentina]] was, in 2017, the 18th largest producer in the world, and the largest producer in Latin America, of natural gas, in addition to being the 28th largest oil producer; although the country has the Vaca Muerta field, which holds close to 16 billion barrels of technically recoverable shale oil, and is the second largest shale natural gas deposit in the world, the country lacks the capacity to exploit the deposit: it is necessary capital, technology and knowledge that can only come from offshore energy companies, who view Argentina and its erratic economic policies with considerable suspicion, not wanting to invest in the country. In renewable energies, in 2020, the country ranked 27th in the world in terms of installed wind energy (2.6 GW), 42nd in the world in terms of installed solar energy (0.7 GW) and 21st in the world in terms of installed hydroelectric power (11.3 GW). The country has great future potential for the production of wind energy in the Patagonia region. [[Chile]], although currently not a major energy producer, has great future potential for solar energy production in the Atacama Desert region. [[Paraguay]] stands out today in hydroelectric production thanks to the Itaipu Power Plant. [[Bolivia]] stands out in the production of natural gas, where it was the 31st largest in the world in 2015. [[Ecuador]], because it consumes little energy, is part of OPEC and was the 27th largest oil producer in the world in 2020, being the 22nd largest exporter in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.eia.gov/international/data/world/petroleum-and-other-liquids/annual-petroleum-and-other-liquids-production |title=Annual production of oil and other liquids |access-date=13 October 2020 |archive-date=27 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627013533/https://www.eia.gov/international/data/world/petroleum-and-other-liquids/annual-petroleum-and-other-liquids-production |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/KeyWorld2014.pdf IEA. Key World Energy Statistics 2014. Natural Gas.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021020232/http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/KeyWorld2014.pdf |date=21 October 2014 }} Access date – 17 January 2021</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2249rank.|title=html CIA. The World Factbook. Natural gas – production.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/energy-economics/statistical-review-of-world-energy.html |title=Statistical Review of World Energy 2018 |access-date=26 June 2021 |archive-date=15 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115042241/https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/energy-economics/statistical-review-of-world-energy.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="RENEWABLE CAPACITY STATISTICS 2021"/>

== See also ==
* [[Latin American economy]]
* [[List of Latin American and Caribbean countries by GDP (nominal)]]
* [[List of Latin American and Caribbean countries by GDP (PPP)]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{South America topic|Economy of}}
{{South America topics}}
{{Americas topic|Economy of}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Economy Of South America}}
[[Category:Economy of South America| ]]
[[Category:Economies by continent|South America]]