last edited Dec 11, 2019
History, Society, and Culture of South America
Location Map of South America
South America
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Key Historical Dates
Populations
Economy
Culture and Customs
Arts, Crafts, and Architecture
Customs and Traditions
Languages
Outside of the Guianas, the Falkland Islands, and Brazil, Spanish is the official language of South American countries. Alongside it, many local languages and dialects are widely used, such as Quechua in Andean countries.
While French remains rarely spoken (except, of course, in French Guiana), English is more or less understood by younger people, especially in urban areas and tourist hotspots. In short, to travel in South America, it’s best to have some basics in Spanish—and Portuguese for Brazil.