What is the Difference Between South America and Latin America?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between South America and Latin America lies in their definitions and the countries they include.
South America is a continent, consisting of the entire landmass south of Central America, including countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and others. On the other hand, Latin America is a cultural entity that encompasses all countries in South America, as well as Mexico, Central America, and the islands of the Caribbean whose inhabitants speak a Romance language (Spanish, Portuguese, or French).
In summary:
- South America is a geographical term referring to the continent and its countries.
- Latin America is a cultural term that includes South America, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean islands where Romance languages are spoken.
While the terms are often used interchangeably, they do not have the same meaning. The term "Latin America" is used to specify a region culturally, as opposed to geographically.
Comparative Table: South America vs Latin America
The main difference between South America and Latin America lies in their definitions and the regions they encompass. Here is a table highlighting the differences:
| Feature | South America | Latin America |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | South America refers to the continent, which includes countries in the southern part of the Americas. It is bounded by the Caribbean Sea to the northwest and north, the Atlantic Ocean to the northeast, east, and southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. | Latin America refers to a large geographical region where various languages, primarily Romance languages like Spanish, French, and Portuguese, are spoken. It includes all countries in South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. |
| Countries | South America is made up of 12 countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. | Latin America includes all countries in South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It comprises a total of 33 countries. |
| Geographical Subregions | South America can be divided into three subregions: the Andes, the Atlantic Forest, and the Pantanal. | Latin America can be subdivided into several subregions based on geography, politics, demographics, and culture. The basic geographical subregions are North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. |
| Languages | Spanish, Portuguese, and French are the main languages spoken in South America, with English spoken in Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. | In Latin America, Spanish and Portuguese are the most spoken languages, while French is also spoken in countries like Haiti and Guadeloupe. |
In summary, South America is a continent with specific geographical boundaries and a smaller number of countries, while Latin America is a larger region that includes South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and is defined by the predominant languages spoken in the region.
- North America vs South America
- Latin vs Spanish
- Hispanic vs Latino
- Africa vs South Africa
- North America vs USA
- Latino vs Chicano
- Mexican vs Hispanic
- South Africa vs North Africa
- Mexican vs Spanish
- Europe vs America
- Sudan vs South Sudan
- Peru vs Ecuador
- Country vs Continent
- Greek vs Latin Language
- Mexico vs United States
- North India vs South India
- French vs Spanish
- Mexico vs New Mexico
- North Korea vs South Korea