South America has a diverse range of indigenous ethnic groups, with over 500 different indigenous languages spoken throughout the continent. ¹⁾

The largest indigenous ethnic group in South America is the Quechua, who primarily live in the Andes mountains and number around 8-10 million people. ²⁾

The Aymara people are another significant indigenous ethnic group in South America, living in Bolivia, Peru, and Chile. ³⁾

The Guaraní people are indigenous to Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia and have a rich cultural heritage that includes music, dance, and storytelling. ⁴⁾

The Mapuche people are indigenous to Chile and Argentina and have a long history of resistance to colonialism and cultural preservation. ⁵⁾

The Inca civilization, which originated in what is now Peru, was one of the largest and most advanced civilizations in the Americas, with a rich cultural legacy that includes architecture, engineering, agriculture, and textile production. ⁶⁾

The Afro-Latinx population in South America has its roots in the transatlantic slave trade and is concentrated in countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. ⁷⁾

The mestizo population in South America is a mix of indigenous and European ancestry and is a significant ethnic group in countries like Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. ⁸⁾

The Amazon region of South America is home to a diverse range of indigenous ethnic groups, including the Yanomami, Kayapó, and Matsés. ⁹⁾

The Wayuu people, who live in Colombia and Venezuela, have a unique cultural heritage that includes weaving and the production of hammocks and bags. ¹⁰⁾

The Kogi people, who live in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Colombia, have a deep spiritual connection to the natural world and are known for their ecological activism. ¹¹⁾

The Chimú people were a pre-Columbian civilization that flourished on the northern coast of Peru before being conquered by the Inca Empire. ¹²⁾

In Argentina, over 85% of the population is of European descent, primarily from Italy and Spain. ¹³⁾

In Peru, there is a significant population of people of Chinese descent, while in Brazil, there is a large Japanese community. ¹⁴⁾

In Brazil, there is a large Lebanese and Syrian community. ¹⁵⁾