Known as the "New World", South America is the fourth largest continent in the world. Home to 400 million people and comprised of 12 sovereign states (2025), the continent is home to several superlatives: the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall (Angel Falls in Venezuela); the highest single-drop waterfall (Kaieteur Falls in Guyana); the largest river by volume (the Amazon River); and the longest mountain range (the Andes).