20+ Differences between Latin America and South America (Explained)

South America and Latin America are two parts of the United States of America (USA) that often confuses people and, thus, are used interchangeably.

South America is a separate continent. South America can be seen on a map. Latin America, on the other hand, consists of South America and some parts of Central & North America.

Latin America can not be seen on a map. The major difference between Latin America and South America is that the former is an ethnic term while the latter is an official geographical term. 

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Key Differences –

Latin America –

1. Latin America is an ethnic term that mainly depicts an area of Romance Languages speaking people. 
2. Latin America consists of more than 20 countries. 
3. Latin Americans are often called Latinos. 
4. Latin America has a larger area than South America. 
5. Latin America has more population than South America. 

South America –

1. South America is an official demographic term that depicts the South American continent. 
2. South America consists of 13 countries. 
3. South Americans may or may not be called Latinos. 
4. South America has a smaller area than Latin America. 
5. South America has less population than Latin America. 

Comparison Between Latin America And South America

Parameter	Latin America	South America
Meaning	Latin America is an ethnic term used to refer to countries that have Romance Languages speakers.	South America is a demographical term used to refer to one of the continents of the USA.
Population Density	Latin America has a population density of 31 people/ sq. km.	South America has a population density of 21 people/ sq. km
Economical Activities	Latin America is engaged in the export activities.
Time Zones	Latin America has 6 different time zones, and these are UTC -3, UTC-4, UTC -5, UTC -6, UTC -7, and UTC -6.	South America has 5 different time zones, and these are UTC -2, UTC -3, UTC -4, UTC -4:30, and UTC -5.
Countries	Countries in Latin America are Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela.	Countries in South America are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

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Major Differences Between Latin America And South America

What exactly is Latin America?

Latin America is an ethnic term used to refer to South America, Central America, and some parts of North America. These areas are called a part of Latin America because these areas have Romance Language speaking people.

Latin America comprises more than 20 countries, with an area of 20,111,457 sq. km and a population of 642,216,682. 

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Features of Latin America are –

1. Latin America is a cultural term used to refer to a group of countries that generally have speakers of Romance Languages. 
2. Latin America has an area of 20,111,457 sq. km. Or 7,765,077 sq. miles.
3. Latin America has a population density of 31 per sq. km.
4. Spanish and Portuguese are the most spoken languages in Latin America. 
5. People from Latin America are called Latino (Male), Latina (Female), or Latinx (Neutral). 

What exactly is South America?

South America refers to the separate continent of South America that is located in the Western Hemisphere. It is not an ethnic term like Latin America. It comprises 13 countries and has an area of 17,840,000 sq. km with a population of 420,458 044. 

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Features of South America are –

1. South America is a demographical term used to refer to the South American continent. 
2. South America is the 4th biggest continent in the world. 
3. South America has an area of 17,840,000 sq. km. 
4. A population density of 21 people per sq. km prevails in South America.
5. Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Dutch are the most spoken languages in South America. 

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Contrast Between Latin America And South America

Meaning

• Latin America – Latin America is used to refer to a group of countries that have speakers of Romance Languages. 

• South America – South America is used to refer to one of the continents of the United States of America. 

Term

• Latin America – Latin America is an ethnic or cultural term. 

• South America – South America is a demographical term.

Area

• Latin America – Latin America has more area than South America, i.e., 20,111,457 sq. km. Or 7,765,077 sq. miles.

• South America – South America has less area than Latin America, i.e., 17.840.000 sq. km. 

Population

• Latin America – Latin America has more population than South America, i.e., 642,216,682.

• South America – South America has less population than Latin America, i.e., 420,458,044.

Population Density

• Latin America – Population Density of Latin America is 31 people per sq. km. 

• South America – Population Density of South America is 21 people per sq. km. 

Language

• Latin America – Latin America has mainly Spanish and Portuguese speakers. 

• South America – South America has mainly Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and English speakers. 

Visibility on Global Map

• Latin America – Latin America generally can not be seen on a global map. 

• South America – South America can be easily seen on a global map. 

Countries

• Latin America – Countries in Latin America are Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela.

• South America – Countries in South America are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Time Zones

• Latin America – Latin America observes six different time zones, and these are UTC – 3. UTC- 4, UTC – 5, UTC – 6, UTC – 7, and UTC – 8.

• South America – South America observes five different time zones, and these are UTC – 5, UTC – 4, UTC – 4:30, UTC – 3, and UTC – 2.

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Conclusion 

Latin America and South America are two regions that get confused with each other. The major difference between Latin America and South America is that the former is a cultural term while the latter is a demographical term.

Latin America is used to refer to a group of countries that have Romance languages speaking people. South America, on the other hand, refers to one of the continents of the USA. Latin America has more than 20 countries, more area & population than South America, and six different time zones.

South America has 13 countries, less area & population than Latin America, and five different time zones. 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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