What is the most populous city in South America?

São Paulo is the most populous city in South America. The Brazilian city has more than 11 million residents within its municipality, while Greater São Paulo has more than 20 million.

The city was founded by Jesuit priests in 1554 and grew from a colonial settlement into Brazil’s major industrial, financial and cultural centre. Its modern expansion accelerated during the coffee boom in the nineteenth century, when wealth from the surrounding state helped finance railways, factories and urban growth. By 1960, São Paulo had overtaken Rio de Janeiro as Brazil’s most populous city.

São Paulo is often confused with Rio because Rio is more internationally associated with Brazil’s landmarks and tourism. Population comparisons also depend on whether a source counts the municipal boundary, the continuous urban area or the wider metropolitan region. Under each commonly used South American city comparison, São Paulo remains the regional leader.

The metropolis is notably diverse, with large Portuguese, Italian, Japanese, Arab, African and Indigenous influences. Its name honours Saint Paul the Apostle.