South America is the world's fourth largest continent on Earth, and the fifth most populous.

Europeans explored South America beginning in the late fifteenth century, and he continent was named after Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci who is believed to have recognized it as a separate continent. Located primarily in the southern hemisphere, with a few countries in the northern hemisphere, South America is comprised of twelve independent countries and three territories.

 

 

Arts and Crafts of Colombia

Close to one million people in Colombia earn a living directly or indirectly from the country’s vibrant arts and crafts sector. A significant contributor to the national economy, the sector counts some 350,000 artisans, approximately 60 percent of whom are from rural and indigenous areas, and 65 percent of whom are women. The richness and diversity of the country’s arts and crafts was on display at a unique exhibition at WIPO headquarters from September 25 to October 12, which was organized jointly by WIPO and the Colombian Government.

The exhibits were drawn from the collection of Artesanías de Colombia, a government institution responsible for the promotion and development of the country's artisanal and craft sector. The Colombian government encourages artisans to use the intellectual property system as a means of protecting their creative works and obtaining just remuneration for their efforts, while also preserving the country's national patrimony for future generations.