South America
Land of gold, empires, and colonial ambition.
South America is a major region in Europa Universalis IV, representing the continent from the discovery of the New World through the colonial era and into the age of revolutions. The game includes many provinces that are initially "uncolonized" and meant to represent possible land colonizable by other nations. The region features powerful native empires, most notably the Inca, and offers immense wealth through trade goods such as gold and silver. For European colonizers, it provides strategic trade routes and resources, while for indigenous nations, it is a stage for survival and adaptation.
- Role
- Colonizable region and source of treasure
- Key Nations
- Inca, Portugal (colonial Brazil), Spain (colonial Peru, Rio de la Plata)
- Major Trade Goods
- Gold, Silver, Sugar, Tobacco, Coffee
- Key Terrain
- Jungle, Mountains, Grasslands
Lore & Background
South America in Europa Universalis IV is defined by the collision of worlds. The Inca Empire, centered in the Andes, is a dominant native power with a sophisticated administrative structure and vast wealth. Its fate often hinges on early European contact, with the potential to reform its society or fall to conquest. The Amazon basin remains a largely impassable jungle, rich in exotic goods but deadly to armies. Native American religions are present in the game, most commonly utilizing a system of selecting a bonus for the lifetime of the present monarch.
In Their Own Story
The conquistador's boots sank into the muddy bank of the Rio de la Plata. Before him, the endless green of the jungle swallowed the horizon. He clutched a tattered map, marked with rumors of a golden city. Somewhere beyond those trees, the Inca held court in Cusco, unaware of the storm gathering on their shores. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the distant cry of macaws. He knew this land would either make his fortune or claim his soul.
Reader's Guide
South America is a critical theater for any colonial power. For Portugal and Spain, it is a primary source of gold and silver, which fuels their economies and allows them to field larger armies and navies. The Inca Empire presents a unique challenge: a wealthy, centralized native state that can be conquered for immense riches, or allied with to create a powerful hybrid nation. For native nations, the early game is a race to reform their society, adopting new technologies and institutions before European powers arrive in force. The Amazon jungle acts as a natural barrier, making conquest of the interior slow and costly. In the late game, South America becomes a hotbed for independence movements, with colonial nations like Brazil, Peru, and Argentina emerging as powerful players. Controlling the continent's trade nodes is essential for dominating global trade routes.
Did You Know?
- The earliest scenario in Europa Universalis IV begins on 11 November 1444, one day after the Christian defeat at Varna.
- The game has sold over 4 million copies as of February 2024.
- Native American religions in the game most commonly utilize a system of selecting a bonus for the lifetime of the present monarch.
- The game includes over 500 different nations that players can choose to control.
- In September 2024, Paradox announced the integration of Rights of Man, Art of War, and Common Sense into the base game, fully integrated with patch 1.37.5 in October 2024.
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Elsewhere in the Europa Universalis universe
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