On average, Latin American Internet users spent 29 hours online in June 2007, according to the first review of Latin American Internet usage published by comScore.

The first comScore study on Latin American Internet usage is based on data collected through comScore World Metrix audience ratings service. The research is based on Latin American online users aged 15 and older, accessing the Internet from either a home or a work computer in June 2007.

According to the study, Brazil had the largest online population (15.8 million users), accounting for 11 percent of the Brazilian population over the age of 15. However, Chile had the highest Internet penetration with a 45 percent.

On average, Latin American Internet users each spent 29 hours online in June, higher than the global average of 25 hours.

The study also found that Brazilian users viewed 3,371 pages in June, which is 40 percent more than the Latin American average, 2,338.

"Because of it size and rapid development, the Internet industry in Latin America is an exciting region to track and analyze. We have been reporting country-specific browsing data from the comScore panel for a number of years but this is the first time we have compared metrics across the region," said Bob Ivins, EVP of comScore International Markets.

In terms of the most visited site in Latin America, Microsoft was ranked on the top with 47.3 million unique visitors in June, with an 88 percent reach. Google sites came next with 46.5 million unique visitors and a reach of 87 percent.

Interestingly, two Internet service providers based in Europe appeared in the Top 10 list – Terra Networks, part of the Spanish Telefonica Group, ranked at the fourth place with 27.4 million unique visitors, while France Telecom was the tenth, with 13.8 million unique visitors.