South America has superlatives of all kinds, the Amazon is in South America, the world’s largest rainforest, which is sometimes called the lungs of the world which spans nine countries. South America has the longest mountain range in the world (the Andes), the largest, highest, driest, (the Atacama Desert), and most of the world’s ancient civilizations and cultures.
South America is very big (2 times the size of the US) and very important, but it is often confused with its geography.
How many countries are in South America? 12 or 13? How does French Guiana fit in? In this guide, you will find everything you need to know including the countries in South America, how many there are, what they are, and what their capitols are, and more.
How Many Countries Are in South America?
The number of sovereign countries in South America is 12, according to the UN. South America is also the Least populated Continent (11) along with Antarctica which has no countries.
There are also 2 to 3 dependent territories in South America. These territories are regions without sovereign governance, and are therefore dependent on other countries.
- Falkland Islands (British Overseas Territory)
- French Guiana (Overseas department of France)
- Galápagos Islands of Ecuador (not a dependent territory, but often thought of as one).
Some people count 14 countries in South America because of the inclusion of the previously listed territories.(French Guiana and the Falkland Islands)
The 12 Countries in South America
Here is the complete alphabetical list of the 12 sovereign countries in South America:
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Guyana
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Suriname
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
South American Countries and Their Capitals
Here is the complete list of the 12 sovereign countries in South America alongside their capital cities:
| Country | Capital |
| Argentina | Buenos Aires |
| Bolivia | Sucre (de jure), La Paz (de facto) |
| Brazil | Brasília |
| Chile | Santiago |
| Colombia | Bogotá |
| Ecuador | Quito |
| Guyana | Georgetown |
| Paraguay | Asunción |
| Peru | Lima |
| Suriname | Paramaribo |
| Uruguay | Montevideo |
| Venezuela | Caracas |
An Overview of Bolivia’s Two Capitals
Sucre and La Paz provide Bolivia a rare distinction in the world as a bi-capital nation. Sucre is the constitutional capital with the Judicial Branch, while La Paz is the capital of the Executives and Legislature. The division of the branches of government in the respective cities is a result of Bolivia’s diverse history and social conflicts.
An Overview of Brazil’s Capital
Constructed between 1956 and 1960, Brazil’s capital Brasilia is a planned city that symbolizes the relocation of the capital from the coastal Rio de Janerio to the country’s large under populated interior. The establishment of Brasilia reveals the changing priorities of Brazil in the second half of the twentieth century.
What Are the Largest Countries in South America?
When measuring by land area, the five largest countries in South America are:
| Rank | Country | Area (km²) | Area (mi²) | % of South America |
| 1 | Brazil | 8,515,767 | 3,287,086 | 47.7% |
| 2 | Argentina | 2,780,400 | 1,073,500 | 15.6% |
| 3 | Peru | 1,285,216 | 496,200 | 7.2% |
| 4 | Colombia | 1,141,748 | 440,800 | 6.4% |
| 5 | Bolivia | 1,098,581 | 424,200 | 6.1% |
Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth-largest country in the world, right behind the United States. It alone accounts for nearly half of the continent’s total land area.
The smallest country in South America is Suriname, with a land area of approximately 163,820 km² (63,251 mi²). Uruguay, at 181,034 km², is the second-smallest
What Are the Most Populous Countries in South America?
When measuring by population (2026 estimates), the largest countries are:
| Rank | Country | Population (2026) |
| 1 | Brazil | 213,562,666 |
| 2 | Colombia | 53,936,226 |
| 3 | Argentina | 46,003,734 |
| 4 | Peru | 34,922,148 |
| 5 | Venezuela | 28,633,711 |
Brazil is the most populous country in South America by a significant margin, accounting for approximately 49% of the continent’s total population. The continent’s total population exceeds 438 million people
The Positioning of South America as a Contingent
Traditional geography recognizes that there are seven continents and South America is one of them.
In relation to the hemispheres, it is mostly in the southern hemisphere, but it has a small section that extends into the northern hemisphere, while it occupies the entire western hemisphere.
It is the fourth largest continent in the world, at approximately 17.8 million square kilometers.
The territory of South America is bordered by:
– The Caribbean Sea to the Northwest and North
– The Atlantic Ocean to the Northeast, East and Southeast
– The Pacific Ocean to the West
It is connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama, a narrow isthmus that separates the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. The two continents are often referred to as “the Americas.”
Dependencies and Territories in South America
While the continent has 12 sovereign nations, it also includes several non-sovereign territories:
French Guiana
French Guiana is an overseas department of France located on the northeastern coast of South America. It is not a sovereign country but is an integral part of the French Republic, using the euro as its currency and being a member of the European Union. Its capital is Cayenne, and it has a population of approximately 318,872.
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean. Their sovereignty is disputed between the United Kingdom and Argentina, which calls them the Islas Malvinas. The capital is Stanley, and the population is approximately 3,465
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many countries are in South America?
There are 12 sovereign countries in South America, according to the United Nations.
What are the 12 countries in South America?
The 12 countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
What are the 12 countries in South America and their capitals?
- Argentina – Buenos Aires
- Bolivia – Sucre (de jure), La Paz (de facto)
- Brazil – Brasília
- Chile – Santiago
- Colombia – Bogotá
- Ecuador – Quito
- Guyana – Georgetown
- Paraguay – Asunción
- Peru – Lima
- Suriname – Paramaribo
- Uruguay – Montevideo
- Venezuela – Caracas
Is French Guiana a country in South America?
No, French Guiana is not a sovereign country. It is an overseas department of France and is considered a dependency or territory, not an independent nation.
What is the largest country in South America?
Brazil is the largest country in South America, with an area of over 8.5 million km². It is also the fifth-largest country in the world.
What is the smallest country in South America?
Suriname is the smallest sovereign country in South America, with an area of approximately 163,820 km².
Is South America a continent or part of North America?
South America is a separate continent in its own right. It is connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama but is considered a distinct continent geographically, culturally, and historically.
What language is most spoken in South America?
The most spoken languages in South America are Spanish (spoken in 9 of the 12 countries) and Portuguese (spoken in Brazil, the continent’s largest country). Other official languages include English in Guyana, Dutch in Suriname, and Quechua and Aymara in Bolivia and Peru.
How many people live in South America?
South America has a total population of more than 438 million people.
What are the major geographic features of South America?
South America is home to the Amazon Rainforest (the world’s largest rainforest), the Andes Mountains (the world’s longest mountain range), Lake Titicaca (the world’s highest navigable lake), and the Atacama Desert (the world’s driest non-polar desert)
Final Thoughts
Each country in South America is unique in its own way and for its own reasons, not just for its geography, but also for its culture, for its communities, and for its ecosystem. South America encompasses so much, from urban life to nature.
You should know more than just the names and capitals when learning about South America and its countries.
Knowing about South America involves learning about ancient civilizations such as the Incas. You also need to know about the colonization by the Europeans, the struggles to become an independent continent, and the deep and strong cultures of the continent and its people.
This guide has given an insight to the countries of South America for all the travelers, learners, and the ever curious.
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