12 countries and 2 overseas territories make up South America as of 2026.
South America’s Geographic Portrait
Spanning from the tropical equator near Colombia and Venezuela all the way down to the sub-Antarctic tip at Chile’s Cape Horn, South America ranks as the world’s fourth-largest continent. It’s packed with superlatives: the Andes, the longest continental mountain system; the Amazon, the largest river by discharge; and the Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth outside Antarctica. Honestly, this is one of the most biodiverse places per square mile you’ll find, with the Amazon rainforest alone hosting an estimated 10% of the planet’s known species. The whole continent sits entirely in the Western Hemisphere and stretches across four time zones, from UTC-2 in Uruguay to UTC-5 in Colombia.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Country or Territory | Population (2026 est.) | Area (sq km) | Capital |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 46,050,000 | 2,780,400 | Buenos Aires |
| Bolivia | 12,570,000 | 1,098,581 | Sucre (constitutional) |
| Brazil | 217,240,000 | 8,515,767 | Brasília |
| Chile | 19,820,000 | 756,102 | Santiago |
| Colombia | 52,220,000 | 1,141,748 | Bogotá |
| Ecuador | 18,450,000 | 283,561 | Quito |
| Guyana | 814,000 | 214,969 | Georgetown |
| Paraguay | 6,960,000 | 406,752 | Asunción |
| Peru | 34,750,000 | 1,285,216 | Lima |
| Suriname | 634,000 | 163,820 | Paramaribo |
| Uruguay | 3,420,000 | 176,215 | Montevideo |
| Venezuela | 27,570,000 | 916,445 | Caracas |
| Falkland Islands (UK) | 3,600 | 12,173 | Stanley |
| French Guiana (FR) | 282,000 | 83,534 | Cayenne |
Historical Snapshot and Cultural Mosaic
South America’s human story kicks off with Indigenous civilizations like the Inca, whose road network still shapes Andean travel today; the Muisca, whose gold lured Spanish conquistadors; and the Tupi-Guaraní, who pioneered early Amazon agriculture. Spanish and Portuguese colonization left a linguistic split that’s still obvious—Spanish dominates west of the Andes, while Portuguese rules in Brazil, the continent’s most populous country. By the 19th century, independence movements led by Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín redrew the map, creating most modern nations. Today, the continent’s blend of Indigenous, African, European, and Asian influences shows up everywhere—from Venezuela’s gaita music to Peru’s ceviche cuisine and Brazil’s Carnival parades.
Practical Travel Notes for 2026
Border crossings are usually smooth between Mercosur member states (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, plus associate Chile and Bolivia), but always carry your passport and double-check visa requirements—Brazil, for instance, offers 90-day visa-free entry to U.S. citizens as of 2025 U.S. Department of State. The continent’s long distances reward smart planning: a flight from Bogotá to Lima takes about 3 hours and can cost as little as $120 round-trip on budget carriers like Sky Airline or Viva Air, while a 48-hour bus ride across the Andes via the Pan-American Highway can run under $80 but delivers breathtaking Altiplano views. English works in tourist hubs, but learning a few basic Spanish or Portuguese phrases—like “¿Dónde está la parada de buses?” or “Onde fica o banheiro?”—makes a huge difference. Health-wise, the CDC recommends yellow fever vaccination for travelers to the Amazon basin and parts of Brazil and Bolivia CDC Travel Health.
What are the 17 countries in South America?
There aren’t actually 17 countries in South America. The list you’ve probably seen includes Central American and Caribbean nations by mistake. South America has 12 sovereign countries plus 2 overseas territories: Argentina, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Falkland Islands (UK), French Guiana (France), Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
What are the countries in South America called?
South America includes 14 countries and 2 overseas territories. The sovereign nations are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The territories are the Falkland Islands (UK) and French Guiana (France).
What are 3 countries in South America?
| # Country (or dependency) Density (P/Km2) | 1 Brazil 25 | 2 Colombia 46 | 3 Argentina 17 | 4 Peru 26 |
|---|
What are the top 10 countries in South America?
- Brazil (3,287,086 square miles)
- Argentina (1,073,234 square miles)
- Peru (496,093 square miles)
- Colombia (440,715 square miles)
- Bolivia (424,052 square miles)
- Venezuela (353,748 square miles)
- Chile (291,855 square miles)
- Paraguay (157,006 square miles)
How many countries are in this world?
Countries in the World:
There are 195 countries in the world today. This total includes 193 United Nations member states and 2 non-member observer states: the Holy See and the State of Palestine.
Is Italy a Latin country?
Technically, yes—Italy falls under the original definition of “Latin” since Romance languages like Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese all descend from Latin. Nowadays, though, “Latin” usually refers to Latin Americans, though its roots trace back to the Roman Empire.
Why is it called South America?
When European explorers mapped the New World, they split the landmass at the Isthmus of Panama. The portion that widens to the north became North America, while the part that broadens to the south became South America. The region between them? That’s Central America.
Is Mexico in South America?
Nope. Mexico sits firmly in North America, sharing a land border with the U.S. and separated from South America by geography and politics. While it’s culturally connected to Latin America, geographically it’s part of North America.
Which is the smallest country in South America?
French Guiana holds that title. It’s an overseas department of France and the smallest territory on mainland South America, covering just 83,534 square kilometers.
Is South America part of USA?
The term “America” (or “the Americas”) covers all lands in the Western Hemisphere, which includes both North and South America. Central America is actually part of North America. The United States of America, or U.S.A., is its own country within North America.
What is South America famous for?
South America is home to the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall, Angel Falls in Venezuela; the highest single-drop waterfall, Kaieteur Falls in Guyana; the largest river by volume, the Amazon; and the longest mountain range, the Andes (home to Aconcagua, the highest peak outside Asia at 6,962 m). It’s also got the driest non-polar place on Earth, the Atacama Desert.
What makes South America unique?
This continent is all about extremes. It boasts the world’s largest river (the Amazon) and the driest inhabited place (the Atacama Desert). With an unmatched concentration of plant and animal species, South America’s biodiversity is unrivaled anywhere else on the planet.
What is the most beautiful country in South America?
- Chile – The longest noodle-shaped country in the world.
- Bolivia – The Indian heart of South America.
- Peru – South American beauty at its finest.
- Brazil – Home to Carnival, football, and the Amazon.
- Argentina – Where tango heats up and steaks are legendary.
- Venezuela – A land of table mountains and the Orinoco River.
- Ecuador – Compact yet packed with diversity.
- Colombia – Vibrant culture and landscapes.
What is Asia’s smallest country?
Maldives takes the crown as Asia’s smallest country, both in population and area. This island nation sits in the Indian Ocean-Arabian Sea region.
What is the hottest country in South America?
South America’s all-time record high hit 48.9 °C (120 °F) in Rivadavia, Argentina, on December 11, 1905.
