South America consists of 12 sovereign countries and 2 overseas territories as of 2026 (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela; plus the Falkland Islands and French Guiana).
South America’s Geographic Portrait
South America is the world’s fourth-largest continent, stretching from tropical Colombia and Venezuela to sub-Antarctic Chile’s Cape Horn.
It spans four time zones, from UTC-2 in Uruguay to UTC-5 in Colombia, and crams in some of Earth’s most jaw-dropping landscapes: the Andes—the planet’s longest continental mountain system—the Amazon—the river with the highest water discharge—and the Atacama Desert, the driest place outside Antarctica. The whole continent sits entirely in the Western Hemisphere and packs the highest biodiversity on Earth, with the Amazon rainforest alone hosting about 10% of the world’s known species. Picture South America as Earth’s greatest open-air museum, where every ecosystem—from coral reefs to glaciers—gets its own starring role. The region also faces significant environmental challenges, similar to those in South Asia.
Key Facts at a Glance
South America has 14 territories listed in the table below, including 12 sovereign countries and 2 overseas territories (Falkland Islands and French Guiana).
| 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 identity is shaped by Indigenous civilizations, Iberian colonization, independence movements, and a modern cultural blend of Indigenous, African, European, and Asian influences.
Dig into the continent’s past and you’ll find deep Indigenous roots—the Inca road networks still guide travelers in the Andes, and the Tupi-Guaraní people developed early Amazon farming techniques. Spanish and Portuguese conquests carved the continent into Spanish-speaking lands west of the Andes and Portuguese-speaking Brazil. By the early 1800s, leaders like Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín ignited independence movements that redrew the map we know today. The result? A living collage: Venezuela’s gaita music mixes African rhythms with Indigenous flutes, Peru’s ceviche blends Spanish citrus with coastal seafood, and Brazil’s Carnival fuses Portuguese, African, and Indigenous traditions into one spectacular week. Some of these cultural influences can also be seen in countries with flags featuring the Union Jack.
Practical Travel Notes for 2026
Travelers in 2026 should plan around passport rules, flight costs, language basics, and health precautions when visiting South America.
Mercosur members—Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, plus associate Chile and Bolivia—usually make border crossings smooth, but always carry your passport and double-check visa requirements. Brazil, for example, offers 90-day visa-free entry to U.S. citizens as of 2025 U.S. Department of State. Distances reward smart planning: a 3-hour, $120 round-trip flight from Bogotá to Lima beats a 48-hour Andes bus ride that costs under $80 but delivers jaw-dropping Altiplano views. While English works in tourist hubs, a few Spanish or Portuguese phrases—like “¿Dónde está la parada de buses?” or “Onde fica o banheiro?”—go a long way. Health-wise, the CDC recommends yellow fever vaccination for travelers to the Amazon basin and parts of Brazil and Bolivia CDC Travel Health. If you're considering dual citizenship, you might wonder Can You Become A Citizen Of More Than 2 Countries?
What are the 17 countries in South America?
The “17 countries” list usually mistakenly includes Central American and Caribbean nations; South America has 12 sovereign countries plus 2 overseas territories.
Common mix-ups are Costa Rica, Panama, and Belize, which sit in Central America, and Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, which are in the Caribbean. Stick with the 14 official South American territories—Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Falkland Islands (UK), French Guiana (France), Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela—to keep things clear. Some travelers also confuse South American regions with countries that celebrate Thanksgiving in November.
What are the countries in South America called?
South America is home to 14 territories: 12 sovereign countries and 2 overseas territories (Falkland Islands and French Guiana).
The sovereign nations are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The two territories are the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory, and French Guiana, an overseas department of France. If you’re mapping the continent, these 14 labels are your essential checklist. For those interested in unique flags, some South American countries share designs with nations that include the Union Jack.
What are 3 countries in South America?
Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina are three major South American countries, each offering distinct cultures, landscapes, and travel experiences.
| Rank | Country | Population (2026 est.) | Area (sq km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil | 217,240,000 | 8,515,767 |
| 2 | Colombia | 52,220,000 | 1,141,748 |
| 3 | Argentina | 46,050,000 | 2,780,400 |
Brazil is the continent’s giant, Colombia is a biodiversity hotspot, and Argentina mixes cosmopolitan cities with Patagonian wilderness—pick one for your next trip and you’ll experience a slice of South America’s diversity. If you're planning a trip to the coldest region, you might want to explore What Is The Coldest Region In South America?
What are the top 10 countries in South America?
Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, Chile, Paraguay, Ecuador, and Uruguay rank as the ten largest countries by area.
- Brazil – 8,515,767 sq km
- Argentina – 2,780,400 sq km
- Peru – 1,285,216 sq km
- Colombia – 1,141,748 sq km
- Bolivia – 1,098,581 sq km
- Venezuela – 916,445 sq km
- Chile – 756,102 sq km
- Paraguay – 406,752 sq km
- Ecuador – 283,561 sq km
- Uruguay – 176,215 sq km
If you’re comparing landmass, these ten cover nearly every square kilometer of the continent—perfect for planning road trips or gauging travel times. For those interested in deforestation impacts, some of these countries are also most responsible for deforestation globally.
How many countries are in this world?
There are 195 countries in the world as of 2026, including 193 United Nations member states and 2 observer states.
The list includes every internationally recognized sovereign nation—from the Vatican City to Tuvalu—and is maintained by the United Nations Secretariat United Nations Statistics Division. If you’re counting, start with the 193 UN members, then add the Holy See (Vatican City) and the State of Palestine as the two observer states.
Is Italy a Latin country?
Italy is considered a Latin country because its language and culture derive from ancient Rome and it belongs to the Latin linguistic and cultural group.
Latin languages—Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian, and Romanian—all evolved from the Latin spoken by the Romans. Italy’s legal systems, Catholic traditions, and Romance language roots all trace back to that ancient legacy. So yes, Italy sits comfortably in the Latin family, even if it’s geographically located in Southern Europe rather than Latin America.
Why is it called South America?
South America is named for its position in the Western Hemisphere south of the equator and its distinction from North America.
Early European geographers like Amerigo Vespucci used “America” after his explorations in the early 1500s, and the continent south of the Panama Isthmus naturally became “South America.” The term stuck because it’s geographically accurate—it’s the southern portion of the American continents, separated from North America by the narrow Isthmus of Panama.
Is Mexico in South America?
Mexico is not in South America—it is in North America, positioned between the United States and Central America.
Mexico sits on the North American tectonic plate and is culturally linked to both Latin America and North America. Geographers place it firmly in North America, with its southern border at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec marking the transition to Central America. So if you’re planning a trip, Mexico is a North American destination, not a South American one.
Which is the smallest country in South America?
Suriname is the smallest sovereign country in South America, covering 163,820 square kilometers.
Suriname’s compact size makes it easy to explore in one trip: you can reach the capital, Paramaribo, from most of its interior in a few hours by road. Compare that to Brazil, which is over 50 times larger—Suriname is the continent’s pocket-sized gem. If you're curious about other small countries globally, you might explore What Countries In Europe Eat Horse Meat?
Is South America part of USA?
South America is not part of the United States; it is a separate continent with 12 sovereign countries and 2 overseas territories.
South America is a distinct landmass in the Western Hemisphere, governed by its own nations. The closest political link is through the Organization of American States, where the U.S. and South American countries collaborate—but no part of South America belongs to the U.S.
What is South America famous for?
South America is famous for the Amazon rainforest, the Andes Mountains, Carnival festivities, and iconic foods like ceviche and empanadas.
The Amazon alone stores 10% of Earth’s species and produces 20% of the planet’s oxygen, making it the “lungs of the world.” The Andes stretch 4,300 miles, hosting ancient Inca ruins like Machu Picchu. Carnival—especially in Rio de Janeiro and Barranquilla—turns cities into week-long parties. And don’t forget the food: ceviche’s citrus-marinated seafood in Peru, empanadas’ flaky pastry stuffed with everything from beef to cheese, and Brazil’s feijoada black bean stew. These are the postcards South America sends the world. If you're interested in unique islands, you might also read about Is Padre Island And South Padre Island The Same?
What makes South America unique?
South America stands out for its unmatched biodiversity, cultural fusion, and superlative geography.
The continent holds the world’s largest rainforest, highest navigable lake (Lake Titicaca), and driest desert (Atacama), all packed into a manageable landmass. Culturally, Indigenous, African, European, and Asian influences collide in music, food, and festivals—Peru’s ceviche is a fusion of Spanish, Indigenous, and African techniques, while Brazil’s Carnival blends Portuguese, African, and Indigenous traditions. It’s the only continent where you can hike Andean peaks, surf Atlantic waves, and sail Amazon tributaries all in one trip.
What is the most beautiful country in South America?
“Most beautiful” is subjective, but Peru frequently tops lists for its Andean peaks, Amazon rainforest, and colonial cities like Cusco and Arequipa.
Patagonia in Argentina and Chile dazzles with turquoise lakes and jagged granite spires, while Colombia’s Coffee Axis offers rolling emerald hills dotted with colonial towns. Brazil’s Fernando de Noronha archipelago wows with pristine beaches, and Chile’s Atacama Desert stuns with salt flats and stargazing skies. Pick your poison: mountains, beaches, rainforests, or deserts—South America delivers every flavor of beauty.
What is Asia’s smallest country?
Asia’s smallest country by area is the Maldives, covering about 300 square kilometers across 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean.
The Maldives is a string of coral islands with an average elevation of just 1.5 meters above sea level, making it the world’s lowest-lying country. It’s a paradise for divers and honeymooners, but also a cautionary tale for climate change—its highest point is only 5.1 meters above sea level World Bank.
What is the hottest country in South America?
Suriname often ranks as South America’s hottest country, with average annual temperatures around 27–28°C (81–82°F) due to its equatorial climate.
Venezuela’s Maracaibo Basin and Brazil’s Amazon both hit brutal heat and humidity, but Suriname’s coastal location keeps it consistently hot year-round. If you’re chasing tropical warmth without a dry season, Suriname is your spot—just pack light, breathable clothes and plenty of water.
