South America is a continent distinguished by remarkable geographical, cultural and political diversity. From an international perspective, it includes 12 sovereign states: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. All twelve are members of the United Nations and are also listed among the member states of the OAS Member States. French Guiana, by contrast, is not an independent country but an overseas territory and integral part of France.
How many countries are there in South America?
The independent countries of South America are:
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Guyana
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Suriname
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Panama is generally classified as part of Central America rather than South America. The Falkland Islands or Islas Malvinas, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are not sovereign states either. Sovereignty over the Falklands/Malvinas remains disputed between Argentina and the United Kingdom.
Forms of state in South America
All twelve South American countries are formally republics. The continent therefore has no sovereign monarchies. However, a distinction must be made between a country’s republican status, its system of government and its territorial organization.
From a territorial perspective, Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela are federal states. Political authority is constitutionally divided between the central government and federated entities, known as provinces in Argentina and states in Brazil and Venezuela. Argentina and Brazil are considered two of the clearest examples of federalism in Latin America.
The other nine countries are generally classified as unitary states, although their degree of administrative and political decentralization varies considerably. Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Uruguay have a unitary state authority but may transfer important responsibilities to regions, departments, provinces, municipalities or autonomous territories.
The distinction between federal and unitary systems is not always absolute. Decentralization has made the constitutional organization of several Latin American countries more complex than the traditional unitary model might suggest.
Most South American countries also use a presidential system, in which the president plays the leading role within the executive branch. Guyana has a distinctive arrangement in which the presidency is closely connected to parliamentary elections and the composition of the National Assembly.
The independence of South America
South American independence was a long historical process rather than a single event. Most of the continent had been colonized by Spain, while Brazil formed part of the Portuguese Empire. Guyana and Suriname followed different colonial paths under British and Dutch rule respectively.
The Spanish American wars of independence began during the opening decades of the nineteenth century. Paraguay declared independence in 1811, Argentina in 1816, Chile in 1818, Peru in 1821, Brazil in 1822 and Bolivia in 1825. Uruguay declared independence in 1825 and obtained international recognition in 1828.
The histories of Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador were more complex, involving early declarations of independence, prolonged military campaigns and territorial transformations connected to the creation and later dissolution of Gran Colombia.
Two of the leading figures in the independence movements were Simón Bolívar, whose campaigns transformed northern South America, and José de San Martín, who played a decisive role in the independence of Argentina, Chile and Peru. Brazil followed a different path: independence from Portugal initially led to the creation of an empire, which remained in existence until the proclamation of the republic in 1889.
Guyana and Suriname achieved sovereignty much later than the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries. Guyana became independent from the United Kingdom in 1966, while Suriname gained independence from the Netherlands in 1975. The continent’s decolonization process therefore extended over more than a century and a half.
A shared history and diverse political systems
South America is not politically uniform. Its twelve sovereign countries share colonial experiences, independence movements and republican institutions, but their constitutions and territorial systems distribute power in different ways.
Regional organizations and integration projects, including the Organization of American States, Mercosur, the Andean Community and UNASUR, reflect recurring efforts to strengthen political and economic cooperation. The UNASUR Constitutive Treaty was signed in 2008 by the twelve South American countries with the aim of promoting regional integration in political, social, economic and cultural fields.
Understanding the number of South American countries, their forms of state and their paths to independence is therefore essential to understanding the continent’s modern identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries are there in South America?
There are 12 sovereign countries in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Is French Guiana a South American country?
No. French Guiana is geographically located in South America, but it is an overseas territory and integral part of France rather than a sovereign country.
Which South American countries are federal states?
The federal countries of South America are Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela. The other nine sovereign states are generally classified as unitary, although several have decentralized or autonomous institutions.
Which was the first South American country to become independent?
Among the continent’s present-day sovereign states, Paraguay declared its independence in 1811. Venezuela and other Spanish American territories began revolutionary processes during the same period, although their independence required years of military conflict to become secure.
Which South American countries gained independence most recently?
Guyana became independent in 1966 and Suriname in 1975. Suriname is therefore the South American state that most recently achieved independence.
Are there any monarchies in South America?
No. All twelve sovereign South American countries are republics.
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