South American Countries by Size: Ranking from largest to smallest

South America covers approximately 17.8 million square kilometers, making it the fourth-largest continent in the world. Within its borders are twelve sovereign states of very different sizes: Brazil alone occupies nearly half of the continent, while Suriname, the smallest country, covers less than 164,000 square kilometers.

But which are the South American countries ranked by size? In this guide, we move from the largest to the smallest, exploring not only their surface areas but also the geographical characteristics that make each country unique.

Ranking of South American Countries by Area

The ranking is based on total area, which includes both land territory and inland waters. Figures may vary slightly depending on the source and measurement methodology. To ensure consistency, the data presented here are based primarily on World Bank statistics derived from FAO data.

Rank	Country	Approximate Total Area	Capital
1	Brazil	8,510,420 km²	Brasília
2	Argentina	2,780,400 km²	Buenos Aires
3	Peru	1,285,220 km²	Lima
4	Colombia	1,140,619 km²	Bogotá
5	Bolivia	1,098,580 km²	Sucre / La Paz
6	Venezuela	About 912,000 km²	Caracas
7	Chile	756,556 km²	Santiago
8	Paraguay	About 406,750 km²	Asunción
9	Ecuador	256,370 km²	Quito
10	Guyana	214,970 km²	Georgetown
11	Uruguay	About 176,000 km²	Montevideo
12	Suriname	About 163,820 km²	Paramaribo

South America consists of twelve sovereign states: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. In addition, French Guiana is geographically located on the continent but is not an independent country.

1. Brazil: South America’s Giant

With an area of approximately 8.51 million square kilometers, Brazil is by far the largest country in South America. It covers nearly half of the continent and is more than three times larger than Argentina, which ranks second.

Its vast territory explains its extraordinary diversity of landscapes. Brazil encompasses the Amazon Rainforest, the Cerrado, the Pantanal, the Caatinga, the Atlantic Forest and the southern Pampas grasslands. The country stretches from the equatorial zone into subtropical regions and is crossed by some of the world’s largest river systems.

Brazil borders almost every South American country. The only exceptions are Chile and Ecuador. This fact highlights Brazil’s central role in the continent’s geography.

Its size, however, does not mean uniformity. Distances between cities can be immense, while environmental, cultural and economic characteristics vary greatly between the Amazonian North, the Northeast, the Central-West, the Southeast and the South.

2. Argentina: From Subtropical Regions to Tierra del Fuego

Argentina ranks second, covering approximately 2.78 million square kilometers. While significantly smaller than Brazil, it remains one of the world’s largest countries.

Its most striking geographical feature is its long north-south extension. The north contains subtropical environments, forests and wetlands; the central region is home to the Pampas and the country’s major agricultural lands; further south lies Patagonia, extending all the way to Tierra del Fuego.

To the west, the border with Chile largely follows the Andes Mountains, where Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas, is located. To the east, Argentina faces the Atlantic Ocean with a coastline stretching thousands of kilometers.

From the Iguazú Falls to Patagonian glaciers, and from fertile plains to Andean peaks, Argentina offers an extraordinary variety of landscapes.

3. Peru: Three Major Regions in One Country

Peru is the third-largest country in South America, with an area of approximately 1.29 million square kilometers.

Traditionally, Peru is divided into three major natural regions:

• The coast, largely arid and facing the Pacific Ocean.
• The sierra, dominated by the Andes Mountains.
• The selva, comprising the Peruvian portion of the Amazon Basin.

A large part of Peru lies east of the Andes and belongs to the Amazon region, even though most of the population lives in coastal cities and Andean valleys.

Alongside Machu Picchu and Inca heritage, Peru features coastal deserts, mountains, plateaus, tropical forests and some of the greatest biodiversity in South America.

4. Colombia: Between the Pacific, Caribbean, Andes and Amazon

With approximately 1.14 million square kilometers, Colombia ranks fourth.

Colombia occupies a unique geographical position as the only South American country with coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Its territory also includes Andean mountains, lowland plains, Amazonian forests and the extensive eastern regions drained by the Orinoco River basin.

Within Colombia, the Andes split into three main branches, creating valleys that host major urban centers such as Bogotá, Medellín and Cali.

The combination of mountains and vast distances often makes internal transportation challenging, even between areas that are geographically close.

5. Bolivia: The Geographic Heart of the Continent

Bolivia covers approximately 1.10 million square kilometers, ranking fifth.

Although landlocked, Bolivia includes a remarkable diversity of environments: the Andes, the Altiplano, central valleys, the Salar de Uyuni and tropical lowlands extending toward the Amazon Basin.

The constitutional capital is Sucre, while La Paz hosts the government and most administrative institutions, giving Bolivia its well-known dual-capital arrangement.

Despite its association with high-altitude landscapes, much of the country actually consists of tropical and lowland environments.

6. Venezuela: From the Caribbean to the Amazon

Venezuela holds sixth place, with an area exceeding 900,000 square kilometers.

Bordering Colombia, Brazil and Guyana, Venezuela features a long Caribbean coastline. Its territory can be divided into several major regions: the Caribbean coast, northern mountain chains, the Llanos plains, the Orinoco Basin and the Guiana Highlands.

The country is famous for its tepuis, ancient tabletop mountains. From Auyán-tepui descends Angel Falls, widely recognized as the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall.

Most Venezuelans live in the northern region around Caracas and other major cities, while the vast southern territories remain sparsely populated.

7. Chile: A Long and Narrow Country

Chile covers approximately 756,556 square kilometers, ranking seventh.

However, its position in the ranking does not convey its defining geographical characteristic. Chile is extraordinarily long and narrow, stretching between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

The country includes some of the world’s most diverse environments:

• The Atacama Desert in the north.
• Central Chile, home to Santiago and most of the population.
• Southern forests, fjords, glaciers, archipelagos and subpolar territories.

Chile also claims a sector of Antarctica, though Antarctic claims are generally excluded from international size comparisons.

8. Paraguay: One of South America’s Two Landlocked States

With approximately 406,750 square kilometers, Paraguay ranks eighth.

Together with Bolivia, Paraguay is one of only two South American countries without direct access to the sea. The Paraguay River crosses the country and divides it into two major natural regions.

The eastern portion is more densely populated and economically developed, while the western region consists largely of the vast and sparsely populated Chaco.

Although landlocked, Paraguay maintains access to international trade through the Paraguay-Paraná river system.

9. Ecuador: Small but Exceptionally Diverse

Ecuador covers approximately 256,370 square kilometers, placing ninth.

Despite its relatively small size, the country incorporates four major regions:

• The Pacific Coast
• The Andean Highlands (Sierra)
• The Amazon region
• The Galápagos Islands

Its name derives from the Equator, which passes just north of Quito. The capital sits at roughly 2,850 meters above sea level in the Andes, while Guayaquil is the country’s principal port and economic center.

The Galápagos Islands contribute not only to Ecuador’s territory but also to its global ecological significance.

10. Guyana: English-Speaking South America

Guyana ranks tenth, with approximately 214,970 square kilometers.

It is the only sovereign country in South America whose official language is English. Its colonial history and strong Caribbean connections give it a cultural identity distinct from much of the continent.

Large areas of Guyana remain covered by tropical rainforest. Most of the population lives along the coast, including in the capital, Georgetown, while the interior contains forests, savannas, rivers and plateaus.

11. Uruguay: Small for South America, Large by European Standards

With an area of approximately 176,000 square kilometers, Uruguay is the second-smallest sovereign state in South America.

Situated between Brazil and Argentina, it faces both the Atlantic Ocean and the Río de la Plata. Its landscape consists primarily of rolling plains and gentle hills rather than major mountain ranges.

Montevideo, the capital, concentrates a large share of the country’s population, while rural areas are dominated by ranching and agriculture.

Although small compared with Brazil or Argentina, Uruguay is larger than many European countries.

12. Suriname: The Smallest Country in South America

With approximately 163,820 square kilometers, Suriname is the smallest sovereign state in South America.

Like neighboring Guyana, it maintains strong historical and cultural ties to the Caribbean. Dutch is the official language, reflecting the country’s colonial past.

Most of the interior is covered by tropical rainforest and has a very low population density. The majority of Suriname’s inhabitants live near the northern coast, particularly around the capital, Paramaribo.

Despite being the smallest country on the continent, Suriname is still larger than many European nations.

Brazil and Argentina Together Cover Nearly Two-Thirds of the Continent

The distribution of territory across South America is highly uneven. Brazil alone accounts for approximately 48% of the continent, while Argentina represents about 16%. Together, they cover nearly two-thirds of South America.

A second group consists of Peru, Colombia and Bolivia, all with areas between 1.09 and 1.29 million square kilometers. After Venezuela and Chile, country sizes decrease noticeably, with none of the last five nations exceeding 500,000 square kilometers.

Yet territorial size does not determine geographical diversity. Ecuador, Guyana, Uruguay and Suriname, despite their smaller areas, feature highly distinct landscapes, ecosystems and cultural identities.

Why Can Surface Area Figures Differ?

When comparing sources, slight differences in area figures may appear. These variations usually result from three factors:

1. Total area versus land area: total area includes inland waters, while land area excludes them.
2. Cartographic updates: new measurements can refine previous estimates.
3. Disputed or claimed territories: some sources include certain territories while others treat them separately.

For example, Brazil’s total area exceeds 8.51 million square kilometers, while its land area alone is slightly smaller.

To create a consistent ranking, it is important not to mix data calculated under different criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Continent of Vast Dimensions and Extreme Landscapes

Ranking South American countries by size helps illustrate the scale of the continent, but numbers tell only part of the story.

Brazil dominates the ranking, followed by Argentina. Peru, Colombia and Bolivia form a second group of large countries with relatively similar dimensions. At the other end are Guyana, Uruguay and Suriname, which are still sizable territories when compared with many European states.

From the Amazon Rainforest to Patagonia, from the Andes to the Llanos, and from the Atacama Desert to the plains of the Río de la Plata, South America is defined by extraordinary geographical diversity. Even its smallest countries contain a rich variety of landscapes, cultures, languages and traditions.