South America comprises 12 sovereign countries, differing in size, population, languages, political organisation and economic development. Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela share historical experiences connected to colonialism and independence, but possess profoundly different identities.
The continent includes large federal states, Andean countries, Caribbean-facing societies, Amazonian territories and nations shaped by European, African and Indigenous cultural influences. This guide presents the twelve countries of South America and introduces their history, politics, economy and culture, linking each chapter to Sudame’s dedicated in-depth articles.
What Are the 12 Countries of South America?
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Guyana
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Suriname
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
French Guiana is geographically located in South America, but it is not a sovereign state. It is an overseas department and region of France. Similarly, the Falkland Islands or Islas Malvinas, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are not independent states.
South American Countries at a Glance
| Country | Capital | Main language | Territorial organisation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Buenos Aires | Spanish | Federal |
| Bolivia | Sucre | Spanish and Indigenous languages | Unitary |
| Brazil | Brasília | Portuguese | Federal |
| Chile | Santiago | Spanish | Unitary |
| Colombia | Bogotá | Spanish | Unitary |
| Ecuador | Quito | Spanish | Unitary |
| Guyana | Georgetown | English | Unitary |
| Paraguay | Asunción | Spanish and Guaraní | Unitary |
| Peru | Lima | Spanish and Indigenous languages | Unitary |
| Suriname | Paramaribo | Dutch | Unitary |
| Uruguay | Montevideo | Spanish | Unitary |
| Venezuela | Caracas | Spanish | Federal |
Argentina
Argentina is the second-largest country in South America and one of the region’s leading political, economic and cultural powers. Independent from Spain since 1816, Argentina is a federal republic composed of provinces with their own institutions. Its identity has been shaped by the encounter between Indigenous peoples, colonial traditions and major waves of European migration, particularly from Italy and Spain.
Read more: Argentina: The History and Identity of a Country Between Europe and Latin America.
Bolivia
Bolivia is a landlocked Andean country characterised by a strong Indigenous presence and remarkable geographical diversity. Its name derives from Simón Bolívar, one of the leading figures in the independence movements of South America. The Constitution defines Bolivia as a Plurinational State, recognising the plurality of nations, languages and cultures within its territory.
Read more: Bolivia: The History of the Plurinational State in the Heart of the Andes.
Brazil
Brazil is the largest and most populous country in South America, as well as the only country on the continent where Portuguese is the official language. Its independence, proclaimed in 1822, initially led to the creation of an empire, which became a republic in 1889. Today, Brazil is a federal republic, a major regional power and a country of fundamental importance to the future of the Amazon.
Read more: Brazil: From Portuguese Colony to South America’s Largest Power.
Chile
Chile extends along the western coast of the continent, between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes. Its distinctive territorial shape encompasses the Atacama Desert, the country’s central regions and the archipelagos of Patagonia. Chilean history has been shaped by independence, economic transformations, the 1973 coup, military dictatorship and the subsequent return to democracy.
Read more: History of Chile: From Its Origins to Contemporary Democracy.
Colombia
Colombia occupies a strategic position between the Caribbean Sea, the Pacific Ocean, the Andes and the Amazon. After gaining independence from Spain, it participated in the formation of Gran Colombia alongside present-day Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama. The country’s history has been marked by political and social conflict, but also by extraordinary cultural vitality, exceptional biodiversity and profound contemporary transformations.
Read more: Colombia: The History of a Country Between the Caribbean, the Andes and the Amazon.
Ecuador
Ecuador takes its name from the Equator, which crosses its territory. Despite its relatively limited size, the country encompasses several distinct environments: the Pacific coast, the Andean region, the Amazon and the Galápagos Islands. Its history encompasses pre-Hispanic civilisations, Inca expansion, Spanish colonisation, participation in Gran Colombia and the subsequent establishment of an independent republic.
Read more: Ecuador: History and Identity From the Andes to the Galápagos Islands.
Guyana
Guyana is the only South American state where English is the official language. A former British colony, it gained independence in 1966 and developed a society characterised by communities of African, Indian, European and Indigenous origin. Much of the country is covered by forests, while the discovery of substantial oil resources has rapidly transformed its economic prospects.
Read more: Guyana: The History of South America’s Only English-Speaking Country.
Paraguay
Paraguay is one of the two landlocked countries in South America. Its identity is deeply connected to Guaraní culture, with both Spanish and Guaraní widely spoken among the population. The country achieved de facto independence in 1811 through a local movement that ended Spanish authority and resisted the political ambitions of Buenos Aires.
Read more: Paraguay 1811: The History of South America’s First Independent State.
Peru
Peru is one of the leading historical and cultural centres of South America. Its territory was home to numerous pre-Inca civilisations and later became the heart of the Inca Empire. Following the Spanish conquest, Lima was chosen as the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru. The modern country retains remarkable geographical, linguistic and cultural diversity across its coastal region, the Andes and the Amazon.
Read more: Peru: From the Incas to the Republic.
Suriname
Suriname is the smallest sovereign state in South America by area. A former Dutch colony, it gained independence in 1975 and retains Dutch as its official language. Its population reflects a complex history of colonisation, slavery and migration, with communities of African, Asian, European and Indigenous origin. Tropical forests cover much of the country’s territory.
Read more: Suriname: History and Culture of South America’s Smallest Country.
Uruguay
Uruguay is located between Argentina and Brazil, with coastlines along the Atlantic Ocean and the Río de la Plata. Its independence was recognised in 1828 after a prolonged struggle involving the region’s leading powers. Officially known as the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, the country has developed a strong institutional tradition, significant social policies and a cultural identity connected to the wider Río de la Plata region.
Read more: Uruguay: The History and Identity of the Oriental Republic.
Venezuela
Venezuela was one of the main centres of the Spanish American wars of independence and the birthplace of Simón Bolívar. After participating in Gran Colombia, it became a separate republic in 1830. During the twentieth century, the discovery and exploitation of oil profoundly transformed its economy and international role. Its recent history has been characterised by political instability, economic difficulties and a large diaspora.
Read more: Venezuela: History, Oil and Political Transformations.
Federal and Unitary States in South America
South American countries use different models of territorial organisation. Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela are federal republics in which power is divided between the national government and their respective provinces or federated states.
The other nine countries are generally classified as unitary states, although some have introduced significant forms of regional autonomy and administrative decentralisation.
The Languages of South America
Spanish is the most widely spoken language on the continent, while Portuguese is spoken in Brazil, the region’s most populous country. English is the official language of Guyana, and Dutch is the official language of Suriname.
South America’s linguistic heritage also includes Guaraní, Quechua, Aymara and hundreds of other Indigenous languages, many of which continue to play a central role within local communities.
Read more: What Languages Are Spoken in South America?
The Independence of South American Countries
Most South American states gained independence during the opening decades of the nineteenth century, following the crisis of the Spanish and Portuguese empires. These processes, however, differed in duration, leadership and consequences.
The Spanish colonies experienced prolonged wars, while Brazil initially became an independent empire. Guyana and Suriname, by contrast, completed their processes of decolonisation only during the twentieth century.
Are South America and Latin America the Same?
South America and Latin America are related terms, but they are not perfectly equivalent. South America is a geographical region comprising the twelve sovereign states located in the southern part of the American continent.
Latin America is primarily a historical, linguistic and cultural concept. It also includes Mexico, much of Central America and several Caribbean countries and territories.
Read more: South America and Latin America: Geographical and Cultural Differences.
Which South American Countries Are Landlocked?
Bolivia and Paraguay are the only sovereign states in South America without direct access to the sea. Bolivia lost its Pacific coastline during the War of the Pacific, fought in the nineteenth century.
Paraguay is located within the Paraguay and Paraná river basin. These waterways provide essential connections for international trade and transport despite the country’s landlocked position.
Why Learn About the Countries of South America?
Learning about the countries of South America means understanding a continent united by common historical experiences, yet characterised by profoundly different identities.
Colonial history, independence movements, Indigenous cultures, migration, natural resources and processes of regional integration have created complex and dynamic societies. Each country therefore represents an individual chapter within a broader continental history.
Frequently Asked Questions About South American Countries
This section provides concise answers to the most common questions about the continent, from the number of sovereign states and languages spoken to territorial size and the position of landlocked countries. These frequently asked questions help readers quickly identify the essential information and complement the detailed discussions presented in the previous chapters.