South America - SUDAME

Mate is much more than a beverage. Across much of South America, it is a daily ritual, a symbol of friendship, and an essential part of cultural identity. Whether in parks, universities, offices, or family gatherings, mate is enjoyed by millions of people every day, especially in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and southern Brazil.

Today, it remains one of the strongest cultural symbols of South America.

What Is Mate?

Mate is an infusion prepared from the dried leaves of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), a plant native to the Paraná River basin, a region that includes parts of modern-day Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil.

The drink is traditionally prepared in a container known as a mate, from which the beverage takes its name. It is consumed through a special metal straw with a filter, called a bombilla.

Mate has a distinctive flavor that is earthy, herbal, and slightly bitter. Depending on the type of yerba used and local customs, its taste can vary considerably.

The Indigenous Origins of Mate

The history of mate began long before the arrival of Europeans in South America.

The Guaraní people, indigenous to areas of present-day Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil, were the first to discover and use the properties of yerba mate. They consumed the leaves as an energizing drink and as a source of nourishment during travel and daily activities.

For the Guaraní, mate also carried symbolic and spiritual importance. The plant was regarded as a gift from nature and played a meaningful role in community life.

The Arrival of Europeans and the Spread of Mate

When Spanish colonizers arrived in South America during the sixteenth century, they encountered the tradition of drinking mate.

At first, some settlers viewed the beverage with suspicion. However, they soon recognized its stimulating effects and its ability to reduce fatigue and hunger.

By the seventeenth century, mate had spread throughout much of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata and had become one of the region’s most widely consumed products.

The Role of the Jesuits

The spread of yerba mate was greatly supported by the Jesuit missions established throughout South America.

The Jesuits studied cultivation methods and developed more efficient techniques for growing and harvesting the plant. Through their missions in present-day Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil, the trade in yerba mate expanded significantly.

Because of this connection, mate was sometimes referred to as “Jesuits’ tea.”

How Mate Is Prepared

Preparing mate traditionally follows a specific ritual.

The basic steps include:

Fill the mate container about two-thirds full with yerba mate.
Tilt the container so the leaves gather on one side.
Insert the bombilla into the empty space.
Add a small amount of warm water.
Pour hot water, usually between 70°C and 80°C (158°F–176°F).

The water should not be boiling, as excessive heat can negatively affect the flavor and make the drink overly bitter.

Mate as a Social Ritual

One of the most fascinating aspects of mate is its social dimension.

Traditionally, one person, known as the cebador, prepares and serves the drink. The mate is then passed from person to person, with everyone drinking through the same bombilla.

This ritual symbolizes friendship, trust, and community. In many South American countries, offering someone mate is as common and meaningful as offering coffee or tea.

Mate, Tereré, and Regional Variations

Different countries have developed their own ways of enjoying yerba mate.

Traditional Hot Mate

This is the most common form in Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil. Hot water is used, and the drink is often consumed throughout the day.

Tereré

Especially popular in Paraguay, tereré is prepared with cold or iced water and is often infused with herbs and medicinal plants.

Chimarrão

A traditional drink of southern Brazil, chimarrão uses a finely ground, bright green yerba mate that produces a smoother and richer infusion.

Why Is Mate So Popular?

Several factors explain mate’s enduring popularity:

Strong cultural and historical significance.
A unique social ritual centered on sharing.
Natural caffeine content.
Centuries of tradition.
Affordable and easy preparation.

For millions of South Americans, mate is not simply a drink but an essential part of everyday life and social interaction.

Interesting Facts About Mate

Uruguay is among the countries with the highest per-capita consumption of yerba mate in the world.
In Argentina, it is common to see people carrying a mate cup in one hand and a thermos in the other.
Many South American football players are known for regularly drinking mate.
The word mate derives from the Quechua term mati, which originally referred to the container used to drink the infusion.

Why Mate Matters in South American Culture

Mate is more than a traditional beverage. It represents hospitality, conversation, friendship, and shared experiences. Its history reflects centuries of interaction between Indigenous cultures, colonial societies, and modern nations.

Understanding mate means understanding a fundamental part of South American identity: a culture that values community, connection, and the simple rituals that bring people together.

Conclusion

From its origins among the Guaraní people to its place in modern homes, parks, and workplaces across the continent, mate has become one of South America’s most enduring cultural traditions.

Whether enjoyed in Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Asunción, or Porto Alegre, mate remains a symbol of belonging, friendship, and the rich cultural heritage of South America.

South America: 12 Countries, Forms of State and the History of Independence

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.