South America comprises 12 sovereign nations stretching across approximately 17.84 million square kilometers of diverse terrain, from Amazonian rainforests to Andean peaks. The continent supports a combined population exceeding 433 million people, speaking primarily Spanish and Portuguese, with significant indigenous languages and pockets of English and Dutch influence.
Brazil dominates the continent geographically and demographically, occupying roughly half of the total land area, while smaller states like Suriname and Guyana occupy unique economic and cultural niches. Precise counts require distinguishing sovereign states from dependent territories.
The following overview profiles the complete list of South American nations, their capitals, population distributions, economic indicators, and common geographical misconceptions based on 2024-2025 data from World Population Review and World Atlas.
What Are the Countries in South America?
12 independent sovereign states
17.84 million km²
~433 million people
Brazil (8.5M km²)
The sovereign nations are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. These states maintain full diplomatic recognition and membership in the United Nations.
- Brazil contains roughly half the continent’s land area and approximately 49% of its total population.
- Spanish dominates as the primary language in nine countries, while Portuguese prevails in Brazil.
- Guyana stands alone as the only sovereign state with English as its official language.
- Venezuela records the lowest GDP per capita ($8,785) despite possessing significant oil reserves.
- Uruguay is the only country experiencing negative annual population change at -0.06%.
- Suriname ranks as the smallest sovereign state by both population (645,256) and total area.
- All 12 nations are UN member states, distinguishing them from dependent territories like French Guiana.
| Country | Capital | Population (2024 est.) | GDP per Capita (PPP, 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Buenos Aires | 46,003,700 | $31,311 |
| Bolivia | Sucre | 12,749,300 | $11,439 |
| Brazil | Brasilia | 213,563,000 | $23,310 |
| Chile | Santiago | 19,945,800 | $35,286 |
| Colombia | Bogota | 53,936,200 | $22,396 |
| Ecuador | Quito | 18,444,500 | $16,805 |
| Guyana | Georgetown | 840,890 | $94,189 |
| Paraguay | Asuncion | 7,095,280 | $19,717 |
| Peru | Lima | 34,922,100 | $18,980 |
| Suriname | Paramaribo | 645,256 | $22,303 |
| Uruguay | Montevideo | 3,382,540 | $37,190 |
| Venezuela | Caracas | 28,633,700 | $8,785 |
How Many Countries Are There in South America?
The continent contains exactly 12 sovereign states. This figure excludes dependent territories such as French Guiana, an overseas department of France, and the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory. While these territories occupy physical landmass within South America, they do not possess sovereignty.
All 12 sovereign nations maintain permanent representation at the United Nations and conduct independent foreign policy. The distinction matters for international law, trade agreements, and Samoa vs Tonga 2025 – Tonga Wins 30-16, Ends Seven-Year Drought demonstrates how regional groupings affect sporting and diplomatic relations.
French Guiana and the Falkland Islands function as dependent territories under French and British administration, respectively, rather than sovereign nations. Their populations total 318,872 and 3,465 according to recent estimates.
Largest and Smallest Countries in South America
By Land Area
Brazil encompasses 8,515,799 square kilometers, constituting approximately 47.7% of the continent’s total surface area. World Population Review identifies Suriname as the smallest sovereign state by area, though specific measurements for intermediate countries remain unspecified in current datasets.
By Population
Brazil leads with 213.6 million residents, followed by Colombia (53.9 million) and Argentina (46 million). At the opposite extreme, Suriname counts just 645,256 inhabitants, while Uruguay maintains the smallest population among the Southern Cone nations at 3.38 million, uniquely experiencing demographic decline.
South American Countries by Population and Capitals
Capital cities concentrate significant portions of national populations. Buenos Aires houses 15.9 million metro residents, while Bogota contains 11.9 million and Lima 11.7 million. Smaller capitals like Sucre (Bolivia) and Paramaribo (Suriname) maintain populations under 250,000, reflecting decentralized national settlement patterns.
Guyana’s GDP per capita reached $94,189 in 2025 IMF estimates, driven entirely by offshore oil discoveries since 2015. This represents a 253% increase over traditional regional leaders like Uruguay ($37,190) and Chile ($35,286).
While Spanish serves as the primary language for nine countries and Portuguese for Brazil, Guyana utilizes English as its official language. Suriname operates with Dutch, making it the only officially Dutch-speaking sovereign state in the Americas.
2024-specific safety rankings and comprehensive crime statistics are not available in current datasets. Economic stability indicators suggest lower poverty rates in Guyana, Uruguay, and Chile, but security conditions vary significantly by region and require current travel advisory consultation.
Detailed capital population data from World Population Review reveals that five cities—Buenos Aires, Bogota, Lima, Santiago, and Brasilia—contain over 50 million residents combined, representing significant urban concentration.
Common Misconceptions: Is Mexico in South America?
Mexico geographically and politically belongs to North America, specifically the southern portion of the continent. The Mexico-United States border marks the division between North and South America, placing Mexico firmly within the northern continent alongside Canada and the United States.
Confusion often arises from Mexico’s participation in Latin American cultural and diplomatic organizations. While Latin America encompasses South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, the geographical continent of South America terminates at the Colombia-Panama border.
When Did South American Countries Gain Independence?
Most South American nations achieved sovereignty during the 19th century, breaking from Spanish or Portuguese colonial rule. Specific dates vary by nation, with available records indicating:
- Brazil: Independence from Portugal, 1822
- Guyana: Independence from United Kingdom, 1966
- Argentina: Independence from Spain, 19th century
- Colombia: Independence from Spain, 19th century
- Chile: Independence from Spain, 19th century
- Peru: Independence from Spain, 19th century
- Venezuela: Independence from Spain, 19th century
- Ecuador: Independence from Spain, 19th century
- Bolivia: Independence from Spain, 19th century
- Paraguay: Independence from Spain, 19th century
- Uruguay: Independence from Spain/Portugal, 19th century
CIA World Factbook and Britannica provide additional historical context regarding specific revolutionary periods, though exact dates for Spanish-speaking nations require verification against primary historical sources.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Uncertain or Variable Data |
|---|---|
| 12 sovereign states recognized internationally | Precise independence dates for most Spanish-speaking nations (specific years not detailed) |
| Brazil’s exact area: 8,515,799 km² (largest) | Exact land area measurements for countries other than Brazil |
| Population figures for all 12 countries (2024) | 2024-specific safety and crime indices |
| GDP per capita rankings (2025 IMF estimates) | Real-time economic volatility in Venezuela and Argentina |
| All 12 are UN member states | Comprehensive territorial boundary measurements |
| English official only in Guyana (sovereign) | Detailed poverty statistics newer than 2024 |
Why Does South America’s Political Composition Matter?
The configuration of 12 sovereign states creates distinct economic zones and trade blocs, including Mercosur and the Andean Community. Brazil’s territorial dominance influences continental infrastructure, hydroelectric projects, and Amazonian environmental policy.
Demographic trends reveal significant variation. While Bolivia and Paraguay experience growth rates exceeding 1.17% and 1.33% respectively, Uruguay’s negative growth suggests approaching demographic transition. Meanwhile, World Bank data indicates Guyana’s oil-driven economic expansion is reshaping regional wealth distribution, potentially altering traditional power dynamics between Portuguese and Spanish-speaking majorities.
How Reliable Are These Country Statistics?
Data gaps exist for 2024-specific independence dates, exact areas per country, safety indices, and full UN/CIA/Britannica/World Bank breakdowns; results draw from World Population Review, World Atlas, and IMF.
— Aggregated Source Analysis, 2024-2025
Population figures derive from 2024-2026 estimates provided by World Population Review. GDP calculations represent 2025 IMF projections for purchasing power parity per capita. UN membership status confirms sovereignty for all 12 nations.
What Defines South America Today?
Twelve sovereign nations occupy the continent, with Brazil dominating geographically and Guyana leading economically on a per-capita basis. Population concentrations in coastal capitals contrast with vast interior regions, while linguistic diversity spans Spanish, Portuguese, English, and Dutch. For recent global sporting context, see World Cup T20 – 2024 Results, Winner and Schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which South American country has the highest GDP per capita?
Guyana leads with $94,189 per capita (2025 IMF estimate), driven by offshore oil discoveries. Uruguay follows at $37,190.
Are there English-speaking countries in South America?
Guyana is the only sovereign state with English as its official language. The Falkland Islands, a British territory, also uses English.
What is the smallest country in South America by population?
Suriname holds this distinction with 645,256 residents (2024 estimate), followed by Guyana with 840,890.
Is French Guiana a country?
No. French Guiana is an overseas department of France and functions as a dependent territory, not a sovereign state.
Which South American capital has the largest population?
Buenos Aires, Argentina, with approximately 15.89 million metro residents, followed by Bogota (11.92 million) and Lima (11.67 million).
How does Venezuela’s economy compare to others?
Venezuela records the lowest GDP per capita at $8,785 (2025 estimate), despite having the world’s largest proven oil reserves.
Thomas Grant leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Australia Watch.