List Of South American Countries

My first South America adventure was to Argentina, and I remember standing in Buenos Aires completely overwhelmed. Not by the city itself — though it’s stunning — but by the sheer size of the continent. I’d taught geography for years, but “South America has 12 countries” hadn’t sunk in as real until I tried to plan my travels. This guide maps all 12 countries, their capitals, official languages, and unique features in a way that sticks. Whether you’re preparing for a trip, studying for an exam, or simply curious about the continent’s diversity, I’ll break down what makes each country distinct.

South America stretches from Colombia in the north (sitting on the Caribbean) to the frozen Patagonian steppes of Chile and Argentina in the south. Along the way, you’ll encounter Spanish, Portuguese, indigenous languages, and cultures that have existed for millennia. These twelve nations offer completely different geographies — dense rainforests, high mountain ranges, vast pampas, and subtropical beaches — and their diversity is one reason they deserve individual attention rather than a generic “South America is big” summary.

The 12 South American Countries at a Glance

Before diving into individual countries, here’s the complete list organized alphabetically, with capitals and primary languages. Each country has its own cultural identity, though they share a broadly similar colonial history and many trade relationships.

Country	Capital	Population (est. 2024)	Official Language(s)
Argentina	Buenos Aires	~46.9 million	Spanish
Bolivia	La Paz (admin) / Sucre (judicial)	~12.9 million	Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
Brazil	Brasília	~220.8 million	Portuguese
Chile	Santiago	~19.2 million	Spanish
Colombia	Bogotá	~52.7 million	Spanish
Ecuador	Quito	~17.6 million	Spanish, Quechua
Guyana	Georgetown	~0.8 million	English
Paraguay	Asunción	~7.4 million	Spanish, Guaraní
Peru	Lima	~31.6 million	Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
Suriname	Paramaribo	~0.6 million	Dutch, English
Uruguay	Montevideo	~3.6 million	Spanish
Venezuela	Caracas	~26.9 million	Spanish

The Western and Northern Countries

Colombia

Colombia is the second-most populated country on the continent (after Brazil) and sits at the northwestern corner of South America, uniquely positioned with coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The capital, Bogotá, sits high in the Andes at over 2,600 metres elevation. Colombia is famous for its emeralds, coffee (coffee region forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and vibrant culture. The country also has incredible biodiversity — more bird and amphibian species than any other nation on Earth.

Example: Colombia produces about 60% of the world’s emeralds and exports coffee to over 100 countries.

Ecuador

Ecuador, named for the equator that runs through it, is one of South America’s most geographically diverse countries. In the west, the Andes mountains run north-south. To the east lies the start of the Amazon rainforest. And offshore, the Galápagos Islands — Ecuador’s most famous territory — sit 1,000 kilometres out in the Pacific. Despite being one of the continent’s smaller countries by area, Ecuador has enormous biological diversity and indigenous heritage.

Example: The Galápagos Islands, home to Charles Darwin’s research, are part of Ecuador and remain one of the world’s most important sites for evolutionary biology.

Peru

Peru is home to Machu Picchu, the ancient Incan citadel that stands as one of the world’s most recognizable archaeological sites. Located in the Andes, Peru also encompasses significant portions of the Amazon rainforest and has a coastline along the Pacific. The capital, Lima, is known as the culinary capital of South America, and Peruvian cuisine has gained international fame. Like Bolivia and Ecuador, Peru has large indigenous populations that speak Quechua and Aymara alongside Spanish.

Example: Machu Picchu sits at an elevation of 2,430 metres above sea level and was built around 1450 during the Inca Empire.

The Central and Southern Regions

Bolivia

Bolivia is South America’s only landlocked country (aside from Paraguay) and sits high in the Andes, making it one of the world’s highest countries by average elevation. The Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, is in Bolivia and creates a surreal landscape that looks otherworldly, especially during the rainy season when a thin layer of water reflects the sky. Bolivia also has large areas of Amazon rainforest in the north and has significant indigenous populations — over 40% of the country speaks an indigenous language as a first language.

Example: The Salar de Uyuni covers an area of about 10,500 square kilometres and contains about 10 billion tonnes of salt.

Paraguay

Paraguay is the second landlocked country in South America and is often overshadowed by its larger neighbours, Argentina and Brazil. However, it has a rich cultural identity, particularly the strong presence of Guaraní language and culture — Guaraní is an official language alongside Spanish, making Paraguay one of the few countries in the world with a truly bilingual official status. The country is also known for its biodiversity, particularly in the Gran Chaco region and the Pantanal wetlands.

Example: Paraguay produces the majority of its electricity from hydroelectric dams, and sells excess power to neighbouring countries.

Argentina

Argentina is South America’s second-largest country by both area and population (after Brazil) and is famous for its tango music, beef, wine, and football (soccer). The capital, Buenos Aires, often called the “Paris of South America,” sits on the Río de la Plata and has European-influenced architecture and culture. Argentina’s geography ranges from the tropical regions in the north (Misiones Province) to the arid Patagonian steppes and the Atacama Desert in the south, where you’ll find glaciers and the dramatic landscapes around Tierra del Fuego.

Example: Argentine beef is internationally famous, and the country has a strong tradition of asado (barbecue) as a cultural institution.

Chile

Chile is the world’s longest north-south country, stretching over 4,200 kilometres while being only about 200 kilometres wide at its widest point. This extreme geography creates diverse climates: the Atacama Desert in the north (one of the driest places on Earth), Mediterranean climate in the central regions, temperate rainforests in the south, and the glacial landscapes of Patagonia and the Antarctic territories. Chile is also one of South America’s most developed economies and has a high human development index.

Example: The Atacama Desert is so dry that in some locations, measurable rainfall has never been recorded.

Uruguay

Uruguay is South America’s smallest country by area but punches above its weight in development and education. Located on the Atlantic coast between Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay is often overlooked but is one of the continent’s most stable democracies with high literacy rates and strong social programs. The capital, Montevideo, is a vibrant cultural hub. Uruguay is known for its gaucho culture, wine production, and beaches, and is a popular destination for tourists from neighbouring countries.

Example: Uruguay has the highest human development index in South America and consistently ranks among the world’s most democratic nations.

The Northern Tropical Region

Venezuela

Venezuela occupies the northern coast of South America and is home to Angel Falls, the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall at 979 metres. The country has vast oil reserves and was once one of South America’s wealthiest nations. Venezuela also has Caribbean islands and significant Andean mountains in the west. However, the country has faced significant economic and political challenges in recent years, which has affected tourism and general development.

Example: Angel Falls, located in Canaima National Park, is named after aviator Jimmy Angel, who flew over it in 1933.

Guyana and Suriname

Guyana and Suriname are the only English- and Dutch-speaking countries, respectively, on a Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking continent. Historically, they were colonies of Britain and the Netherlands, which shaped their languages and cultures. Both countries have small populations compared to their vast territories and are home to significant rainforest areas and indigenous communities. Guyana, the larger of the two, is developing offshore oil reserves and is seeing new economic opportunities.

Example: Guyana’s national motto is “One people, one nation, one love,” reflecting its multicultural heritage.

Languages of South America

While Spanish and Portuguese dominate, South America is home to dozens of indigenous languages, some with hundreds of thousands of speakers.

Language	Speakers (millions)	Primary Countries
Spanish	~210	Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and parts of others
Portuguese	~203	Brazil exclusively in South America
Quechua	~7-8	Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador (and southern Colombia)
Aymara	~2	Peru, Bolivia
Guaraní	~5	Paraguay (co-official), and parts of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia
English	~0.8	Guyana
Dutch	~0.6	Suriname

In many areas, particularly in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, indigenous languages are spoken in daily life despite Spanish being the official language. This linguistic diversity is an important part of South American heritage and identity.

Common Words and Phrases Across South America

While Spanish and Portuguese are the main languages, here are words and phrases you’ll encounter throughout the region:

English	Spanish	Portuguese (Brazilian)
Hello	Hola	Olá
Thank you	Gracias	Obrigado (masc.) / Obrigada (fem.)
Please	Por favor	Por favor
Goodbye	Adiós	Adeus
Good morning	Buenos días	Bom dia
How are you?	¿Cómo estás? (informal)	Como você está?
Nice to meet you	Mucho gusto	Prazer em conhecê-lo
Excuse me	Disculpe / Perdón	Desculpe / Com licença

Key Vocabulary: Geography and Culture

When learning about South America, these words will come up frequently:

• Andes: The world’s longest mountain range, running through seven South American countries.
• Amazon: The world’s largest rainforest by area, spanning nine countries (60% in Brazil).
• Pampas: Vast flat grasslands, primarily in Argentina and Uruguay.
• Gaucho: A skilled horseman and herder of the pampas, iconic to Argentina and Uruguay.
• Carnival: A major festival in Brazil (and other countries) celebrated before Lent.
• Machu Picchu: Ancient Incan city in Peru, built around 1450.
• Tango: A dance and music genre originating in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• Samba: A lively music and dance style from Brazil.
• Quinoa: A grain crop native to the Andes, now eaten worldwide.
• Ayahuasca: A plant-based brew used in indigenous rituals, particularly in Peruvian rainforests.

Comparing South American Countries: Size and Population

South America’s 12 countries vary dramatically in size and population. Brazil dominates, but the variation offers insight into the continent’s diversity:

Country	Area (km²)	Population	Population Density (people/km²)
Brazil	8,515,767	~220.8 million	26
Peru	1,285,216	~31.6 million	25
Colombia	1,141,748	~52.7 million	46
Bolivia	1,098,581	~12.9 million	12
Venezuela	916,445	~26.9 million	29
Argentina	2,780,400	~46.9 million	17
Chile	756,096	~19.2 million	25
Ecuador	283,561	~17.6 million	62
Guyana	214,969	~0.8 million	4
Paraguay	406,752	~7.4 million	18
Uruguay	176,220	~3.6 million	20
Suriname	163,820	~0.6 million	4

Sample Dialogue: Planning a South American Trip

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