South America is the fourth-largest and fifth-most populous continent in the world. The following is a list of all the countries in South America, followed by answers to some frequently asked questions about the continent.
Countries in South America
| Country | Area | Capital | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | around 2.78 million sq km | Buenos Aires |
| 2 | Bolivia | around 1.1 million sq km | Sucre (constitutional and judicial); La Paz (administrative) |
| 3 | Brazil | around 8.5 million sq km | BrasÃlia |
| 4 | Chile | around 756,950 sq km | Santiago |
| 5 | Colombia | around 1.14 million sq km | Bogotá |
| 6 | Ecuador | around 283,560 sq km | Quito |
| 7 | Guyana | around 214,970 sq km | Georgetown |
| 8 | Paraguay | around 406,750 sq km | Asunción |
| 9 | Peru | around 1.285 million sq km | Lima |
| 10 | Suriname | around 163,820 sq km | Paramaribo |
| 11 | Uruguay | around 176,215 sq km | Montevideo |
| 12 | Venezuela | around 916,445 sq km | Caracas |
– External/overseas territories are not listed
Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the largest country in South America?
Brazil is the largest country in South America, covering approximately 8.5 million square kilometers. It is also the fifth-largest country in the world by total area.
Which is the most populous country in South America?
Brazil is by far the most populous country in South America.
Which is the most spoken language in South America?
Spanish is the most spoken language in South America followed by Portuguese.
Which is the largest city in South America by population?
São Paulo, Brazil.
Is Trinidad and Tobago in South America?
Trinidad and Tobago lies just off the northern coast of South America and is geographically closer to South America than to North America. However, it is generally considered part of the Caribbean and is often grouped with North America geographically. Some sources and maps instead associate the country with South America because of its proximity to the continent.
Which countries and territories is the Amazon rainforest located in?
The Amazon rainforest spans Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana (an overseas region of France), Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
(Also read: Forest cover by continent)
What is the highest point in South America?
Mount Aconcagua, at 6,961 m (22,838 ft), is the highest point in South America. It is located in the Andes Mountains in western Argentina, near the border with Chile.
How far is Antarctica from South America?
Mainland Antarctica is approximately 600 miles (1,000 km) from the southern tip of South America, across the Drake Passage.
The Equator passes through which South American countries?
Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil.
The Tropic of Capricorn passes through which South American countries?
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay.