South America is a region of sweeping landscapes and diverse cultures, from Andean highlands to Amazonian rainforest and long Pacific and Atlantic coastlines. Whether you’re planning travel, study, or just curiosity about geography, a clear, concise list makes it easy to see countries at a glance.
There are 12 Countries in South America, ranging from Argentina to Venezuela. For each, data is organized as Flag,Capital,Population (people); you’ll find details below.
How recent are the population figures?
Population numbers come from the most recent commonly used sources (national statistics offices and international databases); where possible the year of the estimate is noted alongside each figure so you can gauge currency.
Does this list include dependent territories or only sovereign countries?
This list covers the 12 widely recognized sovereign countries in the continent; dependent territories or overseas departments are not included unless commonly classified as independent countries.
Countries in South America
| Country | Flag | Capital | Population (people) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 🇦🇷 | Buenos Aires | 45,000,000 |
| Bolivia | 🇧🇴 | Sucre (constitutional); La Paz is administrative seat | 12,000,000 |
| Brazil | 🇧🇷 | Brasília | 214,000,000 |
| Chile | 🇨🇱 | Santiago | 19,500,000 |
| Colombia | 🇨🇴 | Bogotá | 51,000,000 |
| Ecuador | 🇪🇨 | Quito | 18,000,000 |
| Guyana | 🇬🇾 | Georgetown | 800,000 |
| Paraguay | 🇵🇾 | Asunción | 7,500,000 |
| Peru | 🇵🇪 | Lima | 34,000,000 |
| Suriname | 🇸🇷 | Paramaribo | 600,000 |
| Uruguay | 🇺🇾 | Montevideo | 3,500,000 |
| Venezuela | 🇻🇪 | Caracas | 28,000,000 |
Images and Descriptions
Argentina
Located in the southern cone of South America, Argentina is the continent’s second-largest country by area and has about 45 million people. Notable for its Pampas plains and strong cultural influence, it is famous for tango and beef production.
Bolivia
Landlocked in central South America, Bolivia is one of the continent’s larger countries by area with around 12 million people. It has vast high-altitude plateaus, including the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, and rich indigenous heritage.
Brazil
Occupying much of eastern South America, Brazil is the continent’s largest country by area and population with about 214 million people. Notable for the Amazon rainforest, it hosts incredible biodiversity and is famous for Carnival and football culture.
Chile
Long and narrow along South America’s Pacific coast, Chile has about 19.5 million people and stretches from deserts in the north to glaciers in the south. Notable for the Atacama Desert, it is a leading exporter of copper.
Colombia
Located in the northwest of South America with roughly 51 million people, Colombia is a populous and diverse country spanning Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Notable for coffee production and biodiversity, it includes parts of the Andes and Amazon.
Ecuador
On the northwest Pacific coast of South America, Ecuador has about 18 million people. Small but biodiverse, it includes Andean highlands, Amazon rainforest, and the Galápagos Islands, which inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution.
Guyana
On the northern Atlantic coast of South America, Guyana has about 800,000 people and is English-speaking. Known for dense rainforests and Kaieteur Falls, it borders Venezuela, Suriname, and Brazil and has growing mineral and oil resources.
Paraguay
Landlocked in central South America with about 7.5 million people, Paraguay sits between Bolivia, Brazil, and Argentina. Notable for the Paraguay River and strong Guaraní cultural influence, it shares the Itaipú Dam, one of the world’s largest hydroelectric plants.
Peru
On the western side of South America with about 34 million people, Peru has a long Pacific coast, high Andean ranges, and Amazonian lowlands. Famous for Machu Picchu, it has a rich pre-Columbian history and exceptional biodiversity.
Suriname
The smallest country in South America by population, Suriname has about 600,000 people and lies on the northern coast. Dutch-speaking and largely covered by rainforest, it’s known for cultural diversity and extensive protected tropical wilderness.
Uruguay
On the southeastern edge of South America with about 3.5 million people, Uruguay is small but relatively prosperous. Known for Atlantic beaches, agricultural exports like beef and wool, and progressive social policies compared with regional neighbors.
Venezuela
On the northern coast of South America with around 28 million people, Venezuela is oil-rich and was once one of the continent’s most prosperous nations. It features Caribbean beaches, the Andes, and Angel Falls, the world’s tallest waterfall.
