South America Countries: 12 Sovereign Nations, List & Facts

If you’ve ever wondered how many countries make up South America—or why different sources seem to give different answers—you’re not alone. The continent includes twelve sovereign nations, stretching from the tropical heat of Brazil to the wind-swept plains of Patagonia. Brazil alone covers 8.5 million km² with over 215 million people, making it the giant of the region. Meanwhile, smaller neighbors like Uruguay and Chile consistently rank as the safest destinations for international travelers.

Sovereign Countries: 12 · Largest by Area: Brazil · Most Populous: Brazil · Total Land Area: 17.84 million km² · Dependencies Included: French Guiana, Falkland Islands

Six facts stand out across verified sources: sovereign count, area figures, safety scores, advisory levels, capital cities, and regional patterns.

How many countries are there in South America?

The answer depends on what you count. South America has 12 sovereign countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. French Guiana, though geographically on the continent, remains an overseas department of France and does not hold UN membership as a sovereign state.

Sovereign states vs dependencies

The twelve fully independent nations all hold seats at the United Nations and operate their own governments. French Guiana (France), the Falkland Islands (UK), and South Georgia (UK) are territories rather than sovereign states. Counting these pushes the figure to 14 or higher depending on how widely you cast the net.

Common misconceptions on counts

Some sources list 23 or even 44 “countries” by including Caribbean islands culturally linked to South America or disputed territories. Wikipedia consistently counts 12 sovereign nations, a figure corroborated by the CIA World Factbook. When you see higher numbers, check whether the list includes territories or dependencies that lack UN representation.

The implication: most international datasets and travel advisories track the 12 sovereign nations, making that the practical standard for travelers, researchers, and businesses alike.

What are the 23 countries in South America and their capitals?

The twelve sovereign countries, listed alphabetically, with their capitals:

Note that Bolivia operates with two capitals: La Paz serves as the seat of government while Sucre holds constitutional status as the capital. French Guiana, the main dependency, has its capital at Cayenne.

Dependencies and territories

Beyond the twelve nations, three territories warrant mention. French Guiana (France) spans 83,534 km² and uses the euro alongside French administrative structures. The Falkland Islands (UK) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (UK) occupy the southern Atlantic. None participate in South American governing bodies or UN structures as independent entities.

The catch: if you’re planning travel or business operations, treat these territories as extensions of their European administering powers—their entry requirements, currencies, and legal systems follow Paris or London, not continental norms.

What are the 10 largest countries in South America?

Size separates the giants from the mid-tier nations. Brazil alone accounts for roughly half the continent’s land area.

By land area

• Brazil: 8,515,767 km²
• Argentina: 2,780,400 km²
• Peru: 1,285,216 km²
• Colombia: 1,138,910 km²
• Bolivia: 1,098,581 km²
• Venezuela: 912,050 km²
• Chile: 756,102 km²
• Paraguay: 406,752 km²
• Ecuador: 283,561 km²
• Uruguay: 176,215 km²

The pattern: the top two countries account for more than half the continent’s total area, with the remaining nations ranging from 1.3 million km² down to under 200,000 km².

By population

Brazil dominates with over 216 million residents, roughly three times the population of Colombia (52M) and Argentina (45M). Peru, Chile, and Venezuela each hold between 28–33 million people, while Bolivia and Ecuador sit near 17–18 million. The smaller nations—Uruguay (3.4M), Paraguay (7M), Guyana (800K), Suriname (600K)—account for a tiny fraction of the continental total.

What this means: Brazil’s scale creates logistical and cultural gravity that shapes everything from trade routes to media consumption across the continent. Its neighbors, however diverse, operate in Brazil’s shadow on regional policy and economic integration.

What are the big 5 countries in South America?

The “big 5” label applies to countries with the largest economies, populations, or geopolitical influence within the continent.

• Brazil — continent’s largest economy ($2.1T GDP), dominant population, strongest military
• Argentina — second-largest by area, third by population, historically influential in regional politics
• Colombia — only South American nation with coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean, major agricultural exporter
• Peru — Andean anchor with significant mining sector, growing tourism industry
• Venezuela — historically powerful due to oil reserves, though economic collapse has reduced regional influence

Major economies and influence

Brazil and Argentina drive Mercosur, South America’s largest trading bloc. Colombia has emerged as a diplomatic bridge between Andean nations and the Pacific Alliance. Peru and Chile anchor the Pacific Rim economic corridor. Venezuela’s influence has waned since its 2014–2020 economic crisis, though it retains significant oil reserves.

The implication: economic power concentrates in the east and south. The northern Amazon nations (Guyana, Suriname) and western Andean states punch below their weight in regional forums, though Guyana’s recent offshore oil discoveries may shift that calculus.

What is the safest country to go to in South America?

Safety varies dramatically across the continent, and no single metric tells the full story. Two widely cited frameworks—Global Peace Index (GPI) scores and US State Department travel advisories—often tell different tales.

The gap between these two systems reflects their different priorities. GPI favors Uruguay (#1 in South America, score 1.798) thanks to political stability and low violent crime. US advisories, however, rate Argentina and Paraguay as Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”) while downgrading Uruguay to Level 2 due to robbery concerns in tourist areas.

Friendliest to Americans

Neither ranking explicitly measures “friendliness,” but proxy indicators suggest Uruguay, Chile, and Argentina welcome tourists warmly. Argentina’s US Level 1 status and Buenos Aires’ status as a major international hub make it particularly accessible. Chile’s Santiago airport serves as the region’s premier connecting point for South American routes.

Solo female travelers consistently report the strongest safety experiences in Uruguay, Chile, and Argentina, with Montevideo, Punta del Este, Santiago, and Buenos Aires cited most frequently in travel forums.

Travel safety rankings

Three regional clusters emerge from the data:

• Southern Cone (Uruguay, Argentina, Chile): Low violent crime, stable governance, tourist-friendly infrastructure. Best choice for first-time South America visitors.
• Andean (Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador): Moderate risk in urban areas, safe along popular tourist corridors. Cuzco, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca report low violent crime despite broader national challenges.
• Amazon/Northern (Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela): Higher crime concentrated in specific neighborhoods. Major tourist zones (Rio’s beach neighborhoods, Medellín’s El Poblado, Cartagena’s walled city) maintain strong safety records.

Ecuador presents a recent complication: in January 2024, President Daniel Noboa declared a nationwide “internal armed conflict” following gang violence in Quito and Guayaquil. Military deployment has reportedly stabilized tourist areas, though advisories remain cautious.

For tourists prioritizing low violent crime and political stability, Uruguay leads. For those willing to accept higher property crime in exchange for rich culture and Level 1 advisory status, Argentina offers excellent value. Chile bridges both concerns with strong infrastructure and mid-range safety scores.

Uruguay consistently ranks as the safest country in South America, driven by political stability, low violent crime rates, and strong democratic institutions.

— Institute for Economics & Peace, via Going.com

Chile boasts modern infrastructure, low violent crime rates, and efficient emergency services, making it a haven for travelers.

— Grow Dangerously

South America spans twelve sovereign nations and countless landscapes, from the beaches of Uruguay to the Amazon rainforest of Brazil. The safest destinations—Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile—sit in the Southern Cone, offering travelers the most stable infrastructure alongside the continent’s lowest violent crime rates. Argentina and Paraguay hold the rare Level 1 advisory from the US State Department, meaning normal precautions suffice. Venezuela remains at Level 4, and Ecuador’s security situation requires monitoring post-2024 military deployment. Choosing the right country means weighing what matters most: peace index rankings, official advisories, or specific city-level data that no national metric can capture.

For first-time visitors, Uruguay and Argentina offer the best combination of safety, accessibility, and cultural richness. For seasoned travelers willing to navigate higher crime in exchange for unique experiences, Colombia and Brazil reward with vibrant cities and natural wonders found nowhere else on the continent.

Related reading: American Civil War timeline

South America’s 12 sovereign nations boast diverse capitals and shifting populations, as captured in complete capitals and population list alongside key 2024 statistics.

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