How many countries are there in South America?
South America is the fourth largest continent on earth, with rich natural resources, diverse cultures and unique geographical landscapes. So, how many countries are there in South America? This article will give you a detailed answer and attach structured data to help you understand the country composition of South America more clearly.
Number of countries in South America

According to internationally recognized standards, South America has 12 sovereign countries and 3 regions. Below is a detailed list of South American countries:
| Country/region name | capital | official language | Population (2023 estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | buenos aires | spanish | About 45.8 million |
| Bolivia | Sucre (statutory), La Paz (administrative) | Spanish, Quechua, etc. | About 12.2 million |
| Brazil | brasilia | portuguese | About 215 million |
| chile | san diego | spanish | About 19.6 million |
| Colombia | bogota | spanish | About 52 million |
| Ecuador | Quito | spanish | About 18.2 million |
| Guyana | georgetown | English | About 800,000 |
| paraguay | asunción | Spanish, Guaraní | About 7.3 million |
| Peru | Lima | Spanish, Quechua, etc. | About 34 million |
| Suriname | paramaribo | Dutch | About 600,000 |
| Uruguay | Montevideo | spanish | About 3.5 million |
| Venezuela | caracas | spanish | About 28.4 million |
| French Guiana (French Overseas Department) | Cayenne | French | About 300,000 |
| Falkland Islands (British Overseas Territory) | Stanley | English | about 3400 |
| South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (British Overseas Territory) | No permanent population | English | No permanent population |
Geographical and cultural characteristics of South America
The geographical environment of South America is extremely diverse, from the Amazon rainforest to the Andes Mountains, from the Atacama Desert to the Patagonian Plateau, each place shows the uncanny workmanship of nature. In addition, South America is also extremely rich in culture, integrating the traditions of indigenous peoples, European colonists and African immigrants, forming a unique cultural landscape.
economic conditions in south america
The economy of South America is dominated by natural resource development, with Brazil, Argentina and Colombia being the most economically developed countries in the region. Here are the GDP figures for the major countries in South America (2023 estimates):
| country | GDP (billion US dollars) | GDP per capita (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 1.92 trillion | About 8,900 |
| Argentina | 640 billion | about 14,000 |
| Colombia | 350 billion | About 6,700 |
| chile | 320 billion | about 16,000 |
| Peru | 260 billion | About 7,600 |
Summary
There are 12 sovereign countries and 3 regions in South America, each with its own unique history, culture and economic characteristics. Whether it is natural scenery or cultural landscape, South America is worth exploring in depth. I hope the structured data in this article will help you better understand this amazing continent.
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