South America: Countries and Capitals

12 sovereign countries · updated guide

South America is a single, well-defined landmass of just 12 sovereign countries — making it one of the easier continents to learn in full. It is dominated by two giants of physical geography: the Andes mountains down the western edge and the Amazon rainforest across the north.

The countries of South America and their capitals

Here is the full list of South America's 12 sovereign countries with their capital cities. These are the countries you will meet when you play South America rounds in the game.

Geography at a glance

The Andes are the longest continental mountain range on Earth, running the entire western length of the continent and including peaks over 6,900 metres. They give rise to high-altitude capitals like Quito, Bogotá, La Paz and Sucre.

The Amazon is the largest river by discharge and drains the world's biggest rainforest, mostly within Brazil — itself the fifth-largest country on the planet and home to nearly half of South America's people and land. To the south, the climate cools through the grassy Pampas to the windswept tip of Patagonia.

Regions of South America

The Andean states

Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile hug the mountains down the western side.

The Atlantic and the Southern Cone

Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay occupy the east and south; Argentina and Chile share the long Andean border and Patagonia.

The Guianas

Guyana and Suriname in the north-east are culturally distinct, with ties to the Caribbean and Europe rather than the Spanish-speaking mainland.

Tips for learning South America on the map

• With only 12 countries, aim to learn the whole continent perfectly — it's the best place to get a clean sweep.
• Brazil borders every South American country except Chile and Ecuador, which makes it a great reference point.
• Remember the two small north-eastern neighbours, Guyana and Suriname — they are the most-missed countries here.

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