Overview of South American Countries
South America: a treasure trove of cultures and landscapes as varied as a box of Crayolas, packed with countries each flaunting its own traits. Let’s take a wee stroll through these lands and discover what makes each of them tick.
Total Countries in South America
South America houses 12 independent nations, each with a tapestry of stories woven through their history, culture, and governance (World Atlas). Check out the lineup:
| Country |
|---|
| Argentina |
| Bolivia |
| Brazil |
| Chile |
| Colombia |
| Ecuador |
| Guyana |
| Paraguay |
| Peru |
| Suriname |
| Uruguay |
| Venezuela |
Well, that’s not all! French Guiana also tags along as a part of France’s overseas setup, and let’s not forget the British getaways—the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Wikipedia).
Unique Characteristics of South America
South America stands out like a peacock in a barnyard, thanks to its mix of folks and traditions. Here’s a quick peek at what sets it apart:
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Governance: All aboard the presidential train! Every South American country rides this governance train except for Suriname that’s a parliamentary republic. Meanwhile, French Guiana dances to France’s tune, while those British islands remain connected to the crown.
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Language: With tongues wagging in Spanish and Portuguese, boasting around 200 million chatterboxes speaking each, Spanish reigns supreme in most places but dares not enter Brazil where Portuguese rules the roost. Got some English, Dutch, and French chatter in select corners too (Wikipedia).
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Population and Area: South America sprawls over a hefty 17,840,000 square clicks and hosts a bustling crowd of over 434 million folks as of 2021. Quite the party, right? (Wikipedia).
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Cultural Mosaic: Imagine a patchwork quilt of different threads; that’s South America with its potluck of nationalities, lingo, traditions, and religions—all lending to its hearty mix and buzzing social scene.
Dig deeper into similar lists at these links for fellow continents: list of African countries, list of European countries, and list of Asian countries.
Most Populous South American Countries
Want to get the lowdown on South America’s bustling heavyweights? Dive in to see how these mega-populated countries stack up, with 2024 looking like a packed year ahead!
Brazil
The heavyweight champ of South American populations, Brazil’s looking at a projected 235,460,236 people by 2024. A mishmash of cultures and jaw-dropping sights, it’s the beating heart of the region’s economy. Fancy a samba through São Paulo or a stroll on Rio’s Copacabana Beach? That’s where the party’s at, for sure!
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 235,460,236 |
For a deeper peek into Brazil’s people and money matters, check out our section on Brazil’s Population and Economy.
Colombia
Colombia’s not far behind, with an expected 2024 population of 59,443,324. Mixing things up with vibrant cities like Bogotá and Medellín, Colombia’s got that blend of old-world charm and new-age zing, solidifying its spot as the second most populous.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 59,443,324 |
Unravel more about Colombia’s urban flavor in our article on Venezuela’s Urban Landscape—yes, you read that right.
Argentina
Cracking the top three, Argentina’s in the house with about 52,886,527 folks come 2024. From tango in Buenos Aires to the pampas steak sizzle, the European vibes hit differently here, making it the third most packed.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 52,886,527 |
Venezuela
Venezuela’s rolling into 2024 with a population of 35,509,383, landing in at fifth place. With Caracas playing the capital tune and a rich cultural beat, it’s the unique flavor of history and charm.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 35,509,383 |
Peru
Come fourth on the populous list, Peru’s blending past glories with modern marvels. Tapping into a world population of about 35,682,134 by 2024, it’s the place that takes you back in time in no hustle on the Incan trail, while Lima keeps things lively today.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 35,682,134 |
Hoping to extend your global savvy? Our regional rundowns like the list of countries in the middle east or list of countries by land area have you covered.
Landlocked Countries in South America
South America is a continent rich in diversity, and features two nations without coastal access: Bolivia and Paraguay. Although nestled among countries with coastlines, these two contribute significantly to the region’s growth and vibrancy.
Bolivia
Bolivia, officially called the Plurinational State of Bolivia, ranks as the fifth-largest South American country. Stretching across 1.099 million square kilometers, it is home to roughly 12.08 million folks. Bolivia’s transition to a landlocked status occurred on March 23, 1879, after the War of the Pacific and a treaty with Chile, which caused it to lose its Pacific Ocean access.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Plurinational State of Bolivia |
| Area (sq km) | 1,099,000 |
| Population | 12.08 million |
| Capital | Sucre |
| Largest City | Santa Cruz de la Sierra |
Bolivia grapples with specific economic hurdles due to its landlocked nature. Transport costs are higher here than in countries with coastline access. Nevertheless, Bolivia remains engaged in regional trade deals and diplomatic maneuvers to invigorate its economy.
Paraguay
Paraguay, known officially as the Republic of Paraguay, is split into two distinctive regions: east and west. Covering 406.76K square kilometers, its population hovers around 6.78 million (Best Diplomats).
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Republic of Paraguay |
| Area (sq km) | 406,750 |
| Population | 6.78 million |
| Capital | Asunción |
| Largest City | Asunción |
Paraguay leans heavily on Argentina and Brazil’s ports for around 95% of its trade, showing the economic impact of being landlocked. Trade costs make up roughly 5% of its GDP. Even with these hurdles, Paraguay sustains active trade and solid growth.
For more peeks into other places, check out our list of European countries, list of African countries, or dive into our list of countries by GDP.
Specific Country Insights
Brazil’s Population and Economy
Brazil is the champion size-wise in South America, with a whopping 8.5 million square kilometers and nearly 215 million folks. It’s not just about the samba and carnival—this place rocks the ninth spot in the world’s economic rankings. With all that land, Brazil is home to the Amazon rainforest. Yep, that’s where you’ll find wild critters and even tribes who’ve said ‘no thanks’ to modern society.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Area | 8.5 million sq km |
| Population | 215 million |
| GDP Rank (World) | 9th |
Want to see how other nations stack up? Check out list of countries by GDP.
Venezuela’s Urban Scene
Venezuela counts about 33 million people, and most of them are city slickers with 80% living in urban areas. Caracas, its capital, boasts around 2 million residents buzzing about its tall buildings and colorful market life. While it’s rich in culture, the nation’s economic woes and political vibes keep life interesting in more ways than one.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 33 million |
| Urban Population | ~80% |
| Capital City Population | 2 million |
Dig deeper into city life with list of urban cities.
Guyana’s Diverse Mix
Guyana shakes things up in South America with its melting pot of ethnicities. Forget the usual European or indigenous combo. Here, East Indians make up 40%, Africans 30%, Amerindians 10%, and a 20% blend of mixed backgrounds. This vibrant mix pours into their festivals, food, and everyday chatter.
| Ethnic Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| East Indian | 40% |
| African | 30% |
| Amerindian | 10% |
| Mixed Heritage | 20% |
Get a taste of all the cultural spices in list of multicultural countries.
Uruguay’s European Flair
Uruguay, tucked between the towering Brazil and lively Argentina, holds about 3.5 million people. One out of three calls Montevideo home. Mostly folks with European roots, especially Spanish and Italian, call this place their playground. It’s a land where Catholic churches stand proud, and the food and fests scream “Viva Europa!”
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | 3.5 million |
| Population in Montevideo | ~1.2 million |
| European Ancestry | 88% |
| Predominant Religion | Catholicism |
Take a peek into more European ties at list of european countries.
Get to know more about these colorful South American spots and what makes them tick in our list of South American countries.