South America -

South America

Information about countries in South America

Ranked the fourth largest continent, South America is stretched across the Western and Southern Hemisphere with a small territory in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent comprises twelve states— Brazil being the biggest by population and area while Suriname being the smallest.

Due to its geographical location, bordering the Caribbean, South American countries have temperate climates and are world-renowned for their beaches. Additionally, the continent is famous for its diverse natural habitat and its largest wetlands.

How To Get a Visa to Visit South America?

To get a visa for South America, you have to apply for a specific entry permit for the country you want to visit— the visa requirements are different based on your South American destination country:

Quick Facts About South America

Here are some interesting facts about South America:

Area	17,840,000 km²
Number of countries	12
Biggest country (by area)	Brazil
Population (2021)	438.5 million
Most populated country	Brazil
Number of languages spoken	Over 400 languages across the continent
Largest peninsula	La Guajira Peninsula
Highest mountain	Mount Aconcagua in Argentina
Longest river	The Amazon River

How Many Countries Are There in South America?

There are 12 independent countries located in South America:

Country	Capital	Area (km²)	Population (2021)
Argentina	Buenos Aires	2,766,890	45,605,826
Bolivia	La Paz, Sucre	1,098,580	11,832,940
Brazil	Brasilia	8,514,877	213,993,437
Chile	Santiago	756,950	19,212,361
Colombia	Bogota	1,141,748	51,265,844
Ecuador	Quito	283,560	17,888,475
Guyana	Georgetown	214,999	790,326
Paraguay	Asuncion	406,750	7,219,638
Peru	Lima	1,285,220	33,359,418
Suriname	Paramaribo	163,270	591,800
Uruguay	Montevideo	176,220	3,485,151
Venezuela	Caracas	916,445	28,704,954

Map of South American Countries

Languages Spoken in South America

The languages listed below are the most spoken in the South American continent:

Language	Region	Number of Speakers
Spanish	Colombia Argentina Venezuela Peru Chile Ecuador Bolivia Paraguay Uruguay	210 million
Portuguese	Brazil Venezuela Paraguay Uruguay	206 million
Quechua	Peru Bolivia Ecuador Chile Colombia	6 million
English	Argentina Colombia Guyana	5.4 million
German	Brazil Argentina Ecuador Paraguay	2 million
Italian	Argentina Brazil	1.5 million
Arabic	Argentina Venezuela Suriname	1.1 million
Chinese	Argentina Peru Suriname Ecuador Guyana	535,000
Ukrainian	Brazil Argentina	527,000
Wayuunaiki	Colombia Venezuela	Over 300,000

Best Countries to Visit in South America

Some of the most visited countries in South America include:

Argentina. In 2019, this South American country received over 7 million visitors. The country attracts many tourists due to its famous capital, Buenos Aires. Also, tourists can always find something fun to do while in Buenos Aires— the birthplace of tango.
Brazil. Right after Argentina, in 2019, Brazil was the most visited with 6.4 million visitors. The most popular destinations include the Amazon Rainforest and the beaches in Rio de Janeiro, and visitors enjoy seeing its landmark, Christ the Redemer. Plus, Brazil has well-developed paleontological tourism allowing foreign visitors to explore ages 200 million years ago.
Chile. With over 4 million visitors only in 2019, Chile is one of the most popular tourist destinations globally. Visitors enjoy exploring the driest place on Earth— the Atacama desert. In addition to this, popular cities in Chile include Valparaiso and its capital Santiago.
Peru. This South American country is home to Machu Pichu and sees at least 3 million visitors per year. In Peru, tourists have the opportunity to explore one of the oldest architectural structures in the region, hike up to Humantay Lake, and picnic in the lush Sacred Valley.
Colombia. In recent years Colombia has become a highlight of South American exploration. Because it stretches to the Caribbean coastline, visitors can enjoy some of the best beaches in the country and visit the old city of Cartagena. Moreover, the country is home to two deserts, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore unique biodiversity.

Famous Tourist Destinations in South America

South America has plenty to offer to tourists while some of the most visited places include the following:

Machu Picchu. Located in Peru, Machu Picchu is an architectural marvel. Archaeologists still don’t know the purpose of Machu Picchu, but it’s one of the most preserved sites of the Inca empire. Interestingly enough, the site wasn’t discovered by experts until the 19 century, even though locals about the structure. Today, tourists are free to visit and explore the complex.
La Mano de Punta del Este. “La Mano,” or the “Hand,” is a sculpture located in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The sculpture was built in 1982 in the middle of the beach, and it depicts a human hand emerging from the sand, appearing as if drowning— a symbol of warning against swimmers in the dangerous waves of La Barra. The artist managed to complete the entire sculpture within six days, and now it’s a famous landmark of Uruguay and highly popular with tourists.
Pantanal. Stretched in Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay, Pantanal is the world’s largest wetland area. The territory is also home to a vast ecosystem of flora and fauna. Visitors can go on tours to explore the wildlife there and see some of the rarest plants and animals in the world.
Tayrona National Park. The Tayrona National Park is a 150 km² area of natural wonder. Famous for ecotourism, visitors can explore this Colombia gem, see some of the most beautiful beaches in South America, camp, or hike around the area. It’s the perfect place for group visits as there is something for everyone to do.
The Atacama Desert. Stargazing from the Atacama desert in Chile— where you can see the Milky Way— is one of those opportunities that come by once in a lifetime. The desert is also home to several lagoons and valleys such as the Death Valley, the Valley of the Moon, and the Laguna Verde, the latter being a unique green body of water due to its high salt content. Moreover, the desert is home to rich wildlife, including pink flamingos and Humboldt penguins.
The Amazon Rainforest. Located in Brazil and extended to several other South American countries, the Amazon is the largest rainforest on Earth and home to the longest river in the world. The area is teeming with various lifeforms, animals, and plants; its lush vegetation and many river crossings are mesmerizing for visitors. Tourists can also participate in several events, such as the Jungle Marathon, an ultra footrace in the rainforest.