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South America stretches from Caribbean coastlines to Patagonia and the southern tip of the continent.
It’s home to the Amazon rainforest, the Andes Mountains, vibrant capital cities, and world-famous food and culture.
Below is a practical list of <strong>all sovereign South American countries</strong> and their <strong>capital cities</strong>.
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<strong>Note on “ALL”:</strong> This list includes the <strong>12 sovereign countries</strong> in South America.
Some lists also mention territories (like French Guiana) that are not independent countries.
<span class="pill">Total: 12</span>
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<h2>Quick facts</h2>
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<li><strong>Largest country:</strong> Brazil</li>
<li><strong>High-altitude capitals:</strong> La Paz (Bolivia — seat of government) and Quito (Ecuador)</li>
<li><strong>Travel planning tip:</strong> distances can be long—mix flights with regional bus travel for value.</li>
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<h2>How to use this table</h2>
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<li>Each row is one South American country.</li>
<li>Column two shows the capital city.</li>
<li>Column three adds a short note you can keep or remove.</li>
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<h2>All South American Countries & Capital Cities</h2>
<p class="small">Tip: Bolivia has two capitals—Sucre (constitutional) and La Paz (seat of government).</p>
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<th style="width:40%">Country</th>
<th style="width:30%">Capital city</th>
<th style="width:30%">Notes</th>
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<tr><td>Argentina</td><td>Buenos Aires</td><td>Major hub for Southern Cone travel.</td></tr>
<tr><td>Bolivia</td><td>Sucre / La Paz</td><td>Sucre is constitutional; La Paz is seat of government.</td></tr>
<tr><td>Brazil</td><td>Brasília</td><td>Planned capital; São Paulo is the largest city.</td></tr>
<tr><td>Chile</td><td>Santiago</td><td>Gateway to Andes, wine valleys, and Patagonia.</td></tr>
<tr><td>Colombia</td><td>Bogotá</td><td>High-altitude capital; diverse regions.</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ecuador</td><td>Quito</td><td>One of the highest capitals; near the equator.</td></tr>
<tr><td>Guyana</td><td>Georgetown</td><td>English-speaking; rainforest and river travel.</td></tr>
<tr><td>Paraguay</td><td>Asunción</td><td>Riverfront capital; central location.</td></tr>
<tr><td>Peru</td><td>Lima</td><td>Coastal capital; access to Cusco/Machu Picchu.</td></tr>
<tr><td>Suriname</td><td>Paramaribo</td><td>Dutch-influenced culture; tropical forests.</td></tr>
<tr><td>Uruguay</td><td>Montevideo</td><td>Coastal capital; easy access to beaches.</td></tr>
<tr><td>Venezuela</td><td>Caracas</td><td>Caribbean-facing; check entry/travel advisories.</td></tr>
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<h3>Recap</h3>
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<li>Total countries listed: <strong>12</strong></li>
<li>Includes the full set of sovereign South American states</li>
<li>Ideal for geography practice, travel content, and educational projects</li>
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<h2>Mini travel tips for South America</h2>
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<li><strong>Altitude matters:</strong> take it easy on day one in high places like Bogotá, Quito, and La Paz.</li>
<li><strong>Season planning:</strong> Patagonia and the Andes have strong seasonal differences.</li>
<li><strong>Multi-country routing:</strong> popular combos include Peru + Bolivia, Argentina + Chile, and Colombia + Ecuador.</li>
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