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South American Countries and Regions

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South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It includes the following 12 countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Argentina

Country Overview:

Argentina, located in South America, covers an area of approximately 2,780,400 square kilometers. It is bordered by Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Uruguay. Argentina is famous for its diverse landscapes, including the Andes Mountains, the Pampas grasslands, and the Argentine Patagonia. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, passionate tango music and dance, and delicious cuisine, including world-renowned beef and wine.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1816 (from Spain)
  • Population: Approximately 45.3 million
  • Capital City: Buenos Aires
  • Language: Spanish
  • Currency: Argentine Peso (ARS)
  • Time Zone: ART (GMT-3)
  • Country Area Code: +54
  • Top-Level Domain: .ar
  • ISO Country Codes: AR, ARG

Bolivia

Country Overview:

Bolivia, located in South America, covers an area of approximately 1,098,581 square kilometers. It is bordered by Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. Bolivia is famous for its diverse geography, including the Andes Mountains, the Amazon rainforest, and the high-altitude plains of the Altiplano. The country is known for its indigenous cultures, colorful festivals, such as the Carnival of Oruro, and historic sites such as Tiwanaku and Sucre.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1825 (from Spain)
  • Population: Approximately 11.8 million
  • Capital City: Sucre (constitutional), La Paz (seat of government)
  • Language: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
  • Currency: Bolivian Boliviano (BOB)
  • Time Zone: BOT (GMT-4)
  • Country Area Code: +591
  • Top-Level Domain: .bo
  • ISO Country Codes: BO, BOL

Brazil

Country Overview:

Brazil, located in South America, covers an area of approximately 8,515,767 square kilometers. It is bordered by every South American country except Chile and Ecuador. Brazil is famous for its vast Amazon rainforest, the Pantanal wetlands, and the stunning beaches of Rio de Janeiro. The country is known for its vibrant culture, including samba music and dance, as well as its diverse ecosystems, wildlife, and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1822 (from Portugal)
  • Population: Approximately 213.4 million
  • Capital City: Brasília
  • Language: Portuguese
  • Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL)
  • Time Zone: BRT (GMT-3)
  • Country Area Code: +55
  • Top-Level Domain: .br
  • ISO Country Codes: BR, BRA

Chile

Country Overview:

Chile, located in South America, covers an area of approximately 756,102 square kilometers. It is bordered by Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina, and is separated from Ecuador by the Pacific Ocean. Chile is famous for its diverse landscapes, including the Atacama Desert, the Andes Mountains, and the Chilean Patagonia. The country is known for its wine production, vibrant culture, including traditional folk music and dance, and its thriving capital city of Santiago.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1818 (from Spain)
  • Population: Approximately 19.3 million
  • Capital City: Santiago
  • Language: Spanish
  • Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP)
  • Time Zone: CLT (GMT-4)
  • Country Area Code: +56
  • Top-Level Domain: .cl
  • ISO Country Codes: CL, CHL

Colombia

Country Overview:

Colombia, located in South America, covers an area of approximately 1,141,748 square kilometers. It is bordered by Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Panama. Colombia is famous for its diverse landscapes, including the Andes Mountains, the Amazon rainforest, and the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines. The country is known for its rich biodiversity, vibrant culture, including music genres such as cumbia and vallenato, and historic cities such as Cartagena and Bogotá.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1810 (from Spain)
  • Population: Approximately 51.4 million
  • Capital City: Bogotá
  • Language: Spanish
  • Currency: Colombian Peso (COP)
  • Time Zone: COT (GMT-5)
  • Country Area Code: +57
  • Top-Level Domain: .co
  • ISO Country Codes: CO, COL

Ecuador

Country Overview:

Ecuador, located in South America, covers an area of approximately 283,561 square kilometers. It is bordered by Colombia, Peru, and the Pacific Ocean. Ecuador is famous for its stunning natural landscapes, including the Galápagos Islands, the Andes Mountains, and the Amazon rainforest. The country is known for its biodiversity, indigenous cultures, including the Quechua and Shuar, and its historic colonial cities such as Quito and Cuenca.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1822 (from Spain)
  • Population: Approximately 17.7 million
  • Capital City: Quito
  • Language: Spanish
  • Currency: United States Dollar (USD)
  • Time Zone: ECT (GMT-5)
  • Country Area Code: +593
  • Top-Level Domain: .ec
  • ISO Country Codes: EC, ECU

Guyana

Country Overview:

Guyana, located in South America, covers an area of approximately 214,969 square kilometers. It is bordered by Venezuela, Brazil, and Suriname, and is the only English-speaking country in South America. Guyana is famous for its pristine rainforests, diverse wildlife, including jaguars and giant river otters, and its stunning Kaieteur Falls. The country is known for its rich cultural diversity, with influences from African, Indian, European, and indigenous Amerindian communities.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1966 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 786,552
  • Capital City: Georgetown
  • Language: English
  • Currency: Guyanese Dollar (GYD)
  • Time Zone: GYT (GMT-4)
  • Country Area Code: +592
  • Top-Level Domain: .gy
  • ISO Country Codes: GY, GUY

Paraguay

Country Overview:

Paraguay, located in South America, covers an area of approximately 406,752 square kilometers. It is bordered by Bolivia, Brazil, and Argentina. Paraguay is famous for its unique cultural heritage, including the Guarani indigenous culture, as well as its stunning natural landscapes, including the Paraná River and the Pantanal wetlands. The country is known for its traditional music and dance, including the polka and the harp, and its historic Jesuit missions.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1811 (from Spain)
  • Population: Approximately 7.2 million
  • Capital City: Asunción
  • Language: Spanish, Guarani
  • Currency: Paraguayan Guarani (PYG)
  • Time Zone: PYT (GMT-4)
  • Country Area Code: +595
  • Top-Level Domain: .py
  • ISO Country Codes: PY, PRY

Peru

Country Overview:

Peru, located in South America, covers an area of approximately 1,285,216 square kilometers. It is bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile. Peru is famous for its ancient Inca ruins, including Machu Picchu, the Nazca Lines, and the colonial architecture of cities like Lima and Cusco. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse cuisine, including ceviche and pisco sour, and its stunning natural landscapes, including the Andes Mountains and the Amazon rainforest.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1821 (from Spain)
  • Population: Approximately 32.9 million
  • Capital City: Lima
  • Language: Spanish
  • Currency: Peruvian Sol (PEN)
  • Time Zone: PET (GMT-5)
  • Country Area Code: +51
  • Top-Level Domain: .pe
  • ISO Country Codes: PE, PER

Suriname

Country Overview:

Suriname, located in South America, covers an area of approximately 163,820 square kilometers. It is bordered by Guyana, Brazil, and French Guiana, and is the smallest country in South America. Suriname is famous for its diverse culture, including Javanese, Indian, African, and indigenous influences, as well as its pristine rainforests, wildlife, and rivers. The country is known for its biodiversity, including the Suriname River, and its historic capital city of Paramaribo.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1975 (from the Netherlands)
  • Population: Approximately 591,919
  • Capital City: Paramaribo
  • Language: Dutch
  • Currency: Surinamese Dollar (SRD)
  • Time Zone: SRT (GMT-3)
  • Country Area Code: +597
  • Top-Level Domain: .sr
  • ISO Country Codes: SR, SUR

Uruguay

Country Overview:

Uruguay, located in South America, covers an area of approximately 176,215 square kilometers. It is bordered by Argentina and Brazil and is situated on the eastern coast of the continent, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Uruguay is famous for its beautiful beaches, such as Punta del Este and La Paloma, as well as its historic colonial towns like Colonia del Sacramento. The country is known for its progressive social policies, political stability, and high quality of life.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1825 (from Brazil)
  • Population: Approximately 3.5 million
  • Capital City: Montevideo
  • Language: Spanish
  • Currency: Uruguayan Peso (UYU)
  • Time Zone: UYT (GMT-3)
  • Country Area Code: +598
  • Top-Level Domain: .uy
  • ISO Country Codes: UY, URY

Venezuela

Country Overview:

Venezuela, located in South America, covers an area of approximately 916,445 square kilometers. It is bordered by Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana, and has coastline along the Caribbean Sea. Venezuela is famous for its stunning natural landscapes, including Angel Falls, the world’s highest waterfall, and the Orinoco River basin. The country is known for its rich oil reserves, vibrant culture, including salsa music and dance, and its capital city of Caracas.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: 1811 (from Spain)
  • Population: Approximately 28.9 million
  • Capital City: Caracas
  • Language: Spanish
  • Currency: Venezuelan Bolívar (VES)
  • Time Zone: VET (GMT-4)
  • Country Area Code: +58
  • Top-Level Domain: .ve
  • ISO Country Codes: VE, VEN