Are there large countries in South America? South America spans 12 nations and has a total area of 17,835,252 km2 (6,886,229 mi2). Among the ten largest nations in the Americas, eight are from South America.
The total area of South America is 17,840,000 square kilometres (6,890,000 square miles). More than 434 million people are predicted to live there in 2021. South America is the fourth-largest continent by area and fifth-most populous after Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.
These are the ten largest countries in South America.
Brazil (3,287,086 sq mi)
With an overall size of 8,515,767.049 km2 (3,287,086 sq mi), including 55,455 km2 (21,411 sq mi) of water, Brazil is the fifth-largest country in the world and the third-largest in the Americas.
Brazil is the only nation in the world to have both the equator and the Tropic of Capricorn running through it; it is also the longest country in the world from north to south, stretching 4,395 kilometres (2,731 miles) from north to south.
Due to more than a century of widespread immigration from all over the world, it is one of the most ethnically and culturally varied countries, as well as the one with the largest proportion of Roman Catholics.
Argentina (1,073,234 sq mi)
South America’s southernmost region includes Argentina as a nation. With a total land area of 2,780,400 km2 (1,073,234 sq mi), Argentina is the fourth-largest nation in the Americas.
The country of Argentina is also the eighth-largest nation in the world and the second-largest in South America right after Brazil.
In terms of population, Argentina is third in South America, fourth in Latin America, and 33rd worldwide. With only 15 people per square kilometre of land, its population density is significantly lower than the global average of 50 people.
Peru (496,093 sq mi)
Over 32 million people call Peru home, with Lima serving as both the nation’s capital and largest town. Peru is the third-biggest country in South America and the 19th-largest country in the world, with a total area of 1,285,216 km2 (496,093 sq mi).
With one of the oldest recorded histories of civilization in the world, dating back to the 10th millennium BCE, Peruvian territory served as the home to numerous cultures during the ancient and medieval periods.
Colombia (440,715 sq mi)
Colombia is a nation that is primarily in South America but has isolated areas in North America.
The largest city in the nation and the location of both the country’s primary financial and cultural core is Bogotá.
Roughly 52 million people are living in Colombia and it has an area of 1,141,748 square kilometres (440,715 square miles). It is also South America’s largest Spanish-speaking nation. Incorporating cultural aspects brought by massive immigration from Europe and the Middle East, its rich cultural heritage, including language, religion, cuisine, and art reflects its history as a colony.
Bolivia (424,052 sq mi)
Bolivia is a landlocked nation in central-western South America.
Its topography is diverse, ranging from the Andean peaks in the west to the Amazon basin’s Eastern Lowlands. The Andean mountain range is located within one-third of the nation. Bolivia is the fifth-largest country in South America, behind Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Colombia, with an area of 1,098,581 km2 (424,052 sq mi).
The nation’s 12 million estimated residents are a diverse ethnic mix that includes Amerindians, Mestizos, Europeans, Asians, and Africans. Even though 36 indigenous languages also have official status, Spanish is the country’s official and main language.
Venezuela (353,748 sq mi)
Venezuela is a nation in the Caribbean Sea that consists of a continental mainland and numerous islands and islets. It is located on the northern coast of South America. Its population in 2022 was projected to be 29 million, with a territorial area of 916,445 km2 (353,748 sq mi).
The world’s greatest known oil reserves are found in Venezuela, a developing nation that has also historically been a major oil exporter. Earlier, the nation exported poor-quality agricultural products such as coffee and cocoa as its main exports, but oil gradually replaced these exports as the country’s main source of income.
Chile (291,855 sq mi)
Western South America is home to the nation of Chile. It is located on a small piece of land between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, making it the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica.
Chile has a population of 17.5 million as of 2017 and an area of 756,096 square kilometres (291,855 square miles).
Additionally, the nation governs several Pacific islands, such as Juan Fernández, Isla Salas y Gómez, Desventuradas, and Easter Island. Also, it claims 1,250,000 square kilometres (480,000 square miles) of Antarctica as the Chilean Antarctic Territory.
Paraguay (157,006 sq mi)
Nearly 3 million people live in Asunción, the capital and largest city of Paraguay, and the surrounding metropolitan area, making up the country’s 7.4 million total population.
With a total area of 157,006 sq mi (406,752 km2), Paraguay is somewhat bigger than the United Kingdom or slightly smaller than the state of California in the United States.
According to official estimates from 2014, the country’s population is 6.8 million, with the bulk of its citizens residing in the south. Asunción, the nation’s capital, is home to its largest metropolitan area, Gran Asunción, which is made up of many nearby smaller cities. The official language is Spanish, while Guarani is also spoken.
Ecuador (106,861 sq mi)
At the very top of South America, on the westernmost corner, is Ecuador. Ecuador is called after the Equator, an imaginary line that divides the nation in half. The majority of the nation lies in the Southern Hemisphere.
Colombia and Peru share a border with Ecuador, which is about the size of Colorado. The country’s spine is made up of the towering Andes Mountains. The entire area of the land is 256,370 km2 (98,985 mi2), and the length of the shoreline is 2,237 km (1,390.0 mi).
The Galápagos Islands, which are a part of Ecuador and are located 596 miles (960 km) west of the country’s mainland, are a haven for rare reptiles, birds, and flora. Many of the bananas consumed worldwide are cultivated in the Costa, or coastal plain region.
Guyana (82,978 sq mi)
On the continent of South America’s north, there lies a nation called Guyana. It’s usually referred to as the “Land of Many Waters”. Georgetown is the country’s capital.
Guyana is one of the least densely populated nations on Earth and has a total land area of 215,000 km2 (82,978 sq mi), making it the second-smallest sovereign state in South America after Suriname in terms of population. And, it is also the third-smallest sovereign state by size in mainland Or the Largest countries in South America.
Conclusion
Brazil, which has an area of 8,515,767 km2 (3,287,086 mi2), is the largest nation in South America. Over 211 million people call Brazil home. Brazil is the second-largest nation in the world after the United States.
Additionally, the GDP per person in Brazil’s capital, Brasilia, is the highest in South America. The other biggest countries in South America are included in this list as well.
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