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Countries of South America

12 countries1 region3 territories

South America has 12 countries. Don't try to learn them all at once: follow the route below through 2 small groups of neighbours, with capitals, flags and a memory hook for the trickiest shapes, then test yourself.

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Your route through South America

1
Mainland South America, northern part
6 countries

Mainland South America has 12 countries, too many for one sitting, so it is split into 2 parts from north to south. This is the northern part. Start with Colombia, which touches 3 of the others, then work outwards.
Memory hooks to start you off
- Ecuador
  Ecuador is a small patch on the north-west coast, squeezed between Colombia above and Peru below.
- Suriname
  Suriname is a small square between Guyana and French Guiana on the north-east coast, with Brazil behind it.
2
Mainland South America, southern part
6 countries

Mainland South America has 12 countries, too many for one sitting, so it is split into 2 parts from north to south. This is the southern part. Start with Argentina, which touches 5 of the others, then work outwards.
Memory hooks to start you off
- Uruguay
  Uruguay is a small, rounded patch on the Atlantic coast, tucked under Brazil and beside Argentina.
- Argentina
  Argentina is a long wedge pointing south, with the Andes and Chile along its western edge and the Atlantic on the other side.