South America is the fourth-largest continent by land area and the fifth-largest by population. It is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and north, and the Caribbean Sea to the northwest.
Classification of South American Nations
Andean States
These nations are defined by the Andes Mountain Range, the world’s longest continental mountain range.
- Colombia: The only South American country with coastlines on both the Pacific and the Atlantic (Caribbean).
- Ecuador: Named after the Equator; includes the ecologically significant Galápagos Islands.
- Peru: Home to the ancient Inca civilization and the seat of the Viceroyalty of Peru during Spanish rule.
- Bolivia: A landlocked nation containing the Altiplano plateau and the world’s highest navigable lake, Titicaca.
The Southern Cone
Characterized by high Human Development Indices (HDI) and temperate climates.
- Chile: A long, narrow strip of land between the Andes and the Pacific; it possesses the Atacama Desert, the driest non-polar place on Earth.
- Argentina: The second-largest country in South America; known for the Pampas grasslands and the Patagonia region.
- Uruguay: Often cited for its social stability and democratic institutional strength.
The Guianas and Brazil
- Brazil: The largest country in South America, covering nearly 50% of the continent’s landmass. It is the only Portuguese-speaking nation in the region.
- Guyana: A former British colony; the only English-speaking country on the continent.
- Suriname: A former Dutch colony; the smallest sovereign state in South America by area and population.
- French Guiana: An overseas department of France; it serves as a primary launch site for the European Space Agency (ESA) due to its proximity to the Equator.
Fact Sheet: Capital Cities and Currencies
| Country | Capital | Currency | Major Export |
| Argentina | Buenos Aires | Argentine Peso | Soybeans, Corn, Beef |
| Bolivia | La Paz (Admin), Sucre (Constitutional) | Boliviano | Natural Gas, Lithium, Tin |
| Brazil | Brasília | Real | Iron Ore, Soybeans, Coffee |
| Chile | Santiago | Chilean Peso | Copper, Fish, Fruit |
| Colombia | Bogotá | Colombian Peso | Coffee, Petroleum, Flowers |
| Ecuador | Quito | US Dollar | Oil, Bananas, Shrimp |
| Guyana | Georgetown | Guyanese Dollar | Oil, Gold, Sugar |
| Paraguay | Asunción | Guaraní | Soybeans, Electricity, Beef |
| Peru | Lima | Sol | Copper, Gold, Zinc |
| Suriname | Paramaribo | Surinamese Dollar | Gold, Bauxite, Oil |
| Uruguay | Montevideo | Uruguayan Peso | Beef, Cellulose, Dairy |
| Venezuela | Caracas | Bolívar Soberano | Petroleum, Gold |
Significant Geopolitical and Economic Blocs
MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market)
Established by the Treaty of Asunción in 1991, its full members include Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Venezuela is currently suspended. It aims to create a common market to allow the free movement of goods, services, and factors of production.
The Andean Community (CAN)
A customs union comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It focuses on industrial, agricultural, and social cooperation among Andean nations.
PROSUR
The Forum for the Progress and Integration of South America was launched in 2019 to replace UNASUR, focusing on infrastructure, energy, and health cooperation with a leaner bureaucratic structure.
Key Geographic and Environmental Trivia for Prelims
The Amazon River Basin
The Amazon is the largest river by discharge volume and contains the world’s largest tropical rainforest. Brazil holds approximately 60% of the forest, followed by Peru and Colombia.
Landlocked Nations
There are only two landlocked countries in South America: Bolivia and Paraguay. Bolivia maintains a “Navy” despite having no coastline, reflecting its historical claim to Pacific access lost during the War of the Pacific.
Extreme Points
- Highest Point: Mount Aconcagua (Argentina) at 6,961 meters; the highest peak outside the Himalayas.
- Lowest Point: Laguna del Carbón (Argentina) at 105 meters below sea level.
- Driest Place: Atacama Desert (Chile).
- Highest Waterfall: Angel Falls (Venezuela).
Strategic Resources and India-South America Relations
- The Lithium Triangle: Comprising Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, this region holds over 50% of the world’s lithium reserves, crucial for India’s National Electric Mobility Mission Plan.
- Energy Security: Venezuela and Guyana have massive oil reserves; India’s ONGC Videsh (OVL) has significant investments in Venezuelan oil fields.
- Preferential Trade Agreements (PTA): India has an operational PTA with MERCOSUR and a separate PTA with Chile, aimed at reducing tariffs on various engineering and agricultural goods.