South America is a vast continent located in the western part of the Americas. It is home to many countries with diverse cultures, landscapes, and economies. However, some people believe that there are only 21 countries in South America. In this article, we will explore the truth about the number of countries in South America.
Countries in South America
South America has 12 sovereign nations and one territory (French Guiana), which is an overseas region of France. These countries are:
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Guyana
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Suriname
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
French Guiana is a territory located in South America, but it is not a sovereign nation. It is an overseas region of France.
Are There More Countries in South America?
Some people believe that there are more countries in South America than the ones listed above. This is because some territories and overseas regions are often considered as separate countries. However, these territories and overseas regions are not sovereign nations and do not have their own governments or independent economies.
For example, some people may count Gibraltar, which is a British Overseas Territory located on the southern end of Spain, as a separate country from Spain. Similarly, some people may count Puerto Rico, which is a US territory located in the Caribbean, as a separate country from the United States. However, both Gibraltar and Puerto Rico are not sovereign nations and do not have their own governments or independent economies.
Summary
In conclusion, there are 12 sovereign nations and one territory (French Guiana) in South America. There are no other countries or territories that can be considered as separate from these countries. It is important to note that some territories and overseas regions are often confused with independent countries, but they are not sovereign nations and do not have their own governments or independent economies.
