South America is a diverse continent with a wide variety of countries to choose from. However, there has been some debate in recent years about the number of countries that exist in South America. Some sources claim that there are 32 countries, while others assert that there are 33. In this article, we will examine both sides of the argument and provide a detailed answer to the question: Do 33 countries exist in South America?
According to most sources, there are 32 countries located in South America. These include:
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Guyana
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Suriname
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
There are a few countries that are often considered part of South America, but are not technically located on the continent. These include:
- French Guiana – This country is located in South America, but it is a French overseas territory, not an independent nation.
- Falkland Islands – This British overseas territory is located in the South Atlantic Ocean, but it is considered part of South America by some.
- Gibraltar – This British overseas territory is located on the Iberian Peninsula, but it is considered part of South America by some.
However, there are those who argue that there are actually 33 countries in South America. These include:
- Sao Tome and Principe – This island nation is located off the coast of Central Africa, but it is a member of the African Union and has close ties to South America. Some sources consider it to be part of South America.
- Tuvalu – This tiny island nation is located in the Pacific Ocean, but it has close ties to South America through its membership in the South Pacific Community. Some sources consider it to be part of South America.
- Nauru – This island nation is also located in the Pacific Ocean, but it has close ties to South America through its membership in the South Pacific Community. Some sources consider it to be part of South America.
In conclusion, there are 32 countries located in South America and two other countries that are often considered part of the continent, but are not technically located on the continent. Sao Tome and Principe, Tuvalu, and Nauru are also considered by some to be part of South America, making a total of 35 countries. However, these countries are not widely accepted as part of South America by most sources. Therefore, it is safe to say that there are 32 countries in South America.